March 2015
Name: Michael Anderson
Label: Bluesanct / Orphanology / Red Frost Industries
City: Bloomington, IN
Artists Roster: a lot, recently Bilin Wake, Nathan Amundson, Drekka, static films, Flannelly vs Funkhouser, Thorir Georg, Pillars & Tongues, Annelies Monsere, Sky Thing, & Elephant Micah
Websites: https://bluesanct.bandcamp.com/, https://orphanology.bandcamp.com/, https://redfrostindustries.bandcamp.com/
Original Label Owner Interview with QRD
QRD – Any major changes to the label or your general outlook on running a label since last time?
Michael – Been focusing on getting the back catalogue up on the Bandcamp, so people can finally hear things that have been out of print for almost 20 years. General outlook is the same... looking forward to the end.
QRD – How do you feel labels are more & less useful to artists now than they were five years ago?
Michael – Depends on the band & what they are looking for. For bands that want to be self-sufficient, it is easier than ever... for bands that want to feel important & feel like rock stars, you need someone to cup your balls or it is just ego masturbation.
QRD – There are a lot less record stores than their used to be. How has that effected your model for releasing music?
Michael – My record store is still open, but I am not sure why at this point. I have never been focused on placement in shops, so it hasn’t really made any difference.
QRD – Spotify has become an undeniable force that has reduced download sales while (allegedly) fighting piracy. In the end what is good or bad about it for you as a label & do you embrace it?
Michael – I don’t really care one way or another, but it helps me hear new music without having to find a download... most new music needs to be heard first before buying it, because 99.9% of it is worthless.
QRD – Most labels are making a bit less money than they were a few years ago. What have you done to lower expenses or find new sources of revenue?
Michael – Nothing. Keep on keeping on.
QRD – What social networks are you active on & what ones aren’t worth the time & energy to you?
Michael – I have Facebook pages & a Bluesanct tumblr. Both are pretty fun.
QRD – With the rise of social networks & trusted download shops, has your own website become less important than it was a few years ago?
Michael – No one goes to my actual website domain. I don’t even bother updating it & the only reason I renew my domain is so I can use my old email address & not lose contacts. Anything related to the labels of importance goes out via Facebook & the Tumblr.
QRD – Do you think fan funding (e.g. Kickstarter) is the future, a fad, or an awful thing for the music industry?
Michael – Depends if the artist/label uses it more as a pre-order for a project they plan on finishing regardless or if it is some stupid band of girls looking to “make a demo” & offering to come do your dishes & cook you breakfast in their nightshirts.
QRD – What’s something you leave up to bands to do rather than handling as a label?
Michael – Recording. But, I will sometimes do a little mastering pre-manufacturing.
QRD – Do you see albums, EPs, or singles more relevant than a few years ago or pretty much in the same place?
Michael – Same place. Bands “releasing a single” by putting a song from their album on Soundcloud is not releasing a single. It is just putting a track up on their Soundcloud.
QRD – Do you have separate release dates for different formats (CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming)?
Michael – Nope.
QRD – Anything else?
Michael – Nope.
