Pittsburgh’s dark music promotion companies and record labels.
Distortion Productions was founded in 2000 by Jim Semonik to promote concerts for local, national, and international goth/industrial bands in Pittsburgh. Jim, who is the lead singer of Rein[Forced], also founded Electronic Saviors: Industrial Music to Cure Cancer in 2008. This massive series of industrial compilations released through Metropolis Records has raised more than $70,000 for cancer charities, which inspired Jim to expand Distortion Productions into a record label in 2014. Distortion Productions is now home to acts that include internationally renowned forces Dope Stars Inc. and En Esch, all while continuing to promote live shows in Pittsburgh.
Play Alone Records is a post-punk record label founded by Aaron Grey and Erica Moulinier in 2018. In addition to releasing post-punk records and cassettes, they promote concerts and DJ at the bi-monthly post-punk dance night, Second Skin. Aaron also plays bass in the local post-punk band Wisteria.
Night Sky Productions was founded by Kelly Litzenberger (formerly Kelly Ashkettle), and originally ran from 1997-2002, presenting bands such as Alien Sex Fiend, Switchblade Symphony, VNV Nation, and The Crüxshadows. After moving back to Pittsburgh, Kelly revived Night Sky Productions in 2015. She currently books a few select events each year, focusing on big parties, unusual themes, or dark bands who would not otherwise come to Pittsburgh.
The Black Bat Society was founded by Phoenix Lagoon in 2015 as a continuation of his previous promotional work as Resurrecting PGH Entertainment, which he began in 2008. The primary focus of The Black Bat Society is on hosting dance events for the goth, industrial, and fetish scenes in Pittsburgh. Their mission is to support local acts and artists, bring them together in front of broader audiences, and invite national acts to the Pittsburgh area.
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