Are you a budding musician wanting to crack the industry? Then you should head to Milwaukee.
Having dealt with his fair share of major labels, artist and producer Mandy Kane knows exactly how it feels to be a newcomer to the music industry. Putting his knowledge of the industry to good use, Kane has been hard at work setting up Milwaukee Music, a Melbourne-based independent record label with a twist.
However, referring to Milwaukee Music as “just another label” would be incorrect. “Really, what it is, is an independent record label with the infrastructure and backing of a major,” Kane says. “But we're a lot more hands on than that. We take a vested interest in the development of artists right from the beginning. Rather than just hooking them up with contacts and sending them off to do their own thing, we want to be involved in the process.”
If Mandy Kane's name rings a bell, you'll probably remember his 2004 debut album, 'Tragic Daydreams', a critically praised affair that got his name on the Top 40 and ARIA charts. However, the album only came to fruition after a bidding war between major recording companies, followed by multiple negotiations regarding creative control. In short, he is no stranger to the headaches and struggles that come with being a new act.
“I spent a lot of time under the major label system and experienced the mechanics behind it and saw the advantages and disadvantages and learned from trial and error,” he explains. “But at the end of that process I was determined I was going to reclaim ownership of my work, and that's what I've done. So it's important for me to be able to help other artists find their way to sustaining a successful career while they can maintain ownership and integrity.”
Signed artist Stax Osset will be performing at the label's official launch party.Milwaukee Music is the brainchild of CEO Scott Didier, who brought Kane and fellow musician Farren Jones on board for their industry expertise. As directors of the label, both are responsible for managing signed artists by assigning them to industry contacts most appropriate for them.
“We've partnered with key service providers in every department of the music industry all around Australia,” Kane explains. “We've partnered with the most reputable recording studios, mastering engineers, publicists, whatever services we need. So everyone works collectively on a project depending on what sort of package the artist takes out.”
He isn't kidding about the “reputable” part either; Melbourne acts will have the fortune of working with Woody Annison at Red Door Sounds, whose studio has been utilised by famous names like The Living End and Die Antwoord.
While artists will have to wait until the label's official launch to see the full list of packages available, they can expect to pay as little as $250 per month for the 'Gun For Hire' package. On the other hand, more ambitious artists can take 'The Lot'. This high-end package, valued at $4,950, offers video production on top of the requisite studio time and PR campaign.
Sourcing of potential clients has already begun, with the label encouraging artists to submit their work via Soundcloud. The submissions so far have ranged from standard pop-rock to country to electronica, and while Kane predicts the majority of their artists will be of the indie or alternative persuasion, the label is open to artists of all genres.
“I guess our specialty tends to lie within the alternative and pop-rock genres, but that's not to say we would decline working with an act we felt we could benefit.”
Brisbane-based "grunge pop love punk" act Love Hate Rebellion exemplify the label's rock range.Those who have submitted their work to Milwaukee Music's Soundcloud may be fortunate enough to be included on a vinyl sampler sent to hundreds of industry contact. In doing so, Kane hopes to give the featured acts the exposure they deserve.
The first edition of the vinyl will also be unveiled at the launch party in Melbourne. Performing on the night will be some of the acts featured on the label's first sampler, including Stax Osset and Damen Samuel, with special guests Dark Fair to close the night. Even label director Farren Jones will take the stage.
“Farren's done a new track which he'll be launching on the night,” Kane reveals. “It looks like it's gonna be a good night. It'll be really interesting to see how people respond to the concepts.”
