I'm not even sure elucidation is a real word, but never mind!
My last post wasn't very clear about my grand idea, so here's a bit more.
The clip I wanted to post was from the film High Fidelity, but youTube didn't have it.
Do you remember in High Fidelity where Laura quizzes Rob over his all time top 5 perfect jobs?
One of them is record label owner.
And then, in the film, he eventually gets inspired enough to release his a record on his own.
I'm thinking, that, we need to release a record.
I'm thinking, that between all the passionate creative minds that make up the collective 'Spill, we have what's needed to put out an amazing 7" record.
Think about how much fun it'll be - picking a name for the record company, designing the sleeve, the catalogue number, the website to go with it, the music video, even the message on the run-out groove, and not forgetting the music that makes up the two sides of the vinyl.
I'm not saying any of us should make music for the 7", but find an amazing band/bands that we can put out.
We can press up, say 500 records for about £500-£600, sell them via paypal for £2 or £3 quid, and then if they sell out - we'll have enough money to make back our outgoings and then do another one!
To raise the start-up cash would cost us very little each, and would give us the chance to make our mark on the music history that we currently obsess over.
Whaddya say, who's with me?
49 comments:
Who was that bloke on the Guardian blogs who set up a record label? Will something. Might be worth re-reading some of his posts before launching into something like this.
The thing is, I actually think there are already enough records in the world and I'm not sure we need any more.
I remember that article, and from what I remember of it, there's no point even mentioning profit. For one, there almost definately wouldn't be one. For two, who wants moneymakers? Or naysayers?
So I'd go in for up to £50 and consider it hobby money. Why not - other guys spend that in a weekend on footie matches or the pub. (Besides, I was just reading an article on how us westerners eat too much meat. Do the kids good to eat lentils for a couple months)
@richardrj - there can never be too many good recors in the world.
@tinny - that's the spirit!! i was thinking I'd do £30 - £50 quid for something that'd keep us interested and excited for months!!
I would also like to point out that profit has never been an issue for the 'Spill, we have so many thousands of regular readers that we could easily flog advertising on our blog- BUT HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO hence the "ad-free blog" logo we have on the sidebar.
Maybe we could do the next Black Box Recorder record!!!!!
(I'm kidding. I just read tonight that they are recording again and I'm thrilled but had no one to share it with)
TOOO F**Kin Right.
What? there can't be enough records in the world (unless we kill the planet with the vinyl) but sod that!
I may be slightly bitter (third death today.. in four days -it ends there PLEASE.. comes in 3s right? - sorry)
Will Hodgkinson wrote Guitar man as well didn't he.
but his Brothers 'the Idler' is better!
But we would have to record it as well Blimpy.. modern technology demands it..
what the hell is the point if we don't completely go crazy - cheering up sourpus- in the process.. we can do this?
We already have ex players on here... it would be weird and maybe shit.. but.. it could be made beautiful.. set up 'Spill sister' to record the progress..
When the overspill morphed into the spill my other half put down her glass of red wine (looking over my shoulder). It left a red ring that I thought would fit onto a record label as Spill logo back then.
Actually, did you see my post last week about the Playing For Change initiative?
What about something in that vein - using street musicians as a goodwill project. One hurdle I do see is how you find someone good enough to record who isn't signed, or holding out to be signed by someone with a better track record than a bunch of middle aged music blog hobbiests.
People - let's face it this idea is crazy, foolhardy, poorly thought out and just down right stupid!
Where do I sign up?
tin -who the hell you calling blog enthusiasts? I'm only on here cos I like you lot - still can't stand this computer world - it hurts my head!!!
so we just have an idea and go with it.. a good idea is all that matters.. tones of my stuff is recorded on c60 tapes and is still cool as fuck to me.
(spill label exists.. variations please)
Shane, have I picked this up right - have two more people died, as well as your nan? I'm so sorry...
http://frazierchorus.co.uk/
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@ shane
No no no - i said music blog enthusiasts. I don't do any other blogs, just this one. 'Cause I love ... omg, I'm getting all misty eyed.
yep TFD. (thank you all so much by the way), its been a shit week and that's after the crap month my dad has had.
but it's (sorta) sister in laws wedding tomorrow.. so a pick up for the day.
and it's keeping me from thinking too much.. which I need.
Now lets do a bloody record!
avoidance good .. thinking bad.
(any advice on getting a 4 year old in a shirt and waistcoat in the morning - or a 38 year old for that matter?)
I like the idea enormously, and I want to help any way I can. But I'm waitressing at the moment, so every fucking dollar I earn...Sorry, didn't mean to go there.
Yes. I LOVE the idea, and glad to help any way I can.
@shane - the red wine ring would make for a great logo, as well as actual middle-of-the-record label too. (and i know it's difficult, but you have to focus on the positive things in times like these - keep strong)
@tinny - there are a million amazing artists out there who are not signed / may never get signed. i think more we'll struggle to whittle it down to one (or two if we do a split single)
@richardrj - i have one of the 7"s that Will H released on the label he started up, and damn fine it is too.
@steen - any time and creative input will always be more valuable than the relatively small amount of money we need to raise.
Unspill?
and good golly, Shane, I'm so sorry. Don't know what else to say.
Concentrate on designing spill record lables!!!!
Darn, I wanted to record Tim Freeman and John Moore.
ok, what about mimes?
The big record labels won't touch them. It could be our niche?
Can you work a mime into the wine spill, shane?
Dondle and Spill Records - that's the name it should take
And you can count me in as well!
The video part would be fun with mimes.
And no tricky lipsyncing issues.
