Editing Jade Tree (record label) (section)

==History==

===Origin (1987–1990)===
In 1987, Tim Owen and Darren Walters were introduced during a punk show in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="spin" /> 

At the time, Walters was a student at the [[University of Delaware]] where he had already independently released records on his label, Hi-Impact Records. To further these musical pursuits, Darren teamed up with [[Rochester Institute of Technology]] student Tim Owen, and his friend [[Carl Hedgepath]]. Together, they created their own label, [[Axtion Packed Records]]. <ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Katchen |first=Andrew |date=March 2003 |title=Jade Tree Blooms Out Of The Underground |volume=115 |page=10 |magazine=Billboard |issue=9}}</ref>

Both Axtion Packed and Hi-Impact focused on [[straight edge]] [[Hardcore punk|hardcore]] and produced [[Phonograph record|vinyl records]] in [[45 Record|45]] format.<ref name="spin" /> 

In an effort to expand musical genres and format, Axtion Packed Records was dissolved in 1990 to form Jade Tree Records. Owens and Walters modeled their new label on established independent's [[Touch and Go Records|Touch & Go]] out of Chicago and Washington, D.C.'s [[Dischord Records]]. <ref name=":0" />

===Growth and becoming established (1991–1996)===
In August of 1991, Jade Tree made their inaugural release, Culture Shock by the hardcore band Four Walls Falling. The album art included original photography by Owens. <ref name=":0" />

The new label started with many [[post-hardcore]] and [[noise rock]] bands, though these bands didn't garner much interest from the public. It wasn't until 1993, when Jade Tree released the album No Punches Pulled by DC area hardcore band, Swiz, did the label start receiving recognition. <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://jadetree.com/about |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=Jade Tree |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Hot Water Music 2008.jpg|thumb|Hot Water Music 2008]]
The label began incorporating [[Emo (music)|emo]], [[punk rock|punk]], [[melodic hardcore]], and [[experimental music|experimental]] groups into their line-up. Through college, they grew the label into a stable roster by 1995.<ref name=":1" />

By 1994, Jade Tree was becoming less of a priority to the two founders. Owen had moved to [[New York City]] to attend the [[School of Visual Arts|School Of Visual Arts]] to further his photography education. Walters remained in their native Delaware, where he worked in education, focusing on disadvantaged students. A newfound interest was once again sparked, when the pair heard an unreleased demo by the band [[Lifetime (band)|Lifetime]]. By the fall of 1995, the band had officially signed with Jade Tree, and together they released the album Hello Bastards. This album would serve as the turning point for Jade Tree. <ref name=":1" />

In 1996, sales started to increase after the label released [[The Promise Ring]]'s ''[[30° Everywhere]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-12 |title=The Promise Ring's Nothing Feels Good Bridges Emo and Indie Rock |url=https://www.popmatters.com/promise-ring-nothing-feels-good-atr25 |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=PopMatters |language=en-US}}</ref>  The label often used the graphic designers [[Jason Gnewikow]] and Jeremy Dean for many releases.<ref name="spin" />

===Middle years (1997–2008)===
Bands signed by Jade Tree have released albums which saw regular radio play, including [[Alkaline Trio]], [[Pedro the Lion]], [[Jets to Brazil]], and [[Joan of Arc (band)|Joan of Arc]].<ref name=":1" />

===Downsizing (2009–2013)===
When key distributor [[Touch and Go Records]] downsized in 2009 Jade Tree scaled down too. This led to a lessening of the frequency of new releases from the label.<ref name=spin />

===Digital release and regrowth (2014–2016)===
Jade Tree made its entire discography available for digital download and streaming on [[Bandcamp]] in June 2014. This marked a planned increase in the number of new releases.<ref name=spin />

In February 2015, the label signed the band Dogs on Acid.<ref name=pn />

===Epitaph purchase (2017–present)===

In 2017 [[Epitaph Records]] purchased Jade Tree's entire catalog and started to re-release the back catalogue on vinyl. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Slept-On Records from Classic Labels: Jade Tree {{!}} Lists |url=https://www.noecho.net/lists/jade-tree-underrated-albums |access-date=2022-10-24 |website=www.noecho.net |date=8 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref>