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| FAQ |
| Tuesday, December 5, 2006 |
Why did you change?
We didn't. We just grew up. We got tired of being bloggeresque. We wanted to be something more substantial.
What are you?
I am a writer, and I am a historian. I am not a journalist; I am not a blogger. I am not a cultural critic. Those tags are meaningless, and they are associated directly with commerce. They're not connected with art, and they're not really connected with anything outside of the consumerist culture with which they exist. Those titles imply certain elements and connotations that I find repulsive, and I wish to distance myself from them at all cost.
Where are the record reviews?
I'm tired of them, but I still do them. Just not as much. Look at it like this: I spent five years of my life writing lots and lots of record reviews, while doing few interviews. So for the next five years, I'm reversing that trend.
Why?
Because record reviews are simply my opinions, my interpretation of an experience in listening that is unique. Ultimately, opinions do not matter outside in a concrete world. For instance, if I dislike Death Cab for Cutie, it does not mean that they are a bad band, or that they are not good at what they do, or that they do not have talent. It simply means I do not care for them. If you care for them and disagree, that's fine. But just because I dislike them shouldn't imply things about me, either. These are opinions, and they are tied into something I can no longer fathom. I know some amazing review writers; in fact, our boy Sean is one of the best. I personally am not as interested in that aspect of music writing. I am, however, more than interested in the artists themselves.
Please note, however, that this doesn't mean I'm totally turning my back on writing reviews, because I'm not. I'm simply going to devote my time to writing about things I actually *like*. Which would you rather do: would you rather devote your time writing about how you feel about a Picasso painting, or would you rather talk to Picasso about that painting? I know what I'd rather do. But at the same time, if something moves me to writing about it, I'm going to write about it.
May I send you a record for consideration?
You may, yes. I encourage it! Be advised, however, that sending a record doesn't ensure coverage. But here's how it will go down, just so you'll know: after listening to your record, if I like what I've heard, you'll receive an email from us saying we like your record, which will follow with the phrase, "I want to interview you." If you are cool, then we'll talk and hopefully it will go well and then something will appear in the near future afterwards. Also, please be advised that I do write for other outlets, and we also have a myspace accounts, and our bulletins often promote and talk about awesome music. Did I just say "awesome?" Ugh.
A note to publicists: if you want us to cover your records, then you need to be willing to respond to interview requests. Some of your clients are in demand, yes; some are on tour. But if you give us the runaround, it'll become obvious, and guess what? It causes problems. I am a patient person. I am a fair person. However, if your client or their label is paying you thousands of dollars to promote their record, do your job, and let those who are interested in your clients actually talk to them! That means that you should listen to publications that are interested in interviewing your client.
Also, I must say that this practice of "working" a record for a small moment in time is absurd. A record is a work of art, it's not food, and it doesn't have a shelf life. Yes, I understand that there are campaigns for a certain amount of time, and I can appreciate that. But please, spare me the "the publicity campaign ended yesterday/last week" line, especially after two or more weeks of no response to my email. Because you're lying . Think I'm stupid? I've been in this business for well over a decade. I don't buy it. Lies like that are so unoriginal. Same with the "I sent you the record" when you didn't send the record—I've done this long enough to know when someone hasn't. Get organized!
Bottom line: don't be weak.
With all of this talk of being more exclusive, I take it you've gone rather highbrow?
Why would you think that? We really love music here--all kinds of music. That's the only rule we have for our content. If it's good, we cover it. Surprisingly simple, no? We're not snobs. We have good taste. But mainly we just love music. We just hate all of the chaff around in this music world today, and, honestly, we're no longer interested in giving it any quarter.
But it boils down to what Duke Ellington once said. "There are only two kinds of music. Good, and the other." We're interested in the good, regardless of what handy-dandy stupid-ass label or pigeonhole this music business happens to give it.
So if you don't talk to us, you don't like us?
No, not necessarily. It might mean that I haven't heard your record yet. But if we don't cover your music, don't fret. Your music might grow on me. I might respond to it differently at a later date. Or I might not. But don't feel bad; mine is just one opinion, and it shouldn't be considered an invalidation of your talent that we don't care for your record.
What prompted all of this?
Many reasons exist, so I'll try to be as general as possible about it. Music writing and musical tastes have become so polarized, so divisive, so boring. When it comes to music, being erudite doesn't really mean anything. It seems like people want their "indie" or their "punk" or their "rap" or their "experimental" or their "(insert meaningless musical genre title here)" and that's all they want and that's all they can fathom and that's all they can appreciate. You wouldn't spend your life saying "I'm only going to read poetry because poetry is the only thing I like, and anything that's not really poetry isn't very good," would you? That's a pretty stupid and narrow minded way to live, don't you think? So why would you want to be that way about music? It makes no sense to me. It really doesn't. So I decided it was time for us to simply remove all pretense and focus on what really matters most: the art. It is my hope that by allowing the artists to speak for themselves, it will prompt you, dear reader, into examining and discovering some truly talented and interesting artists, and it is our guarantee that we actually like the music we are covering. Period. That's all that matters to us, really.
