Mono vs Stereo - Label Profile
When most people think of a music label, they think of record contracts that forget to include the artist’s share, executives looking for the next hit, owners controlling bands and so on. But with the recently formed label, Mono vs Stereo, all of that seems to be thrown out the window. Holding high their ideals of bands being spiritually grounded in their faith, bands that create art to be heard in bars and clubs instead of churches, labels run by band members and fans, and above all honesty and truth between labels and bands, Mono vs Stereo is a bands dream label. So, where do I sign, again?
Why start a sub-label of Gotee? (Why? What needs will be met? What'll be different between MvS and Gotee?)
Well, it's not really a sub-label of Gotee. It's just that I currently share an office space with Gotee Records, and I still do some Gotee A&R assistant work as well. I was ready to quit about a year ago, but something told me to present the MVS idea to Gotee's owners. So, instead of quitting, working at Starbucks, and taking out a loan to launch MVS, Gotee's owners decided to help me out with the launch funds and setting up distribution.
-- My musical taste has always been independent rock music ranging from punk to metal and everything in-between. There were too many bands coming across my desk that didn’t match up with the vision of Gotee, so I wanted to find a home for those bands. MVS is that place now. We will focus directly to the club-touring band demographic, and to whatever Christian based medium that's independent rock relevant for specific bands. Festivals like Cornerstone and Purple Door, websites like Decapolis, and magazines like HM and Relevant get it.
Who will be making the A&R and signing decisions? What sort of criteria or genres or standards will be used in who will be signed? What kind of projects will we see (for example, mostly full-length albums by new artists, re-releases of Lust Control albums, compilations, remixes of 70s secular metal giants, tribute albums, what?)
I am the Label Manager / A&R guy, so all signings go through me. The only criteria is that I have to love it. I want to release all styles of music from bands that are grounded in their faith but want to tour the clubs and bars. As for our current projects, our first release is the independent / unsigned band comp called "The Revolution Will Begin In The Blink Of An Eye Vol.01" It features music from some of my favorite bands like The Evan Anthem (who we signed), House Of Heroes, Embraced, Matthew Thiessen and the Earthquakes, and more. I thought a comp would be a good first release for the label, that way it would let the kids know what kind of music MVS liked so they could expect to hear those sounds in the future. Our second release is a 7-inch (hopefully kids still know what vinyl is) from our friends in Relient K. They recorded some new songs for me and we decided to put 'em out on vinyl rather than cd, and only release it through our website. I want to do more exclusive releases like that in the future...whether it's split ep's with one of our bands and one from the Nail or Militia Group or some type of unique tribute comp, etc. Our third release will be from our first signing The Evan Anthem. It's been a dream come true to sign a band I have know for a while as friends, make a record with them, and now share it with the general public. I never thought I'd be able to do something like that.
--By the way, I actually picked up "The Worst Of Lust Control" last summer at a festival, I only had the tapes, and so it was good to get it on CD for once.
What is the vision of Mono vs. Stereo? (if you haven't already spelled this out in the answers to the previous two questions...)
--Well, there are 3 points to that.
--1. I want to work with bands that share the same spiritual faith and passion for independent rock as I do.
--2. Honesty. I always tell the bands what's going on. There is no secret agenda for MVS. To me, this whole music thing should be about teamwork between the bands and the label. I can't promise bands MTV2 exposure and tours with Further Seems Forever, but I can promise loyalty, hard work, and honesty.
--3. Have fun and not take ourselves too seriously. 2 years ago I was an intern at Gotee (40 hours a week) and waiting tables at a diner 5 out of 7 nites a week. So I just want to enjoy this opportunity I have been given and hopefully release music that people will enjoy and connect with.
What is art in light of God's Word, His kingdom, the Gospel, the life of the believer? How does Mono vs. Stereo fit into that / enhance that / hinder that?
I want MVS to showcase bands that create incredible art but are spiritually relevant. Bands like Bleach, Norma Jean, and MeWithoutYou, are some of the strongest spiritually based people I have ever met and they spend most of their time touring clubs and bars. It's the band's calling to play those venues, and there is nothing wrong with that. The misconception is that bad art (music) comes from grounded Christians, and bands like Bleach, Norma Jean, MeWithoutYou, Cool Hand Luke and many more are here to disprove that.
What are some bands that you'd never sign (with or without names)
Will musical styles narrow it down for you? I'll never sign rap/rock, "creed" rock, and country...unless Johnny Cash wanted to hook up with us.
What's currently in your cd player?
I love this question. I buy about 3 cd's a week on Tuesday (release day), so depending on when you print this, it will most likely be out of date. But right now its Kenna (New Sacred Cow), The Mars Volta (deloused in the comatorium), Brand New (deja entendu), Eisley (ep), Beloved us (failure on), and no matter what I do I can't get the new Copeland and A.F.I albums out of my stereo.
What are one or two bands that you would just LOVE to sign but cannot for one reason or another?
House Of Heroes and Embraced. They already have deals, but I think they represent the best of the underground right now and I would love to work with them. As a side note, I'd love to release a Prayer Chain tribute album, but the Nail should really do that.
What is the future of rock music in your opinion? How will Mono vs. Stereo be in touch with that?
NEXT PAGE
All Pages | 1 | 2
Return to Internet Exclusives
Comments
