This is the list of Frequently Asked Questions for 4AD-L, an Internet mailing list devoted to the 4AD record label and the bands and artists on it, such as Kristin Hersh, Gus Gus, The Breeders, etc;including bands formerly on the label, such as the Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Pixies and Throwing Muses. Other music of a similar nature (generally swirly / ethereal / noisy) is also fair game.

The aim of providing this information is three-fold. Firstly, to provide you with help with subscribing, unsubscribing and setting options for the 4AD-L mailing list (administrivia), and a list of guidelines (etiquette) as you might expect.

Secondly, it tries to answer common questions that often get asked on the mailing list, so you don't necessarily have to repeat the same questions. This is common practice - almost every sizable mailing list or USENET newsgroup has a FAQ. In this capacity you'll find a wealth of information here about music, compilations and so on that you wouldn't necessarily find elsewhere. You'll also discover where to buy things from, and where to look for more information. There's a comprehensive catalogue of World-Wide Web links and mail addresses.

Thirdly, this FAQ contains a repository for your thoughts and opinions about all sorts of music. You'll find most of that in the sources/archives section, in a fairly unorganized state right now. If you'd like to contribute to this, or anything else here, please drop me a note at 4ad-l@state51.co.uk. As long as the contribution is attributed to an author, I'll be happy to include it.

This FAQ is being maintained by David Thorpe and Mark Von Minden. This FAQ was edited by JT Milhoan between September 12, 1996 and August 1997. It was originally compiled and maintained by Jens Alfke. Please feel most free to mail corrections, new details, and suggestions for new Q's and A's.

Be advised that the maintainers of this FAQ are not experts on all things 4AD (most of this info comes from other people). You're better off asking the list for answers to obscure questions not covered in this FAQ.

Alphabetical thanks to:

Brent Aliverti, Mike Borum, Sofia Bailote, Theo Buchler, Jose Garcia Camil, Susan Curran, Kelli-Jeanne Drum, Emiel Efdee, Jeff Gayton, David Gilles-Thomas, Christopher Hanks, Dave Hanna, Ralf Henneking, Steve W Hill, Thomas Homulka, Simon Hughes, Neil Impelluso, C Kemnitz, Al Kolman, Joseph Kyle, Laurent Lapierre, Julian Lawton, Philip Locke, D T Marlow, Sebastian Mundt, Brant Nelson, A J Norman, Jeremy Orr, Andrew Reynhout, Elizabeth Reynolds, Keith Richmond, Matthew Robertson, Tym Rourke, John Roseborough, Jason Schmit, Dr Bruce Scott, Ben Segal, David Sokol, Kenneth Sooley, Robert Stanzel, Matthew Thomson, Geordie Torr, Jason Venkit, Matthias Walzner and Kenneth Watson

for their help so far!