Rising
18.01.2012
I’ve read on various social media sites and internet forums the story that has broken regarding Rising Records in the UK. It’s a story I have been waiting to come out for a long time, as sadly I have been aware of the labels methods for many years.
A lot of bands have previously come to Small Town, opening with the tag line, “we were previously on Rising” and never really had a good word to say regarding their previous label. In fairness to Rising, they came up with these deals and it looks like the bands were stupid enough to sign them. Yes bands are vulnerable, especially when they are chasing their dreams, but under no circumstances should anyone take advantage of this.
It wouldn’t be so bad if Rising were offering these bands something attractive in return, but they are clearly making themselves some money, investing a minor amount in the bands future and progressing to live off the balance, whilst bands who have worked hard for many years, find themselves no better off than they were before they signed the deal.
At first I felt for Rising, I have been the victim of internet slaggings before and what made that worse was the band in question directed it both at Small Town, but also at me personally. It took me a long time to recover from it, even though I knew their claims were unjustified and 95% of the people who read the story backed Small Town over the band anyway. It rocked me and I lost a lot of faith in the industry that day that never recovered.
The harsh reality is this, record labels and management companies are all businesses. And like any other business, car garage, clothes shop, market stall, joiner etc.etc. your gonna have someone who short cuts quality and honesty, to take a slice of extra money for themselves. At the end of the day, in a sort of “Cowboy Builders” style revenge, it looks like Rising has had their time at the top and no-one will touch them with a barge poll again.
Lets hope this stands as a lesson, not only to money grabbers in the industry, but also to bands. Be careful, because its a jungle out there.
Tour Hype!
17.01.2012
The Hype Theory kick start 2012 with some new UK tour dates. Check them out at the following towns!
Jan 24th – The Garage, London
Feb 4th – The Ivy, Sheerness
Feb 9th – Classic Grand, Glasgow
Feb 10th – The Jam Jar, Dunfermline
Feb 24th – The Hermit, Brentwood
March 2nd – The Vic Inn, Derby
March 5th – Koopas, Swansea (w/Jet Pack)
March 6th – Central Station, Wrexham (w/Jet Pack)
March 8th – Soundhouse, Leicester (w/Jet Pack)
March 9th – Club Revolution, Peterborough (w/Jet Pack)
March 10th – The Krispin Klub, Kettering (w/Jet Pack)
2011 – where did it go?
11.01.2012
As the title suggest… what on earth happened? One minute I was thinking “2010 went quick…” and the next it’s “oh hello, year 2012.” Bloody hell.
2011 was a very odd year for Small Town. Mainly because as far as releasing records went, we hardly did anything. Odd having a record label that doesn’t actually do anything it’s supposed to. We set off with the best intentions, the Paige EP “Young Summer” and Templeton Pek album “Scratches and Scars” were both out before Valentines Day and already the year was on to a flyer.
As spring pushed on, myself and SmallTownAlex started negotiating our summer contracts. We had a number of talks with The Hype Theory who proved to be our breaking band of 2011 with their debut album “Glory Days” The release didn’t come out til late in the year, as it was delayed due to the bands appearances at the UK summer festivals.
In fact, if I could sum up 2011 it would be the word “festivals”
Myself and SmallTownAlex were blessed this year with the amount of bands we had on festival line ups. Slam Dunk, Hit The Deck, Make A Scene, Download, Sonisphere, T In The Park, Hevy… and many, many more. Of course, with bands on fests comes VIP passes, and with VIP passes comes us. We stood backstage and some of this years biggest music events, surrounded by mega stars, (yes I met Bill Bailey) and lived the dream, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Teams like the Red Bull Bedroom Jam guys, who help recognise UK talent do so much, and I urge as many people as possible to get involved in projects like this.
Meanwhile, back in the year review, once summer passed we knuckled down. We released one of my all time favourite Small Town Records! “Sink or Swim” by The First. Everytime I listen to this, I get a huge grin on my face for how good the tracks actually came out, on what was supposed to be an “experimental, budget release”
We also worked hard to improve the way the label runs, and hopefully you guys who follow us will have noticed these changes. Our facebook profile likes and twitter followers doubled through 2011 and this has given us the confidence to commit to bigger and better releases and try our hand at a few new things and look at a few bands that 18 months ago, we may not have been able to commit to.
