What’s your deal?

Lighten Up Sounds is a one person operation, and always has been. We’re a little tape label focused on the publication and distribution of experimental music and art. We champion artists making creative, challenging music, and specialize in limited editions and analog formats. We’re probably best known for our cassettes, with a long running commitment to underground sounds of all kinds. We’ve been doing this for a while now, and we like to keep things interesting.


Where is the label and store based?

We are currently based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Does your label accept demos?

Sure. Lighten Up Sounds is active in the independent music community, and the label is open to collaboration proposals. We’re selective and busy, but endlessly interested in the discovery and support of interesting new music. For best results, please read our Demo Submission Guidelines here. We'll get back to you if we're interested.


How do I contact you?

Use our convenient Contact Form, or send an email directly to hello@lightenupsounds.org


How can I listen?

Our specialty is physical media, so the best way to listen is on your personal home stereo. Many of our out-of-print releases are available for streaming and download on our official Bandcamp page. In an effort to empower artists to retain maximum ownership of their work, we encourage artists to distribute their music to major streaming services themselves, at their own discretion.


How can I send my music for potential radio play?

Our monthly radio show was hosted by CAMP Radio in France from 2021-2024. You can explore the archive here: The Green Path. While the radio show isn’t currently happening, we’re always into hearing new music and curating mixes. If you’d like to share what you’re up to, feel free to send occasional promotional mailings to hello@lightenupsounds.org.


How can I get involved?

Visit our Donation Page to support the work directly. Your contribution helps preserve and promote a diverse range of experimental music, supporting artists that challenge and inspire. While the label is a one-person operation, we’re always happy to meet passionate people interested in helping. Feel free to reach out at hello@lightenupsounds.org, let us know what skills and experience you have, and we’ll go from there.


How can I get my band or label's releases into your shop?

If you haven’t noticed, the distro shop is officially closed. For many years we helped promote and distribute various titles from artists around the world. This model evolved through various stages and platforms, until finally closing in 2025 with the end of the .com site. That said, we're into all kinds of interesting music. If you feel like the sounds you're making might be good fit with what we do here, feel free to reach out and say hello. We do not support racist, homophobic, misogynist or otherwise bigoted artists, otherwise we’re all ears.


What are your shipping rates and policies?

These policies apply to our Bandcamp store. We use an accurate shipping calculation system priced by actual weight of the contents and billed at the current postage rates. All domestic and most international packages include tracking numbers via USPS. Please be sure that your PayPal or Credit Card shipping address is correct, as your package will automatically ship to this address.

All packages are packed carefully and ship promptly, usually within 2-3 days. Please note: We are not responsible for any issues, delays or damage caused by your local postal delivery service. As an international buyer, you are directly responsible for all VAT or customs import taxes, as collected by your local government. We do our best to help minimize these charges, but all import taxes are your responsibility.


What is this store's return and exchange policy?

All sales are considered final unless your item is damaged or defective. If there is a problem with your order, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to make it right. Please keep in mind that many of the items have limited stock available. You cannot return an album because you don't like it, lol. If there is an issue with any item in your order, send a message to: hello@lightenupsounds.org


How long will it take to receive my order?

Except in rare circumstances, all orders are usually processed same or next day, and packages almost always ship within 48 hrs. of purchase, excluding weekends and holidays. Once shipped most domestic orders take anywhere from 2 to 10 business days to arrive, depending on the efficiency of your local postal service.

International shipping delivery times may vary depending on location and expediency of the customs clearance process, usually between 5 days and 10 weeks.


Do you offer wholesale / trades?

Yes. For our own label releases, we happily offer competitive wholesale rates for stores and mail-order sites, and are always glad to connect with new worldwide distribution partners. If you’re interested in stocking our products, please reach out and request a current stock list. We will consider potential trades with small independent labels and individual artists whose work we feel fits within our interests.


Do you accept orders placed outside of the US?

Yes. Please keep in mind that international shipping costs are higher than ever, but we’re happy to pack your order safely and send it to you almost anywhere. We will ship worldwide, but we reserve the right to cancel any order at our own discretion.


Will you hold or reserve an item for me until I can pay for it?

Sorry, no. All items and purchases from the shop are offered on a "first come, first served" basis. Due to limited supply and general frequency of orders placed, we cannot reserve unpaid items for anyone.



If your question hasn’t been answered yet, feel free to reach out through our Contact page.