Hypnotic Dirge Interview with Doommantia [April 15, 2012]
Posted by Nick Skog on Thursday, November 8, 2012 Under: Hypnotic Dirge Records
*Originally posted April 15, 2012
Original Link
I recently participated in an interview special with Altsphere Productions, Arx Productions, Endless Winter Records, Eyes Like snow, psycheDOOMelic Records, and Solitude Productions - a sort of interview special on doom metal labels on Doommantia.com
Unfortunately, the doom genre is something that I have not released nearly enough material in, but that's hopefully something that will change in the future because it is easily one of my favourite genres. Anyway, interview is here:
Endangered Species: A Interview Special With Some of Doom Metal's Leading Pushers Of The Mighty Riff ...
In this day and age where labels are falling by the wayside in favor of illegal downloads and downloads in general and with CD sales at a all-time low, it is now time to show your support for the people who bring all this great music to you, the listener. Of course we have to thank the bands first but the labels are also important. Many people question if we even need labels anymore seeing as any band can release an album on their own if they choose but there is still nothing like having a quality label by your side to help with promotion and sales. Aleks Evdokimov has gotten in touch with some of the best doom labels in the world for this monster interview special....Ed Barnard
"Independent labels take nothing and make something out of it. Major labels buy that something, and try to make more out of it." - Tom Silverman
We've prepared only 6 questions for few labels which specialization is doom or psychedelic music - more or less.
1. First question is about label's foundation and motives which drived these honoured gentlemen to waste their money onto production of glittering CDs (and even vynils! and even audio tapes!) with records of heavy melodies. What were aims of these men as everyone know that such kind of music isn't mainstream? Let us see.
2. Question number two is about difficulties which modern undeground independed labels meet.
3. Next one is about principles and scales of label's work. How wide do these labels distribute their releases? How do they work with press?
4. Oh, it seems obvious but i asked them about other members of their crew. And answers are mostly predictable.
5. Yes, yes... This question has one simple answer, but why not? What are most significant records did your label release?
6. And the last question was about labels' plans and forthcoming releases.
Hypnotic Dirge (Canada)
Skog
1. I decided to begin Hypnotic Dirge Records in late 2008 mainly because of two reasons. I wanted to release my own project's music on my own record label so I could have full control of promotion and distribution instead of having someone else look after that, and because I also had some online musician friends who had some great music, but were without a label. It just seemed like a good idea to try my hand at starting a record label at the time. Of course, when I started the label things were a little bit slow, and the results probably did not meet my expectations but I was also completely new at most aspects of work that come with having a label and a little bit naive as well with my expectations. Things have really come a long ways since the beginning of Hypnotic Dirge, and the label has become a lot of more professional now, especially since it is my main focus right now which I dedicate most of my time towards.
2. I would say one of the biggest difficulties is the promotional side of things and getting your releases proper attention. It's hard to separate your releases from the pack considering that there are so many labels, distributors, and especially bands and music projects these days. Really, anyone with an instrument, time, and a computer can record and release an album these days and it does kind of crowd the scenes with an infinite number of releases. However, the ease of recording music is also a benefit because I believe that if people search deep enough, there are more quality bands and musicians with material out than maybe ever before.
Asides from that, it's maybe harder to sell physical CD's than ever before, but that is the reality of the era we live in, and honestly I believe record labels, musicians, distributors, etc. have to grow with the times and the state of technology rather than to hault progress for the sake of profit. This isn't so much a problem with most underground labels and musicians, who I believe do understand, and 'get' this sort of thinking, but mostly with the establishment major labels, and mainstream "musicians." My philosophy is that the albums that I release and distribute are available for people to buy, and I encourage them to do so because it is the only thing which allows me to keep releasing new music, but I will never get mad at a person for seeking out an album in another way.
3. All of the HDR releases are distributed by a good number of other underground labels around the world, so if people want to find HDR releases from a label in their country, they will most likely be able to find one or at least somewhere close. HDR does ship orders anywhere in the world as well, so of course the releases are available no matter where you live. As far as the press, that's also a priority!
4. Right now, it is mostly just myself taking care of all of the aspects of running Hypnotic Dirge, but I do get a bit of help from some friends doing various things. I take care of everything dealing with the bands/projects, distribution, promotion, band signings, website updates, and shipping out orders, but I have a friend who also is helping out with the promotional side of things recently, as well as another friend who takes care of a lot of the artwork for flyers, promotional cards, shirt designs, and other similar things.
