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It’s Wichita Record’s 10th Anniversary this year – and what a marvellous 10 years they’ve had. With a series of events next week planned to celebrate their greatness, we’ve got Huw Stephens to pen some words about how wonderful they are.

Stick around after reading though, as we’ve been given a pair of tickets to two of the parties been held next week…

Way back in 2000, records started arriving at Radio 1 towers. Some were weird, all were wonderful. They had the Wichita logo on them, and music by Bright Eyes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and My Morning Jacket started breaking through, taking us to another world; intense and joyful, intricate and massive. Her Space Holiday, Brave Captain and Wauvenfold were masters of wonky brilliance, Northern State and Saul Williams were slammin’. Through all of their releases, from the mighty Cribs to the beguiling Bloc Party, there has been a quality and consistency to Wichita’s releases that is magnificent.

More recently I’ve loved their nurturing of bands like Los Campesinos! who continue to charm and excite, growing steadily and play bigger and bigger venues. The look on Wichita’s faces when they played Koko’s in London recently was a joy to see; the same when Sky Larkin and Frankie and the Heartstrings treat the world to their excellent songs. I love how they embrace everything from Lovvers’ hardcore to First Aid Kit’s heart melting folk. Their signing of Simian Mobile Disco saw them realise an ambition to work as a home for a real live dance act, which has seen SMD take their tunes and live show to a whole new level.

You’ll be hard pressed to find another label boss with as much positive vibes and an incredible optimism, coupled with a deep love of MUSIC, as you do with Mark Bowen. The man is joy to be around, his character and no shit-barrier is inspiring. Dick and Ben, Gareth and Janine, Vicky and all who ride the good ship Wichita do so for the good of the bands and artists on the eclectic roster. Their office is a mess of albums and ep’s, badges and t shirts. Most labels with Wichita’s success rate would have had swankier offices by now I’m sure. The mess says it all in a way.

I nearly flipped out when I found Bowen is from Wales. Inspired by Spillers Records in Cardiff, his love of the Bluebirds continues to grow. From what I understand about football, this love grows at a time when most would have given up by now. His signing of the Super Furry Animals to Creation Records back in the day brought the band to prominence and inspired so many more to get their music out to wider world.

I still can’t believe Wichita Recordings have never been to Wichita, Kansas, in the US of A though. There should be some sort of huge Wichita festival there one day.

Happy Birthday Wichita!

Huw Stephens

Awww – isn’t he nice?

Now’s the fun time! We’ve got a pair of tickets for:

Monday, 12th July: LAUNCH PARTY featuring Lissy Trullie, Those Dancing Days and Young Legionnaire.

Tuesday, 13th July: featuring: First Aid Kit, Peggy Sue and Meg Baird.

All you have to do to be in with a chance to win, is email competition@thelineofbestfit.com with “Happy Birthday Wichita” in the subject line, along with the night you’d like to be entered for i.e. Monday OR Tuesday, and your name and contact details in the message! Easy!