Record labels have a unique view of the Retrowave landscape, and we set out to learn more about their story, niche, releases, and perspective on the scene. Many people running labels are musicians themselves or have been in the music business in one form or another for many years, sometimes decades.
It is with much gratitude we bring readers of the Electroscape the Record Label Series. Each label gave precious time to share their story and perspective with us. Many of the people running labels are working day jobs and operating the label during evenings and on weekends. We are incredibly grateful for the time they gave to us so we can share their story with our readers.
Read our entire Record Label Series here.
We connected with several labels to launch our series. We asked all labels to tell us their story, view of how the Retrowave scene has changed, and what they expect or hope the future of the scene to look like. We asked the labels what advice they have for artists who might want to land on a label, how they discover artists, and factors at play when deciding to bring an artist on board. Their responses were fascinating, intriguing, and entertaining.
This story features Lazerdiscs Records.
We connected with Darren deToni of Lazerdiscs Records, one of two friends who launched the label. The duo also founded Drive Radio. Darren told us the label name was inspired by retro technology and the label is built around the idea of creating a supportive community of like-minded artists.
Darren said, “We knew we weren’t going to earn any money from it, and we didn’t care, we just wanted an outlet for artists.” He went on to say, “When I say community, I mean community. We work hard to support each other with releases, live events, and when shit hits the fan. No matter how far we get with the label we’ll treat those who join us as one of the family, all wearing comfy slippers and talking in front of the fire about the good times!”
The Past and Future of Retrowave
“I’ve nearly walked away a couple of times,” Darren said when asked how the scene has changed over the past few years. He told us the positives outweigh the negatives, yet he has felt at times the promotion side of Synthwave can feel more about the promoter than the artist. He said, “I hope the scene doesn’t become a YouTuber’s wet dream where people are paid to overshadow Synthwave and ultimately capitalise on it.”
When asked about the future of Retrowave, Darren said “I feel it can still have its niche-factor and have a handful of breakthrough acts, no problem at all.” Darren sees a parallel between Synthwave and the Jungle scene from the early ‘90s. Jungle “was also a slow burner. Jungle transformed into Drum ’n’ Bass and has been a hugely successful scene for many years, but still keeps a core that hold tight to the old times, the good times, and won’t let go of those times.” Darren is hopeful Synthwave has the same fate. “Whatever Synthwave becomes, mutates into, I hope the principles that have kept me loving the scene for the best part of a decade can keep the fires burning well into the next one.”
A Closer Look at Lazerdiscs Releases
Lazerdiscs has an impressively diverse catalogue of releases, showcasing artists such as Robert Parker, Absolute Valentine, Niky Nine, Baldocoaster, Stilz, Powernerd, Billy Mays, and many more. In addition to digital formats, Lazerdiscs very often offers fans physical format releases, including cassette, compact disc, and vinyl.
See our story about Sunset Love by Absolute Valentine here.
Darren recommended we dig into some green shoot releases by some promising artists, including ‘Blood Arcade’ by Neoslave, ‘Less Than Zero’ by Castroe, and ‘Venture’ by Shyguys. Darren said, “I would happily have all three playing live at a gig and not worry about if or how they would rock an audience, or indeed if the tickets would sell. These guys sell themselves and deliver over and over with music created of the highest quality and highest enjoyment.”
Blood Arcade by Neoslave
Blood Arcade by Neoslave Arcade pushes hard on the boundaries of Dark Synth, with elements of horror, goth, cyberpunk, and dark wave. The album very often draws you to the dark corners of the mind and elicits a budding sensation of fear, such as on “Welcome…to Blood Arcade.” Blood Arcade has strong industrial overtones as well, adding a more aggressive, gritty texture which shines on “Big Ass Knife” and pairs perfectly with a majestic lead synth solo. The album presents a well-balanced blend of vocal and instrumental Dark Synth, which is a refreshing take on the genre.
Less Than Zero by Castroe
Less Than Zero by Castroe features synth melodies that bring you to the edge of a cliff, such as on “Withdrawal.” Castroe delivers penetrating, melodic bass lines and synth textures with a strong outrun quality on “Debt” and greets you with cyberpunk elements on “Laurel Palms Motel,” which plays like a series of scenes in a short story. Castroe somehow balances that feeling of watching the sun set on a summer evening on the beach with the feeling a dark cloud is rolling in just behind you.
