Let's hear it for these guys who dump buttloads of money into... shit, into guys like me. Seriously, tho. For us punk rock types (old school, not MTV era), labels like Stiff, Rough Trade, (early, pre-Faith No More) Slash, SST et al were very nearly as important to us as the artists. Mention Rough Trade in earshot of the right guy, and you get the idea those records are dearer than family. sh on 12/11/03 5:37 PM, CuneiWay@aol.com at CuneiWay@aol.com wrote:
as a label owner - the guy writing the checks - I definitely reserve the right to - if not make suggestions, then at least to write checks towards projects that fit 'my specific vision' and to 'put my money where my vision is' by doing so. Since there are always MORE projects being offered than there is time or money to do, I always figure that I might as well lose money on the ones that strike my fancy the most....
For better or worse, little labels generally DO reflect the owners 'vision', otherwise there wouldn't be any reason to HAVE a label. As Herb, myself, and a few others here can say with GREAT authority, running a label is NOT a good way to make money. It never has been, and I think it's a little worse now.
If you like what Cuneiform does, then I am a genius.
If you don't like what Cuneiform does, then I am a dope with bad taste who wastes everyone's time with my pathetic releases.
Take your pick. True for me, true for Tzadik, true for (fill in the blank).