Please, introduce yourself and your record company, Bearsuit Records?
I'm David Hillary and I run and represent Bearsuit Records.
Give us a brief history of how it all started...
It started with the idea of just representing local (Edinburgh) musicians/composers who deal in - what we think - interesting, leftfield works ...away from more traditional guitar based rock/indie music. As i said above - artists that do not get enough exposure in the media or on mainstream local or national radio... This developed though when we started looking at the wealth of unsigned and unrepresented talent we found on myspace.
Why did you choose that name?
The name "Bearsuit" came from a dream i had in which a woman emerged from a bearsuit!!? It's also connected to an old East German tv programme called "The Singing Ringing Tree" from the 1960s in which there is a "bear" - clearly someone in a bearsuit - which i thought quite a magical show...
As we can hear on "A Weevil in a Biscuit" compilation you have artists from all the world, and their music is mostly experimental, not common rock'n'roll. How did you choose to publish that kind of music?
We started out with the idea of representing local artists - like Harold Nono - who tend to work in a more leftfield, experimental style. Artists whose music does not get enough representation on mainstream radio - and in the media in general. This was not done out of any arrogant, elitist posturing - but out of a genuine love of the music. We believe that so-called "leftfield" or "experimental" music does not have to be "difficult" or unpleasant to listen to, but can be melodic, playful, exciting and stimulating... And that's what we tried to do with the "Weevil..." CD.
What I have to do, if I have a band to "write a contract" with you?
Well, we are a small label with a very small budget - so all i can say is, send us your details and information on your myspace site and if we like it we'll get back to you. Our main objective just now is getting the artists we have already some recognition. Depending on the success of the "Weevil..." CD we may do another compilation this year - but it all depends...
Are there any artists that you would like to have on your side?
Radiohead would be good!!!
Can you please write your favourite albums and movies of 2007?
Albums :
Deerhoof - "Friend Opportunity"
Sparks - " Hello Young Lovers"
Grinderman - "Grinderman"
Arcade Fire - "Neon Bible"
Robert Wyatt - "Comicopera"
Soulsavers - "It's Not How Far You Fall, It's The Way You Land"
Fog - "Dither"
Films :
Atonement
Control
The Last King of Scotland
Stardust
Tell me something I would never guess about you?
Was once in a Finnish/Scottish band called the Pep Boys - specializing in 40% proof hillbilly/country music
pedja // 15/03/2008