CELEBRATING A DECADE OF INDIE RELEASES: WEEF RECORDS
West Union, Iowa – May 22, 2024

Bird-On-Fire Recording, a premier recording studio established in 1980 by Doug Koempel and a team of dedicated volunteers—Kevin Conner, Robert Traeger Jr., Greg McGaffic and Mike Heins—celebrates over four decades of musical innovation and excellence. Since its inception as an analog 8-track recording facility, the studio has been a cornerstone for artists, choirs and commercial productions here in the Midwest.

Now in 2024, Bird-On-Fire has evolved into a completely digital audio & video production facility—recently inducted into the Midwest All-Music Association Hall of Fame. As studio operator, Doug Koempel has produced hundreds of albums, singles, university choir recordings, TV and radio commercials and film soundtracks. Notably, the studio’s primary focus has been on producing music for the Hall of Fame artists, the Memory Brothers (IRRMA Hall of Fame in 2013 and MAMA Hall of Fame in 2019.)

Bird-On-Fire Recording has also been instrumental in launching the careers of several well-known artists. Nikki Anders, Emily West, Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster, Brenda Russell, Dennis Van Hove and Nora Gedgaudas all began their musical journeys with demo sessions recorded there.

2024 marks a significant milestone as Bird-On-Fire Recording celebrates the tenth anniversary of its indie label, WEEF Records. The label has released a series of Memory Brothers’ albums, beginning with 2014’s Feelin’ Alright and culminating in its latest release, Back in the Old Neighborhood in 2024.

Releases on WEEF Records are available not only as CDs but are also distributed on all major streaming platforms including Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeart Radio.

“Looking back over the past forty-four years, it’s scary how quickly four decades have passed by!” said Doug Koempel. “My journey with the Memory Brothers, the studio and the establishment of WEEF Records has been a highlight; and I’m immensely proud of the music the Memory Brothers have produced—as well as all the other artists we’ve supported.”