Isn't it funny how things develope. When I started the label the focus was and still is totally on physical releases like CD or soon vinyl. But seeing the sales for mp3s last years is really bizarre. The amount of sold mp3-albums is at least 50% of the amount of sold physical records. I never expected that too be so much.
The idea of "an album" is for me still to have a physical something in my hands with booklet of photos or lyrics of the band.
That mp3-trend leads to that other labels put some few records just as mp3 out. Which is totally ridiculous, isn't it? I mean the phrase "the album is out now" means "you can buy some bits of music".
Even funnier is it maybe that the digital age of CD's are suppossed to be now "old school". I don't know.
But things like itunes are really easy to handle. You browse, you buy, you have it and can take it whereever you want - so on the other hand it is good to see that there are at least a few people who have the courage to get their mp3s legally. Not to mention that illegal copies are still and will be a huge problem.
I am not gonna tell you kids what to do but remember that bands are struggling with a lot of things and let's give them at least some kind of support - speaking of going to their shows or even buying some merchandise if you like that band.
A beer you can have anytime. Good bands aren't around everyday.
Mittwoch, 18. Januar 2012
Dienstag, 13. Dezember 2011
The Wolfgangs - Shout With The Devil
One year has passed and it's like always. Putting the last coins in your pocket together to pay the printing factory. But it is finally there! The third release of Longneck Records.
What made me choose The Wolfgangs...
Well, after The Silver Shine - Saint or Sinner I searched for the next thing. One day I got a mail from the bass player Blondin of The Wolfgangs who wrote me and kindly asked me for a release. I must honestly say, I didn't know them until then, but I liked their style. I stood in contact with Blondin and they went on with the mixing process. It's not just that the music is cool, they are also kind people who supported the process as much as possible. I didn't wanted somebody who thinks they just need a contract and everything goes by itself. The Wolfgangs took early care about a good quality recording, the artwork and what else I needed from them.
And now - the best thing of the whole record label business is to have records that you like standing on your cupboard realizing that it's also a part of your work.
What were some problems with this release?
The funniest thing about bringing a record out is that the part which takes most time is actually not the music itself (if you leave the songwriting process out). That's not the first time it happened. Often the CD is already mixed and mastered and everybody is waiting for the artwork. In this case, two or more samples were made how it should look like until they knew which one they wanted.
So my advise for the Bands: Take early care about the artwork for your upcoming record!
Nevertheless, I am quite satisfied with the result, as well as the band is and I look forward seeing the guys playing live in february 2012 together in France with The Hellfreaks.
No matter how much it sells, but a good piece of music was brought to life.
What made me choose The Wolfgangs...
Well, after The Silver Shine - Saint or Sinner I searched for the next thing. One day I got a mail from the bass player Blondin of The Wolfgangs who wrote me and kindly asked me for a release. I must honestly say, I didn't know them until then, but I liked their style. I stood in contact with Blondin and they went on with the mixing process. It's not just that the music is cool, they are also kind people who supported the process as much as possible. I didn't wanted somebody who thinks they just need a contract and everything goes by itself. The Wolfgangs took early care about a good quality recording, the artwork and what else I needed from them.
And now - the best thing of the whole record label business is to have records that you like standing on your cupboard realizing that it's also a part of your work.
What were some problems with this release?
The funniest thing about bringing a record out is that the part which takes most time is actually not the music itself (if you leave the songwriting process out). That's not the first time it happened. Often the CD is already mixed and mastered and everybody is waiting for the artwork. In this case, two or more samples were made how it should look like until they knew which one they wanted.
So my advise for the Bands: Take early care about the artwork for your upcoming record!
Nevertheless, I am quite satisfied with the result, as well as the band is and I look forward seeing the guys playing live in february 2012 together in France with The Hellfreaks.
No matter how much it sells, but a good piece of music was brought to life.
Sonntag, 27. November 2011
1 year Longneck Records
Hey bellas and billies,
It has been more than 1 year, since I founded Longneck Records. It all came all out of a sudden when Sue from The Hellfreaks told me they were looking for a label. They have been searching for weeks without success and of course they were just a small band from the middle of nowhere - called Budapest, but even though they hadn't released anything so far, I knew a lot of people were already talking about them. That was maybe also because of their pretty cool cover song "Be my lover" which was originally a eurodance hit in the 90s.
When you want to get signed as a band nowadays, all you need is good connections and good music. The reason why other labels (exept an offer from USA) had rejected them was that they thought they couldn't cope with good selling bands like Horrorpops and The Creepshow. (That's the bad part, once you got a female singer and double bass, people will start to compare you with bands like these). I was born with two ears and heard a total difference, but not neccessaryly in a negative way.
So what else can a guy who plays music since he was able to think and who is totally sick of his studies do than founding a label - And with The Hellfreaks I felt that I wouldn't regret this step. So I saved the last cents that I had just to get this record out.
Now 1 year later it seems it was a total success. The first record sold pretty good for start and when you watch their official video for "Boogieman" you can see the high interest for this band.
But that's the difference between being an old punkrock kid who hates everything and now starts that label. You say things like "the record sales good" and stuff like that. Nobody got rich and I am still saving my last cents for the next release each time, but hey, nobody can't live from nothing and at least there has been a lot of work from band-side and label-side. So who cares if this helps you paying your rent.
The Hellfreaks - Hell Sweet Hell.. 2010 - Longneck Records
It has been more than 1 year, since I founded Longneck Records. It all came all out of a sudden when Sue from The Hellfreaks told me they were looking for a label. They have been searching for weeks without success and of course they were just a small band from the middle of nowhere - called Budapest, but even though they hadn't released anything so far, I knew a lot of people were already talking about them. That was maybe also because of their pretty cool cover song "Be my lover" which was originally a eurodance hit in the 90s.
When you want to get signed as a band nowadays, all you need is good connections and good music. The reason why other labels (exept an offer from USA) had rejected them was that they thought they couldn't cope with good selling bands like Horrorpops and The Creepshow. (That's the bad part, once you got a female singer and double bass, people will start to compare you with bands like these). I was born with two ears and heard a total difference, but not neccessaryly in a negative way.
So what else can a guy who plays music since he was able to think and who is totally sick of his studies do than founding a label - And with The Hellfreaks I felt that I wouldn't regret this step. So I saved the last cents that I had just to get this record out.
Now 1 year later it seems it was a total success. The first record sold pretty good for start and when you watch their official video for "Boogieman" you can see the high interest for this band.
But that's the difference between being an old punkrock kid who hates everything and now starts that label. You say things like "the record sales good" and stuff like that. Nobody got rich and I am still saving my last cents for the next release each time, but hey, nobody can't live from nothing and at least there has been a lot of work from band-side and label-side. So who cares if this helps you paying your rent.
The Hellfreaks - Hell Sweet Hell.. 2010 - Longneck Records
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