Brent Eyestone
(Magic Bullet)
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SPB: What was your favorite release of your label in 2006 (including anything that will be released by the end of the year)? Why?
It Came From The Hills Vol. 1 (a compilation) was a really important CD for me to make. In the 10 year history of the label, weve never done a traditional, exclusive compilation - only samplers with otherwise-released material. Part of what got me into independent music and bands originally were compilations with some effort and heart in them. And since that time, people just stopped making such things and focused more on cheapened, throw-away samplers that youll find lining the empty parking lots of the day after whatever corporate festival just played there.
But this was different. I hand-picked a ton of artists that I loved from all over the world and asked them to be a part... with no regard as to the marketability or popularity or "the sound" or affiliations they had otherwise. And it worked great. It was a mix of label alumni (Stephen Brodsky, Paul Michel, Forensics), overseas bands that were otherwise overlooked in the states (Taint, Tephra, Snowblood), bands that turned into Magic Bullet artists (Nitro Tokyo, This Will Destroy You), and projects representing the more challenging corners of the sonic spectrum (Earthen Sea, Aughra, Light Yourself On Fire). To really put it over, I took the time to write what each band meant to me for the liner notes... again, something thats rarely done anymore - at least on the "well-distributed" label circuit anyway.
SPB: How will you remember 2006? (in terms of music)
Label-wise, I will remember it as the year that we brought on a little band from San Marcos, Texas and helped turn them from a local band that had never played out of state into an overnight sensation (literally) that was embraced unilaterally by music fans (Young Mountain was our top seller for 2006), the press (even Pitchfork praised it), and well beyond. We started the year by putting what was then an unknown band on the It Came From The Hills comp and ended the year breathing out a collectively huge "what the fuuuuck?" at what can only be described as being shot out of a freaking cannon ever since. I think they were a lot of peoples biggest surprise for 2006. And nobody was more surprised than the guys in the band and myself.
Other than that, Ill remember it as the year of Sendspace and You-Send-It. Nothing worse than spending endless hours and resources into the creation of a new record, only to see it leaked and massively spread via every message board for free a month before its even in stores. Ill also likely conjure up a little bit of throw up in my mouth for however many years down the road that Ill have to hear the phrase "post-rock" and hear our bands described as "epic." Get a thesaurus, douchebags.
SPB: What do you see as the role of labels in 2007 and beyond?
I see labels becoming less and less significant each year in terms of the average member of the public being able to access and hear the average band from the middle of Iowa or Timbuktu. I honestly feel like if a bands goal is to get their music heard by "a lot" of people, this goal can be obtained rather easily without formal record label representation and lobbying anymore.
Record labels will need to redefine themselves and realign themselves if they are to remain significant heading into the future. The thing they will need to address first and foremost is: how in the world can you still make money off of creating a product that the majority of the end listeners will obtain for free? I have a few theories and ideas. Well see how they manifest themselves and play out in the coming year.
At the very least, I see record labels (at least the kind of label we run) still performing the vital function of transitioning a band from being completely green and unexperienced toward understanding how "all of this" works and how to wisely head down the twisty roads and slippery slopes lying ahead of them.
SPB: Top five releases of 2006? (not on your label)
- Cory Branan - 12 Songs
- Comets On Fire - Avatar
- Calexico - Feast Of Wire
- +44 - When Your Heart Stops Beating
- Wolf Eyes - Human Animal
SPB: Any previews/hints/facts of what you will be releasing in 2007?
Up first will be the debut/split CD from Aughra and Mosh Patrol, the solo monikers from members of two of our more popular bands and a wonderful study in ambience and melody. Then youll see a split CD between Control and Massacre of the Umbilical Cord, two of the most homicidal bands to ever come out of the Carolinas. Not pretty... In March, expect the newest Magic Bullet skateboarding DVD to hit the streets. Insane skateboarding plus a soundtrack that will feature everyone from The All-American Rejects to Sparrows Swarm And Sing and everywhere in between. Outside of that, its all about This Will Destroy You. First up, weve got the vinyl version of Young Mountain almost good to go. It will include a bonus remix disc and hand-screened covers, so it will be a very welcome addition to most record collections. The guys will also be completing their second release for the label before taking it to the road on a more full-time basis. We should probably also get around to cranking out that missing Old Man Gloom installment thats taken several years to come out at this point...
SPB: Whats your main goal of 2007 (labelwise)?
We want to stay unpredictably diverse and put out the material that is best representative of whatever corner of the musical spectrum it crawled out from under. Its the 10-year anniversary for Magic Bullet in 2007, so we want to throw a ton of curveballs and really celebrate the spirit that made the label what it truly was over the years. So while youll get heaping doses of the "EPIC POST-ROCK OMG!" that became popular both on our label and elsewhere in 2006, were also going to throw slabs of the most unrelenting, violent music possible straight at your head. Were going to steal your brain and soak it in ambience and non-traditionally structured soundscapes that will feel like a journey inside your mind itself, maaan. Our resident administers of hot choppery and rifftitude will be torching your speakers by years end and an armada of honey-throated crooners will bring you back toward remembering that sometimes all you need is a simple melody and an acoustic guitar... Simply put, we will continue to do what weve always done... with no regard for what anyone else is doing or listening to.
SPB: Predictions of trends in 2007 (music related (or more if you want))?
- More Christians concocting more bands that are the "alternative" to their "secular" counterparts without any concern for innovation or deviation.
- More Christian band members convincing more Christian band groupies that "anal doesnt count."
- More articles about Christian band members "facing enormous challenges" after the singer gets a coke habit and sticks it in an actual vagina.
- More genius college promoters sticking Wolf Eyes on festival bills with such bands and actually giving a microphone to John Olson. Hilarity ensues. You can also sub "Extreme Lifestyle Entertainment Events" for "festival bills," "NOFX" for "Wolf Eyes" and "Fat Mike" for "John Olson" to the same end...
Magic Bullet releases of 2006
- Wether - Living Headache C-30
- Aughra & Earthen Sea split C-30
- Massacre of the Umbilical Cord - Im Surprised He Hasnt Killed Anyone CD
- Sparrows Swarm And Sing - OShenandoah: The Demos (2005-2006)"C-15
- Sparrows Swarm And Sing - OShenandoah, Mighty Death Will Find Me CD
- Big China & Little Trouble - Black Blood Of The Earth Vol. 2 C-10
- Big China & Little Trouble - Black Blood Of The Earth Vol. 1 C-15
- Paul Michel - Revolve CD
- This Will Destroy You - Young Mountain CD
- The Burning Paris - Half-Truths & Indiscretions: The Anthology CD
- V/A - It Came From The Hills Vol. 1 CD
- Doomriders - Black Thunder LP
- Old Man Gloom - Seminar III: Zozobra LP
- Nitro Tokyo - Hell Yeah CD
