Matthew Miller says that tapes are “very warm feeling.” While he’s referring to the sound and physicality of cassette tapes in general, Miller’s words might actually describe the heart behind his little operation: Room Tapes. This kid is concerned with the unique noises that every person makes, and he wants to make room for them in the world.

After working closely with record labels since age fifteen, Miller grew tired of the digital state of music. He says, “With the resurgence of vinyl, people are trying to get back” to a dying method of listening to music. So, about a year ago, he decided to start Room Tapes, a local cassette tape label that he operates discreetly from a MySpace page. While his friends and roommates often lend a hand, Room Tapes is really Miller’s project—his personal sound-print.

Room Tapes produces limited quantity tapes in multiples of one hundred, all of which are hand-numbered. When you handle them, the do-it-yourself spirit of Room Tapes is clear, from the textured original artwork on the hand-cut cassette cover, to the typewritten label on the back that asks you to “enjoy.” Bands interested in releasing tapes with Room Tapes send him digital files or a cassette recording. Then Miller uses his “one lonely duplicator” to churn out copies. His customers span many ages. One of his best is a woman in her mid thirties from California: “If someone buys our tapes, then they really want to listen to it.” People can buy Room Tapes at Treehouse Records, place PayPal orders via MySpace, or send Miller an email for him to bicycle-deliver the tape to their door.

Miller is not the only kid handing out four-dollar records. Minneapolis is full of little tape distributors. In fact, Miller’s friend Gordon runs Peddling Tapes, and his friend Liz operates Tardigade. But unlike other local places, Miller’s plan isn’t just focused on what comes out of Minneapolis and St. Paul: “I’m more interested in what’s going on around the country that I can bring to the cities. There’s been a lot of emergence of low-fi surf type music lately that’s taking over the radio, and I’m trying to bring some more of that out here, because all of it’s kind of getting the same with the punk rock and everything. I’m trying to bring different stuff.” Miller says starting Room Tapes was “about being a part of something. I can’t play any instruments at all, whatsoever. So this is me—because I thoroughly enjoy music—this is me trying to give people something that they probably wouldn’t hear.” Some soon-to-be released albums on Room Tapes come from Ancient Crux, Crappy Dracula, Fuck Montreal, and Minneapolis’s Total Babe.

This summer, you’ll find Miller in his garage, which he plans on transforming into a neighborhood shop of sorts, called the Synthetic Flying Machine. He and his friends will hang out duplicating Room Tapes projects, selling paintings, original clothing, blank tapes, tape players, and more. Like Room Tapes, they want to make it a place for everyone.