Success stories from the files of designWELL.

All in the
Family

Breaking records in the soundtrack business.

I first discovered Film Score Monthly in 1993, when it was a 32-page fanzine. As a reader, I redesigned the mag in exchange for a lifetime subscription. But as the circulation grew, so did the magazine, until in 1997, I joined the staff to design and produce 75 issues through the end of 2005, often writing stories and reviews as well.

 

But a funny thing happened along the way; magazine publisher Lukas Kendall became a record producer, and designWELL came along for the ride. FSM has taken a boutique approach, crafting an extensive catalog of limited-edition CDs for a small audience. Many of these titles, although familiar to film and TV fans, have never had a legitimate CD release.

Each soundtrack is like a miniature coffee-table volume dedicated to the film's background, with extensive attention paid to the soundtrack. The comprehensive notes (from 12-48 pages) are lavishly illustrated with rare art and photos. The music on disc is often remixed and remastered from original elements, with alternate recordings and outtakes as well.

 

In January 2007, FSM released its 150th CD, with no end in sight. The International Film Music Critics Association voted FSM “Soundtrack Label of the Year” in 2004, and selected our 3-CD release of the 1962 Mutiny on the Bounty “Best New Release of a Previously Existing Soundtrack.” designWELL is proud to be a part of FSM's continuing success—and we love the music, too.

“FSM’s art direction is fantastic as usual.
They really set the standard by which all other specialist labels are measured.”

—Stephen Wollston, Music from the Movies magazine