So what can I expect from Press Play and Record, then?
Greatness.Labels: basic information |
posted by joseph kyle @ 9:59 AM  |
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| Submission FAQ |
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Before you submit a record for consideration, you need to understand a few basic things:
1. Please understand what we do. This is not a review site; as such, we do not publish album reviews. I only publish interviews. I only conduct interviews. This means that there is very limited space for content, and thus, I am extremely selective in what I cover. I don't care about genres; I only care about what moves me. Thus, everything that is published is published with the understanding that I like and support the artists. Let me reinforce this point: I only talk to people I like. Even though I don't write reviews, I'm also quite interested in talking to filmmakers and authors.
2. If I request your record, you can pretty much guarantee that I plan on giving it some form of coverage. I'm not going to waste your time--and your money--asking for something I don't intend to cover. That's just wrong, and it cheats the artists out of money, even if it only appears to be a miniscule expense.
3. If your record's been released, I like full artwork copies. I don't like Cd-R's of already released material. Besides, isn't an album a 'total package?'
4. I like getting demos, but, honestly, I don't know how much I can do with them. Again, the policy above stands: if I like what you do, I'll be in touch with you. However, if you're merely in the demo-submitting phase, I can guarantee I probably won't be able to do anything with it. Also, please don't email me mp3's to check out. I don't have time for that, nor do I have time to personally respond to requests to rate or comment on your demos. Unless, of course, I like what I hear. Then...well, see point #1 for that.
5. If I like your record, I will be in touch with you almost as soon as I decide I like your record. I will request an interview; if you wish for us to cover your record, it's in your best interest to actually respond to this request.
6. Please do not ask me to interview you. That's simply crass. Plus, it makes me feel guilty if I don't like your music. Plus, it's bad form.
7. As there are only 24 hours in a day, I do not have the time to answer every email request for consideration. If you submit your record, feel free to email me, but please understand that you might not hear back from me.
8. If I don't like your record, I don't like your record. Nothing can change that. But please take this into consideration: mine is only one opinion. I have hated things that are well-loved, and I have loved things that are hated. My tastes are eclectic, and, really, do you need me to validate your existence?
9. I like music. If I like your record, I'll want to talk to you. It's that simple, really. If I don't connect with your music, I don't connect with your music. What would we have to talk about?
10. Submit away! I'm eager to hear what you've done. And keep on making music!Labels: basic information |
| posted by joseph kyle @ 9:47 AM |
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| Contact Information |
| Friday, December 1, 2006 |
So, you'd like to send us something to consider, eh? Not a problem. MAKE SURE YOU READ OUR SUBMISSIONS FAQ BEFORE YOU DO. It will save us some time. Here's the place where you send your music.
PPR Online
PO Box 720
Carthage, TX 75633
Email Us!
NOTICE: If you receive any information claiming a different mailing or email address, please DO NOT respond to it. Instead, email me about it ASAP, as the address on this page is the ONLY address to send materials to.Labels: basic information |
| posted by joseph kyle @ 9:40 AM |
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| Meet The Staff |
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| Joseph Kyle is the editor and mastermind behind Mundane Sounds. Over the past decade, he has performed many duties, many of which are music related: record store clerk, booking agent, driver, writer, editor, interviewer, and handyman. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1996, with a degree in History and a minor in English. His writing has appeared in such publications as Too Broke to Rock, Lois Is My Queen, Under the Volcano, Dagger, Pitchfork Media, Tiny Mix Tapes, and other publications that he's forgotten about! (He also feels weird about referring to himself in third person!) He's an affable fellow, one whose passion extends not only to music, but also to literature--want to win him over? Talk to him about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Henry Rollins. If you have questions for him, he's happy to answer them! He is also available for freelance writing opportunities. If you wish to talk to him about it, send him an email with the words "Writing Opportunites" in the subject. (Writing inquiries only, please.) Labels: basic information |
| posted by joseph kyle @ 9:39 AM |
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| Underwriting |
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As you may notice, Press Play and Record does not carry advertising. We take pride in being a commercial-free website. The decision to do so has merits, but it also creates liabilities. We are a website, and we do have expenses, and though they may be minimal, they are still expenses that hinder us. To offset this, we have decided to offer underwriting spots. Your donation will help keep us alive and afloat, so that we can offer you commercial-free interviews and content.
For those who donate, your name (and a link to your label, if you so desire) will appear on the index page under the title "Sponsored in Part By:" or something similar to that, for a period of one month or longer, depending upon the size of your donation. For every twenty dollars donated, your link will appear for one month's time. If you have questions or wish to make a donation, please contact me directly at: mundanesounds@gmail.com
Thank you for supporting PPR and helping us stay ad-free!
Joseph Kyle
Editor, Press Play and RecordLabels: basic information |
| posted by joseph kyle @ 9:31 AM |
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