#spotl

Választások után – szembe a cunámival

Macpen (מצפן) héberül iránytűt jelent. Macpun (מצפון) pedig lelkiismeretet. David Grossman, Izrael legjelentősebb kortárs írója valódi iránytű-lelkiismeret, ezért megosztunk egy ő általa ihletett és Aviv Messinger facebook oldalán közzétett posztot, mely nagyon virális lett a neten, mivel egy félreértés miatt sokáig azt hitték, hogy maga Grossman írta a választásokkal kapcsolatos gondolatokat.

“M…

Tell us about yourself. 

I'm Leslie Hampton, and I run bay area indie label Side With Us Records.  I also enjoy taking photos and designing things.

When did you realize that you wanted to start a record label and what inspired you to do so?

In 2008 I started helping my friend Eric Fanali put on shows in the South Bay and I was exposed to some great bands like Worker Bee, The Record Winter, Doctor Nurse, Amonie and Ugly Winner. All of these bands weren't on a label/were self-releasing albums. San Jose unfortunately is overlooked with some SF clubs not allowing touring bands to play within 90 miles of their show. I wanted to start a label with similar sounding and like-minded bands that can help each other book shows and tour. Having a label and an online store that ties these bands together and helps people in and outside the Bay Area find new music. It started with San Jose bands and through putting on shows in the South Bay I expanded the radius to Sonoma County and up to the Northwest with By Sunlight and You Are Plural. 

How do you find the bands that you are going to work with?  

It's important to support your local music scene and I go to a lot of shows. I've also played in bands and been involved in booking shows the last couple of years, so naturally I've seen/met a lot of bands. Josh Staples from The Velvet Teen and The New Trust has also introduced me to quite a few of the bands that have joined the Side With Us roster, including Trebuchet and You Are Plural. 

It's no secret that the music business is in a time of change and revolution. What do you think about services like Spotify and do you think that the days of bands having to be on a label to be successful are numbered?

Services like Spotify and Rdio are good for fans but don't seem to be very beneficial to bands or labels. They make it hard to get music on their and the payout for the bands is really small. I don't see that current model used in lieu of other ways of listening/acquiring music would work. If you have a CD/MP3/record you don't have to worry about a strong internet connection and/or if your operating system supports the app. 

I think just a label having a strong roster leads people to finding other great bands on the same label. I think the need for larger labels will continue to lessen but a lot more smaller and independent labels will be created. It really depends what a band's work ethic, personal management skills and goals are.   

I heard that you have a big show coming up on May 10th in San Francisco. Can you share some details about this show? 

Trebuchet is releasing their debut 12" at Bottom of the Hill. They are supported by The New Trust, as well as other Side With Us bands You Are Plural and Survival Guide. It's a strong bill from start to finish.