Ok Caron,
First, Lo-Ki refers to the type of music I spin, but doesn't mean that I'm
not opinionated as hell and willing to rant.
>Yes, quality indie labels exist and for the most part, you're going to see
>the best musicians jump from quality indie labels to the majors. I don't
>think that most musicians would want us to leave them alone. Most of them
>don't play just for the sake of playing, but would also like the chance to
>get paid for their creative talents.
Well I hate to break it to you but there are lots of indie musicians who don't
have day jobs, and do just fine... last I heard, Jello Biafra, Ian Mackae,
Elliot Sharp and John Zorn aren't working at McDonalds you know. Also Frank
Zappa was a wealthy man when he died (btw, his book, The Real Frank Zappa
Book, is very insightfull into the workings of the majors, and is a definte
must read for any professional musician.)
>I have a lot of respect for my acquaintances at New Breed and Ubiquity for
>putting out dope shit, and I do occasionally buy releases from Mo Wax and
>Belissima. (I can afford to buy product and in making actual purchases, I
>am supporting the artists.)
I guess you misunderstood me, I get *major* releases for free... I pay for
the indies and imports too, so I support the artists I believe in as well.
>These labels mainly put out compilations, however, which give us
>samples/tastes >of several individual artists as opposed to full length
>album works for each >artist.
I don't know where you shop but I get 12" singles full legnth Albums,
Double Albums, and compilations (the whole nine yards) from Mo'Wax,
Bellissima, Ninja Tune,etc. These labels are fully functional, not just fly
by night compilation factories. Where do you shop? Maybe they only carry
the compilations at Tower or HMV, I wouldn't know I don't shop there,
those stores suck.
>Yes, Groove Collective has gone to GRP, another MAJOR label. They fall
>under Giant Step's new record label.
Yes, now this is an interesting situation. The Groove Academy (who are
Groove Collective's management) have for reasons I can't imagine started a
new label under GRP's wing. Now since GC theoretically have a good
relationship with their management (or they would have dumped them as fast
as they dumped you), it seems that they are probobly hoping to avoid the
types of problems which drove them from Warner by using their management,
who they trust, as a buffer between them and the parent label. (Of course I
don't speak for GC, so this is hypothetical, but maybe I'll do an IRC chat
with them and we could ask them their reasons.)
Playing around with the majors a gamble. Some bands are smart negotiaters
and are lucky and end up with a good deal, I wish them lots of luck, but I
do think they're making a mistake.
>What is your real name? I would like to have you taken off our
>distribution list since you seem to love us so much.
Well, on any distribution list I can think of I'm listed as DJ Lo-Ki, but
I'm not on WEA's list anyway. However, I do some work for SonicNet, and
they are on everyone's list so I get anything from the majors I want down
at the office. If you cut them off that would be too bad because for the
most part they seem to love major label shit down there. But go ahead and
be vindictive if you must. Be my guest.
Peace,
Lo-Ki
lo-ki@sonicnet.com
http://www.sonicnet.com/~lokke