Hello again, everyone. We told you we would be rolling out some new content this week, and it is with great pleasure that we introduce you to our new Label Spotlight series. Following the path made by our efforts in Blogging and Publicity, these features will tell the story behind the world’s fastest-growing indie labels from the people who brought them into existence. If you have a suggestion for a label you would like to see featured in the coming months, please do not hesitate to email james@haulix.com and share your ideas. We can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.
Rising from the shores of New England with a love for rock and an admiration for the work Roald Dahl, Michael Abiuso is the type of person you only meet a few times in life (if that). He’s been on the industry’s hardest working individuals since he started making a name for himself in his early teens, and now that he’s settled into his twenties it seems he’s able to accomplish whatever he puts his mind to. The most fascinating thing about him however, is that whenever you see him it appears as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. It’s almost unsettling at first to see such calm in a person surrounded by some of the craziest bands working today, but as you get to know Michael you realize that sense of inner peace comes from the knowledge he’s hacked the game of life and found a way to make a living doing what he loves with the people he cares about the most. If that’s not the goal of every person reading this today, you should probably reevaluate your life.
I know we sometimes refrain from using the most technical language on the blog, but more often than not our article do carry a sense of professionalism that leaves very little room for humor. That result is never intentional, and in today’s post we hope to share a more lighthearted side of life in the industry. There’s still plenty to learn, but feel free to let yourself laugh every now and then as well. It’s good for you.
If you want to stay up-to-date with everything going on in the world of Michael Abiuso and SwitchBitch Records, click here to follow the label on Twitter. Additional questions and comments can be left at the end of this post.
H: For the record, please tell us your name, job title, and the company you’re discussing with us today:
M: Good day James! Just so you know, I’m going to attempt to make this interview informal, and entertaining yet informative. My name is Michael Abiuso. Some would say I’m the founder of SwitchBitch Records. For those who don’t know what that is, it started out as strictly a boutique record label and once deciding upon not following any rules it quickly kind of morphed itself into this strange melting pot of a label, recording studio, service provider, means of communication and what it all boils down to (see what I did there?) is that if I see talent, hard working bands, good, honest people, and/or something I’d like to be a part of, I now have a vehicle and ability to do that with via SwitchBitch Records.
H: You have a long history in this business. To whom or what do you attribute your interest in music?
M: James are you calling me old? Mostly my parents, they had records laying around the house all the time and at the ripe age of 4 (ugh, thanks to Ian Watkins I have to watch my terminology) they had gotten me this small cassette karaoke recorder. I would put on records, sing along, record it to tape and then listen on car rides. (It was embarrassing and I’m embarrassed now), but it’s funny because my parents definitely influenced me to pick up a guitar and kind of pursue music, but when I decided to make an effort and pursue it as a potential career path, I think they were kind of like “fuck, maybe we shouldn’t have encouraged this route so much”…and then the got divorced. Not related, but if you can’t make a joke then…next question.
H: When you think of your earliest memories with music, what comes to mind?
M: Kinda answered that above, but for you James, I’ll think up another. My first concert was Billy Joel with Elton John at Giants stadium. Those dudes were/are so damn talented and their natural ability to entertain and grasp an audience blew my mind. I was in first grade at that point and remember getting a t-shirt that was way too big for my stupid body. Everyone in my class had a cool remark like “you know Elton John is gay, are you gay too?”. So being easily influenced by peers at that age I’m not sure that I ever wore it again.
Side note/fun fact: In high school Billy Joel came and spoke to my AP Music Theory class about record labels and the industry and to beware of them blowing smoke up your ass.
H: Turning an interest into a hobby is one thing, but taking a hobby and turning it into a career is another feat altogether. What was your first ‘job’ in the music business? (paid or not, doesn’t matter)
M: Yes James, it was another feat. There’s kind of a grey line where hobby turned/turns to a career. In all honesty, paid and unpaid ‘jobs’ in this field still feel like a hobby in that the work is all fun and rewarding although I’m aware that it isn’t. My first ‘job’ would be giving guitar lessons and recording bands throughout high school. I did live sound for a play once which I hated and from there I just played in the pit bands which weren’t paying, but were fun, challenging and looked good on paper for college.
H: Let’s talk about the origin of your label, SwitchBitch Records. When did the idea to launch a label first come to you, and when did you decide to act upon it?
