Cartesian Binary Recordings offers Electro-Acoustic, Downtempo, Hobo Nouveau, Electronica, Ambient, Deep Ambient Soundscapes, all curated by multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer Rena Jones who recently sat down to answer our Five questions.
Igloo Magazine :: When did Cartesian Binary Recordings start up and what was your inspiration?
Rena (Cartesian Binary) :: When Native State folded, I decided to move all my releases into a new label. Once I had everything setup I soon realized I had the ability to reach a wider audience and help my fellow artist / musician friends. I wanted to create a label that focused on minimalism and beauty. To me, there was a massive gap between the types of labels out there and I saw a niche that was being under represented.
Igloo :: Who were some of your initial artist relations and did your physical location hinder any progress?
Rena :: Most of the initial artists are featured on the Cloud 11 compilation, Evac, Funckarma, Gasp, Ben Milstein, Disonaur, Field Rotation etc. Many of the artists I am working with are spread throughout the world. That’s the exciting part about the time we live in. It’s easy to collaborate, share and explore things with artists in many countries.
I think all too often musicians think they need to jump and scream to be heard but the fact is, once they make the music, it has a life of its own once set into the world. I am always amazed at how music can travel from ear to ear, continent to continent all on its own.
Igloo :: What were some of the challenges (if any) starting up a label? How did you envision the label to stand apart?
Rena :: As for starting the label, there weren’t many hurdles, that was the easy part. I started this label as I felt there was a really cool niche that wasn’t being represented. Many of the artists on the label have a past of writing harder dance music, I knew that they can also write extremely intelligent and emotional music but didn’t have an outlet for that work. I felt that showcasing that side of these artists would help CBR to stand out and also be a fun outlet for these artists.
Igloo :: What is your motivation in keeping the label moving forward into the next decade?
Rena :: Not to be too cliché but it’s all about the music for me. As long as good music keeps crossing my path, I will do what I can to help it get out to the world and into peoples ears and hearts.
Igloo :: Tell us more about how you (and your staff?) take the label’s “sound” to the listeners and fans. Distribution, campaigns, word of mouth etc.
Rena :: Each release I spend a fair amount of time pushing through social networks, blogs, radio, podcasts etc. but mostly trying to connect the dots to the real fans and the people who really get the music. I am not a fan of spamming people and believe that I as a label am here to help guide the artists to their true fans and help the fans find what they are looking for.
I think all too often musicians think they need to jump and scream to be heard but the fact is, once they make the music, it has a life of its own once set into the world. I am always amazed at how music can travel from ear to ear, continent to continent all on its own.
For more information about Cartesian Binary, visit their website at www.cartesianbinary.com.
