3 Tips From Cassette Label Bigwigs For Mixing Business And Art
Saturday was the 2nd Cassette Store Day making it an annual event since it seems quite likely to continue. Chart Attack took the opportunity to gather some tips from cassette label bigwigs about starting and running a tape label. But much of what is discussed could be said by many business owners advising budding entrepreneurs, especially those whose business and art are deeply intertwined.
One thing the still emerging business side of myself has taught my artist/activist sides is that understanding more about business often improves projects that aren't business-related. So even though many cassette labels may be largely labors of love, attending to the business side can help give that love some support. You may find this true in your own musical efforts.
Here are 3 business tips from How To Start And Run Your Own Tape Label:
"Put 100% of yourself into it"
"If you want to start a tape label or do anything else in life and be successful you have to put 100% of yourself into it. That means yer constantly working and moving forward and building and growing and striving to be the best that you can possibly be."
"When all of your friends are out partying and fucking around, yer at home working and learning and making yourself and your project bigger and better."
Sean Bohrman, Burger Records
"Get ready to field snarky remarks from cynics"
"Get ready to field snarky remarks from cynics who think the cassette format is dead. Everyone's a critic. Releasing an album on cassette is an inexpensive alternative to high quality physical formats such as vinyl and CD, but people are so inundated with digital music, records and CDs that the nostalgic charm and practical benefits of cassettes seem to be lost on people who haven't popped a tape in since the early 90s."
"Don't take it personally. Or start selling tape decks with your cassette release."
Stanislav Golovchuk, Medium Gallery
"Do it is because you love doing it"
"There will always be pressure at every level to release music for reasons other than that you love it. Whether you imagine that it will sell copies or get you better media attention or all that branding/street cred bullshit, don't do it!"
"There is no real money in selling tapes so the only real reason to do it is because you love doing it and you love the music and the people making it."
Mark Colborne, Not Unlike
See Chart Attack for more on this timely topic.
More:
- 2nd Cassette Store Day Announced, Burger Records To Coordinate U.S. Events
- Cassette Subculture Continues Growth in 2013 With New Labels, Releases & Media Coverage
- Why Cassette Labels Are More Important Than Many Can Understand
Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch) recently launched DanceLand. Send news about music tech startups and services, DIY music biz and music marketing to: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.
