Shae Constantine is one of the people working for Black Yak / Phantom. This is my full email interview with Shae, including a few questions relating to pre_shrunk's recent tour to Japan (early June).
Please email me with comments.
What is your position at Black Yak? What do you do?
we don't really have 'titles' - there is basically only 2 of us working full time on the bands, so we do what needs to be done. I basically look after the day to day running of the label for both bands (whitlams & pre_shrunk) & I am directly responsible for Pre_Shrunk's recording career.
How have you (or others) decided on which bands to contract to Black Yak?
if we like the music, the people doing it & want to work with them
What is involved in the recruiting process? Are you always looking?
we are always looking for something new that we like
Do bands send demos or do you have scouts, or go by recomendations?
all of the above. I get demos everyday from bands (as does everyone here), I go out and see bands, & I get recommendations & hear whats happening thru many differing sources.
Why would a band need a record company? Pre_Shrunk have previously released music independently, how has being with Black Yak helped?
Bands still need the extra help of a label once they get to a certain level. This help will be for different things for different bands. We have given Pre_Shrunk an opportunity to have bigger recording budgets, so they can have more time in the studio, we have helped them tour (silverchair & japan). We have provided a marketing budget to further the bands agendas & career options.
Black Yak is a sub company of Phantom Records, which is part of Warner Music. Do these upper companies effect Black Yak's
business?
Black Yak/Phantom is 100% independent. We have an agreement with Warner Music in direct relation to The Whitlams. This agreement does not extend to Pre_Shrunk. Black Yak is part of the Phantom Records group of labels - which are all indie labels taking advantage of being operated out of the one building. As the label name states (Black Yak/Phantom) is strongly tied to the PHANTOM RECORDS label.
Who owns the music bands under Black Yak produce?
The master recordings are owned by Black Yak/Phantom. The actual songs are published by Black Yak as well, but will revert back to the band. In return the band is paid a royalty, while Black Yak pays for all recording & marketing for the band (& trips to Japan!)
Have you looked into MP3 or other digital distribution methods?
yes - as with all new formats there is alot of debate at the moment on it. I will use any means available to me to further the bands career while looking after their intrests.
What are your (and the labels) thoughts on fans recording bands at gigs for personal use?
it is a tricky thing. You can take many positions to it & argue many cases. Techniqually it is breaking copyright laws & is piracy. It is pretty hard already for a band to make ends meet, they and their business partners need all the means possible to break the band & help them gain a long term career. Some bands are cool with it, as are some labels, but it takes alot of money to build a band. Most people think they are just taking money away from record companies & that they can afford it, but what they are actually doing is taking away income from the band. You are trading somebody elses property without their permission. I guess I am against it, as it is too easy for one person to give it to another & then to another...even if there is no money changing hands. Artist spend a long time honing there craft & image. Most bands want to give their best to their audience & if you encourage taping live gigs etc, the band is losing control over their art & how it is presented.
Without going into detail, could you describe a typical recording deal... or are none of your deals typical? Does it depend on the band?
no deals are the same, especially for us. Our agreements are custom made for the artist & what they want to acheive.
Do you know of any stories of bands/artists getting a rough deal out of their record company? Obviously no need to name names.
there are many hard done by stories (both true & embellished) by artists. I cannot speak of other peoples stories as they are not my own & I will not miss quote or get the story wrong. What I will say that I think the whole perseption of being signed is wrong - especially when dealing with an indie label. We enter into partnerships with our artists, we work closely with the band & their management. with all the hardships of being in a band trying to carve out a career, you need to work together with your label, to many management & bands see it as 'lets screw as much money as possible out of the label' - but you need to work closely with people that want you to suceed as much as the band does. I guess you have to choose your partners well. Sometimes all that shines is not gold. Of course I am only talking from my perspective as an independent label, I am sure other people & companies have vastly differing views!
How's the latest Shrunk album going? We're all desperate to hear it.
it's basically done, (artwork & recording). we are all just deciding on the running order & track listing. these two things are very important for the flow of an album. The band have laid down some fantastic tracks, it is now how to present them in the context of an album. I think that fans of the band will be surprised & happy with the album as it is quiet diverse, yet 100% Pre_Shrunk. It looks like the album will be released in August. The front cover will be the 3 guys standing on a beach in wetsuits.
How was Shrunk's trip to Japan? Was this a working holiday or a label promo tour? Are you looking for Japanese distribution or just testing the audience? Why Japan?
From my point of view the trip to Japan was very successful. we sent the band to Japan for a few reasons, mainly because we see it as a possible market for the band to break in to. The best way to see if a market is worth the expense & effort is to test it first hand. You can sit 8,000 km away & think it is good, but until you go there you really do not know for sure. So we put the band on a plane & said "have fun". It turns out that they did have a shitload of fun, made some good contacts & played some good shows. They connected with the audience & showed that it is realistic for the band to start working Japan to try and break thru there as well as here. Why Japan? Why not !