weathering the storm in the underground...

Knowing how bad things are already and seeing how bad they're gonna get with the world economy...well, I'm actually glad where I am right now in the scheme of things. In talking with several bands bigger and smaller than me in the realm of this genre it looks like there are really tough days ahead for artists, and truth be told it's probably going to wipe out quite a few labels and even more artists who are either not going to have the time to work on music to make financial ends meet, or simply will stop doing it because they can't make the money they need to keep going with CD sales.

The only thing that really gives me hope is that, as part of a small niche genre, we're used to struggling. We don't do this for sales-- we do this because it's our passion. Most artists in this genre are working in their own studios on their own dime and even in the best economic situation can't invest the money major labels and artists do on a daily basis, so in effect major labels are gonna get fucked a LOT worse than us as most labels in this scene can only afford 1-2 staff people at most, and the vast majority is done on a volunteer basis because it's a labor of love.

I have faith in our crowds, too. People like this music on the whole not because it's been forcefed down their throats by crap top 40 radio (I mean seriously, how much radioplay do ANY of us really get?), but instead because they somehow found us, whether it be from seeing us live, word of mouth over the interwebs, or through sheer luck. I tend to think we're a lot more accessible to communicate with to the people that listen to this music, at least I am, so there's a closer connection with the crowd, at least in that they know where all the big bucks they shell out for downloads and sales go.

In short, and I've said it before, it's not as much that I see "fans" of what we do, but friends of the artists-- hell, you're our patrons. While that sounds cheesy, the main reason I do what I do is to entertain a relatively small crowd of lovable dipshits who enjoy my little blend of noisy douchebaggery and heavy drinking. Hell, it's more fun than seeing some fully programmed $80-a-ticket arena rock show...okay, at least better than fucking Hinder.

Hopefully.:)

The world will always need mindless entertainment, especially in times like these. There's a lot to be said for blowing off steam and just forgetting about all the stupid for a few hours, and to me music's been there to help me with that all my life. I make no apologies for what I do and think what I do is just as "legitimate" as any other artist out there-- if I wanted to make "Important Music" I'd most likely be sounding a lot different-- but it's more fun playing to a bar full of drunks with smiles on their faces screaming along with whatever inanities I spout off than sitting around loading a gun because your 401k is in the tank or you or one of your parents just lost their job.

So, in short- hang in there, fuckers. We'll ride this bitch out, and in the meantime let's try and lose our shit in a positive way as much as possible. Another nice thing about this scene is that on the whole the shows aren't terribly expensive, so support them when you can. There's going to be some great artists touring next year (I hope to be one of them, actually) so know that while gas prices are down, tour expenses still suck. Make sure to spread the word on upcoming shows so people know to come out, and if you enjoy the show grab a shirt or a CD so the bands can eat and buy gas the next day. Snag a few tracks you like off legal digital download sites and let DJs know what new music you're listening to-- hell, burn them mix CDs to introduce them, as I have a feeling it's going to be harder and harder for DJs to get into promo pools with all the strings tightening at labels. Mind you this doesn't mean a WHOLE CD, but a selection of awesome you've been into. As a DJ I know I appreciate that, and it gives what you're listening to a little bit more of a chance of getting pumped over a sound system for you to stomp around to.

Everything helps, so know that it's appreciated on all levels.

Stick with us and we'll stick with you. Never forget that.

1:52 AM - 4 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Releasing CDs in an increasingly non-CD climate...

I kinda rant on here occasionally for any new readers to the blog-- generally it's at least amusingly interesting, so enjoy and read ahead if you want.

-Matt
_________________

What's funny about releasing music these days is it's a massive crapshoot, and releasing a CD, even after extremely modest success like Caustic has had (people always think you've sold more than you actually have, or significantly less if they don't "get" it:)), is even more stressful than ever. Personally, I *like* physical CDs, but I completely understand and have increasingly utilized the wonderful world of insta-satisfaction digital downloading, and while either sale is still a sale, as an artist and member of a label that actually still makes physical CDs, I see it as a priority to pimp the physical product more than the digital, primarily because I spend an irrationally large amount of time coming up with the packaging for the CD to suit the music inside, and I also don't want the label stuck with boxes of CDs marked "Caustic" in the Crunch Pod distro megawarehouse (again, Ben's office closet, most likely).

So yeah, all in all I don't wanna be that guy. Moreso, I refuse to.

At the same time I know that CD sales in and of themselves, as a physical product, are a dwindling marketplace. Nothing can really change that. I'm as fine with that as I can be, as I trust people to actually buy the digital downloads and have come to a level of acceptance that getting pissed about every d-bag mp3 site or torrent out there is just dumb, even though it means not just me getting screwed out of some small amounts of money, but the label that believes in me enough to back their confidence up with cold, hard cash.

