By the end of the academic year, Ohio University's new student-run record label hopes to sign an artist and release its first CD. For now, its founders are focused on the toughest obstacles between now and then: finding and funding.
Brick City Records co-founder Scott Rosenblatt said the fledgling label's top priorities include fundraising and talent scouting.
We're going with slow and steady wins the race
co-founder Nate Levin said.
Levin and Rosenblatt, along with OU senior Matt Gerst, kicked around the idea of a student-run record label last fall.
All three of us are telecommunications management majors Levin said. While there's a great program here there's not a lot you can do in terms of organizations
whereas video and audio production majors can get hands-on experience through Athens Video Works or the All-Campus Radio Network, he said.
They pitched the idea to the faculty of the School of Telecommunications.
Everyone loves the idea
Levin said of the faculty's response. He said student reaction also has been positive.
OU junior public relations major Amy Sandel joined Brick City last year and is the label's events planner.
The music industry has always interested me
and to get my foot in the door ... eventually
I knew I was going to have to have some kind of experience
she said. This is the first opportunity that we have to make it something that's going to last and prosper at the university.
Student-run labels are rare, but some others exist. Drexel University in Philadelphia recently started MAD Dragon Records, according to an Aug. 12 Associated Press article. Others include 'Cane Records at the University of Miami and Heavy Rotation Records at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Budget cuts prevented the university from supplying Brick City with money this year, although it will support the label by providing recording space and supplies.
The 40-some students on the label's staff contacted alumni, collected member dues and set up occasional Brick City nights at the Blue Gator, 63 N. Court St., for benefit concerts.
It gets our name out there
it lets the bands who want to audition for us audition for us
and it raises money, Levin said.
He said the label ideally will sign artists from Athens, but it is open to the possibility of signing bands from out of town. Brick City has gotten e-mails from acts in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Still, It's easier to promote someone who is in Athens seven days a week than someone who is here seven days a month.
Musicians can submit demos to the Brick City box on the second floor of the RTVC building.
The next Brick City night at the Blue Gator will be Oct. 21. Bands are to be determined.
