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"I'm going to start a record label!" Sure, lots of people say that phrase and it's usually met with lots of eye-rolling. One man did that and succeeded massively, and now has big acts like Frente!, Skipping Girl Vinegar and Celadore under his roster. Meet Scott Thurling, the man who started, runs and makes all the decisions for Melbourne indie label Popboomerang. That may be a lot of hats to wear, but the Melbourne-based label manager must have a huge coat rack as the only brain behind the thriving label.
Paper-Deer picked at Scott's brain for his tips on how to get your act on an indie label, and all things record label.
I am Label Manager at Popboomerang Records. Being a one man operation this obviously means I am sole decision maker in regard to the bands that are signed and the overall direction of the label. I do a level of artist management & development & publicity as well as booking shows and all other admin involved in running the label.
How did Popboomerang come about?
Popboomerang was established in 2000 & released the first recordings in 2002. I’ve always been a MASSIVE music consumer, and perhaps because I don’t play music, was always interested in music business as well. Popboomerang started as a “swap shop” website around 1997 trading Australian Pop & Rock titles to overseas fans in return for CD’s unavailable in Oz. I would make CD samplers of the Aussie bands for the overseas fans and enjoyed this so much the idea started to form of legitimising things to form a proper label.
What do you think boutique, indie labels have going that major labels can’t touch?
Indie labels enjoy faster decision making, are more personal and timely communication wise and ideally, can carve out a niche in the music scene and to produce intense consumer loyalty as well as a real “community feel” and support amongst the bands. They can spot trends in the industry & react to them faster. Of course there are disadvantages in to working with a small label and bands need to weigh up their options if they are in a position of having some labels courting.
There are some really rad bands on Popboomerang’s roster, including Skipping Girl Vinegar, Frente, Georgia Fields and Young Werther. Is there a common thread among all the bands on your label?
The most common trend about the bands that have done well on the label is a high level of ambition and passion about their music and overall career. That intensity and hunger is something I look for when considering adding a band to the label. Not every band is in a position to tour as extensively as bands like Skipping Girl Vinegar, Celadore or The Bon Scotts but it is a dream if they can!
Which young band on the Popboomerang label are you most excited about for 2011?
I think Celadore qualify for this one as they are truly one of the youngest & most hard working bands on the label. The guys head into the studio this week to start recording the follow up to Distance Is A Gun .The Solomons made a splash with their debut EP this year and are about to record a bunch of songs for release in 2011.
If you could get us to listen to one album/release from a Popboomerang artist, which would it be and why?
That is tough, like asking a parent to name a favourite child!!! The releases which have made the biggest impact with fans and the media include Skipping Girl Vinegar’s Sift The Noise, The Aerial Maps’s In The Blinding Sunlight and Georgia Fields’ new self-titled album. Releases by Tim Reid, Tamas Wells, Underminers, Bon Scotts and Splendid are among others have also been very well received.
Is there a difference between a good band and an excellent band that will be successful?
If there was a secret I would not be telling. But seriously an “excellent band” has to have a point of difference in some way in their recorded music & hopefully also in their live performance. I have seen bands I thought were “excellent” waste their talent and implode & bands who I felt were “good” get every ounce of success possible by working really hard.
Any tips for bands interested in getting signed by Popboomerang? Any hints or anything they should definitely avoid doing (e.g. stalking you)?
Do your research on the roster! Don’t send in recordings for consideration that are devoid of melody! Don’t waste my time with styles of music Popboomerang does not release don’t work with (rap, hard rock, dance or reggae etc.) Be polite in following up for feedback, persistence is fine up to a point (over email is best). Be imaginative and eye catching with your promo packs but don’t go over the top. Don’t sulk or burn your bridges if you don’t get a release as labels often “talk” and recommend bands to each other (or not).
Do you do anything else in the music industry?
I have done some mentoring for Freezer/The Push. But the sad news is I head off to the dreaded day job each day. Rock n’ roll has not made me rich yet! Ever hopeful.
Any tips for young industry kids who are keen on starting labels or working for record labels?
I would hope they have rich generous parents or partners!! But seriously, they need to be aware that the industry is changing and the old models of recouping your investment from CD sales alone are gone. I would encourage them to do some work experience in established labels or seek out some mentoring before starting out alone. I would say learn from your mistakes and don’t repeat them (in saying that successful decisions you make along the way are not always replicated).
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- Friday December 17: Popboomeranng Xmas Party at The Cornish Arms, free entry, featuring The Bon Scotts, D.Rogers Band, Georgia Fields (duo), Underminers (duo), Courtney Barnett (solo), Greg Williams (solo) and Remake DJs. Free event sampler here.
LINKS:
- Popboomerang Records official website
- Popboomerang Records on Myspace
- Popboomerang Records on Facebook
- Popboomerang Records on Twitter
Frente!!!!
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