5. Perhaps the releases which have gotten the most attention from listeners and the press so far are Netra's 'Mélancolie Urbaine' album, and Ekove Efrits' 'Conceptual Horizon' album. These are also probably pretty close to my own personal favourite releases on HDR, but I'd also add Stroszek's 'sound graveyard bound' album to that list. The Netra album in particular is a really interesting album which mixes depressive black metal with trip-hop while also incorporating a lot of blues-inspired riffs, clean vocals, and movie samples. A lot of people have compared it to Ulver's "Perdition City| which I guess is an alright comparison, also I'd say there are many more aspects to it than that. The Ekove Efrits album is some really solid atmospheric black metal project from Tehran, Iran and also utilizes a lot of experimental aspects, and the stroszek release, in case anyone is unfamiliar is an acoustic folk (rock) band led by claudio alcara, the guitar player from the Italian black metal band 'Frostmoon Eclipse.' Anyway, stroszek is definitely another favourite of mine. It's got a really melancholic relaxing sound which I appreciate.
6. Coming up next on Hypnotic Dirge will be the third full-length album (and first on HDR) from a Russian three piece band called 'Epitimia' as well as another project from the musician behind Ekove Efrits (the project from Iran) called 'Silent Path' this time playing more of a depressive black metal style. After those two releases, I'll be releasing the new netra album called Sørbyen which is absolutely amazing by the way. I really enjoyed Mélancolie Urbaine, but I believe this album is even better. It's just a really well made album and honestly maybe one of my favourite releases of all time. I always find myself going back to listen to it anyway. Alongside, that netra album, I'll also be releasing an album from Subterranean Disposition, a one man doom metal project from Terry Vainoras, from Cryptal Darkness, Insomnius Dei, and The Eternal. These four releases will all be released in the summer of 2012 so that is going to be the main focus for the next few months to get these prepared, released, and distributed.
I encourage anyone who might be interested in keep updated on these upcoming releases to check out the HDR website - Hypnotic Dirge Records
We're also around on Facebook, Youtube, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp if anyone wants to find us.
Original Link
I recently participated in an interview special with Altsphere Productions, Arx Productions, Endless Winter Records, Eyes Like snow, psycheDOOMelic Records, and Solitude Productions - a sort of interview special on doom metal labels on Doommantia.com
Unfortunately, the doom genre is something that I have not released nearly enough material in, but that's hopefully something that will change in the future because it is easily one of my favourite genres. Anyway, interview is here:
Endangered Species: A Interview Special With Some of Doom Metal's Leading Pushers Of The Mighty Riff ...
In this day and age where labels are falling by the wayside in favor of illegal downloads and downloads in general and with CD sales at a all-time low, it is now time to show your support for the people who bring all this great music to you, the listener. Of course we have to thank the bands first but the labels are also important. Many people question if we even need labels anymore seeing as any band can release an album on their own if they choose but there is still nothing like having a quality label by your side to help with promotion and sales. Aleks Evdokimov has gotten in touch with some of the best doom labels in the world for this monster interview special....Ed Barnard
"Independent labels take nothing and make something out of it. Major labels buy that something, and try to make more out of it." - Tom Silverman
We've prepared only 6 questions for few labels which specialization is doom or psychedelic music - more or less.
1. First question is about label's foundation and motives which drived these honoured gentlemen to waste their money onto production of glittering CDs (and even vynils! and even audio tapes!) with records of heavy melodies. What were aims of these men as everyone know that such kind of music isn't mainstream? Let us see.
2. Question number two is about difficulties which modern undeground independed labels meet.
3. Next one is about principles and scales of label's work. How wide do these labels distribute their releases? How do they work with press?
4. Oh, it seems obvious but i asked them about other members of their crew. And answers are mostly predictable.
5. Yes, yes... This question has one simple answer, but why not? What are most significant records did your label release?