Venture by Shyguys
Venture by Shyguys is an organic and energetic soundscape that would make our electronic heroes of the past proud. It has an outrun core, to be sure, but it is decorated with hints of cyberpunk, 70s funkiness, and lead synth solos that rival 80s glam rock, such as on “Journey.” The album opens up into weary spaces and is brimming with melodies that lure and entice. A quote from Venture’s Bandcamp page says it all: “This is a journey into sound. Buckle up. Let’s go!”
The Excitement and the Grind
Lazerdiscs has shared in a long list of exciting events. Darren told us releasing an EP for Robert Parker was “a real buzz,” both musically and artistically. The label had the opportunity to see Sierra perform live for the first time, which Darren told us “was very special, as she was very nervous about launching the event in Birmingham in 2018.”
Lazerdiscs put together a soundtrack for an audiobook written by Darren and narrated by John Michael Lowe, which featured artists such as Powernerd, Billy Mays Band, and Aeronexus. Lazerdiscs was also approached by a publisher and illustrator (MONOLITH) about creating a series dedicated to releases by Absolute Valentine.
Darren told us the most exciting part of running a label is without question “the excitement generated by the artists when we have everything ready for their release.” Darren said, “holding on to release day becomes frustratingly exciting but rewarding!”
Running a label has its challenges as well. The logistical details are always a challenge. Seemingly little things matter quite a lot, such as ensuring the text on Bandcamp and musical concept fit together. The artwork can be a challenge as well. “Artwork can be a tricky one as we love creativity and letting it flow, but sometimes we have to say. ‘Look, it doesn’t do your music justice’ – we have to be honest and give every release its best chance when it is unveiled to the world.” Darren said of the cover art, it “is like a book cover, it needs to draw the moth to the flame.”
There have been a lot of laughs at Lazerdiscs around deadlines. Darren told us deadlines set in stone often change multiple times. The label recognizes that “it’s hard to walk away from a finished piece and be 100% happy with it” and the label is grateful their “artists are comfortable approaching us, being brutally honest, and wanting to deliver to us the best they can do.”
Breaking Into the Scene
“A positive one,” Darren said when asked what role labels play in shaping the Retrowave scene. He went on to say not everyone will agree with this perspective. He acknowledged artists sometimes have bad experiences with labels, like with any business or personal relationship. He told us what is most important is to learn and grow from these experiences so “when another artist approaches us to help them achieve enjoyment, success, and, ultimately, have peace of mind that they’ve made the correct decision approaching a label.”
Darren said, “Artists put a lot of trust in a label.” He told us Lazerdiscs has lost some artists in the past, artists they would have loved to stay on board. These losses, though painful, “have been lessons we’ve walked away from with much better knowledge and understanding – every artist is different and should be treated individually. So, as long as we keep learning and encouraging all of our artists along the righteous path then the scene will grow and look rather wonderful to those who know and cherish it, and entice new listeners to join the journey.”
Treating artists for the creative people they are is a core value of Lazerdiscs. The label feels its role is to provide guidance in places, such as suggesting artwork changes or how to track-list an album to optimize its flow. Above all, Lazerdiscs wants to work in harmony with their artists and create a feeling of family. Darren said, “We know all our artists on a first name basis and wish each other ‘Happy Birthday’ and are there if they have difficult personal situations.”
Looking Ahead
“The level being raised for new music by Synthwave artists year-on-year is the biggest thing that excites us!” Darren told us Synthwave continues to sound better and better as time goes on, from demos, independent artists, and label releases alike. “Artists can sense we are close to having a commercial breakthrough and what better than being the first featured on commercial radio… it would be like having the Duke driving us all over the bridge out of New York!”
Darren said of the label “I must admit it is a slow burner, we aren’t in a rush to be the best. We’re just having fun with such a diverse group of artists that are all hungry and full of energy. They continuously bring new music and new ideas, which we find incredibly exciting! So, could this ever just become a job? NAH!”
You can read our entire Record Label Series here.
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