Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and 2006

Posted pre-2010

Kate Hiltz

(Chunksaah)

Quick Links: Bridge 9 | Chunksaah | Deathwish | Deranged | Escapist | Iron Pier | Lifeline | Magic Bullet | Painkiller | Profound Lore | Revelation | Rivalry | Southern Lord | This Blessing, This Curse | 12 Gauge | Young Blood

SPB: What was your favorite release of your label in 2006 (including anything that will be released by the end of the year)? Why?

You cant ask someone who runs a label to pick favorites!! Its like asking which one of your children you like best. Even if you have a favorite, you have to keep your mouth shut or they will start fighting!

SPB: How will you remember 2006? (in terms of music)

2006 was all about The Bouncing Souls The Gold Record for me. The year started with the band living at my house for a few weeks writing and doing pre-production...and then the recording process and setting up the release and tours and plans...it was pretty consuming...its amazing i had time to put out any records on Chunksaah this year as the band really took up so much of my time and energy.

SPB: What do you see as the role of labels in 2007 and beyond?

The music industry as a whole is in pretty shaky conditions these days...there is really no middle class anymore and its hard to see what will happen. Right now it seems pretty grim for a lot of indies...no one is buying records (save a few smash hits) and everyone is downloading..or the market is just so saturated that you cant even get the information out there. Chunksaah itself has adjusted to this by focusing a little more on the local scene, meaning working with bands from the area who have relevant and amazing music and the determination to spread it in the world even though its often really hard and they are all broke from it. But we have the advantage that we are not trying to make money (not that we are trying to lose money...but no one depends on the label for money, we just hope we can keep it going and put out some good things...) so we can take chances like that.

SPB: Top five releases of 2006? (not on your label)

  1. Strike Anywhere - Dead FM
  2. Dead To Me - Cuban Ballerina
  3. The Draft - In A Million Pieces
  4. Fucked Up - Hidden World
  5. The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record (technically not on my label..hah)

SPB: Any previews/hints/facts of what you will be releasing in 2007?

I am simply not that organized. I have no idea what will turn up next!

SPB: Whats your main goal of 2007 (labelwise)?

Survival of the working middle class!

SPB: Predictions of trends in 2007 (music related (and more if you want))?

Bigger bands getting bigger, bigger shows getting bigger. Struggling bands and labels and venues struggling. A revival of the basement scene!

Chunksaah releases of 2006

  • Mike Cavallaro - "66 Thousand Miles Per Hour" #3 (Graphic novel)
  • The World/Inferno Friendship Society - Red-Eyed Soul
  • The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record (Picture disc vinyl)
  • Spanish Bombs - Spanish Bombs EP
  • Static Radio NJ - One For The Good Guys 7"

— words by the SPB team

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