http://allaboutrecords.org/
“Always set goals and don’t let anything get in your way from attaining them…”
Wolf: Any recommendations for up and coming artists?
Allaboutrecords: Always set goals and don’t let anything get in your way from attaining them. Don’t make excuses, just always move forward. If you experience set backs, learn from them and make sure they don’t happen again. The only thing stopping you from touring, and putting out records if yourself, it’s 2016, there is no reason a band cant finance releases and tours on their own.
What would you say is the hardest thing about having a record label?
Being unappreciated, running a label/booking shows is possibly one of the most under appreciated parts of the DIY world. Most people have no idea how much time, work, and sacrifice goes into keeping something going for 5, 10, 20 years.
Wolf: I noticed that you also have a nonprofit, could you tell me some more about it?
Allaboutrecords: Our home base is a not for profit art space, we do free live recordings for local bands that are basically like recorded shows. We also have art classes, video game competitions, art shows, etc., all for free.
http://allaboutrecords.org/center_for_the_arts/
Wolf: What motivated you to create this nonprofit?
Allaboutrecords: Well I’ve always had a real job to pay my bills, AAR was always something I did to help bands, so it really was a no brainer. There is no money in the DIY scene unless you make bands sell tickets or rip people off. A successful month for me is a month people come out and participate in things and we don’t lose money.
Wolf: Any way people can help?
Allaboutrecords: We are always looking for help, word of mouth is key in this world. People hate doing it, but sharing posts, tagging people, etc is really the best way to help us or any other local DIY space. The more people that know about it, the better.
“Make shit happen and never quit…”
Wolf: What do you think makes your record label different?
Allaboutrecords: A couple of things make AAR different from most smaller labels I think. First thing being, I have never taken a dime of payment for my work, its always been about helping bands and doing rad things. Second would be I only work with bands I feel fit as part of the AAR family, I don’t care how successful a band could be or talented they are, if they have bad attitudes I want nothing to do with them. I have passed on a lot of bands that became huge over the last 20 years, and I only regret one, which I passed on because I couldn’t afford to press 1000 12 inches.
Wolf: Any tips for anyone that wants to start a record label?
Allaboutrecords: Don’t do it, there are so many other things you can do that help bands more. Record labels are almost obsolete now. people don’t buy physical copies of releases unless the band is huge or on tour, and even that’s rare. Book shows, book tours, do band photography, do interviews, start a zine!
Wolf: What do you believe is the most important thing an artist should have for you to want to sign them?
Allaboutrecords: Dedication and Knowledge. I get so many copy and pasted messages from bands that shouldn’t even be contacting me about stuff, its crazy. In all honesty a label will come to you if they are interested, 99% of the time no one gets signed by sending a press kit or email. Bands get signed because of contacts they make in the real world, bands they have played with bringing them on tours or hyping them up to other bands/labels/promoters.
Wolf: What is the philosophy behind all about records?
Allaboutrecords: Make shit happen and never quit. Life isn’t about the things we have, its about how we are remembered and the people we touched while alive. I go to sleep every night knowing I’m doing rad stuff that makes a difference in the world, even if its just a small difference, it matters to someone. I want to try all the flavors of ice cream and experience as much of the world as possible, and I might as well help others do it, and sometimes bring them with me.
Wolf: One word to describe all about records?
Allaboutrecords: Under-appreciated
“…Most people have no idea how much time, work, and sacrifice goes into keeping something going for 5, 10, 20 years.”
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/allaboutrecordsUS
http://allaboutrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/allaboutruss
https://www.instagram.com/allaboutrecords/
