Hello,
Myself and two friends setup an independent electronic record label called
Couchblip! in Sydney, Australia last year.
http://www,couchblip.com
We were all working from our studio's, all with similar musical idea's,
but not releasing any music. We thought that rather than sending demo's
to overseas labels that released in a similar sonic vein we should start
a label here in OZ, and fill the gap that we perceived in Australian
Electronic music.
We had a head start though as last year we went to the 'National
Independent Electronic labels Conference' which told us basically all that
we needed to know about setting up and running your own record label.
Its all really quite simple....we started with the domain name and set up
the site with a few Mp3's. We then started work on the first release.
Since we are a small label, it our first release and there is only one
vinyl pressing plant left in Australia we decided it would be CD only. But
as things expand we hope to do some vinyl releases which aren't all that
much more expensive.
Our debut release (which you can now order directly from our website) is a
compilation of work from the three of us running the label. We did all the
artwork for the CD ourselves did a run of 500 CD's. This only cost us $500
AUS each (there are 3 of us) to get done as we did everything bar the
artwork films, mastering, and CD pressing ouselves.... so I imagine its
even cheaper in places like the US and UK.
Mastering was done privately and not in a production house who asks about
$800 upwards to master a full length CD. If you find someone in your local
area who does it freelance and is happy to help out an independant
label, mastering works out at a 1/4 of the price that a studio will
charge.
For promotion we emailed copies of the CD to local magazines and
newspapers for reviews, and approached our local community radio station
2ser and they made it feature CD for one week. We also handed out flyers
at all about the Cd and our launch night at all other local gigs of a
similar nature.
As the CD's are so cheap to get pressed we really only have to sell 100 to
recoup our inital financial outlay. Which means we can use as many we like
for promo's being a new label this is essential until you have a
recognized name.
The launch night went spectacularly and response to the Cd has been
phenomenal so we must be doing something right :)
Sorry if what I've said is pretty obvious its just that it is so easy to
do (alot of hard work mind you but if you enjoy doing it....s'ok)
and I'd encourage anyone to do it. Especially in smaller isolated
places like Australia where there is not nearly enough local underground
electronic music out there.....
We plan to maintain an active release schedule throughout the year. Mid
2001 will see the release of Disjunction Reunion's full length album
'Computer Dead Reckoning'. Late 2001 will see another compilation which
will be a benefit C D for which we will be accepting submissions. There
are also plans for a full length CD from Bloq and an EP from myself.
If anyone would like more info on the label or would like to submit
some work they can email couchblip@couchblip.com for more information.
Thanks :)
Melinda
aka Robokoneko =^.^=
On Tue, 13 Mar 2
001, Jesse Farmer wrote:
==>Hi.
==>
==>Something I've been considering for a while is starting a record
==>label. Yes, yes, I know.. the last thing we need is another
==>label.. Anyway, I've been reading what I can about this aspect of the
==>music industry, and as much as I can about the dance field in
==>particular. However, there is still a lack of information about this.
==>
==>I was wondering if anyone on this list has started a label, and if you
==>wouldn't mind sharing with me a bit about your experiences. I'm wondering
==>what sales strategies are the most effective, distributing yourself, or
==>through a distributor, vinyl vs. cd's in terms of sales, initial catalogue
==>size, etc...
==>
==>Or if someone has a nice idea ("I'd like to see a label that did . . . .
==>.") , that would be great too.
==>
==>Sorry to waste precious time and bandwidth, but any and all comments (+ or
==>-) are welcome.
==>Thanks, I really do appreciate.
==>
==>-Jesse
==>(reply in private to keep off list; in consideration of others)
==>
==>
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