Monday, October 7, 2013

Transparent Vinyl: This is Great Until it Sucks.

Kids today would say I am butthurt. They're probably right (whatever that really means). Viewing this blog as a DIY guide to starting (and/or wrecking) a record label, though, I thought some may find this exchange interesting, amusing and hopefully somehow educational on the subject of review submissions. I guess I'm really just posting this as a "what did I do wrong," looking for assurance that it ain't me, it's them. It's a long one, so I'll keep the commentary throughout to a minimum.

The set-up is this: while I rely on The Black Birch for PR and digital review submissions, I still have been handling any physical copies of the vinyl I send out for review. As these are precious and few - and each one sets me back its cost plus postage - I try to solicit sites that not only focus on the music we love but also the vinyl format and the little details that make our releases special.

I found such a site in mid-August. I commented on a post and, on August 19th, got a direct message on Facebook from the blog's owner. You can see below how everything unfolded. I have left every post in the thread in, editing only to disguise any items that may ID the blog or author. I'm not angry and don't want to single them out for any ire. I'm a little confused and really just want to share the frustration that can occur with just a single effort to get a record some exposure. I don't know why this went the way it did - perhaps it was just a true change of heart, perhaps it sat too long and just felt like too much effort - regardless, I'm out about $25 worth of vinyl plus international postage. Thing is, I still love this blog and this author's contributions. I'll still continue to read and share and comment. It's great. Until it feels too contrived, marketed and paint-by-numbers.


August 19
[Reviewer]
Hey guys, I'm the founder of [blog] and the dude who [composes the reviews]. Please feel free to let me know if you'd like us to consider your stuff for future reviews. I visited your pages and love how you do things, keep it punk/metal!

August 20
Gogmagogical Records
Hey, […] much appreciated. We would definitely love to have releases considered for review. Only three thus far but if any interest you, let me know where to ship and I'll get some in the mail:
 
August 20
[Reviewer]
Hey man, nice hearing from you. We generally only review full length releases and would be happy to check out what you have to offer. 7"s aren't reviewed, but we do listen to everything and, if we like what we hear, keep our eyes and ears open for future releases. If you feel that it's worth it for us to listen to it anyway, we will be happy to oblige.

August 20
[Reviewer]
Basically, we understand how hard it is for the small guy to keep putting out great music, and we KNOW that it costs you guys a lot of money to produce and ship vinyl for review. We don't take that shit for granted, so I'd rather be honest and up front with everyone we deal with. If we like the 7" releases, it may not get reviewed but that doesn't stop us from doing other promo with it. We're here to help.

August 20
Gogmagogical Records
Very cool - I'll put a package together and mail this week. To where and whom should I ship?

August 20
[Reviewer]
[provides address outside the USA]

August 20
Gogmagogical Records
On its way!

[The day the items were received, about a week later, I received a direct telephone call from the reviewer. I had put a business card in with my personal number and he reached out to say he had gotten the records and, while he hadn't played them yet, he was extremely impressed with the packaging, particularly the handmade Cold Blue Mountain and Fister jackets. Needless to say, I was psyched to get this call]

August 28
[Reviewer]
Nice talking to you earlier, looking very forward to hearing what you sound like!

August 28
Gogmagogical Records
Likewise - thanks for taking the time to connect. Means a lot!

August 28
[Reviewer]
Dude what's the story with your label name

August 28
Gogmagogical Records
I am a fan of archaic words. It was a word of the day meaning "tremendous". I got taken with all the consonants - stuck with me for a long time
 
August 28
Gogmagogical Records

August 28
[Reviewer]
It breaks my tonsils. GOG Records it is.

August 28
[Reviewer]
Cold Blue Mountain is amazing.

August 28
Gogmagogical Records
And it was just announced today their vocalist is on the upcoming season of Amazing Race. Bizarre, yet cool exposure, too

August 28
[Reviewer]
dude, this has very strong potential.
Billy Corgan type riffs sometimes

August 28
Gogmagogical Records
I am biased but think it's amazing how it is impossible to pigeonhole into genre trappings.

August 28
[Reviewer]
how many copies of this were pressed?
its very well written and not generic at all

[three weeks pass without a word...]

September 20
[Reviewer]
u around? Will be posting a review of CBM. Pure insanity.

September 20
Gogmagogical Records
Kinda. Working with only iPhone access but should be able to see/spread the word!

September 20
[Reviewer]
Can I make a suggestion?

September 20
Gogmagogical Records
Absolutely

September 20
[Reviewer]
Shorten your label name to Gog, or GOG Records. No one can pronouce Gognagocial, and no one will wanna say it
GOG Records is short, memorable, and fits perfectly with your logo and sound

September 20
Gogmagogical Records
You're right on. We're getting there. Recently expanded to a GOG logo incorporated in a patch and store banner. There exists a band (and a film) named Gog I want to make sure I don't run into problems there but we are of one mind overall.

September 20
[Reviewer]
Dude, this CBM is just massive. Is vinyl still available?
Gonna be [prepping the review] today

September 20
Gogmagogical Records
It is. The blue and white is band-exclusive but I have plenty of black vinyl (and for what it's worth, the black is label-exclusive). Why so many buyers eschew black now is a whole other post...

September 20
[Reviewer]
I prefer black vinyl

[...another week passes...]

September 28
[Reviewer]
Hey, just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know I haven't forgotten you. Cheers

September 28
Gogmagogical Records
No worries and no rush - appreciate it!

September 28
[Reviewer]
I had a review done but I didn't think it was up to par, so I gotta redo it

[...and another week passes and I get this...]

October 6
[Reviewer]
working on review now, having a helluva time

October 6
[Reviewer]

Second failure dude. I can't provide a very good review.
I love the sound, production, song structures
But somehow the band feels too contrived and marketed.
The songs are solid and sound great but they feel a bit paint by numbers, borrowing from a bunch of great musical elements, and doing all of them solidly.

October 6
Gogmagogical Records
I understand. To each his own. I really appreciate the time you put into trying.

October 6
[Reviewer]
Thanks so much for your understanding, and thanks for submitting your lps

1 comment:

  1. I can't even pronounce some of the bands I listen to, never mind the record labels.

    ReplyDelete