2011 was a good year. It wasn’t packed with releases, we didn’t make our first million, but we made a lot of friends and we took Small Town to a new level, and most of that was because of the bands we work with and the people who support them, i.e you – the music fan. So give yourself a pat on the back!
It would be unfair to summarise 2011 without thanking the following people/bands who as always contributed to what we do on a stupidly large levels: While She Sleeps, Shadows Chasing Ghosts, Fei Comodo, The Hype Theory, Acoda, Templeton Pek, The First, Paige. Marrianne Harris, Big Deal Clothing, Olly + Raw Power, Beckie Sugden, Andy + Holly @ Glory or Death, Paul Towers, Joe Latham, Alec Leach, James Monteith, Carl Sewell, Paul Dando, Tom Welsh, Heights, and to anyone else we may have forgotten – sorry, we do love you.
Also, a huge thanks to Wetherspoons for providing me and SmallTownAlex with a basic diet of Beer and Burgers.
Albums of 2011
16.12.2011
So SmallTownPete and SmallTownAlex took a break from listening to demos and complaining about EVERYTHING to compile their top 10 album list of 2011. Here is what we listened to on the road and in the Small Town Office this year:
Pete
1. Little Hell – City and Colour
2. World Record – Lower Than Atlantis
3. Dead Ends – Heights
4. Group Therapy – Above&Beyond
5. Aftermath – Hillsong United
6. One – TesseracT
7. Fools and Worthless Liars – Deaf Havana
8. Fake History – LetLive
9. Dead Throne – The Devil Wears Prada
10. Year Of The Wolf – Nerina Pallot
Alex
1. Simple Math – Manchester Orchestra
2. Ritual – White Lies
3. One – TesseracT
4. Dead Ends – Heights
5. Burn Your Town – The Chapman Family
6. Fools and Worthless Liars – Deaf Havana
7. Glory Days – The Hype Theory
8. Path of Totality – Korn
9. That Was Then, This Is Now – The JCQ
10. The Big Roar – The Joy Formidable
The Elijah album update!
13.12.2011
We bring news from The Elijah regarding the progress of their album: “Album tracks, they are still being mixed atm, we had some problems with recording the bass, as we decided to write an album in drop G… which is pretty new ground for everyone. We had to re do and find a new way of doing bass, which has fucked us a bit, but it shouldnt be too long now.”
Keep up to date with the band via FB and Twitter!
http://www.facebook.com/theelijahuk
http://twitter.com/theelijahuk
Christmas Clothing Picks (Gok-Wan style!)
21.11.2011
As Christmas approaches quickly, when you’re writing your list to Santa, think about adding some Small Town merchandise by calling in our bands merch stores!!
Here is a quick “hot items” pick for Xmas 2011!
While She Sleeps – Industry White Tee
Available from http://merch.wssofficial.com
£15.00
The Elijah – Maroon Sweater
Available from http://theelijah.bigcartel.com
£20.00
Shadows Chasing Ghosts v Big Deal Clothing – Collab Tee
Available from http://www.bigdealclothing.co.uk
£19.99
Fei Comodo – Repeater Hoody
Available from http://www.feicomodo.com/store
£20.00
The Hype Theory – “Glory Days” Tee
Available from http://thehypetheorymerchstore.bigcartel.com
£10.00
The First – “My Intentions” Tee
Available from http://www.thefirstuk.bigcartel.com
£10.00
Acoda – Ludovico Tee
Available from http://acoda.bigcartel.com
£8.00
Pre Order for The First EP is go…
18.11.2011
Pre-Order “Sink or Swim” by The First now! Head to http://smalltownrecords.bigcartel.com
Pick up your hand numbered, signed copy and automatically enter the prize draw to win this guitar:
The First – “Sink or Swim” PRE ORDER
17.11.2011
Pre order for the “Sink or Swim” EP by The First will be available from 10am on Friday 18th November.
The first 100 copies sold will be individually hand numbered, and also include a signed post card by the band. Please note, this is on a first come, first served basis. After these 100 are gone, they are gone! The next batch will be just a standard pressing.
Not only are the first 100 CDs numbered and including a signed card, all these orders will be entered into “The First’s Special Xmas Prize Draw”
1st prize = A signed Les Paul guitar
2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th will receive a The First tshirt and a Small Town goody bag.
All details can be found in the following video!
Winners will be announced on the day of release, 5th December 2011
Good luck and get ordering the EP!!