More sad news today. Vinyl Junkies has gone into administration.

Next up: no soft prn in Soho.

Article here courtesy of ill:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-revolution-that-kill ed-sohos-record-shops-1971342.html

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I'm All Ears.

Quote ken long:

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More sad news today. Vinyl Junkies has gone into administration.

Next up: no soft prn in Soho.

Article here courtesy of ill:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-revolution-that-kill ed-sohos-record-shops-1971342.html

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sucks

bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

I know a few record shops moved to the net using eBay and Discogs and they make more money from that then their regular through the door trade. I know I don't go record shopping anymore, my money goes elsewhere, although I'm going to make some changes soon I think, shift some old cr@p and add to my soul/funk/classic hip-hop collection.

It is a shame to see these stores go, I used to go to Soho in the early nighties, tracking down hip-hop that I couldn't get in Bristol.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Quote johnny h:

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bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

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Yeah - I'm sure the business was thriving and making stonking profits until 10 days ago, and it all went south since then...

Do you think perhaps a prevailing view that all music is free might have something to do with it?

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Dynamite with a laser beam...

Quote Richie Royale:

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I used to go to Soho in the early nighties

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Soho has a bit of a reputation, but it's not compulsory to go in retro night attire...



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Dynamite with a laser beam...

Quote Steve Hill:

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Quote johnny h:

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bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

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Yeah - I'm sure the business was thriving and making stonking profits until 10 days ago, and it all went south since then...

Do you think perhaps a prevailing view that all music is free might have something to do with it?

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Totally coincidental! I don't know how you could possibly connect those completely unrelated events...

Quote Steve Hill:

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Quote johnny h:

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bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

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Yeah - I'm sure the business was thriving and making stonking profits until 10 days ago, and it all went south since then...

Do you think perhaps a prevailing view that all music is free might have something to do with it?

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Probably more down to the fact that CDJ technology has gotten better. But yes, the result of that is DJs who download. I imagine Music and Video Exchange and Reckless will survive... I hope!

Oh, and that nightie joke was good...

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I'm All Ears.

Reckless is long gone. There's a shop called Revival Records there now...in the same mould as Reckless...

I'll be distraught if MVE ever goes. I spend at least a tenner in there a week.

Quote Steve Hill:

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Quote Richie Royale:

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I used to go to Soho in the early nighties

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Soho has a bit of a reputation, but it's not compulsory to go in retro night attire...

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Gotta blend in!

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Quote John M:

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Reckless is long gone.

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Ouch. Had no idea. But then again, me not knowing probably says more about my record shopping habits lately - all eBay. But I don't buy new vinyl, mainly rarities.

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I'm All Ears.

Quote johnny h:

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bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

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Please lay off the vitriol. It's so unpleasant. It doesn't do you any favours to be that bitter and twisted either.

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Quote johnny h:

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bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

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Not sure if you're being ironic (I hope you are!) or serious here ...

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Stand by for action - we are about to launch Stingray!
Cue irritating bongo music ...

Quote hollowsun:

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Quote johnny h:

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bloody tories. Didn't take em long to start ruining this country all over again...

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Please lay off the vitriol. It's so unpleasant. It doesn't do you any favours to be that bitter and twisted either.

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It was an obvious joke mr hollow. I'm sorry you got out of bed the wrong side today too.

Quote johnny h:

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It was an obvious joke mr hollow.

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Obvious? Hmmmm...

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Quote hollowsun:

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Quote johnny h:

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It was an obvious joke mr hollow.

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Obvious? Hmmmm...

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Blatently.

The Tories haven't even been in power a fortnight and already we're fighting amongst ourselves.

It's sad, really.

Quote johnny h:

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Quote hollowsun:

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Quote johnny h:

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It was an obvious joke mr hollow.

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Obvious? Hmmmm...

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Blatently.

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So how come no-one 'got it'?

My reply was hardly that serious either given that I simply quoted a reply you dished on me elsewhere hereabouts.

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Quote Korff:

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The Tories haven't even been in power a fortnight...

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Cameron barely had time to take his jacket off at No 10 and the meeeeja hacks wheeled out all sorts of has-beens to dig the knives in with mindless speculation!

And strictly speaking, the 'Tories' aren't in power - it's a coalition between them and the LibDems which potentially makes it a very different entity with each party curbing the extremes of the other.

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

Quote hollowsun:

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So how come no-one 'got it'?

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I got it — but don't worry that you didn't. It's not your fault, it's the Tories'.

Cheers!

Chris

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Website / Music Lab Machines / Blog

A damn light bulb blew in our hallway tonight and it is so positioned that I need to get the ladder out of the shed tomorrow to replace it. I blame the Tories.

