{"id":2354,"date":"2012-01-29T00:00:04","date_gmt":"2012-01-29T08:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/josephaleo.com\/blog\/?p=2354"},"modified":"2018-11-26T20:15:52","modified_gmt":"2018-11-27T04:15:52","slug":"solipsistic-nation-no-265-artoffact-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/josephaleo.com\/blog\/solipsistic-nation-no-265-artoffact-records\/","title":{"rendered":"solipsistic NATION No. 265: Artoffact Records"},"content":{"rendered":"

Artoffact Records<\/a> is a Canadian label based in Toronto that has released over 100 industrial, synthpop, rock, and metal albums since the label was founded in 1999. I listen to a lot<\/i> of music but when it\u2019s a release from Artoffact, I take notice because it\u2019s bound to be great. Some of my personal faves have been Alice in Videoland<\/a>, Massiv in Mensch<\/a>, and, more recently, Saltillo<\/a>. Artoffact consistently releases such great music that it\u2019s a crime I have showcased<\/a> their label by now.<\/p>\n

Jacek Kozlowski<\/a> is the founder of Artoffact Records and he\u2019s been kind enough to put together a mix of tracks from his label featuring some crucial releases from 2011 and 2012. He was also cool enough to talk shop about Artoffact and the music industry in general.<\/p>\n

When I first started showcasing labels on solipsistic NATION<\/b> I think I was caught up in the romance of what it would be like to run a label. But as the years have gone by I\u2019ve come to realize how much sweat equity it takes to run a music label. No sane person would spend that much time and energy in such an endeavour. No, point of fact, it takes passion. So I guess the romance is still there, after all.<\/p>\n

Anyway, to get back to my point, as I\u2019ve come to appreciate the hard work that goes into running a label I\u2019ve begun what, I hope, are very pragmatic questions. How do you sign an artist and who do you develop that artist once you do. Practicalities aside, there\u2019s also the art of being managing artists. I\u2019m generalizing here but most musicians I\u2019ve met will gladly go on and on why they lovingly and painstaking purchased the gear they have or give a spur of the moment dissertation on their art and their music but it\u2019s another thing entirely when it comes to the quotidian business of being, well\u2026 business.<\/p>\n

Hey, cut me some slack here. I said I was generalizing.<\/p>\n

Jacek gave some very insightful and considered answers to my questions on today\u2019s show. He also delivered some kick ass tunes so enjoy! Bonus, there are some free tracks below you can download for your continued pleasure but by all means, purchase a track or two. Artists need to eat and after all, it is a business.<\/p>\n