October 31st, 2007
Issue Oriented just posted their 25th episode. Congratulations Ronen. You can stop by the Issue Oriented Website to download or stream the episode. This episode has NORMAN BRANNON (TEXAS IS THE REASON & author/editor of The Anti-Matter Anthology) and REVELATION RECORDS founder/maestro JORDAN COOPER. I can’t say it enough about Ronen Kaufman as he is one of the most articulate folks in independent music. He always has interesting people and concepts in every episode. When I just went to New York, I actually visited Ronen who was kind enough to interview me for what might be episode #26. It was a great time and an honor to sit and talk with him.
Check out the press release at the following link.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | No Comments
September 6th, 2007
I am really glad to finally bring you this interview with Ken of Dirtnap Records. I have known Ken for probably close to 10 years now. He had gotten in touch with me in late 99/early 2000 about possibly doing a single with one of our bands, the Gamits. For whatever reason, it never came to be, but it alerted me to the label which has put out some of the greatest power-pop/punk records this side of the 2000’s and one of my favorite all-time records, the Exploding Hearts “Guitar Romantic”.
Ken has put out releases for the Briefs, Epoxies, Ergs, Toys that Kill, Soviettes, Selby Tigers, and many many more and although many of the bands could not sound more different, there is a commonality with their releases that finds fans coming back for more. Throughout Dirtnap’s tenure, Ken has worked with Mordam and left right before their merger with Lumberjack for Red Eye. We have had numerous talks about distribution these days and it dawned on me, why not interview Ken for IndieHQ.
Thanks Ken for taking the time to do this interview and sorry it took me so long to post it. Please read on as Ken has some interesting outlooks as he not only worked for a distributor (Mordam), in addition to running a label, he also owns a record store.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 5 Comments
September 4th, 2007
About a year ago, we interviewed Tim Hinsley who was President and COO at Lumberjack Mordam Group. Throughout all of the changes at LMMG, Tim left and has resurfaced as General Manager of Super D. Super D is one of the largest one stops out there and for those of you not familiar with the role of one stops, they have been absolutely crucial to retail accounts all over the world. One Stops are essentially a one stop shop for store buyers to get titles from majors and indies alike without having to deal with several distributors.
Being interested in the retail landscape of music, I thought it would be interesting to ask Tim a few questions about the changing role of one stops and their strategies for the future. Thanks Tim for taking the time to answer my questions and best of luck for the future.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 2 Comments
July 17th, 2007
I sent Tony 2 questions about his plans to acquire other label’s catalogs. As a few people commented, it is a smart move on Victory’s behalf. They have the capital, the distribution, the marketing, and if they can acquire other pieces inexpensively, why not? I think that there are a few releases in our distribution catalog that would greatly benefit from Victory’s marketing/distribution.
IndieHQ: What inspired your decision to purchase other label’s catalogs?
TonyBrummel: PEOPLE STARTED APPROACHING US SO I FIGURED I WOULD OPEN THE DOOR ALL OF THE WAY. IT IS HARD FOR ALOT OF LABELS TO KEEP THINGS GOING WITH RETAILERS SHRINKING FLOOR SPACE AND ALL OF THE ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING.
IndieHQ: As other labels shrink their staffs and catalogs, you are making efforts to build your distribution catalog; what do you know that the rest of the industry doesn’t know?
TonyBrummel: I DO NOT SLEEP.
Written by Virgil Dickerson | 7 Comments
June 28th, 2007
There are many things in my life that led me to choose a creative career, but music in specific was the reason I decided to become a graphic designer. It was a ritual; I’d buy a new album, hit play, and read through every last liner note while listening to the music. Hundreds of designers, bands, and album packages have influenced me over the years and the idea that the death of album art is just over the horizon makes me pretty sad.
I thought it would be a great idea to talk to some of the designers working in the industry, what they thought about the digital music revolution and it’s effect on album art and design. The first interview is with Invisible Creature. They’re responsible for creating some of the most visually powerful and recognizable album packages from the past few years including work for Bleeding Through, Atreyu, Brand New, and many more! Be sure to check out the great work at www.invisiblecreature.com.
Interview conducted by Aaron Ray. Thanks for the great interview Ray Ray.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 12 Comments
June 19th, 2007
I am working on a series of interviews with people at brick and mortar distributors and stores and thought that many of you might be interested enough to help us put some questions together.
What would you like to know about the people behind your favorite indie record stores or at mom and pop distros like Choke, Very, Revolver, and so on?
thanks for your help.
