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About two and a half years ago I started this thing called the Data:bass Network which was basically a bunch of young D’n B DJ’s getting together to organise gigs because it was so hard to crack a shot at the playing the big clubs. Pretty soon, we’d all agreed that DJing was just a means to an end – breaking into production - and more so, we were surrounded by dozens of bedroom producers who had at least one good tune, and the most they could hope for was competing for a little airplay on Local/student Radio. They just couldn’t hope to record and perform, promote and pay for their own release. So we started 0474:8455 Recordings (There is already a Databass recordings in Detroit) taking the best tunes from each of the unsigned producers we knew and putting together compilations. We tried to sell the odd copy for a few bucks but more often we gave them out at gigs to our fans, as well as sending out copies to local stations and international underground media. Because the concept proved so successful with Drum’n Bass - in terms of creating a profile and a small following for the label and the artist involved - I then created a subsidiary of Data:bass, Mental Illness, as I wanted to try to apply this strategy to a broader musical spectrum. From my personal tastes in Trip Hop and Downbeat, broadening to Dub and Nu Skool Breaks, and with the ascending and pervasive influence of Electro, Synthcore and Electroclash rising, I found myself reaching out to those in the Experimental Electronica scene, the traditional fans of Warp and Mute, as well as the Intelligent Junglists, the Breakcore heads and those who approached Drum’n Bass from outside the dancefloor. We were totally caught by surprise when we dropped some copies in with the country’s leading Dance distributor, just to let them know what we were doing, and they asked to distribute our CD-r’s on the basis of our reputation – despite the fact that none of the chain stores would take them because of the fact they were cd-r’s The Mental Illness compilations, 1 & 2, which were both followed up with specialist Experimental compilations “live@version” and “Mental Illness presents Mechanica”, has brought the total of releases to 7 full length compilations. The following are reviews we got in local press. MENTAL
ILLNESS 01 MENTAL
ILLNESS 02: BACK IN THE COMMUNITY Off to a good start then, however over time, the original producers became more and more aloof, despite the fact that I was handling the greater part of the production and promotion of the compilations myself. Although the aim of “the collective” was always to provide a stepping stone to releases on established labels, which several artists did, most have become complacent about the need to keep pushing newer and better material. Perhaps it was the rapid diversification or perhaps it was because I constantly reinvested revenue into the production of more CD-r’s that were more often given away than not, simply because I firmly believed the label was established TO PROMOTE THE ARTISTS AND UNDERGROUND ELECTRONIC MUSIC: NOT FOR ME TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABLITY!!! Now it has reached the point where I have got the price of a unit, a cd-r, with a label, in a plastic sleeve with a colour insert down to almost US50c. After having painstakingly put together two solo albums, the strengths of the compilation - 20 strong songs from 20 different artists, is quite clear, and altogether more satisfying - but I am just not accessing enough material! Since I have spent the last few months working hard to promote my music internationally through the web, it has now struck me just how many capable producers I have access to, and how Mental Illness could easily be expanded to incorporate international acts who will in turn promote the CD’s in their region. I am so frustrated by Producers who have perceived me to be “doing alright” out of the label, but to be fair, the label does help support my addiction to burning dozens of cd-r’s and sending them out around the world every week. Selling a CD-r full of unknown artists is not something that just happens by itself. Of course it would be quite possible to make the label a going concern, but I’m more interested in making beats and people hearing them. My bottom line is the money should not be an issue – basically, I don’t want the hassle – in a nutshell, I want to make my cd-r’s and get my beats out there, and I am happy to include other underground electronic producers from around the world on them as well!!! As a show of faith, I've been considering the concept of the “UNILATERAL REPLICATION AGREEMENT” that is, that every artist that appears on the CD will receive the templates (and the rights) so that they may replicate the cd and sell it in their home country (or probably state would be more appropriate for those in the US/Canada/Australia). Because I know how hard this is to do I have no problem with it!!! Good luck to ya! You’re only doing me a favour by getting my music out there! This obviously will require a little more fleshing out, but I’m not looking for artists who’re gonna be all anal about it because I’ve had it with those types! In terms of copyright, it’s a basic understanding that the tune which you have granted non-exclusive rights for me/us to use may be used perpetually on the compilation, as it originally appears on the compilation. But yeah, if I’ve added you to my friends list, it’s more than likely because I am keen on your tunes, but otherwise, if you’re an electronic producer who just wants to get yer stuff out there, I would be well keen to get a CD from you!!! I can’t garuntee I’ll put it out, but ideally, I’d like to be releasing at least 6 hours of music a year, so go figure . . . 0474:8455
Recordings Go ON! Hey, cheers all . . . looking forward to hearing from you . . . inquiries: matt at greylynn.zzn.com
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We
are developing a new platform for electronic music to be distributed
and accessed, bringing new movements and music from the best unsigned
and underground acts to audiences in a revolutionary environment
for the music industry. 0474:8455 Recordings began in 2002 as the Data:bass Network DJ/Producer collective based in New Zealand, producing a total of 8 full length cd-r releases of local unsigned electronic music. Data:bass still provides a co-operative orientation for kiwi producers. Check it out here |
