While tapes often sell out fast, the way Randall dubs them is a slow slow process. He runs his entire label in-house from the tapes and J-cards, to custom made thank you cards and little pins. He started buying up tape decks that could record 2 tapes at the same time and committed to dubbing the tapes in real time. For his setup now, he runs an audio out from his computer into a splitter that divides the audio signal into 4 Tascam decks. Since these decks can record 2 at a time he is able to record 8 tapes in real time. He’ll start dubbing one side, go get some dinner, come back, start the other side, go do the dishes, and begin with the next 8 tapes after that. There’s something very special about buying Graveyard Orbit tapes that are made with this amount of care and effort.

There’s also a sentimental warmth about the medium itself. Randall is especially fond of his self titled B52's tape from 1979 with the single “Rock Lobster”, which he found at Goodwill:

“What I love about this tape (and magnetic tape in general) is that this tape has been played so much its kinda been destroyed. There is audible flutter and warping on a lot of the tracks, but most noticeable on Rock Lobster. I like to imagine the person(s) who previously owned this tape just loved this album so much and played it everywhere. They probably sat around rewinding Rock Lobster and listened to it over and over again. That’s definitely a romantic quality of tape — you can literally listen to it so much that it slowly degrades over time. It’s finite. It’s a right of passage. It’s a badge of music passion. Listening to your mp3 will sound the same every single day which is so sterile when compared to a tape that’s been loved and listened to for years. I know it’s a silly romantic and nostalgic idea, but thats why I love that B52's tape.”

Randall is gradually carving out a supportive space for tape enthusiasts like himself, after connecting with many of his supporters and musicians online. After his disappointing experience at record conventions, he wanted something special for tape fans only. Austin Cassette Fest was born out of the idea to connect and build community that is already around tapes and cassette culture. In 2014, 12 record labels and vendors were tabling at the Fest, and sponsorships from Firestone Walker and Sailor Jerry kept things flowing. Bands played, an afterparty was thrown. It was all very ambitious and went off without a hitch! Randall isn’t sure if Austin Cassette Fest will be an annual event, as he isn’t sure how successful it will be long term, but it’s definitely on for 2015…

A graveyard orbit is a supersynchronous orbit that lies significantly above synchronous orbit, where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. It’s the path where spacejunk goes to die. This might even be a good analogy for tapes as a medium for music.

Some dead satellites refuse to go quietly to their graves.