Feature / Music
Pass The Mic: Record Labels and Artists on 2008

Words: Michael • Posted pre-2010

LINKS TO ALL THE PAGES

Magic Bullet Records/Forensics/Aughra (Brent Eyestone)

What are your top five albums that were released in 2008?

  1. Black Mountain - In the Future
  2. Sigur Rós - Með Suð í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust
  3. Rocket from the Crypt - R.I.P.
  4. Wolves in the Throneroom - Two Hunters
  5. Harvey Milk - Life? The Best Game in Town

What band did you discover in 2008 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?

Lil Wayne. I've ignored modern hip-hop for many years, but the hype on Wayne made me check it out. Pretty glad I did. I think what hooked me was that, on the day I first heard the new album, I had just approved a big licensing deal via text message. So when I heard Wayne throw out the lyric "approving million dollar deals from my iPhone," I was like "Damn, this guy know my struggles." He also changed the way I comprehend how a guitar should be played. Just YouTube "Lil Wayne guitar" and you too will be changed forever.

How will you remember 2008? (In terms of music)

I'm going to remember 2008 as the year that I was able to walk into mainstream movie theaters, turn on network and cable TV, go into a video game store, watch the Olympics, etc. and hear Magic Bullet Records artists represented across all media. It was a surreal year watching the sounds of my little universe interact with mainstream pop culture.

Vinyl record sales saw a significant increase this year while hard copy sales continued to dwindle. Is this a return to the glory days for vinyl or just a phase? Explain.

Isn't vinyl hard copy? Also, I think the "popularity of vinyl" is being over-reported. The same exact article on "vinyl nostalgia" has run in every magazine, so there's this perception that vinyl sales are through the roof. If that's the case, physical album distributors wouldn't be shuttering and laying off the majority of their staffs 2008. It's funny that this question mentions the "glory days." Consider this: the Bruce Springsteen/Suicide split 10" that came out this year was pressed in two editions of 7000 (14,000 total). If this was 1986 (which could be considered "glory days" in terms of vinyl sales), they could have pressed at least 500,000 of the same record to start. So no, this is not a return to the glory days. It's a nominal upswing that will pass just as quickly as wearing neon band t-shirts. In six months, you'll be able to buy all those Radiohead and Coldplay reissues for pennies on the dollar.

What was the most memorable moment for you in 2008? (Can be in terms of anything)

Being selected to perform "A Crimson Grail" with Rhys Chatham at The Lincoln Center with Rhys Chatham. Successfully representing/defending myself in Prince William County Criminal Court on a "disorderly conduct" cause? I got a "not guilty" ruling while the arresting officer was suspended pending psychiatric evaluation.

What can we look forward to from you in 2009?

  • Lymbyc Systym "Carved By Glaciers" LP
  • This Will Destroy You / Lymbyc Systym - Split LP
  • Golden City 10"/CD
  • Disappearer "The Clearing" CD/LP
  • The Paper Chase 10"
  • The Paper Chase "Someday This Could All Be Yours" LP
  • Austin Lucas "The Common Cold" CD/LP
  • The All-American Rejects 7"
  • Forensics "You Don't Have To Win, But You Have To Fight" 10"/CD
  • Boris - "Feedbacker" Skateboard deck series/dropcard
  • JFA - Archival projects
  • Engine Kid - archival projects
  • Jesuit - Complete Discography CD/LP

What three records are you looking forward to most in 2009?

Silversun Pickups, Pink Mountaintops, and anything Julie Christmas sings/unleashes.

Homepage: http://www.magicbulletrecords.com

Related features

The Snorts

One Question Interviews • January 15, 2025

Aaron (The Snorts-guitar/vocals) SPB: Other than the new live record, what is your favorite split record, ever? Aaron: My favorite split of all time is: Spark Lights Friction / Ruined in a Day from 2000. That version of “Hearts and Canons” from Spark Lights just rips. --- The Snorts has … Read more

2AMature

One Question Interviews • January 14, 2025

Yanmark Berube (2AMature-drums) SPB: Do you collect physical media? Berube: Absolutely, we collect physical media. It’s the only REAL way to own it. When you buy media digitally, you’re usually just purchasing the rights to access it, which can be revoked at any time. With physical media, it’s yours forever. … Read more

Six Below Zero

One Question Interviews • January 13, 2025

Matthew Brammer (Six Below Zero) SPB: Six Below Zero is both a solo project and you live in Wyoming, so I imagine you have limited live opportunities -- that said, does the project ever play live and does that possibility affect how you approach songwriting? Brammer: Consistently playing live is, … Read more

2024: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2024 • January 13, 2025

It's a new year – hooray. And things are off to a fine start, too. If the thought of corrupt governments, AI domination, unmoderated social networks and endless war is causing you to retreat into the past, we don't blame you. In fact, we encourage it! Our writers have summed … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2024)

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's 2025, somehow. When did this happen?! Okay, okay, four days ago. But honestly. It feels like 2012 was only a few months ago. Is it just SPB who's feeling a little, well, timestruck? But don't worry – we've got you. Did 2024 pass you by, too? Still not caught … Read more

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

More from this section

2024: A Year In Review

Music / Year End 2024 • January 13, 2025

It's a new year – hooray. And things are off to a fine start, too. If the thought of corrupt governments, AI domination, unmoderated social networks and endless war is causing you to retreat into the past, we don't blame you. In fact, we encourage it! Our writers have summed … Read more

Scene Point Blank's Favorites: Year End (2024)

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's 2025, somehow. When did this happen?! Okay, okay, four days ago. But honestly. It feels like 2012 was only a few months ago. Is it just SPB who's feeling a little, well, timestruck? But don't worry – we've got you. Did 2024 pass you by, too? Still not caught … Read more

Pass The Mic: Artists and labels on 2024

Music / Year End 2024 • January 4, 2025

It's a SPB tradition to formally "pass the mic" to our artist and label friends to tell us about their year in music. What albums did they enjoy? What shows did they see? What are they looking forward to for the new year? We're joined this year by a host … Read more