Libraries Media Center

Crocodile Café Collection

The Crocodile Café Collection contains 2,840 hours/4,910 tracks/118 continuous-days of live music recordings. Recorded at the Café between May 2002 and December 2007 by audio engineer Jim Anderson, these recordings document performances by dozens of artists, both notable and obscure. From indy rock to punk, freak folk to noise, the collection captures numerous memorable and energetic performances. Whatever your opinion of a particular band, the crystalline quality of the recordings is a testament to the audio engineering prowess of Mr. Anderson.

FAQ

Can I listen to the recordings? If so, how?

Yes. The collection is available on two listening stations at the Libraries Media Center, which is located on the mezzanine level (between the 1st and 2nd floors) of Odegaard Undergraduate Library (hours and location information available here). Depending on demand we ask that you limit your listening sessions to an hour.

Do I need to be affiliated with the UW in order to listen to them?

No. While it is the Libraries' primary mission is to serve members of the UW community, the general public is encouraged to come and listen. Don't be shy. Come be our guest!

What's in the collection?

Click here to view a preliminary list of the collection's contents.

Why aren't the recordings online?

The University of Washington owns the recordings but not the rights to the intellectual content captured on the recordings. Therefore, in order to prevent unauthorized duplication and distribution of the recordings, we restrict access to in-library use only. We want to be sure that we are working on the side of the artists here by both preserving their legacy and protecting their intellectual content.

Why is it housed at the University of Washington?

Mr. Anderson donated the original digital recordings to the UW Ethnomusicology Archives in October 2008 (Collection number 2008.12). They are being preserved and made accessible by the Archives and the UW Libraries. This collection complements the Ethnomusicology Archive's regional collections and the Media Center's Puget Sounds project, which aims to document music in the Pacific NW.

What if I have questions or concerns about the collection?

Contact John Vallier.