6. And the last question was about labels' plans and forthcoming releases.
Hypnotic Dirge (Canada)
Skog
1. I decided to begin Hypnotic Dirge Records in late 2008 mainly because of two reasons. I wanted to release my own project's music on my own record label so I could have full control of promotion and distribution instead of having someone else look after that, and because I also had some online musician friends who had some great music, but were without a label. It just seemed like a good idea to try my hand at starting a record label at the time. Of course, when I started the label things were a little bit slow, and the results probably did not meet my expectations but I was also completely new at most aspects of work that come with having a label and a little bit naive as well with my expectations. Things have really come a long ways since the beginning of Hypnotic Dirge, and the label has become a lot of more professional now, especially since it is my main focus right now which I dedicate most of my time towards.
2. I would say one of the biggest difficulties is the promotional side of things and getting your releases proper attention. It's hard to separate your releases from the pack considering that there are so many labels, distributors, and especially bands and music projects these days. Really, anyone with an instrument, time, and a computer can record and release an album these days and it does kind of crowd the scenes with an infinite number of releases. However, the ease of recording music is also a benefit because I believe that if people search deep enough, there are more quality bands and musicians with material out than maybe ever before.
Asides from that, it's maybe harder to sell physical CD's than ever before, but that is the reality of the era we live in, and honestly I believe record labels, musicians, distributors, etc. have to grow with the times and the state of technology rather than to hault progress for the sake of profit. This isn't so much a problem with most underground labels and musicians, who I believe do understand, and 'get' this sort of thinking, but mostly with the establishment major labels, and mainstream "musicians." My philosophy is that the albums that I release and distribute are available for people to buy, and I encourage them to do so because it is the only thing which allows me to keep releasing new music, but I will never get mad at a person for seeking out an album in another way.
3. All of the HDR releases are distributed by a good number of other underground labels around the world, so if people want to find HDR releases from a label in their country, they will most likely be able to find one or at least somewhere close. HDR does ship orders anywhere in the world as well, so of course the releases are available no matter where you live. As far as the press, that's also a priority!
4. Right now, it is mostly just myself taking care of all of the aspects of running Hypnotic Dirge, but I do get a bit of help from some friends doing various things. I take care of everything dealing with the bands/projects, distribution, promotion, band signings, website updates, and shipping out orders, but I have a friend who also is helping out with the promotional side of things recently, as well as another friend who takes care of a lot of the artwork for flyers, promotional cards, shirt designs, and other similar things.
5. Perhaps the releases which have gotten the most attention from listeners and the press so far are Netra's 'Mélancolie Urbaine' album, and Ekove Efrits' 'Conceptual Horizon' album. These are also probably pretty close to my own personal favourite releases on HDR, but I'd also add Stroszek's 'sound graveyard bound' album to that list. The Netra album in particular is a really interesting album which mixes depressive black metal with trip-hop while also incorporating a lot of blues-inspired riffs, clean vocals, and movie samples. A lot of people have compared it to Ulver's "Perdition City| which I guess is an alright comparison, also I'd say there are many more aspects to it than that. The Ekove Efrits album is some really solid atmospheric black metal project from Tehran, Iran and also utilizes a lot of experimental aspects, and the stroszek release, in case anyone is unfamiliar is an acoustic folk (rock) band led by claudio alcara, the guitar player from the Italian black metal band 'Frostmoon Eclipse.' Anyway, stroszek is definitely another favourite of mine. It's got a really melancholic relaxing sound which I appreciate.
6. Coming up next on Hypnotic Dirge will be the third full-length album (and first on HDR) from a Russian three piece band called 'Epitimia' as well as another project from the musician behind Ekove Efrits (the project from Iran) called 'Silent Path' this time playing more of a depressive black metal style. After those two releases, I'll be releasing the new netra album called Sørbyen which is absolutely amazing by the way. I really enjoyed Mélancolie Urbaine, but I believe this album is even better. It's just a really well made album and honestly maybe one of my favourite releases of all time. I always find myself going back to listen to it anyway. Alongside, that netra album, I'll also be releasing an album from Subterranean Disposition, a one man doom metal project from Terry Vainoras, from Cryptal Darkness, Insomnius Dei, and The Eternal. These four releases will all be released in the summer of 2012 so that is going to be the main focus for the next few months to get these prepared, released, and distributed.
I encourage anyone who might be interested in keep updated on these upcoming releases to check out the HDR website - Hypnotic Dirge Records
We're also around on Facebook, Youtube, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp if anyone wants to find us.
Tags: hypnotic dirge solitude productions endless winter records altshphere productions arx productions eyes like snow records psychedoomelic records r.a.i.g. records