M: James, do we always have to talk about what you want to talk about? It was definitely a combination of things that led to the launch. The three main things were 1) the invested time and effort being heavily involved on the production end of recording other artists influenced me to want to want to push the music further that just the recording 2) Being in different bands and signing w/ different labels ex: Eyeball Records (Kiss Kiss), Triple Crown Records (The Gay Blades), Red Blue Records (The Venetia Fair) taught me a lot and allowed me to see first hand what aspects I felt worked and didn’t work giving me the ability to apply everything accordingly to SwitchBitch Records. 3) I forgot number three, maybe I was high when I said there were three, maybe I’m high now which is why I can’t remember number three, maybe there wasn’t a number three and I’ve been high all along. Regardless I’m convincing myself that number three wasn’t and isn’t important.
I launched the label around 2009 and by launch, I thought of a name, concept and a few ideas with some friends but didn’t begin taking on artists and taking it seriously until 2012.
H: There are many indie labels in existence today. What lead you to step out on your own instead of choosing to join forces with someone already active in the business?
M: Well James, I don’t really like rules that much and I feel like if I were under the gun of some higher power at a label they wouldn’t take kindly to that mentality. In actuality joining forces wouldn’t be so bad, but being that I also record, and tour full time in addition to the label, I need to have the ability to take on artists and/or projects as I have the time and funds to do so.
H: What were your original goals with Switchbitch, and how have they changed as your catalog (and roster) has grown?
M: James, the B is capital. I know that and you know that, but I’ll alter it from here out for you. Brief setup to the answer: Goals have changed a bit as the roster has grown, but more so as I learned the business and different aspects of the label better. When I began taking Switchbitch seriously, I was nervous to take on something that put other people and bands in my hands. It really required the mental preparation of “shut up, don’t over think, just do it and don’t fuck up”. I read some music business books, books on contracts, books on marketing, had meetings with entertainment lawyers and then dove in head first. Answer: goals were to sign, record and release records. Now after going through the motions I’ve learned so much about every aspect of a label from graphic design for album art, merch designs to pressing cds, pressing vinyl to publicity, management…everything. Looking back, it feels like I started off knowing nothing. The overall goals remain the same, but I found myself enjoying some of these individual aspects required of a label that I will occasionally provide them for artists outside the label. Hence the ‘affiliate’ section of the label found on the website.
H: We would be fools if we didn’t ask the obvious question – what is the story behind your label’s name?
M: James, the story is…I try to incorporate experiences, influences and projects of mine into the label. For instance you know how the dude from ‘Under the Gun’ got the name from The Gay Blades lyrics? Yeah, same kinda deal. My first serious band was Kiss Kiss. That name derived from Roald Dahl’s ‘Kiss Kiss’. Roald Dahl put out another book of adult short stories called ‘Switch Bitch’. Need I go further? Although not a traditional name for a label, I figured a) no rules and b) the artists and work we do will give the label and name it’s true identity. If interested, read further for other examples, if not, move on to the next question.
The Gay Blades all called each other “Dad”, so I have all of our artists call me ‘Dad’. It may even be in the contracts as a joke. We like jokes incase you haven’t found out.
We have a lot of quotes here including “born rich, born famous, born dead”. That came from The Venetia Fair always saying “We are very rich and very famous” and our bassist, Mr. Chark’s motorcycle is named ‘The Born Dead’, so that’s kind of a combination of the two.
H: Some band members start labels to release projects from their own groups, but Switchbitch works with a plethora of talent. Who was the first group you signed, and how did you decide they were the perfect band to lead the Switchbitch roster?
M: Oh hey James, you’re still here? I think the first artist was ‘The Mayor’ which was a band of mine back when the label was more of just a name and idea. The band was just a fun project to do on our free time that was far from serious. We didn’t do much other than state that the recording was released via SBR cause it looked better. The first artist SBR signed when we began doing some serious work and taking it serious was Flannel Mouth. We (The Venetia Fair) played with those boys out in Peoria, IL. I knew there were sweet ideas and potential in their tunes that were just slightly buried beneath an over saturation of ideas and lack of direction which I thought we could provide for them. They drove from IL to MA, Joe (TVF pianist) and I produced their E.P. and every day since I feel they’ve been getting better and better and we’ve all been continuously learning and growing together.
H: How big is the Switchbitch Records team? If people wanted to get involved in your efforts, who should they contact?
