Italian Record Label – Argonauta
Records – have been one of the rising record labels of the
underground Doom, Psych, Sludge and Stoner Metal scenes. They've
released a wide variety of great releases since their formation in
2012.
Now celebrating their 5th
Anniversary I was given the opportunity to interview the label owner
– Gero Argonauta. 2017 perhaps has been Argonauta Records most
successful year with them releasing albums by bands such as Forming
The Void, NIBURU, Ancient VVisdom, KAL-EL, Dustrider and Lowburn amongst others.
No doubt 2018 will be another active
year for both Gero and the label. Before that happens here's a cool
interview with the great man himself...
Hi
Gero. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.
Congrats on your 5th
anniversary with Argonauta Records.
Hello
Steve, thanks a lot for this interview. Things are going strong these
days. I’m celebrating label 5th
anniversary with tons of great releases.
Can
you give a brief history on how Argonauta Records started and what
inspired you to start a record label.
It
is something I had in mind since ages. I’m a music lover since the
day I’ve my first memories. Several years ago I decided to give to
my dreams a proper form, It needed a lot of work and I could not even
do it without the help of family and close friends. To not
procrastinate anymore is my motto and I follow it rigorously each
day. And now, here we go, tons of great releases and a great network
of people I’m in connection with on a daily basis.
Did
you ever think that you would be celebrating your 5th
anniversary and releasing over 80 quality album releases on the
label.
For
the anniversary it was my hope, to build something growing up year by
year. I’d never expected though to release over 80 albums, it is
currently a surprise when I see the label catalogue. 80 releases mean
a lot of work and also a lot of cool artists I have the chance to
work with. I feel lucky. I think in a sense Argonauta Records is
something unique in the music industry currently.
Ancient VVIsdom
Why
did you decide to focus on the Doom/Sludge/Stoner/Psych/Desert Rock
genres for your label. I'm not complaining as your label keeps me in
business. HA HA.
Ha
Ha, yeah, I hear you! It is because I want to focus all my energy and
time on the kinds of music I grew up with. The music I know better
and I can cover, in a certain sense, easily as it was a hobby.
What
were the first steps of Argonauta Records. How has it grown over the
last 5 years or so.
It
was really a long long journey, to build up what we are today. It
requested and still requests a daily dedication and almost 24/7 work,
especially the first two years I remind as I never slept answering to
messages all night long and so, searching for good partners, bands
and more. Today we are a label with its own identity, I believe, with
a structure that comprise a promotional office and a key-distro
network on a worldwide basis.
Have
you made any wrong decisions since starting the label.
Too
many debut albums during the first years. I love debuts, I think they
have a symbolic meaning, a lot of cool bands are not able to record
it, and a lot are not able to give it a follow up. But, by a
professional standpoint, debuts request the triple dedication to make
people and insiders interested to the album. It has been a problem
during the early days and still is when you release new ones. So now
I try to balance what my heart says and what reality requests.
Do
you have a set of rules and ideals when signing a band to your label.
Do they have to meet a particular criteria.
The
main criteria is that the band has to appeal to me. I need to feel it
suitable to the label. It does not matter how good you are, the
proposal need to convince me that together we can do a cool work.
Also, new bands have to get that they ask to be part of a big family
actually. The whole roster is more important than a single band.
Whatever great result a band can obtain, it is of benefit for all of
us. Last but not least: touring. Having a live activity is currently
essential.
Forming The Void
If
a band wants to be signed to your label. How should they submit your
demo for you to hear their music. As I'm asked all the time in how to
contact labels such as Argonauta Records.
First
very easy and most important step, get in touch via e-mail, not via
social networks. Then, I need to get band members really believe in
their proposal: be specific, send relevant info and songs. And your
idea of how you see yourself in the close future. Labels are not a
pressing plant, we need to build something cool together to make our
collaboration a great one.
You
have a great relationship with the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal
community. Mainly with all the different blogs, magazines and
YouTubers currently out there. Was that an essential relationship to
have and has it made your record label a bigger success.
I'm
a fan of the scene since before running the label, following blogs,
websites, YouTubers and so. It was so natural to me to establish
friendly relationship with many of them (as you, hehe). Many told me
there was no problem to support my label when submitting quality
music. So this is what I'm trying to do day by day. I've great
feedback from the community each moment of the day, webzines setting
up premieres, interviews, contests. All is very satisfying and pretty
nice to have friendly interactions with everyone.
What
is your general attitude or feelings towards the entire
Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community. As Argonauta Records has become a
firm favourite with not only myself but other blogs out there.
Considering
it a great community, I try to valorize it the best I can, by
spreading their work with my titles. It is very important to me,
considering the large amount of new releases each month, to obtain
attention across the board is something I really appreciate. I feel
lucky in a sense. Fans are totally into the label too, many releases
are actually sold out and I'm working to reprint them with bonus and
renewed packaging.
You
first started releasing CD's for the albums that you released and
you've slowly moved onto releasing Vinyl records. Was that an easy
progression to make. Start releasing products on vinyl.
