Dear Reader,
The last two and a half years have been an exhilerating ride, fun, exciting, and very rewarding. However, as time becomes more limited, and more and more netlabel promotion tools seem to be closing the doors - then the effort/reward ratio seems to be lessened by the day.
Sites like Bandcamp have emerged, and provide a great way for the artist to promote themselves - meaning netlabels (and in some part, physical labels) are becoming less important by the day. What do Rack & Ruin offer that the artist themselves cannot already do? It's all about promotion, it's all about marketing, and it's all about giving you (the customer) what you expect from the netlabel in question. The artist can, and in my opinion should be able to do this themselves, with far more control that labels can offer.
By now, you will have already realised where this is going — the time is right to close the door and to thank all of you downloaders, and all of you bands for taking part in what was simply started as a "holding place for friends music".
Looking back Rack & Ruin is ending at a fabulous time. Bobby Aherne (Dublin Duck Dispensary / No Monster Club) singlehandedly pushed Rack & Ruin's name out to the Irish audience, and from him alone, we were able to promote so many exciting, fresh talents from that neck of the woods. These artists are already creating a buzz, and you will certainly hear from a few that put out releases on this little netlabel!
Robby Massey (dessktop/A Warmth) has his movie out later in the year, it's called "Desolation Wilderness", and going by the trailers it looks fantastic. The music was put together by Jason (the Swamp) Aud, and features many well known artists, including Lake, Karl Blau and Why?
Dylan Ettinger, who put out a little EP and features on one of the compilation albums is going from strength to strength. Google him, and buy his records (on Not Not Fun & many more), as the reviews he is getting suggests he could blow up big time!
Jake Jones, one half of Moon Runners, and drummer of the fantastic Christmas. Their album is out in March, and a single is to follow on K Recs.
The remarkable thing is these are just a few of the talented musicians who have been kind enough to choose Rack & Ruin as the label that they wanted to promote their wares. I can't take any credit to their success now, or their future success which will surely follow, but I'd like to think that I introduced at least one or two of these names to you the reader!
Thanks to *everybody* who played a part in Rack & Ruin. The list of names would be endless - from the support network, the resources, the musicians, the listeners..... you all played your part!
Goodnight!!