Racer Records Captain's Log - Sep 17 '95

Lots of people have asked about the day-to-day workings of an indie label, so I thought I'd start giving a little running commentary of just exactly what it is I do around here.

Captain's Logs are written sporadically and tend to get skipped if I'm insanely busy or am doing a lot of computer consulting (and hence very little Racer work).

I'll try to post this as consistently as possible until I forget to do it, I run out of time, or I find out people think it's incredibly pretentious and boring.

Comments and questions are heartily encouraged.

Made LOTS of confirmation calls to radio stations for Utechma; had a lot of other good phone conversations; did a whole bunch of consulting work ...

Captain's Log, Monday, September 11, 1995

* Called about 20 radio stations to confirm address and music personnel

Phone Calls:

* got a call from a TV production company that wants to use Garden Variety's "Beats" in an upcoming episode of a new TV show called "Land's End". They need all television and video rights (non-exclusively), internationally, for 5 years with options (or in perpetuity, which they would prefer). We discussed a possible deal but I told her I'd need to get in touch with Dug from Garden Variety, since he owns the publishing. I said I'd call Dug and call her back in a few days.

Captain's Log, Tuesday, September 12, 1995

* did some consulting work, including a meeting in Silicon Valley

* picked up the full shipment of Utechma from the mailbox

* uploaded sound files to CompuServe (2-3 hours)

* invoiced clients

* processed mail orders

Phone Calls:

* talked with Amy X Neuburg about promo copies and getting signed contracts from one of the Men.

* took an order from a Racer fan who's bought other CDs from us before. He's a real power pop fan, so I gave him the number of the woman who used to run Pop Sunday Newsletter so he could get on her mailing list. He suggested I get in touch with an artist who used to be in a pop band in the 80's that I had heard of, and recommended I call Jordan Oakes (of Yellow Pills) to track this guy down.

* spoke with a woman from a TV production company who wanted to get clearance to use a Garden Variety song, "Beats", in an upcoming TV show, "Land's End". We discussed terms and it sounded like we had a deal; she said she'd get back to me.

* left a message for Jordan Oakes of Yellow Pills magazine to try to track down this musician mentioned to me. He called back later, gave me the info I needed, and suggested a band in the San Francisco area that he thinks I might like.

Captain's Log, Wednesday, September 13, 1995

* did about 8 hours of consulting work

Phone Calls:

* left a message for the musician mentioned in yesterday's phone calls

* spoke with a consulting client

* spoke with a guy who does a 'zine in Florida who wants review copies of stuff, which I don't think we can afford to send

* spoke with Dug in Garden Variety about the song being used in the TV show

Captain's Log, Thursday, September 14, 1995

* called 35 radio stations to confirm address and music personnel

* did over 4 hours of consulting work

* met with a distributor to get him copies of the new Utechma CD

Phone Calls:

* spoke with the manager for the musician I was trying to track down; we discussed what his artist is doing now and what Racer's all about. He sounded interested, and will send me a tape next week.

* spoke with a consulting client

* spoke with the people doing the "Land's End" TV show; the deal is set and they'll be sending us paperwork right away

* spoke with Dug from Garden Variety; told him the paperwork for the TV show is on the way

* spoke with a woman in A&R at a major label, who had recommended a favorite artist of hers to me (who I ended up liking a lot), and who listened to the latest from Big Umbrella. From what she's heard so far, she likes them, but wants to listen more before saying anything for sure.

* left a message for Gino Robair of Splatter Trio and the Potato Eaters. I told him I'd try to get artwork for the Potato Eaters album to him by next Wednesday.

* took an order for a CD

Captain's Log, Friday, September 15, 1995

* Called about 55 radio stations to confirm address and music personnel

* did some consulting work

* met with Amy X Neuburg briefly

Phone Calls:

* spoke with a woman at Rykodisc about the copyright on Richard Thompson's "Calvary Cross", which the Potato Eaters cover on their forthcoming CD. I have been trying for MONTHS to track this copyright down; I can't legally use the recording until I get the mechanical license agreement. The woman at Rykodisc confirmed that they do own the copyright, and we agreed that I would just send them my standard license agreement. She was very nice and helpful. I suggested that they update their information at BMI, since they aren't handled by Harry Fox and the info that BMI had for them (address and phone number) was wrong.

Captain's Log, Saturday, September 16, 1995

* did lots of consulting work

* did lots of bookkeeping

Captain's Log, Sunday, September 17, 1995

* did more consulting work

* did more bookkeeping (it's really a little disturbing how much I enjoy doing bookkeeping ...)

Phone Calls:

* spoke with one of my distributors about getting some copies of Utechma into local record stores

The Captain's Log is an inside look at the day-to-day operations of an indie label. Contents may have settled during shipping. Questions, comments, ideas, and thoughts are encouraged (whether or not they're related to the log).

Grinning,

Kristi

Racer Records

This page was last updated on March 3, 2004 by Kristi Wachter.