The Deli NYC #55 - Half Waif, NYC MixCon 2018

“First and foremost, it’s
about the songs. If the
songs aren’t great, there’s
only so far you can go.”
More info
about the labels
involved with physical of course, so there’s always a strong
argument to seek digital growth. But physical is still important
to us and our artists. Also, technology has had a positive
impact on neighboring rights revenues as it’s finally starting to
force improvements in the global structure of PROs. Everyone
knows about neighboring rights now—a very unsexy subject...
M: Streaming is about 70% of our overall business. CDs are
still relatively strong though. They’re still the dominant way to
purchase music in big territories like Japan. The “Peak Vinyl”
thing is a myth, too. That’s based on major labels finally putting
their Prince, Neil Young, Beatles etc. records back in print and
SoundScan collecting that info. Before the “Vinyl Boom,” a lot
of records were selling a lot of copies; Billboard just wasn’t
collecting the info on it as most vinyl shops weren’t reporting.
N: Some would say CDs are back, baby! (When you can buy
vinyl at Whole Foods and cassettes at Urban Outfitters, compact
discs are the hip dead media on an upswing.) But the
reality is that labels need to constantly be on the look-out for
revenue streams in all forms.
Is there any other physical merchandise that’s worth the
manufacturing/distribution hassle?
Z: If the demand is there, definitely. In fact, I’m confident that
there’s always going to be a market for high-value physical
product and merchandise for the right artists. Music is an
emotional, intangible product and the very nature of people
means they want to “wear” something they feel connected to.
M: We kill it on cassettes. Not enough to buy a house, but we
do really well with them.
N: Fool’s Gold makes everything from coffee mugs to turntable
needle cases. If it exists and we can make it fun and
special, we’re down.
Started in 2007 by DJs A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs,
Fool’s Gold Records brought the underground
electronic and hip-hop scenes to the forefront of
independent music. Some of their earlier releases,
such as “Day ‘N’ Night” by Kid Cudi and the first
self-titled album by Run the Jewels, helped shape
popular music as well. Since then, Fool’s Gold has
been signing some of the most cutting-edge electronic
artists from around the country.
Captured Tracks was founded in 2008 by Mike
Sniper, who first used it for his own band Blank
Dogs. A decade later, the label has become the
home to some of the most influential artists in their
respective genres and many popular indie bands.
Signing the likes of Mac DeMarco, DIIV, Wild Nothing
and Perfect Pussy, the label has shown it can
be host artists who specialize in several genres
within the indie realm.
Beginning with a focus on tailoring artist specific
needs, Partisan Records has grown many
independent artists from the ground up. Early on
their catalog boasted acts like Deer Tick, who focused
on a blend of alternative rock and Americana,
but as the label grew, many diverse artists
released their debuts with the label. Electro-pop
group Sylvan Esso and acts like IDLES and Cigarettes
After Sex are part of its growing roster.