Written by Virgil Dickerson | 9 Comments
June 6th, 2007
It is an honor for me to bring you this interview with Jacob Bannon of Death Wish Records. Jacob has to be one of the busiest people on the planet as he not only co-runs Death Wish, but he also fronts the legendary aggressive act, Converge, and does design work for many of your favorite acts and labels.
We recently wrote a post giving our highest praise for their newly designed website and when doing so, Jacob was kind enough to say thanks. I had been bugging his cohort, Tre, to do an interview and thought why not see if Jacob would. Much to my surprise, he took time out of his busy schedule to do this interview and if you decide to read on which I hope you do, you will see that he elaborates to great length on the label’s long history, his thoughts on the music industry, his feelings on the vinyl format, and what records everyone must hear on the label.
Deathwish is one of those labels that deserve to be the biggest indie label on the planet. They not only put out interesting acts, but they go through painstaking efforts with every aspect of each release from artwork to recording to the band’s branding. These efforts definitely do not go unnoticed to their many die-hard fans, but it is disheartening to see bands/labels with less than 10 percent of the integrity that Deathwish has continue to outsell them. It gives me comfort that these are things that Jacob and Tre do not concern themselves with as they continue to put out powerful and beautiful releases.
Do yourself a favor and stop by their website as it is one of the greatest label sites out there. Thanks Jacob for taking the time to do this interview.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 8 Comments
May 22nd, 2007
The following is an interview with Patrick Kindlon of End of a Year. End of a Year are from upstate New York and if you haven’t been paying attention, there seems to be a number of excellent bands coming from the area. As Patrick answered the interview, he made a number of jabs at his own band that they don’t have a marketable sound. On their Myspace page, their bio states:
we wanted to play music we liked so we got together and did that shit. no one else really liked it and we were pretty comfortable being the band who tours the country but no one really likes and then revelation called one day and it was pretty weird but i like the kiss it goodbye record a lot so we decided to go with it.
When I listen to End of a Year, I am reminded of a sound more prevalent in the late 80’s, not necessarily of what is going on these days. I hear a little bit of Born Against and definitely see these guys fitting in with some of the earlier Dischord stuff and that to me, is not a bad thing.
Thanks Patrick for taking the time to do this interview; and check out “Sincerity” which was released by Revelation Records.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 1 Comment
May 18th, 2007
It wasn’t that long ago that one of our interns asked me if I had heard of the Shook Ones. At the time, I hadn’t. Jon, the intern, had been digging some songs he had heard online and told me that as a fan of Kid Dynamite, I would dig these guys. He brought in a disc and played them for me and it definitely caught my attention. It is very evident that the band has drawn inspiration from Kid Dynamite and Dan Yemin, but they do it in a very refreshing way and more importantly, they do it well. Shortly after hearing them for the first time, Revelation Records signed the band. They put out a single and a full length and it seems as though the Shook Ones are starting to pick up some steam.
One of our acts, Love Me Destroyer, recently did a tour with Smoke or Fire and the Shook Ones played one or two of the shows. Scooter from LMD said that the band were truly great live.
I am happy to bring you this interview with Kelly Aiken of the Shook Ones. Kelly answered my questions on things like record label business models, what they look for in a label, music he is listening to, and their “what don’t most people know about your band” is one of my favorites. Kelly, thanks for taking the time to do this interview.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 17 Comments
May 15th, 2007
I am excited to bring you this interview with Andrew Paley of the Static Age. I had been familiar with the band’s name for quite some time, but it wasn’t until one of our distributed labels, Reignition Records, had started working with them and their latest album, Blank Screens, that I really started to pay attention. It is funny that having those types of personal experiences is usually what it takes to put a band at the forefront of your thoughts. I am glad that I have had the experience to get to know this band; their sound is incredible and every time I listen to their album, I think, “When is this band going to get the notice that they deserve?”
Their sound can be described as the vocalist for Knapsack/Jealous Sound fronting The Cure of Depeche Mode. The band rocks while also retaining the beautiful textures of electro pop. I love this band and hope that this interview inspires some of you to check them out. The band recently inked a deal with Leave Home Booking and with luck, they will start to get on some killer tour packages. I saw them recently in Denver and they blew me away.
Andrew Paley was kind enough to elaborate on his thoughts on what he looks for in a label, what he thinks of the future of label business models, and the bands/records that inspire him. Thanks Andrew for taking the time to do this interview.
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Written by Virgil Dickerson | 1 Comment
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