Podunk Records's Interview

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ATP

For the record, who's answering the interview, what is your label's name? How did you come up with that name?

PODUNK RECORDS

Chris "Jacks Insanity" Griffith - PoDunk Records - the name just kinda tied in with my other ventures. i live in a small podunk town. no punk scene here - like a lot of places in america. there are kids in these towns that identify with punk rock but sadly have no local outlet for it. i'm just here to kind of get them the music they want at a price they can afford.

ATP

When & why did you start your label?

PODUNK RECORDS

february of 2012 i think. i started podunk records as a home to give away digital compilations that my radio station podunk radio puts out once a year.

ATP

What makes your label special & unique?

PODUNK RECORDS

i make no claim to podunk records being special or unique. i'm just helping some kids get their music heard. i believe in them and what they are doing, i dig their tunes and i want to help more people get their hands on the music.

ATP

How do you find new artists for your label?

PODUNK RECORDS

word of mouth seems to be doing pretty well. of course, i have to actually enjoy the music they are putting out. the bands needs to have a level of stability - none of this constantly swapping members of being a man down for months on end.

ATP

Do you accept demos? If so, how does an artist submit one?

PODUNK RECORDS

at this time, no. in addition to podunk records my hands are pretty full with a full time day job, running podunk radio and publishing the independent punk (digital magazine) i have new music flying my way all the time for the station and the zine.

ATP

What are some things that make you want to work with a artist?

PODUNK RECORDS

their music. they have to put their heart into it. their songs need to be honest and genuine. the power in them needs to be raw.

ATP

What are some things that would make you not want to work with an artist?

PODUNK RECORDS

rockstar attitudes. playing music and dressing they think other people want to hear/see them just to get sales. there are plenty of bands out there doing that and it's shameful, disgusting and pathetic.

ATP

How involved are you with an artist in selecting tracks to be on a release and the recording, mixing & mastering of those tracks?

PODUNK RECORDS

not involved at all - if i got involved it wouldn't really be "their" record anymore would it?

ATP

How involved do you like to be in the artwork design for a release?

PODUNK RECORDS

thus far, not much,. i did the composition/layout for animal trains commercial suicide ep (artwork by john metcalf) and their sith vicious 7 inch - (at the moment i forget who actually drew sith) along with a couple of tour posters for them.

ATP

How long is it from when an artist delivers an album to you until release date & why?

PODUNK RECORDS

depends really.

ATP

What do you wish artists on your label would do?

PODUNK RECORDS

play as many live shows as they can. meet as many people as they can, make friends, have a good time, don't take themselves too seriously..

ATP

How important is it to you to have touring acts on your roster & what do you do to encourage it?

PODUNK RECORDS

pretty important. touring (along with radio play) is what drives a fan base. you can record all the music and release it that you want but people want to see you in person,. they want to hear you in person, live -

ATP

What do you do to try to build a sense of community within your roster?

PODUNK RECORDS

i encourage them to play venues together. later this year i will be working with them on a split release - due to the distance between most of them i'd like to see them communicate thoughts and ideas amongst each other via technologies such as google hangouts or skype, facetime, whatever. i love technology and firmly believe in using it to being people closer together.

ATP

How many releases have you put out?

PODUNK RECORDS

5. 2 free comps - with a third all texas punk comp on the way in late june or early july. that is currently being spearheaded by rich atrain. animal trains commericial suicide ep - available for digital download or purchase a download card from the band at a show. old guy drive-by's corporate robot ep - ditial downoad and cd format - or via download card from the band. social trauma's lies ep free download.