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Interview w/ James Musselman of Sixty Years War Recordings |
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Written by Dawn
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Tuesday, 29 January 2008 |
I recently interviewed James Musselman of Sixty Years War Recordings. We discussed the creation, growth, and hopes for the future of the label. James is the founder of Sixty Years War and also writes and produces his own music under the name Longsleeves.
dawn fahrenheit: What was the inspiration for the creation of Sixty Years War and
how long has it been around?
James Musselman: Sixty Years War Recordings was inspired by a few phone conversations I had with Ben Laatsch concerning independent labels and the state of local music in the midwest which, for the most part, is what Ben and I
usually discuss during all our phone conversations much to the chagrin
of anyone unlucky enough to be in close proximity to either of us when
we're on the phone together...
The label pretty much went from abstract idea to registered website in
a few days in late August last year (2007). In addition to talking to
Ben over the course of about a week, I also phoned Lee Miles a few
times and settled on a name before putting together the website.
df: How is SYW growing right now? Where do you see it going within the next few years?
JM: The label is growing pretty organically. Lee Miles, Kyle Morris, Ben
Laatsch and I are all friends from the scene in Fort Wayne and it seems
only logical that we would be combining our efforts in manufacturing
recorded works and sharing the common thread of the label.
Lee pointed out that it's really just a music co-op, which I think
describes the situation perfectly. It's less of a business or an
institution and more of a grassroots collective that is combining our
strengths and, to a degree, our finances towards promoting each others
work.
I suppose it boils down to the fact that myself, and everyone included,
we all believe in each others music. So much so that we're ready to
start doing something about it - and as a collective - it'll be much
easier than going it alone.
df: Who have you been working with lately and are you experimenting anything new and/or different?
JM: Recently, I did some recording work for Ben while he was here in San Diego for a couple of weeks. I've also been doing some preliminary artwork for a couple of new releases. Namely, Lee Miles new EP and Kyle Morris' first full length LP which will be out this year.
In addition to that, we've also been talking to another artist we hope
will join our collective. Hopefully we'll have good news in regards to that situation very soon.
Jon Keller, Lee Miles, James Musselman, Kyle Morris @ Lee's apartment 2/23/07
df: How do you hope SYW will affect the "local music scene"?
JM: If SYWR does one thing for the local music scene in Fort Wayne (or anywhere else for that matter) I hope it's to promote the idea of brotherhood, cooperation and working together. We are only as strong as those around us and the label is only just that - a label. It's a name to stamp on the shared growth and potential we're creating for one another by lending a helping hand.
The thing is, those ideas aren't going to be locked inside of a room or constrained to only those artists who are directly involved either. I think if we're doing what we're supposed to be doing, the record label will only be a small part of the larger community of music and musicians in the Fort Wayne area and beyond. Which will hopefully be a benefit to the scene in northeast Indiana and elsewhere.
Which makes you realize that it's not just a straight line towards a specific goal or set of goals, but rather, it's circular, because the more we foster the scene in Fort Wayne, the better it will be for artists in the area, which in turn can bring artists from outside
Indiana who can help local artists find shows elsewhere - so on and so forth. It's about connecting the dots in that respect and certainly, The Fahrenheit House is a major step forward in that regard.
Musicians mentioned in the interview:
Longsleeves: http://www.myspace.com/longsleeves
Ben Laatsch: http://www.myspace.com/benlaatsch
Kyle Morris: http://www.myspace.com/morriskyle
Lee Miles: http://www.myspace.com/therealleemiles
Sixty Years War website: http://www.sixtyyearswar.com/
I agree whole heartedly with James in that we are only as strong as the people around us. Northeast Indiana is lucky enough to have some very talented musicians and we should all take part in fostering the growth of the local music scene. We are all working for the same goal- to make local artists heard. So let us help these guys out and tell your friends when they come out with a new album or take them to shows. Music is to be shared and enjoyed so lets do just that.
-dawn fahrenheit.
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