Al (Dromedary Records)
SPB: What keeps you interested in running a record label as time passes and your own life changes? What keeps you motivated?
AL: I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years, and there have certainly been times where it slowed way down or I took breaks, because of personal trauma, or because it was discouraging, or finances wouldn’t allow it, or because life gets in the way of stuff like this sometimes. As I’ve gotten older, though, I get an immense amount of personal gratification out of the community that has sprung up around the label. Through punk rock, I’ve made friends I will have forever. And I think we’ve released some great music. I never stop being inspired by music, and by the unbelievable creativity of the people involved with this tiny label.
To me, punk is about community, about standing with people who have been marginalized, about creating stuff without corporate backing and without any real profit motive. It bothers me to see good bands getting chewed up by the music business; the ability to offer some sort of alternative helps keep me motivated. There’s no money in it for anyone, but at least nobody has to sell their soul. Even more, as I get older and spend time with other like-minded folks, the joy we all get out of doing this together in this safe space we’ve all created for each other is a pretty magical thing to be a part of. And it’s really fun to watch younger folks embracing this ethos and carrying it forward. It’s like a cozy, flame-retardant blanket we can all drape ourselves in while the world burns.
