Chain Smoking Records is a record label and promotion company that specializes in the punk and Americana of the Midwest. Our beliefs and goals are pretty simple: we believe people are still making good music, and we want to hear as much of it as we can.
A Record Label
CSR seeks out new and interesting artists of the Midwest who embody the best of what this underrepresented region has to offer. CSR is primarily directed by the needs and goals of its artists, in whom the label takes a long-term interest. We’re not interested in engineering songs to break the top 40. We like artists who do something interesting, do it well, and make decisions about their art without consulting accountants.
Although critics have been predicting the end of the record label for some time now, we still believe that musicians still benefit from pooled resources. From tour scheduling to recording and promoting an album, there are certain needs all artists share. When CSR founder Anthony Fanger wanted to become a part of the local music scene, he brought with him not musical talent but a mind for business. He saw bands struggle with finances, distribution, and maintaining contacts outside their own circle. Today, CSR provides those services which its artists do not have the time or contacts to do themselves while allowing each artist to have the final say on the content, presentation, and direction of their work.
A Promoter
Recognizing that new music flourishes where good live music is plentiful, Chain Smoking Records has for several years brought the regional and national acts to Fort Wayne to give its residents a taste of the outside world before they read about it in Rolling Stone.
CSR has promoted shows for The Devil Makes Three, The Dex Romweber Duo, Two Man Gentleman Band, John the Savage, Christabel and the Jons, M.O.T.O., and many more. You can view a list of past shows promoted by CSR here and a list of upcoming shows featuring CSR artists here.
Contact
General contacts:
- General questions, comments: info@chainsmokingrecords.com
- Press information: press@chainsmokingrecords.com
- Webmaster: web@chainsmokingrecords.com
To contact specific persons:
- Anthony Fanger: President, owner. anthony@chainsmokingrecords.com
- Bart J Helms: Director of media relations. bart@chainsmokingrecords.com
Recent Press
- “Chain Smoking Records Brings Harley Poe and Furious Frank to Town.” Ben Larson, Fort Wayne Reader.
- “The man behind the scene: Promoter steering local, national acts.” Emma Downs, Journal Gazette.
- “Cigarettes & Guitars: Anthony Fanger of Chainsmoking Records.” Ben Larson, Fort Wayne Reader.
