Name:Kevin Duquette
Record Company:Topshelf
Important Links:
topshelf Records
Can you give us some background information about Topshelf Records?
Topshelf Records is and always has been 100% a labor of love. Seth and I started this from scratch in 2006 without a penny or a clue and have — we like to think — built it up into something of a legitimate operation. At the time of my writing this we have released 32 different albums.
We'll officially be five years old this month and it's certainly been a wild ride in getting here. Like any start up venture, we've had our share of ups and downs: shortcomings, disappointments, triumphs, etc. But that's all part of the process, I suppose... or, it's imperative for growth in my mind, at least. The label has provided both Seth and myself with some of the best experiences and life-long friendships of our lives and that is ultimately what fuels this whole thing for us, really. So, now we have a few more pennies and some semblance of a vague notion of what we're doing, haha.
What is your biggest influence in your career with owning a record company?
Sheesh. It's hard to pin it down to just *something*. We're conscious of what's come before us in staples like Merge, No Idea!, Polyvinyl, etc. (this list could get way out of hand) that simply stayed the course and put out (and continue to put out) fantastic records without ever compromising quality or chasing "the next big thing". That's important to us right down to our core.
At the same time though, ultimately, it comes down to our friends, colleagues and peers. I feel like we're in an incredibly exciting time in independent music where everyone is continually pushing the envelope and busting down barriers. It seems like every other day I'm reading about or congratulating someone I know for doing something great and everyone involved is benefiting from this. We're all collectively succeeding at doing what we love. That shit's contagious. What could be more influential than that?
What are your plans for future months with the bands?
We have a lot going on, and, while I can't disclose everything I can say right now I'm most excited for SXSW. That week is always so much fun and this year will be the first where Topshelf really has a strong presence down there so that will be exciting. We'll be pairing up with Count Your Lucky Stars Records in hosting an all day & evening label showcase and our bands will be playing shows in Austin throughout the week. Nearly our entire active roster will be in the city that week and it should really be a blast.
Can you tell us more about some of the upcoming tours and releases on the label?
Sure! Last year was our busiest yet and this year will definitely continue that trend. We have new releases lined up for Pianos Become The Teeth, We Were Skeletons, The Saddest Landscape, Big Kids, By Surprise, Coping, The Clippers, Miischa, Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) and a slew more that I can't really talk about just yet.
As far as tours go, pretty much our entire active roster will be on the road in the next few months with nearly everyone out in March for midwest and east coast jaunts to and from SXSW. Pianos Become The Teeth will be playing MacRock before gearing up for UK & Europe dates. Coping and The Clippers will both be on the road in April. You can always check for updated tour dates on our site: www.topshelf-records.com/tsr2/_pages/tour.php
Will you be repressing seasons in verse by My Heart To Joy and can you also tell us more about their record release show?
I'm going to assume you're speaking about vinyl here because it's now sold out in that format. It's actually a pretty common misconception that we released this album on vinyl when in actuality we really only pressed it on CD. So, unfortunately, we have no plans at this time to re-press this record in any format. But who knows. It's such a great record!
Their "Reasons To Be" record release show is something I'm seeing a lot of talk and growing anticipation for online — and justifiably so! It's got a killer line up with the likes of mainstays Transit and Pianos Become The teeth along with relative newcomers in Fugue and The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die. It's going to be an insane kind of euphoric night full of sing-alongs, friends and twinkle daddies. I can't wait. Ben Sears illustrated a flyer for it (which came out great and really embodies the zero-fucks-given My Heart To Joy mantra we've all come to expect and love). The event page, which has info for buying advance tickets and all of that stuff is here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125508137514582
No comments:
Post a Comment