I'm
a vinyl fan, though this format does not grant me what is my main
goal, means top coverage into the market and within key distribution
services. I believe the main result of Argonauta is having its albums
available on a large scale. Vinyl is still in the cataloguing of
collector items, which is cool, though not what I really need as
priority for my bands. Explained this, yes, it is an easy progression
of the label to introduce vinyl releases step by step.
NIBIRU
You've
had a brilliant 2017 so far. Perhaps your most successful year yet.
You've signed and released some incredible albums this year. Is that
a fair assumption to make.
Indeed
a great year, many great bands, something really incredible. Looking
to the work done, it seems unbelievable to get how many artists I got
the chance to work with. A lot of CD printed and sold, really a
thrilling result.
Looking
back over the last 18 months, Argonauta Records has taken a life of
it's own. With not only it's releases but by the artists you're now
signing. Ancient VVisdom being perhaps the biggest band you've signed
so far. Did you ever imagine that you would sign bands such as them
to your label.
By
looking at the label catalogue, it is impressive to see we released
albums by international acts as SUMA, THROES OF DAWN, NIBIRU,
KOMATSU, FORMING THE VOID, HOLLOW LEG, KAL-EL, CHURCH OF VOID,
LOWBURN and a lot more of awesome artists. About ANCIENT VVISDOM, it
was something really unexpected till when I got in touch with that
great guy of Dan Lorenzo, a guitar-legend of Thrash Metal scene
mostly thanks to its Hades (and more projects in the years).
We spoke
to release together his new album as VESSEL OF LIGHT, a band he run
with Nathan of Ancient VVisdom (check Vessel of Light out, impressive
stuff between Corrosion of Conformity and Alice in Chains). Speaking
with Nathan, it looks as very natural for both of us to team-up also
for Ancient VVisdom and their highly anticipated new album. Both
Vessel of Light and Ancient VVisdom are out these days, pretty
thrilling!
What
does 2018 have in store for Argonauta Records. Can you let us know
which bands you've have signed or new albums that maybe getting
released.
Really
a lot, ha-ha! You know I never stop, so we will have a killer
beginning of the year with bands as CLAMFIGHT, BIBLE BLACK TYRANT
(Eagle Twin/Lumbar side project), KAYLETH new album, ZOM (Monolith
Wielder and Brimstone Coven members), DEE CALHOUN new album. And many
many more!
I
hope you don't mind but I think some of the success of the label is
also down to the awesome folks at NeeCee Agency. Especially Barbara.
How did you start working with them. As it feels like a fantastic
working relationship.
Barbara,
yes, she is the armed wing of the label, ha-ha! Seriously, currently
we are close friends and what I like of NeeCee is that they care the
label as a whole, giving same opportunities to the roster as a unique
beast. Pushing all the time with a massive PR activity and various
initiatives. She works with me since the early days and this granted
me during the years to spend my time for other aspects of the label.
With
the first 5 years of the label out of the way. Where do you see
Argonauta Records over the next 5 to 10 years.
I
just hope to speak again with you Steve about our 200th release, aha!
VAREGO
People
may not know this but you're part of Italian Sludge/Post-Metal
collective – Varego. What's the current status with the band. Are
you still active. Any plans to release any new material.
Yes,
very active indeed. We are just back from our most important year,
where we were able to tour and promote our latest album, by playing
with cool acts as MONDO GENERATOR, HIGH FIGHTER and label mates as
NIBIRU, INFECTION CODE, EYES FRONT NORTH, SUMA and more. We are
working on the new album to be released hopefully in 2018, it will be
our definitive turning into prog sludge sonorities.
Can
you offer any words of wisdom or advice to people who want to start
up a record label. What things should they do and what should they
not do.
When
I've started the label, a lot of insiders told me if I'm crazy, that
music industry would have died in a few years. Now I'm here, the
label is my regular job and I also have time for family. Of course
you have to change your daily priorities. Though I believe it is
something possible by founding your own way to work it out, not
trying to copy any other else, make plans and observe them. It has to
be a job, not a hobby, you have to care it day by day five days a
week (or more).
If
you can pick a favourite band or album that Argonauta Records that
have released over the last 5 years. What is it and the reasons why.
(You cannot pick Varego).
Just
want to mention an album for its symbolic meaning: “A Perfect Dawn”
by U.S. band FROM OCEANS TO AUTUMN. They gave me full trust when I
was not a label at all. For a somewhat reason they wanted to work
with me and their album was the first one I printed. Without that
particular step, probably I’ll be not here speaking of the label
now.
Gero,
thanks for doing this interview. Thanks for the great albums to
review and stuff that I've premiered over the last couple of years.
Your support means a lot and I wish you every success with Argonauta
Records.
Thank
you very much man! I really appreciate what you do and I’m pretty
happy to run this interview with you, as you are within the early
guys giving to my releases top support. Cheers!
Words by Steve Howe and Gero Argonauta
Links:
I'm going to play out this interview with the excellent debut album from Italian Psych/Space/Stoner Rockers - DUSTRIDER. As it's a fantastic Argonauta Records release and their guitar player - Bruno, writes for the blog.
