5/13/2005

MP3 Download: Pony Express - Half Hearted


Samuel Aaron: What musical projects are you currently involved in?

Jeff Cloud: Personally playing in only Pony Express right now.  Haven't been playing in Joy Electric for a long while.  Didn't have quite enough time to continue playing in SF 59 or The Party People.

SA: Out of all the bands you have been involved with, is there a favorite?

JC: I loved playing in SF 59, especially when it was a 4 piece.  I also love doing the Pony X stuff too, it's music that is actually fun to me.

SA: Do you hope to do music fulltime eventually?

JC: I did music full time for about 8 years.  It was great !  It's just that getting a house and what not in CA is kinda expensive, so having some other form of income is helpful.

SA: Did any bands really catch your attention in 2004? Any record labels?

JC: Nothing seemed to just blow me away. There's ton of bands and labels I like just not really any one in particular.

SA: What is your opinion on the current state of alternative music?

JC: Hmm, bad, but getting better. I think it was really bad a couple of years ago.  There's a bunch more bands I like hitting the mainstream lately.  They are sounding pretty recycled, but I still like em.

SA: …and of popular / mainstream music?

JC: Sorry I just always take "alternative" to kinda mean mainstream.  I guess of literally popular music - it's kind of a joke.  I mean Mariah just sold 403,000 copies her first week ?  Who on earth buys these things ?

SA: What about mp3 downloading, or file sharing in general?

JC: for indie labels I think it's great.  It helps to get the music out.  For some band that's already huge I can see why the labels would be bummed, as they could be missing tons of $14.99 sales.

SA: If you could meet any band, from any decade, who would it be and why?

JC: I seriously have no idea.

SA: What was the most memorable concert experience you were involved in?

JC: Man, these are hard questions.  I played a Pony X show in Amarillo, TX at a kinda cowboy hangout bar on a Friday night.  Someone from the crowd yelled out to play something country.  I said sure, here's a Randy Travis song, I played the next Pony song and when it ended another voice yelled out - that wasn't Randy Travis and you are an asshole. Needless to say it was a very short but memorable show.

SA: What is the biggest misconception you have seen people have of you?

JC: I think some people are bummed when I don't give a return email or return phone call back to them.  I just think these people don't understand exactly how busy I sometimes am.  When you are a student or a person with an 8 hour job you have oodles of free time to email, talk on the phone, watch tv, etc.  I most of the time don't have those luxuries.

SA: Okay, now for some label questions. I would like to start by asking you how this label was started?

JC: While in high school I wanted to start a label.  Saved up enough money to put out the first 4 7"s, and the rest is history.

SA: Where did the name Velvet Blue Music come from?

JC: Was something I thought sounded smooth and sophisticated.  Yes, I am a big David Lynch fan too.

SA: Were there any labels you tried to emulate, in spirit or otherwise?

JC: Yes, Independent Projects, they were an LA label that I loved. Also I was influenced a lot by 4AD, Sarah Records, etc.

SA: How did you come to record your first record?

JC: Rainbow Rider was 7" #1, and the songs came from an already recorded cd that was for another label.  The cd never really came out, so we took 2 songs from it.

SA: What do you look for in signing a band to VBM?

JC: Of course the music, then the second most important thing a band that plays live, a band that is willing to make some sacrifices for a while to make things happen. Some bands have the attitude that if their record doesn't have big distribution and get into every store then they can't make it.  But this is so far from the truth.

Take Richard Swift, he's putting out records on VBM, but he's playing a lot.  He's getting paid good at shows, having a lot of people turn out for him, he got reviewed in Spin, is getting great opening slots, great press, going on tour, etc.  I'm sure he'll move onto a bigger label, and I will be all the happier for him.  You have to work !  A man like Frank Lenz could do the same thing if he would ever play a show (hint, hint)

SA: Do you have any artists that have really stood out being on your label?

JC: As in didn't quite fit in?  I mean I think we have put out some pretty weird stuff before - SS Bountyhunter, Calico Sunset, Phaedo, In A Lonely Place, Soul Junk, etc. I think they all stood out, but still went over well.

SA: Explain day-to-day workings at VBM, take us through your day.

JC: Too much to list.  Think of everything involved in getting a record recorded, manufactured, sent out, artwork, ads, mailing lists, catalogs, stickers, buttons, t-shirts, touring, bookings, orders, etc.

SA: How important is it to have that total control of distribution, design, Internet, etc.?

JC: It's a great thing sometimes, and a terrible thing other times. It's nice to get some freedom every now and then and have someone else be responsible for things.

SA: What style of music were you into growing up? Has that change/effected the bands you sign?

JC: All over the place - when I was young Led Zepplin (because my older brother liked it), teenage - Misfits, Youth Brigade, Toy Dolls, DI (because teenagers are about angst), high school - Smiths, Pixies, Ride, MBV, etc., now - I'm kinda back to all over the place.

That has had a huge impact on the bands that I like (sign) now.

SA: Many labels are criticized for labeling their bands, promoting certain styles and/or having religious beliefs, do you see your label affected by that?

JC: Sure, we usually get the slow, dreary label put on most of the VBM releases. Religious gig, never really get this anymore.  I think it's just such a tired subject that even the crazy complaining kids have given up on it.

SA: Who currently distributes your releases?

JC: Tonevendor, Insound, Revelation, Parasol, Lo-Fi, etc.  There's lots of mom and pop stores and baby distros that carry our stuff too.  We've actually been having some great success in Norway, Sweden, and Belgium lately too.

SA: Have you ever tried to get mainstream distribution?

JC: Really haven't.  Probably should or should have, but I just haven't.

SA: Do you think it is harder or easier to run a record label now, as compared to when you started out?

JC: I'm not sure.  I think it's just hard period.  Think of how many labels have come and gone in the last 10 years. There's too many to list.

SA: How has the internet helped / hurt your business?

JC: I think it's only helped. It's an easy way for people to learn about the label, hear the music, and order the releases.

SA: What current record labels have your attention, or do you think having something good going right now?

JC: Asthmatic Kitty, Minty Fresh, Burnt Toast, Common Wall, Claire, etc.

SA: Where do you see VBM in ten years?

JC: I just want to still be putting out releases that I believe in.

SA: What's the most important thing to keep in mind for a kid wanting to do like yourself and start a label? What would you tell him?

JC: #1 Skip college and start working on it right now! or  #2 Go to college get a job that pays a lot of money, then start the label.  #3 Buy the records that other people put out, have a regular job and be a happy guy.

SA: Thank you so much for your time, it has been a pleasure.


For more information on Jeff Cloud and Velvet Blue Music please visit them at velvetbluemusic.com. .