M: I’d like to think of Switchbitch as a collaborative effort of numerous people. I would even go as far as, take the liberty to, and have the balls to say that you, James are part of the team (I’m trying to state your name in every answer incase you didn’t catch that, kinda my thing). We have a solid foundation team of about 8 people. My main wing woman is a girl that goes by the name of Hanna. I don’t know what I would do without her. She basically manages and assigns tasks to the staff, comes up with a constant stream of ideas, and when I’m on tour (now) and can’t get to urgent things right away I can count on her to be sure it gets done by sending a simple text or email.
As for people wanting to get involved with us, and assuming that means people looking for positions, interns, bands looking to submit to work w/ SBR and artists looking for SBR services, they can all get in touch w/ Hanna at submissions@switchbitchrecords.com
H: When it comes to sharing music for promotional purposes, which services do you prefer and why?
M: I try and utilize different services for different things not only because they offer different options, but also because all people are different. Some may be attracted to videos and visuals, some may be busy and want to click a link and download a song to listen while they work, some may not want to use a ton of data on the go and just stream a few seconds of a clip. Not only do the different services attend to different markets, but they also allow for different exclusive options for press outlets that I’m sure you’re very familiar with, no James?
The most recent route and order of operations I took for sharing a song (which could apply to an E.P. or a full length) was:
(all exclusive)
-text announcement
-video teaser (youtube)
-stream (soundcloud)
-free download (soundcloud)
-release (bandcamp/itunes/etc)
from here one could follow up w/ a lyric video, music video, if it’s an E.P. or full length move on to next single. I always think interactive things such as contests are always sweet. All of the above can be shared via all social media out lets (facebook, twitter, instagram etc).
Remember when a band signed to a label, made a record, made a video, got in Hit Parader mag and MTV and all of a sudden they were 16 years old and called Silverchair? All without having to put a finger on a mouse or any sort of social media, just focus or writing and being awesome! Oh, you don’t? I’m old.
H: What is the biggest misconception people have about life in the music industry today?
M: Coming from an elder, they often have this mentality of “so, when are you going to get a real job?”. Well sir, why don’t you walk in a circle and restart this conversation by spitting in my face because the majority of us in the music industry work so incredibility hard with so much passion and enthusiasm 24/7.
Coming from a younger/middle aged group, they see an artists’ music video premiered on MTV Buzzworthy and think “hey, what’s it like to have made it and be rich and where’s your mansion and can I have one too cause…remember me?”. It is far from that my friends. Soooo far from that. Do you agree James?
H: As someone who not only works in bands, but also performs regularly, what advice would you offer aspiring musicians hoping to make their mark in their current music industry?
M: Well luckily James, there are no rules and let me tell you, my personal biggest mistake was being afraid to make mistakes. If you don’t make mistakes you have no basis and foundation to learn from and you’re often in a stand still position which will get you absolutely no where. I would suggest to do what excites you the musicians! There are infinite creative new ideas just floating around waiting to be captured and put into action. Don’t be lazy and convince yourself that you can’t do something. Throw caution to the wind and make your moves. (These could all be bad ideas, maybe don’t listen to me, I’m no different than all of you)
H: Looking ahead to 2014, what goals do you have for yourself and the label?
M: Just a plethora of things come to mind when reading each question and every question and I think..“James, do you have all day?” and then I think “James, do you think I have all day?” I have different ideas that come and go every hour, so what I am about to tell you may be 100% ass backwards in the next hour.
I had the ideas of:
-potentially doing a 2014 SBR sampler as we did in 2013
-recording/producing/releasing a full length for Flannel Mouth
-starting a SBR type mag influenced by UTG
-I told myself last year on new years that 2013 I’d do a solo record and had no time…that’s an idea for 2014
-mentioned to The Gay Blades writing 3-5 songs, recording at SwitchBitch Studio and releasing a 7" via SBR, again…idea, we’re all so busy
-tour tour tour tour
-finish moving everything from Boston to NYC
-The Wicked got a new lineup of band members together so I really wanna get them up to speed w/ touring and a new record.
H: I think we’ve just about covered everything. Do you have anything else you would like to add before I let you go?
M: Yes, James. I’d like say that you did a great job with these questions however I’d like to add that your timing was piss poor because if we chatted a week ago, you would have gotten some super sweet well thought out answers, but being that you waited until I hit the road…well let me just say I’ve been answering these questions in the van and/or in a venue surrounded by my band The Venetia Fair. Have you met them? Picture being in a van w/ 5 smelly rabid animals that drink, piss, spit, scream, fight and vomit. Now re-read this interview and hopefully you’ll get a better grasp of why I sound like a full lunatic.
Love you James and Haulix. Thanks again for having me, you’re truly inspirational!
