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"My taste in music"
Intro:
EC: When and why did you start Other Voices Records? Oleg Galay: I started Other Voices back in 2007 right after I decided to put my previous label Tantric Harmonies under ice. First 2 years I operated under the name Intuition, but lately turned it into Other Voices, just because I found some other bigger labels under Intuition banner and I always love The Cure song under the same name. I like the tradition to give song’s name to labels: Beggars Banquet, New Rose, The Perfect Kiss… EC: What makes Other Voices Records special? Oleg Galay: My taste in music :) I just try to share the music I love with other good people. EC: Where is Other Voices Records based? Oleg Galay: I'm based in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. EC: What was the first release and how many copies did it sell? Oleg Galay: The first release was Nicotine Tongue 4 track EP from young American artist Angie Damage. It was limited to 500 copies. Some last copies of Angie Damage EP are still available. This EP is what I really proud of till now! Side-Line Magazine called it revelation of the year and it was best EP of 2008 in They Fell. EC: There are many styles on your label (New Wave, Post-Punk, Gothic, Electro, Dreampop, Shoegazer, Electronica, Experimental). What are the criteria’s when you chose a band? Oleg Galay: The only criteria are I must be really mad about the artist/band I work with. EC: What is the best selling genre? Oleg Galay: To the date absolute label bestseller is Neon with compilation Memories, and it must be described as post-punk, new wave or even goth-rock. EC: How many releases per year do you put out? Oleg Galay: Ha, it depends on sales! Usually it’s 2-3 releases per year. This year I already released 3 CDs and plan to release another 2 till the end of 2010. EC: How many copies do press from each release? Oleg Galay: Nowadays I do first press of 500 copies each release. When it is sold out I do another 500 and so on. Usually first edition comes packaged in digipak, while second run in standard jewel case. EC: What does success mean for you as a label owner? Oleg Galay: Success is just a dream so far. For me success of the label means more freedom for me personally as well as for artist signed to Other Voices, and of course satisfaction I get bringing great music to people. EC: How many people do work for the label? Oleg Galay: I, Me and Myself. At the moment Other Voices is one man project. Mike Riddick of The Fossil Dungeon label shows his interest in helping me with American distribution, so maybe he will care about Other Voices US Office. EC: CD, LP, MP3. What do you prefer? Oleg Galay: Of course LP!!! Vinyl is king! Unfortunately it's too expensive for me so far, but one day I'll start release vinyl. I also sell my releases as mp3 via iTunes, Juno, Amazon etc., but personally I do hate mp3 culture. Downloads kill music in its form I really love it, I mean all that covers, album concept and physical contact with records is very important thing. Getting music from net you limit your own pleasure. Alas it looks like young people don’t care about such stupid things. EC: Do you sell more CDs or digital albums? Oleg Galay: CDs of course! I think digital sales are great illusion at least for small labels and unknown artists! EC: Other Voices Records is and independent label. What does that mean for you? Is it possible to be independent in these days? Oleg Galay: It means I hold all A&R in my trembling hands. If I like the material I release it. It's very hard to be independent today, but it's also a great honour. EC: What are the biggest problems you have as a label? Oleg Galay: Gosh, distribution of course! Distribution is pain in my neck! Many distributors went bankrupt nowadays and many don't want to work with small labels anymore. EC: How much does music journalism help to sell albums? Oleg Galay: Good reviews and label overview really help! The problem is many magazines already closed, we have very few left. EC: What wishes do you have for the future? Oleg Galay: I wish people will finally find their way back to the temple of music. And I'm proud myself to be a preacher in this hard times. Ha-ha-ha.
Bands:
Discography:
Forthcoming:
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