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Stand by for action - we are about to launch Stingray!
Cue irritating bongo music ...

You just can't get the right quality of electricity since the Tories privatised it. Cheap foreign muck now I shouldn't wonder. British electrons for British people, I say.

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Dynamite with a laser beam...

Quote:

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Probably more down to the fact that CDJ technology has gotten better.

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@ Ken,

Defiantly mate. If CDJs had not been made vinyl would still rule and be very successful as a mixing tool. I would have preferred it this way.

I think the CDJ was the final nail in vinyls coffin sadly bar niche markets such as die hard vinyl only DJs.

Mind, I could have gladly gone with CDs when the CDJs came out over the MP3 file alternative, I just need something tangible.

For me, MP3 files are great for the general public but Id still like DJs to want vinyl or CD singles. Sadly this isn't the case. Very sadly.

I am now a record label that will only ever release downloads. Not sure if I can ever see that as a 'real' release.

Quote kolakube:

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Quote:

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Probably more down to the fact that CDJ technology has gotten better.

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@ Ken,

Defiantly mate. If CDJs had not been made vinyl would still rule and be very successful as a mixing tool. I would have preferred it this way.

I think the CDJ was the final nail in vinyls coffin sadly bar niche markets such as die hard vinyl only DJs.

Mind, I could have gladly gone with CDs when the CDJs came out over the MP3 file alternative, I just need something tangible.

For me, MP3 files are great for the general public but Id still like DJs to want vinyl or CD singles. Sadly this isn't the case. Very sadly.

I am now a record label that will only ever release downloads. Not sure if I can ever see that as a 'real' release.

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You should really do vinyl. Its possible to break even on it, even perhaps make a small profit. It is a great kickstart to a digital release and gives you far more kudos and respect. It depends what genre it is really though.

Aye, especially if you don't release a digital version. Get a couple pressed and whore them out; get them on as many mixes as possible and play it out at every opportunity. Then when other DJs realise they can't find it on the web in MP3, they'll have to buy the vinyl. HA!

(As Johnny said though, it depends a lot on the genre — locally, the jungle, drum & bass, and reggae scenes are still quite big on their vinyl, for example).

Cheers!

Chris

@ Jonny and Korf

Hi guys. my tune up for release any time is mainstream club. IE not a specific genre like trance or house but more along those lines in a more commercialy acceptable but uncheesy way.

Im not convinced I would break evens with a vinyl release. Then theres the grand it costs to release and distribute.

To be honest a CD single would be my favourite format as there a go between re production costs of vinyl and MP3 file. However CD singles are as dead as a can of spam.

Don't bother with a CD release mate. No-one buys that junk anymore. Its also ethically dubious. Most people will just rip the CD to computer and that's that. There's already too much useless plastic in the world!!!

Go with vinyl. Its tangible and says more about your label's production values than a cheap CD run...

I don't know anyone anymore who listens to CDs. CDJs make their own, if that's your target...

ken

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I'm All Ears.

I listen to CDs more than I do any other medium! A fantastic way to listen to music, IMO, in terms of both quality and the 'oldschool' act of actually having to get of your arse and browse your physical music collection, then walking over to the CD player and popping it in (beats scrolling through an infinitely long list of unsorted crap and just picking the same songs over again because you don't know or like most of your MP3s!!)

I recognise I'm in the minority though, so as far as releasing goes I'd agree — vinyl (unless you're selling CDs at gigs or something).

Cheers!

Chris

I'm with Korff on this. I still listen to most music on CD or Vinyl.

@Kola you might be better off sticking with digital, see how it goes and then offer a compilation double album vinyl pressing of say 10-12 tracks if all goes well and you are getting interest in the digital releases.

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http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Hi Ken,

Think my post wasn't clear or you misunderstood fella.

My order of preferred single formats goes vinyl followed by CD then 20 odd miles behind is MP3 file.

Im with you on vinyl mate I really am. But if it ever came down to MP3 file v CD single Id choose the tangible CD everyday.
I must re stress, I am certainly not going to release a CD single. As I said the CD single is as dead as a can of spam.

I would love to release a 12". Im just not even semi convinced id break evens. As a brand new label paying £1000+ of our float on a hope we break evens is something I just cant justify, although still extremely tempted.

So not to vinyl and no such thing as a CD single so that leaves me with my least favourite format. Its going to have to be download however this is a lack of options caused by a process of elimination more than a conscious choice. sigh!

Mickey

Quote Korff:

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I listen to CDs more than I do any other medium! A fantastic way to listen to music, IMO, in terms of both quality and the 'oldschool' act of actually having to get of your arse and browse your physical music collection, then walking over to the CD player and popping it in (beats scrolling through an infinitely long list of unsorted crap and just picking the same songs over again because you don't know or like most of your MP3s!!)

