Label
VIVA / Plasma Tapes
1980s independent label releasing experimental music on cassette, vinyl, and printed matter including science-influenced and Los Angeles-based works.
About
VIVA / Plasma Tapes was an independent record label active during the 1980s, operating during a formative period for experimental and industrial music distribution. Based on available releases, the label demonstrated a commitment to cassette and vinyl formats, reflecting the DIY ethos prevalent in underground music communities of that era. The label's catalog included "From Science To Ritual" (1983) on cassette and "Viva Los Angeles" (1986) on LP, suggesting an interest in avant-garde and experimental compositions. The label also produced printed matter, including the magazine "Viva Noir No.10 Postcard," indicating a multimedia approach to artistic presentation beyond audio releases. With a geographic connection suggested by the "Los Angeles" reference in their discography, VIVA / Plasma Tapes occupied a niche within the broader landscape of independent and experimental music labels of the 1980s. The label's limited but eclectic output reflects the experimental music underground of the period, prioritizing artist vision and unconventional distribution methods over commercial appeal.
