March 2015
Label: Unread
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Artists Roster: Quagmire, Tid Bits, Gut Blood, David Kenneth Nance, Simon Joyner, Poo Paws
Websites: www.unread-records.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?
Christopher – Got hooked on turpentine & nazdar fluids. Had to go to the hospital.
Re-invented myself.
QRD – How do you feel labels are more & less useful to artists now than they were five years ago?
Christopher – I don’t think I exist anymore.
QRD – There are a lot less record stores than their used to be. How has that effected your model for releasing music?
Christopher – No effect. Sell record at Home Depot now in the lot.
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?
Christopher – I don’t know what spotify is, but sounds ok I guess.
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?
Christopher – I print all record covers with a mixture of found materials. I also use fruit juice or trash water.
QRD – What social networks are you active on & what ones aren't worth the time & energy to you?
Christopher – I am on internet from 5-6pm.
QRD – With the rise of social networks & trusted download shops, has your own website become less important than it was a few years ago?
Christopher – Never was important.
QRD – Do you think fan funding (e.g. Kickstarter) is the future, a fad, or an awful thing for the music industry?
Christopher – Let’s go to the future.
QRD – What's something you leave up to bands to do rather than handling as a label?
Christopher – Playing the music.
QRD – Do you see albums, EPs, or singles more relevant than a few years ago or pretty much in the same place?
Christopher – It all is kinda the same.
QRD – Do you have separate release dates for different formats (CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming)?
Christopher – No release dates.
QRD – Anything else?
Christopher – Nothing at this moment in time.
