Known for their astute attention to detail in all manner of electronics, Audiobulb have etched a consistent path that enables their roster to evolve in both audio and visual projections. Nurturing exploratory creations since 2003, David Newman sat down to respond to igloomag.com’s Five questions and disseminates how the process began and where it seems to be headed. Discover how living and creating forms the glue that binds Audiobulb’s trajectory.
Igloo Magazine :: When did Audiobulb start up and what was your inspiration?
Audiobulb (David Newman) :: Audiobulb started up in 2003, inspired by some incredible music, software programming and visual art. I wanted to build a label which could function as a home for its artists—somewhere authentic where they felt their work was being cherished, supported and promoted.
Igloo :: Who were some of your initial artist relations and did your location help or hinder progress?
Audiobulb :: I live in Sheffield, UK but Audiobulb lives on the web. I liaise with artists through their websites, emails, social media wherever they are in the world. I also have a wide network of friends and collaborators who point me in the direction of exceptional talent. Calika, Monty Adkins and Ultre all approached me via emails and from their demos and I instantly knew their sound was right for Audiobulb. There are also artists whose work I have followed and admired for years. Audiobulb was initially created because I wanted to release the music of He Can Jog, Henry Leo Duclos and Disastrato.
Igloo :: What were some of the challenges (if any) starting up a label? …and how did you envision the label to stand apart?
Audiobulb :: The challenge is one of quality and capacity. To maintain both of these so you have a body of new amazing work available throughout the year. It is hard work and there may be little financial reward. However if you graft hard enough and team up with motivated artists the label can develop. Your fan-base, reviewers, DJs and bloggers are so important to get the word out and share news. A label is more than artists and music, it is design, branding, artwork, web-presence and it needs to be dynamic and relevant to keep people’s attention. At Audiobulb I have been lucky to work with great designers such as Cüret whose design defines the look of the Audiobulb website and compilations. It is the bringing together of sound and image that helps people connect with the personality of the label. If the connection is a good one—if there is a personal resonance then a relationship begins.
Igloo :: What is your motivation in keeping the label moving forward into the next decade?
Audiobulb :: For me living and creating go hand in hand. I’m excited by new ideas and new works. Audiobulb also releases more than just music, it is an exploratory music label designed to promote creativity in all its forms. Music releases, software development and audio hardware projects are all supported. I am constantly looking for creative people who have found a way to express themselves and who have been innovative in the manner in which they have approached their work. I like to work with people who are on a journey exploring sound and what can be achieved through it.
It is the bringing together of sound and image that helps people connect with the personality of the label. If the connection is a good one—if there is a personal resonance then a relationship begins.
Igloo :: Tell us more about how you (and your staff?) take the label’s “sound” to the listeners and fans. Distribution, campaigns, live shows, word of mouth etc.
Audiobulb :: The growth of the web, social media and mobile phone technology means that people want to be able to interact with artist across new media outlets. It is important to make the music available across as many digital platforms as possible and offer compelling information about the labels and artists so that people can feel connected to the ethos of the work. Digital download is becoming more and more popular and is easier to administer. Once you have a digital distribution network set up the music enters each outlet and the revenue is collected. However, you can not take it for granted. Without a lot of work releases can become invisible to the public and literally get lost amongst the over whelming amount of output out there. Our output will always be about quality. We do not function to be mass produced, mass consumed and mass deleted. Regardless of the outlet—it should always come across that we do what we do because we are real people who care.
For more information about Audiobulb Records, visit their website at www.audiobulb.com.
