Aaron
recently caught up with the cool folks behind ace record label –
Bilocation Records – who have a stunning reputation within the
Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal Community.
We are huge fans of them here at Sludgelord HQ. So lets see what Aaron discussed with this great record label.
(SL)
What can fans look forward to from your label in 2014? How is your
schedule shaping up? Any exclusives you can tell us about?
We
had a huge delay at the pressing plant due to the RSD 2014 – so we
are a bit behind…next up will be Mexicoma with their second full
length. An amazing record, more accessible than their debut, which I
think was really outstanding also!
Then
we will have the exclusive premiere of the Daily Thompson debut – a
German fuzzrock band which everyone should check out. They create a
unique fuzzrock style which is hard to describe: fuzzy with catchy
refrains and great mid-tempo riffing – and a fantastic sound!
Followed
by the ‘Tibetan monk’ double vinyl from french impro-rockers
Domadora – they are huge! You have to check out their live footage,
simply amazing! Expect long guitar soloing and a heavy fundament made
of bass and drums!
We
have two handful of further releases you should keep your eye on
including Demonauta, Moon Curse, At Devil Dirt, Kayros, Valley of the
sun, Space god ritual, Sonora ritual & La chinga.
(SL)
For those people who are not familiar with your label, could you tell
us a little about yourself, your label and why you decided to start
…..Records ?
After
running the mailorder for a couple of years we had several band
inquiries from time to time. With Lonely Kamel we decided it would be
a great idea to try releasing their first two albums on our own as we
really loved their music. Well – it worked out fine and we simply
continued!
(SL)
You’re a music fan first and foremost, right? Given
that music seems to be so disposal at times, do you place more
importance on offering a great package to your customers, given the
emergence of digital age. What is the ethos behind what you’re
trying to do with the label?
Yes,
I am a vinyl collector since the mid 80ies, went through the vinyl
depression in the 90ies and never gave up. I was always angry about
those labels who offer cheap made vinyl, especially in the 90ies you
could have the impression that the companies tried to destroy the
vinyl scene with cheap shit.
So
from beginning our aim was to offer the collectors and vinyl-fans
high quality products only. All our releases are released on 180g
vinyl, manufactured at the in our opinion best pressing plant in
Germany. All our releases get a special vinyl mastering for best
sound. Our focus is on the quality that you get as a vinyl-collector.
All the cash-in we get from a release goes to the next one.
(SL)
What, if any bands may have inspired you to start the label or
was their a specific reason you felt you wanted to support the bands
you have?
We
always love the music of the bands that we work with, it has to match
with our taste – we never released an album that we would not
listen to at home. And of course we wanted to give bands a chance to
bring out their music on valuable, well done vinyl.
(SL) Is
there a specific person (s) that you looked up to in terms of
modelling your label upon?
There
have been great labels around when we started, only think of Rise
Above and the bands on it or TeePee Records in the US. But we tried
to find our own way/style with our label philosophy.
(SL)
In your experience, how easy/difficult has it been to get coverage
for your releases?
It
needs daily and continuous work. Social media gets it easier in some
ways but it is always hard with the bigger zines, because most of
them want physical copies for reviews – and you cannot send out
dozens of vinyl copies from a 300 limited edition. But we try our
very best – and everything helps, like this interview for example!
(SL)
What do you look for in band, in order for you to get involved in
releasing their music?
It
is simple: we have to love their music…you cannot really describe
it, what makes it magic for us…everything has to fit together…and
every one of us has to love the stuff, if not we do not release it.
(SL)
Based on your own experience, what do you think is the most important
thing for a new label to do in order to promote themselves and their
artist (s)?
You
have to do it with passion and not with the $ sign in your eyes to
make a fast cash-in due to the vinyl-hype that is around at the
moment.
(SL)
What has been some of your favourite releases so far?
I
love everyone, really! Of course the actual releases are more in the
focus but in retrospective I do not regret any of our releases! It
was a pleasure to work with the artists an every release, everyone
was really nice and helpful! Thanks to the bands!
(SL)
What are some of the difficulties/frustrations of running a label,
because there are many other commitments such as family, work etc
that perhaps restrict the amount of time you can dedicate to your
label? Not to mention the financial pressure?
We
can share the work, have really helping relationships and we do not
have children who would steal our time, haha! Of course it needs a
lot of time to run the label but we love what we do so it is a good
investment of time!
(SL)
How valuable are blogs and social media? What are your thoughts on
changes in the industry over recent years in terms digital versus
CD/Vinyl? Some label perhaps do not advocate including DD codes for
example?
Blogs
and social media help a lot to spread the word in the
community/scene. It is great work which is done there by all the
bloggers and supporters, thanks for that!
CD
seems to lose weight more and more but vinyl is stronger than ever
since the revival. But it has turned into overkill since all the big
names also bring out tons of unnecessary but expensive reissues. Who
shall buy all this? We will see where the vinyl- journey will end in
the next year or two…
DD
codes are a fine idea, it is an extra bonus for those who love the
vinyl and want to hear the album also on their smartphone or in the
car. Maybe we will try that also in the future…
(SL)
Given that you have a number of releases under your belt, how do you
measure the success of each release, are you reliant on selling units
in order to release the next one?
Most
of our releases went well, so we cannot complain. Of course we are
reliant on the cash-flow to bring out the next one. But as I said, we
love the bands and their music that we bring release on vinyl so we
do not only see the monetary aspect of a release.
(SL)
Some labels place a significant importance on the releases
having a sense of being a collectable, with Standard and Die Hard
Editions. What do you feel is the significance of
releasing such a package (s)?
We
also do an exclusive limited version with every release, which is
only available through our mailorder so our customers will get a
collector’s piece.
Those
die-hard or exclusive editions are a nice gratification for the true
collectors who keep track with the label’s outputs. It gets a bit
too much at the moment, special versions everywhere, but for me as a
collector myself it is a lovely thing!
It
should not be overdone, because that would kill this idea.
(SL)
If you could have released any record past or present, what would it
be and why?
Haha,
good question! For me personally: I would have loved to release the
first Motörhead album because it changed my live forever. So raw and
heavy for its time, amazing.
(SL)
Has there been any bands you wanted to work with but for whatever
reason it did not happen?
Yes
there have been some, but maybe someday it will happen?
(SL)
What would be your survival tips for longevity?
Stick
to your guts! And be attentive, there are many mistakes hidden in
every detail!
(SL)
Indiegogo or creative no no?
The
crowd funding idea is nice for innovative and new ideas. It could
help bands to finance a tour or studio but still I would be careful
how to spend my money – there are surely many liars on the
platforms.
(SL)
Finally, do you have any final comments/word of wisdom you’d like
to bestow upon us?
It
is the music that matters!
And
thanks for the interview, Aaron!
Thanks to Bilocation Records for taking the time out to talk to Aaron.
Check This Great Label from the links below.
Written by Aaron Pickford
