The North of The Border series of articles gives me free reign to rattle on about under-appreciated Scottish bands and labels who are working seriously hard in order to distribute great punk rock. Hopefully this leads to greater love and exposure for those within the scene from outside Scotland. This month, Ewan Cameron from Black Lake Records took me through the ins-and-outs of running a DIY label. Not only that, he was nice enough to provide a fantastic list of DIY punk bands for us to check out. Ewan began by describing the roots of the record label:
“I started the label in Spring 2012 [and] I initially had the idea of being a ‘silent partner’ in helping to release records (paying the money but never being credited for it). However, my ego is such that I need to be praised and acknowledged at all times.”
Like most DIY ventures, this one was spontaneous but driven by a passion for music as Ewan goes on to explain. “When I decided to help put out the first release (HEXIS – Seputus/Fatum 7”) there wasn’t even a name or logo for the label yet, I just knew I wanted to be involved with the ‘business’ side of releasing records.”
“I had run a record label by the name of Seventh Street Records when I was 15 that put out one CD then ceased to be, because I had to study for my Standard Grades (O levels to you southerners) [GSCEs to you under 30 year olds – Samarth].”
“Instead of re-visiting that name, I decided to combine my love of Harry Potter, Twin Peaks and words that juxtapose nicely and settled on BLACK LAKE RECORDS. Sounds pretty neat, dunnit?”
Running a record label takes a huge commitment, and it seems like Ewan is well aware of this.
“It’s the only thing I am doing since leaving my ‘normal’ job at the end of March. I would love for the label to be doing well enough for it to be my only full time job, and although it does okay, I can’t really live off the label (yet).”, he says.
“I am no doubt going to have to bite the bullet and get some other job doing something I hate, just like everyone else who wants to be a creative person full time.”
Running Black Lake Records can’t be easy – DIY Punk is saturated with labels and bands, Ewan explains. “The main difficulties come with finding new ways to get people to notice your products and interact with them as there are just so many labels and bands nowadays (which is cool) but it’s definitely hard to stand out”, he explains.
“Social media makes it really hard for small brands sometimes when you have to consider ‘boosting’ posts for a cost and paying to get your page noticed etc. Basically, Mark Zuckerberg sucks.”
That’s not the only difficulty for Ewan. A mix of apathy and a lack of free time is a major obstacle. “It sounds so cliché but people just need to keep going to shows and getting out there. I appreciate people have other commitments and maybe a gig in a room with no windows isn’t something they want to actively pursue after a 9-5 slog; but it really is about supporting the bands that are making the effort to tour and play music in new places.”
Ewan goes onto say, “The use of social media now means that people can support touring bands all the time instead of only at a show but in order for the sense of ‘community’ to carry on, people need to be showing face at gigs and watching bands/engaging people in conversation about music.”
Here’s some of the bands that Black Lake records are releasing records for in the next few months:
Plaids/XAXAXA: “One for the old-schoolers. The sound of the 90s combined with some Hüsker Dü vibes from XAXAXA.”
Seventeen Again: “A really cool screamo band featuring members of The Reptilian (another cool screamo band) from Kalamazoo, Michigan (which, if nothing else, is a fun name to say!)”
Cassilis: “Noisy as heck punk rock from Everywhere, USA. Features an ex-member of one of my favourite bands ever; The Valentine.”
Carson Wells/Human Hands: “Arguably two of the best emo bands in this United Kingdom right now. Nufffff said.”
Kaddish: “Arguably one of the best bands in the world right now (and the last 10 years). This is their long-awaited 2nd LP. Screamo played by Black Metal Enthusiasts.”
The Sky Above & Earth Below / Mahria: “A split 7” between two VERY GOOD bands from North America. TSAAEB’s LP continuously gets regular rotation on my turntable. Really excited to work with Mahria as well, as they are a band who’s work I’ve loved for years, so it’s nice to be able to be involved with that!”
The future is most certainly Black then. I asked what Ewan would be doing if he wasn’t running a DIY label. “Thanks for asking”, he states.
“I would almost certainly consider a life as a Mirror Inspector. That’s something I could really see myself doing!”
Following on from the prevalence of social media in today’s discourse, here’s a list of bands that Ewan “Buzzfeed” Cameron recommends:
“Here’s a handy list of some of my favourite Scottish bands (in no order) with their relevant bandcamp pages for ease. I havent listed any bands that I am working with to keep it unbiased”
Black Cop
Gunfinger
Bed of Wasps
Bonehouse
Turtle Lamone
The Walking Targets
Clocked Out
The Murderburgers
Inuit
Farewell Singapore
Cutty’s Gym
Battery Face
Rungs
Min Diesel
Lost Limbs
Sky: Lark (UK)
Ittó (US)
Capacities (US)
Kilgore Trout (US)
Weakness (US)
Parents (NZ)
Улыбайся Ветру(RU)
Henry Fonda (DE)
Afterlife Kids (DE)
For more information check out:
BLACK LAKE RECORDS: http://blacklakerecords.bigcartel.com/
BANDCAMP: http://blacklakerecords.bandcamp.com/
SAMARTH KANAL