record label.

so things with my record label are slowly trudging forward. during last week's layoff scare, i halted everything in fear of losing my source of income, rendering my record label rather useless. having survived the first round, however, i'm feeling a bit safer and re-started things. my friend brendan is building my website and i'm very excited to unveil that when it's finally ready.

i was counting on another source of income to help me kickstart the label as well, and it's looking like that money isn't going to be coming for quite some time.. but i set my mind to doing this and i'm going to do it. so i'm saving money and trying to save up enough to both put out a record and save myself from the impending economic doom.

i think one of those two is going to suffer, but that's what they invented credit cards for, right?

so, i must be fucking insane to be trying to start a label right now.. and i'll be honest, i kinda feel that way sometimes. but i really need something in my life right now that i can believe in and put my creative energy into. what makes this whole thing easier is that i already have artists that i'm totally super excited about that i want to work with. now it's just a matter of convincing them to take a chance on my little project.

one of those bands is my friend neil's band, the cinnamon band. when brand new disaster was practicing in staunton every weekend back in 2003, i met neil and quickly realized what an awesome dude he was. over the years, neil and i didn't really keep in touch all that well, but he was the kinda guy that you bump into and instantly you're laughing and reminiscing about stuff. one thing was always consistent though - i always tried to find out what music neil was into or getting involved in, because the guy is seriously one of the most musically-talented people i know.

anyway, the past two years were definitely an "out of touch" period, because i stumbled onto his latest band on accident after they'd already been together for about a year or so. the cinnamon band is a two-piece with neil behind the drums and a guy named john on the guitar. they both sing. i went to see them play at this billiards club on broad st. and was instantly impressed by the songwriting and the musicianship.

my instant thought was "oh my god, i have to do this record label just so i can put something out by this band." it was that good.

so here i am. i've been in talks with the band and they're finishing up the recording. i think they're interested, but i can also understand why they'd be skeptical too. they're going to be in town next week and i'm looking forward to talking face to face and making my case.

that said, they're playing at THE CZAR on THURSDAY. they asked me to help them promote the show locally and, of course, i took the job. i'm not trying to make this blog a platform for begging, but you could probably see how having a lot of friends at the show might help make me look like a dependable guy to put out a record. plus, aside from all that, they're seriously amazing and i'd love more people in richmond to hear about them.

so, that said, hopefully some of you can come out on thursday. it will be quite awesome.

Listen:

MP3: The Cinnamon Band–”Call Me a Doctor”