Label smashes through recession

Stomp Records' Matt Collyer talks labels, debt, and why sometimes staying in school isn't the best option

MONTREAL (CUP) — “No one would sign us!” exclaimed Matt Collyer, singer of the Planet Smashers and owner of Stomp Records, when asked why he decided to start his own record label.

Formed in 1994, the Smashers sent demos to the only two ska labels that existed in Canada at the time to no avail.

“Starting Stomp was a necessity, but it ended up being a great thing for us,” he said. “There was a lot of freedom that came along with it, and a sense of empowerment.”

Needless to say, running an independent record label was no small feat. Stomp began not with an office, but a basement in 1995. Collyer, in an act of dedication, made the bold move of quitting his PhD in order to put all of his efforts towards his band and his label, using scholarship money and student credit cards to push the it into full swing.

Gradually, bands were signed and staffers were added, and the label found a home in a tiny office.

But, the music industry is in a downturn, and has been for over a decade. Despite efforts to diversify and come up with original methods of promotion, Stomp found itself in serious debt in 2003.

“We were down about $100,000. Yeah, we thought we were fucked and considered throwing in the towel. Then I met a guy who told me that a debt of $100,000 was nothing for a record label, so we just said, ‘Fuck it. Let's continue.'”

The decision was a good one.

Bedouin Soundclash, who were on Stomp at the time, came out with their sophomore effort, 2004's Sounding a Mosaic, and sales of the album almost wiped out the label's debt.

“It was pretty unbelievable, to think that one album could do so much for us. But it did, and thank God.”

If $100,000 in debt is normal, how does a label survive the effects of the current economic crisis?

“The music industry has been in a recession since 2000, so this is all old news to us,” Collyer replied bluntly. “Nothing's changed, really. I mean, it's not like people will ever stop listening to music, so it's a matter of figuring out how to get it to people in different ways.”

Stomp bands have taken to using some unorthodox methods of promoting themselves and getting in touch with fans.

Take The Johnstones, a Stomp band based out of Ajax, Ontario.

By logging onto JohnstonesSex.com (named after the band's latest EP, the unapologetically-named Sex) fans can watch a live episode of a show featuring Ryan Long and Jarek Hardy, drummer and singer of the band, respectively.

“Ryan and Jarek TV — it's pretty fucking ridiculous, and it's been a great hit.”

In an industry that now boasts countless numbers of independent record labels, the key is to be original, says Collyer.

They're also enlisting the help of a website they're calling What's Your Mission Statement, to be run by Stomp band Saint Alvia, which will promote art galleries and concerts all over Canada.

“It's something no one's ever done before, and that's the type of thing we're always looking to do, so it's pretty fantastic,” he said.

Collyer is insistent on being picky with the bands he signs. He prefers to keep a small handful of bands so as to promote one band to the fullest. So, Stomp Records currently sports a roster of about 10 bands, including The Flatliners, One Night Band, The Johnstones, The Real Deal, The Creepshow, and Saint Alvia, among others.

In the meantime, Planet Smashers fans will be glad to hear that after a hiatus the band is looking to put out a new album by fall 2009.

“It'll be the same as in the past, but maybe a bit different,” Collyer said with a smile from ear to ear. “I'm excited. It's gonna be a party.”