07 September 2010

Scottish DIY Labels #2 - Armellodie Records


Would you care to introduce yourself?


Peenko when you call me, you can call me Al.


Super Adventure Club - My Other Brain

(from the album Avoid Zombies out now)


What inspired you to start your own label?


Vonda Shepard. Since I discovered her in the late 1990s on popular US drama series Ally McBeal she’s always been the one, it’s her smile that’s so infectious. I thought, ‘I’m going to start a label and haemorrhage as much time and money as I possibly can and if I can still smile like Vonda Shepard then it’ll be testament to my character’, so far so good. That and I knock about with a few people that have a way with a tune but don’t know their arse from their elbow, their Gibson from their Yamaha Pacifica, their malt from their blend.


The Scottish Enlightenment - St. Germain Is Thick Tonight

(from the Little Sleep EP out 27 Sept)


Who do you have signed to your label?


A feast of beefy-lamby-porky-fishy-drunk-veggie rock also known as Super Adventure Club (beefy), The Scottish Enlightenment (lamby), Kill The Captains (porky), Cuddly Shark (fishy), Thirty Pounds of Bone (drunk) and Le Reno Amps (veggie).


Kill The Captains - Rope

(from the album Fun Anxiety out now)


Being based in Scotland do you only sign Scottish artists?


Armellodie does not discriminate on the grounds of national origin, only on the grounds of music taste.



Is this something you do as a hobby or can you make a living from it?


I currently reside in Paisley, need you ask anymore? The irony is it’s a penthouse suite.



Cuddly Shark - Jamie Foxx On Later With Jools Holland

(from the album Cuddly Shark out now)



Do you have a certain type of sound that you look for in a band?


Armellodie’s position is missionary, we always finish on top. Only the finest chops musically, lyrically and egotistically will satisfy Armellodie’s strict A+R policy.



How do you go about deciding which artists you want to work with? How do you go about approaching them?


Armellodie’s position is doggy, we come from behind. It’s all co-ordinated by my other brain, but we employ various stimulants to succeed, the ears mainly and the eyes occasionally.



What has been you personal highlight from running the label so far? What has been your biggest success?


We don’t make hits; we take risks, and make flops like floppy discs. Success doesn’t suit us; we thrive on our underdog status.



Thirty Pounds Of Bone - Crutches

(from the album Method out in December)



If you could give one piece of advice to someone wanting to start up their own label, what would it be and why?


Running a label is much like when being interviewed about running a label, always give the impression that you know what you’re talking about, employ a cocky, cheeky, almost arrogant tone, try and give answers that are drenched in irony and sarcasm, and even reference Vonda Shepard if you can. Ultimately don’t take it too seriously, if something doesn’t strike a chord on your fun-o-meter then don’t do it. If you’re thinking you could be involved in loads of great music and good times then jump in the deep end, you’ll soon learn how to swim. If you’re thinking you could make a mint out of some indie-pussys then please do go and fuck yourself.


Le Reno Amps - Liars

(from The Stand Off EP out now)


What can we expect to see and hear from the label in the future?


Armellodie will continue to piss on your dance floor whilst hatching new plans and schemes. There’s a new EP from The Scottish Enlightenment about to surface on the 27th September called ‘Little Sleep’, it’ll be followed by their debut album, ‘St. Thomas’ which will be released in November. We’re going to give Super Adventure Club’s debut album, ‘Chalk Horror!’ a push and shove following on from the plaudits their latest album ‘Avoid Zombies’ received earlier in the year. We’ve also got a record by our latest troop to join the force, Thirty Pounds Of Bone coming out before the year is through. The album is called ‘Method’ and it’s a wee stunner. Good times and more good times.


1 comment: