So if you aren't familiar with Have a Nice Life by now I strongly suggest obtaining 'Deathconsciousness' (and listening to it a million times) before reading this. But of course if you're even on this blog then you should have a vague idea of who Have a Nice Life is and who Dan Barrett is (co-owner of Enemies List Records).
I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Barrett for one of my music classes' final papers, in which I ask questions about the beginnings of Enemies List and how it all works. Very inspirational! Check it out!
1. What caused you to begin your own record label? Did you have any previous experience to start with to make it work?
We started the label simply because we didn't really have another choice - we didn't know anyone, or have any hope of getting on a "real" label. We were just messing around, recording music we assumed our friends, and no one else, would hear. We started it up just to release our own stuff.
I didn't have any label experience. I'd been the 'merch guy' in most of the bands I'd been in growing up, so I knew a bit about printing shirts and CDs, stuff like that. Nothing very in-depth. We just made it up as we went along.
2. How would you classify yourself and your company as functioning musical world? What do you feel is the purpose?
We don't really function in the "music world," in the sense that we operate outside the traditional supply chain (manufacturer to label, to distribution company to record store, etc). We make our own stuff, we sell it all ourselves directly to our customers. In that way we exist outside the traditional means of producing music for sale. We're also fairly cut off from the live music world, since we almost never play live (most of our projects are recording-only).
3. What is your driving philosophy in order to make it all work, and in greater specificity, what inspires you to work for it?
I'm inspired by music because I love making it. I just love hearing new things, and that rush of putting out something really great, or writing something that connects. That's what makes me sink so much time into it. As far as philosophies, we keep our costs very low, so we're free to fail. Being free to fail means putting out anything we like, regardless of whether it'll sell well. That makes the label a very personal thing, a thing very aligned with our personal tastes, and music fans gravitate towards that.
4. Did you have any idea this is what you'd be doing now? If so, what did you think differently about it then? If not, then what were you planning to do?
I had no idea the label would ever be a thing, no. I didn't start out wanting to run a record label, and it isn't my full-time job, or anything. I just knew I liked making music. I can't really stop making music; it's part of who I am. The label helps me do that.
5. In relation to the last question, what did you learn now that you wish you knew before starting?
Never bet too heavy on anything, even something you think is a sure-thing. Be conservative, and order more if you need it. People will wait. Don't be afraid of people wanting to give you money. Make what they want, within reason.
6. Where do you plan to go from here? Where would you like to be in the next five or so years? Do you have a set plan to pursue in the future?
The label doesn't really plan, in the sense that a normal business might. In general, I try to do something - a new shirt, a record, whatever - every few months. Keeping it in the moment lets it be more than a business - turns it into a more personal thing, something that reflects where we are at whatever moment in our lives.
I'd love to do the label full time. Don't know if it'll ever happen, and don't really need it to. I want to grow it slowly, naturally, by bringing more people into the fold. That's all.
7. What do you attribute to your current successes? Do you feel there is anything that you could call a 'secret ingredient' to your success?
Really, it was people connecting with our music on a personal level. Being truly honest, and raw, about what we do connects to people in a way that you wouldn't normally see with a more polished product. That kind of connection spurs people to go out and tell other people about the record - they have an intimate experience, and want to share it. That's what grew our label, and grows it today: word of mouth. We don't advertise, we did promo once and stopped. Nothing is more powerful than word of mouth...and the only way you get that is by just sitting down, doing your best, and trying to be as honest as possible.
Thanks Bryan!
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