I recognise I'm in the minority though

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+1

Our releases are always on CD and download. The CDs sell well enough to justify it at the moment.

If this were to change though, and I wouldn't be surprised it it did, I'd want to look into a smaller vinyl run + download release.

With my own band, this is country/folk/rock/Americana stuff, although my label does other kind of stuff - all broadly in the indie/rock/pop camp at the minute though.

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Bill Withers while Tom Waits, and Stan Getz

Quote Richie Royale:

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@Kola you might be better off sticking with digital, see how it goes and then offer a compilation double album vinyl pressing of say 10-12 tracks if all goes well and you are getting interest in the digital releases.

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That's good advice if you want to throw money away.

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I'm All Ears.

Quote Ramirez:

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Our releases are always on CD and download. The CDs sell well enough to justify it at the moment.

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Perhaps if you sell them at a gig.

Could you break it down for me cause I just don't see figures adding up...

cheers.

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I'm All Ears.

I agree with all of you. Vinyl or CD I dont care. Just something tangible for me.

Quote ken long:

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Quote Ramirez:

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Our releases are always on CD and download. The CDs sell well enough to justify it at the moment.

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Perhaps if you sell them at a gig.

Could you break it down for me cause I just don't see figures adding up...

cheers.

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Well, all of our releases to date have been Welsh language, which does make things easier I think - it's relatively easy to get BBC airplay and get the attention of TV companies. It's also a bit easier to get a bit of 'crossover' attention - Radio 1 DJs such as Huw Stephens takes great interest in the Welsh-language scene, and also has a program on the BBC's Welsh language service, so that kind of attention is possible.

We have a distributor who deals with the Welsh language books and music shops, so it's quite straightforward to make the CDs available to the intended market, and sales in these shops are enough at the moment to make it worthwhile.

We also have digital distribution with Believe Digital, which sorts iTunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. out, which is handy to have.

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Bill Withers while Tom Waits, and Stan Getz

Sorry, I thought you mentioned you were selling at profit.

Are you? Probably not.

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I'm All Ears.

Quote kolakube:

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Hi Ken,

Think my post wasn't clear or you misunderstood fella.

My order of preferred single formats goes vinyl followed by CD then 20 odd miles behind is MP3 file.

Im with you on vinyl mate I really am. But if it ever came down to MP3 file v CD single Id choose the tangible CD everyday.
I must re stress, I am certainly not going to release a CD single. As I said the CD single is as dead as a can of spam.

I would love to release a 12". Im just not even semi convinced id break evens. As a brand new label paying £1000+ of our float on a hope we break evens is something I just cant justify, although still extremely tempted.

So not to vinyl and no such thing as a CD single so that leaves me with my least favourite format. Its going to have to be download however this is a lack of options caused by a process of elimination more than a conscious choice. sigh!

Mickey

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If you want to break even on vinyl, which you do to be taken seriously as a new label, you are going to have to get some industry support and some good press. Its possible. You just need the right music and the right backing. Contact someone who can sort out the distribution, get the mastering right, photos, the right dj's playing it, posted on blogs etc.

And if you don't have all that, you need to go back to the drawing board and make sure you get it!

Its a lot of work for something which probably at best only just about breaks even, but it will really establish you as a serious label and give a great boost to your digital releases.

Great point you raise Jonny. Our label could afford a vinyl release however in not sure its best.

Out of interest where do you all go for your pressing and distribution?

Biggest prob we have with our first release is its more a club remix of a guitary type track. But it isn't typically trance, or typically house. Its more commercial dance but not cheesy dance. More mainstream club. Im honestly not sure typical "beer" club DJs buy vinyl anymore as opposed to "drug" club specific trance/house nights.

Its har d to break even if you also run promo off the back of the production. Events, posters, pages in fanzines, etc.

And that's what I mean. Vinyl, CD, etc: it don't matter. Factor in advances to artist, marketing, events /launch parties etc and you realise its futile.

Its a loss leading exercise. Subcultures thrive on this kind of thing - but it never guarantees a return. It almost always results in a loss which is recouped by digital sales further down the year.

I wouldn't bother with CD particularly. Anyone can make their own.

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I'm All Ears.

If vinyl is attractive, how about a compromise? Instead of 12" singles how about putting out a sampler on 10" or 12"? One or two tracks each from 3, 4 or 5 bands?

Labels have done very well in the past by releasing sampler albums. The Island samplers of the late 60's early 70's come to mind, and A&M records did well in the late 70's with their No Wave compilation too.

You spread the manufacturing costs over several tracks, and get cross-over exposure as people who buy for one track get to listen to the others too.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.