The Origins of TVP Records
The Vanguard Project (TVP) was formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1996 by Scott Ruffner, Ian Jones and Omar Field-Ridley. Bonded over a mutual concern for the decaying state of popular music, the three set out on a mission to write, produce, record & perform their own original material without the corruptive input of "Music Business" forces. They embraced the ideals of a vanguard: a movement striving for originality and success, unafraid to set forth its own style and agenda. From within these parameters, they created music with integrity that spoke for its creators on every level. The Vanguard Project recruited additional talent and formed the freewheeling band Vanguard, critically acclaimed for their funky, high energy performances. They launched their own label TVP Records, producing & releasing two award winning CD's, Vanguard & Play. They quickly rose to the top of the Minneapolis music scene with countless honors and highlights that included Minnesota Music Awards, appearances with legends P-Funk, The Ohio Players, Zapp, Rick James & The Gap Band, as well as regular gigs at Prince's Glam Slam and the famed 1st Avenue nightclub. A similar movement on the national level brought artists like D'angelo, Beck and Outkast to the forefront, but it was not meant to be for the nine piece Vanguard. The band imploded in early 1999 after an amazing show with The Roots at CBGB's in NY... several "Music Business" execs were in the crowd.
Omar Field-Ridley would relocate to Northern California to create Gemtones Music Inc., while Scott Ruffner & Ian Jones joined forces with business partner Seth Romans in 2001, forming the production company Tyte LLC in Boston, MA. Childhood friends, Ruffner & Jones spent the next four years writing & producing more original material, inspired by the newfound experimental freedom of their own recording studio. Computer technology also allowed them to collaborate with musicians from New York, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, often crafting songs through mail and the internet. Feeling the urgent need to properly market & distribute this music, Ruffner connected with long time friend, fellow musician, and marketing consultant, Eric Gregoire. The two quickly came to a few conclusions: Their goals were still in tune with the ideals set forth by The Vanguard Project; many of the same characters were still involved; and that the name fit perfectly with the ongoing transformation of the music industry. The old, dying model of doing business is giving way to the new, web-based movement. Thus, TVPRecords.com has been resurrected as an online music company with an expanded scope and a roster of several unique artists. The music will be brought to you direct, no corporate middle man, no payola, no bullshit.
Omar Field-Ridley would relocate to Northern California to create Gemtones Music Inc., while Scott Ruffner & Ian Jones joined forces with business partner Seth Romans in 2001, forming the production company Tyte LLC in Boston, MA. Childhood friends, Ruffner & Jones spent the next four years writing & producing more original material, inspired by the newfound experimental freedom of their own recording studio. Computer technology also allowed them to collaborate with musicians from New York, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, often crafting songs through mail and the internet. Feeling the urgent need to properly market & distribute this music, Ruffner connected with long time friend, fellow musician, and marketing consultant, Eric Gregoire. The two quickly came to a few conclusions: Their goals were still in tune with the ideals set forth by The Vanguard Project; many of the same characters were still involved; and that the name fit perfectly with the ongoing transformation of the music industry. The old, dying model of doing business is giving way to the new, web-based movement. Thus, TVPRecords.com has been resurrected as an online music company with an expanded scope and a roster of several unique artists. The music will be brought to you direct, no corporate middle man, no payola, no bullshit.
