Four Salem indie bands joined forces to create a web record label, Warble Records. Their goal is to pull resources together and help each other succeed in the music market.

The bands are Massive Moth (Kevin Rafn, Jason Stringer, Sean Ireland), Julian Snow, Sustentacula (Ryan Stuewe, David Rafn), and Daniel Severin Rafn. "We're going under one name so we can help promote each other and help distribute older recordings that aren't active anymore," said Daniel Rafn, who is in the process of recording a third album. A featured older recording would be one of Julian Snow's bands, Mill Race.

Warblerecords.com is a web space for these four local artists to distribute information about their shows, news and events.

"We'll post the shows that involve one of our bands and if other bands are playing with us, then they'll be included," said Rafn.

The site also provides full songs in high quality MP3 to stream or download for free, and videos made by local directors.

"It should help out all bands on the label," said Jason Stringer, Massive Moth's bass player and vocalist. "The pooling of resources is a big contribution: Daniel is really good with graphic design and making the website, Kevin is a really good artist, and Julian is a talented session musician. Daniel is also a good recording artist."

However, Stringer said that none of them have been able to dedicate themselves full-time to making and promoting music, as they all have other occupations.

Stringer has an extensive background in band management, promoting and booking. "I used to work for a booking and promotional company called

Nice Promotions," he said. "I also used to own the Space with Doug [Hoffman]. What I got out of it was a lot of experience. I only owned it for a year, but we had over 100 shows," he said. "I have a lot of experience handling shows, seeing what people like, creating the show's atmosphere."

Stringer's experience and the rest of the band's talent have paid off.

"We're one of the more well-known local bands. We play in Portland often, and in Salem often," he said, adding that they may go on tour this summer.

Stringer said he and his band work hard to make every one of their shows a success. "We try to make [our shows] a good experience. We book the other bands and the venue. A lot of times we try to get a national act to play. We've played with Rocky Roberts, Shaking Hands, Rocky..."

Stringer mentioned that uniting under one label has helped many bands in Portland, and having an online presence is crucial in the music business. The musicians have put a lot of effort into the design of their web space.

"We want the site to be like a work of art," said Rafn.

Every band has a page in the Warble Records main site, with links to their other pages, like MySpace and Facebook.

According to Rafn, not only does the record label help these musicians, but it's a benefit to the community of Salem as a whole:

"This is something good for Salem because it's one group of Salem musicians that are getting really organized and really serious about giving music to Salem."

The artists have been making music locally for about a decade, and plan to stay in the area, according to Stringer.

Rafn said he likes that in Salem, there's not a great separation between fans and musicians, who can easily become friends.

"We think that's kinda cool. The music scene is tightly knit. Salem is small, culturally and entertainment wise," he said. "It's a small town, and I've always appreciated that." Rafn also said that the web label will allow Salemites to feel even closer to these local bands: "It's a communal thing where Salem residents can feel like they're a part of it. They can share in the ownership of the musicians who live where they do."

About the bands:

Massive Moth is Kevin Rafn (vocals, guitar), Jason Stringer (vocals, bass), and Sean Ireland (drums).

According to their MySpace page description, "You can't pin down Massive Moth's sound - as they hover somewhere between Television-like art-punk and King Crimson-like prog rock on any given song - but why pigeon-hole yourself?" Massive Moth is currently working on new material.

Daniel Severin Rafn produces textured songs, with layers of electronic and acoustic instruments. DSR is currently recording.

Julian Snow plays in various bands, such as "Julian Snow & the Murmuring Pines," and under the name of "Hank C. Porsche" when he plays piano solos. Julian Snow is currently recording.

Sustentacula is David Rafn and Ryan Stuewe. According to a fan, "Sustentacula speaks simplistic acoustic songs through a kaleidoscope of gorgeously off kilter production and instrumentation. Rafn writes perfect acoustic bedroom pop ground up with bits of trenchant machinery and clamorous, woodsy atmospherics." Sustentacula is working on new material.