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Daemon
Records is a not-for-profit label that was conceived as a vehicle
to allow recording artists to express their artistic vision without
the confines and restrictions of the traditional corporate rock
label. Daemon is not only run from the artist's perspective, it
is run by a staff of artists. My purpose in creating the Daemon
label was to help break down the barriers within the music community,
while providing an opportunity for musicians to create and control
their own recordings within a free and nurturing environment.
The genesis of Daemon Records arose from my own frustrations with
the music industry. While reaping the benefits of a major label
deal, I realized that all around me "music" was getting
lost among the checkbooks, executives, and mountains of paperwork
that are all such a primary part of any major label. I watched
while so many musicians that had inspired and influenced my fortunate
career went unrecognized. As an Indigo Girl, I enjoyed being part
of the indie scene and I wanted to remain supportive and open
to the underground. I decided to stop complaining about the evils
of the music business and do my part to support the arts. The
next thing I knew, I was up to my ears in work, fulfilling all
the basic functions of my own indie label.
From
the very beginning, my first priority was to make sure that Daemon
Records embodied one characteristic that many independent labels
lack diversity. It seems to me that a lot of indie labels have
a fairly narrow musical focus. While a clearly defined "sound"
enables a record label to attract a strong and specific fan base,
it doesn't provide its listeners with an opportunity to broaden
their musical horizons. I have observed many indie labels locked
into conforming to what is supposedly "cool" in order
to maintain a hip status, and often that hip sound is tied in
with a certain "look" as well. Appearance and image
seem to count a lot, even in the indies. My goal for Daemon Records
is to present all kinds of music for all ages, from punks to folkies.
The common thread of all Daemon recording artists is their attention
to the craft of songwriting, independent of musical genre or style.
The diversity has kept Daemon alive and will always be an integral
part of the label's identity.
Daemon
began with a bang in 1990 amidst the hustle of my own Indigo road
show. I soon learned that retail, radio, and press promotion were
jobs too big to tackle from various hotel rooms in between Indigo
shows. I began to enlist my friends to help me guide Daemon through
the ups and downs of the music business. Together we all learned
(by trial and error, mostly) the most effective and appropriate
methods by which to accomplish our goals. We also adopted a policy
that all newly signed Daemon bands be taught the details of promotion
and be encouraged to take part in fulfilling the destiny of their
recordings.
So
now it seems that all of us at Daemon are experiencing the snowball
effect. With each passing year there are more bands, more albums,
occasional videos, lots of touring, and plenty of work to go around
for everyone. With the combined effort and contributions of lots
of loyal supporters (including many at my own major label), Daemon
Records is now heading into its sixth year with a strong vision,
clear head and good heart.
Please
continue to discover the diversity of Daemon Records.
Amy
Ray
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