I'm just trying to be helpful.
keep 'em coming - this is gonna be huge!
night all, i'm inspired by your enthusiasm!
omg, he didn't say no to the mime idea. There's still a chance!
nite all
(I'm waving but I realize you can't see me. I'm not a very good emime, but I've just signed up for lessons on YouTube so I should get better.
Didn't vinyl get replaced by CD's that got replaced by the interweb, or did I miss something?
I'm sure there's a place for a group of folks who get along, to make a more lasting impact on the world of music... until it comes to agreeing to what we should unite behind.
But as I love hopeless causes, count me in.
Count me in too!
I'm not sure if this was Friday night booze talking, but I think it's a brilliant idea, I would say though that the main thing has got to be the music. If the tunes can't cut it, all the names and designs in the world won't sell a dud record.
I'll volunteer to take care of distribution in Japan. I'm sure there are a couple of record shops who would agree to stock a few copies.
Bloody Hell, I have one early night, and the inspirational business opportunity I've been waitng for zooms past me!
Is it too late to say "Count me in!" ?
I can take care of storage, and my brother can fidd...er, manipulate our tax returns!
D'you mean you ALL get booze on Fridays, not just TFD? Wow, I'm missing out big time here...
One songwriting, guitar-playing unsigned teen to offer for the B-side, btw!
We can add a "ChipIn" widget to the sidebar of the blog, that links to a paypal account, and keeps a handy visual running total. A bit like the red thermometer Blue Peter used to have.
Who wants to be the bank?
Blimpy - inspirational. Whether it is possible/viable/sensible/whatever doesn't really matter. Its more the fact that if we all pull in a bit then something might get created that would, y'know, last. I'm in.
Not sure what I can contribute in any way whatsoever but irrespective, I'm in. And you TOTALLY need to set up a Blue Peter Style Totaliser on the sidebar. Highlight of my youth, those things.
How on earth are we ever going to agree on what music to release?
Mind you, if we decide on a bit of nepotism, MrStepAbahachi's new band, a bilingual Welsh-English folktronica duo, is planning to record later this year and embark on a tour of community halls...
bilingual Welsh-English folktronica duo sounds pretty good to me!
A bilingual Welsh-English folktronica duo singing about hockey sounds pretty good to me!
Shane - my grandfather used to have a Little Lord Fauntleroy suit for weddings - but he wouldn't wear it unless they gave him a shilling.
What about the idea of an RR-sponsored cover. Lots of talented people out there I agree, but what's going to make our record/label special? Since we're not in it for the money, why don't we say we are going to do something that we want to hear done.
Sex Pistols doing God Save the Queen type thing. Something the probably wouldn't get done if we didn't do it.
@abahachi - where can we hear the music?
I don't mind attaching my paypal account to this project. Any funds raised would just sit there, until required by the record label.
Shall I go ahead?
I also think we should formulate some sort of manifesto too.
using your paypal is ok with me blimpey. if the money ends up being used to sponsor terrorism or child pron you can expect a terse email from me however
I'll set up the ChipIn once we've settled on a name!
Hey, brill Blimpy - I'm in.
As for candidates for our first release, well I'd pay good money to hear a decently recorded version of Steen's second garageband effort. You know, one where we could hear her voice properly. That would then absolve her of any need to contribute hard won dollars, too.
Or we could ask one of our fans - Gilbert O'Sullivan - if he wants to do a comeback record for us!
glasshalfempty indirectly raises a good point.
People are in different circumstances (plus our 50 is 100 to North Americans) and I'd hate to exclude someone 'cause they prefer to spend their cash on fresh fruit and clean clothes for their kids.
How about if Blimpy issues equal 'shares' so it can be a project among Spill equals. It would be up to Blimpey how you earn your share, and no one but he and the individual need to know.
Hey guys, I have been thinking about the money thing - which I know is always gonna be sticky point - so here's my thoughts:
1. Spill as much or as little cash as you like. If we reach enough to release a record, then superb. If not, then the monies will get returned.
2. No one will ever know how much each individual Spiller has put in. Apart from me, and I'm not telling. Each person who puts in gets an equal say in how things are done.
3. There is no guideline about how much to put in. Plus, creative help towards the label will always be more valuable than money itself.
4. We must strive to get as much as we can for free! Which between the collective talents of the SpillHIveMInd will actually be quite a lot (apart from the physical pressing costs - unless a Spiller owns a pressing plant!) . For example, I can make broadcast ready music videos for free, and am happy to do so.
In terms of what music we release, I am of the opinion that we should try and give fab unsigned bands their first chance to release, and help them to success. Another side of this is that, if they have an audience already, we can help get their music out there, and then have made money to do the next release.
all sounds good to me
so from each as they can and ... so there is a place for socialism after all.
As for the no one will know but you part - and I should have said this in my original post - in any project it is essential to have faith and trust in the project leader, so if anyone has difficulty with what you suggest, it's probably not the project for them.
Um, I'm not offering myself up as leader - if anyone else wants to manage the initial paypal thing, that's fine by me.
We took a vote Blimpy.
Sorry.
Democracy and all
(Although to be honest it would spread the work around for someone else to do put their hand up. Someone who isn't sure how else to help out. No, I can't volunteer. International money laws and all that.)
And I assume I don't have to make a pompous speech about the need for a transparent and democratic approach to choosing our pet artist... Turns out that MrStepAbahachi's new duo isn't going to be recording any songs until the autumn (though as this is bound up with a project he has to do as part of his degree - yup, sorry, college rock alert - the website and logo are already up and running), but you can hear stuff that is allegedly like what they're going to be doing at www.myspace.com/trwbador and at www.trwbador.co.uk (the 'Struo' song, I think, not the other one).
Because of course transparent and democratic decision-making is the key to the success of all the great record labels...
Abahachi if you ever stop making long pompous speeches we will have no alternative but to kick you out of the club.
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