So where the hell do we all go from here? There's got to be a new model out there-- what it is I have no idea, but I'm doing what I can. Basically the only way to assure some recoupment of the cash Crunch Pod is putting out is to pimp preorders as much as possible. Why? Pretty obvious, really-- we're a small label and the more we can offset costs by presales the less debt the label has to deal with before the CDs hits the streets and, inevitably, the mp3 sites. This means the label can (hopefully) stick around to fight another day and keep releasing stuff.

This time around I'm trying to pad the deal with special incentives for preordering, as I KNOW it sucks having to wait (and for the label to inevitably have some dipshit email it asking "WHERE'S MY CD??!!?!?" a week after they preordered the fucking thing. READ, PEOPLE!:)), but to me it's an extremely kind gesture from fans of the music to sacrifice some cash up front to know they're keeping the wheels greased at the always lean times for the label.

The interwebs are an awesome equalizer, but at the same time it's really hard to separate the wheat from the really fucking awful music out there, and even harder to get people's ears tuned into your stuff. On the whole I think advertising by traditional means is a dumb way to go, as it's really difficult (IMHO) to see the direct results. Word of mouth will always be massively beneficial, and in fact online is still the best advertising, so thanks to anyone who pimps ANY music you like because we appreciate the hell out of it.

So the trick, as I see it, is simply to be more creative, especially if you don't have a "traditional" hook, ie you're drop dead hot or drop dead talented. If I was 10 years younger, 50 lbs lighter, and wearing a fuckton more vinyl Caustic would probably be a lot more popular "with the kids," but since I ain't and rather enjoy not dressing like I'm 24 and clubbing to get laid anymore (Christ, how sad would that be?) I resort to trying to use my actual strengths instead, and that's just smart thinking to me...plus it's all I got. Mind you, I also think that a good Caustic show is measured by the amount of beer I've drank and/or spilled onstage and how much stuff got broken, so I'm not the best judge of anything, but it works for me.

Thanks to the wonderful world of technology we have a massive amount of opportunity at our disposal, but again so does everyone, so it's putting out 150% to rise above all the others out there. If you or your label can't do that you've got to accept that you're probably not going to sell as well. If that doesn't matter as much to you, fine. Fuck, I almost wish it didn't to me, but my sense of responsibility, ridiculous drive to annoy people with my music, and hardcore compulsion to slowly ruin the entire goth and industrial scenes single-handedly completely overshadows my laziness.

Don't bring a knife to a gun fight, and don't bring half-assed promotion to the interwebs. Both are a waste of time and will result in the same kind of embarrassing death.

Wow, that was a heavy way to end a stupid rant, wasn't it? Awesome.

10:55 PM - 11 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

PREORDER THIS IS JIZZCORE *NOW*

PREORDER NOW!!!!!

single CD version:
http://www.crunchpod-distro.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=439

2CD version (first 100 come with the Acaustic 3")
http://www.crunchpod-distro.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=438

1:17 PM - 8 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

THE FINAL CARTOON FOR THIS IS JIZZCORE

2:24 PM - 10 Comments - 15 Kudos - Add Comment

FREE CAUSTIC REMIX EP UP ON VF.COM

So we put this up early...

http://music.vampirefreaks.com/download/album.php?id=442

Spread the word, as it'll only be available here for the time being.  It's remixes of new tracks...that you haven't heard yet:)

Thanks to all those who helped.

NOVEMBER 22ND WE START PREORDER!  DON'T MISS OUT ON COOL FREE SHIT FOR DOING IT!!:)

Preorder SATURDAY @ http://www.crunchpod-distro.com

Thanks, suckas.

-Matt
Caustic

7:05 AM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

CARTOON 3 FOR THIS IS JIZZCORE

3:22 PM - 6 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

CARTOON 2 FOR THIS IS JIZZCORE

(All cartoons, btw, are by Seth Riley.  He fuckin' rules and is 10 times funnier than me.)

4:40 PM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

November is CAUSTIC CARTOON MONTH!

Tune in for the audioblogs on MySpace NOW!

3:10 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

CAUSTIC now on FACEBOOK

Apparently I needed a new street corner to whore myself:)

"Fan" me if you'd like.

http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Caustic/36781326564

I'm waiting on music approval from the site, but it should be soon enough, hopefully.

Thanks.  Spread the word.

-Matt
Caustic

12:15 PM - 5 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

THE NEW CAUSTIC IS DONE BEING WRITTEN
Category: Music

So the new Caustic album's music is essentially done.  I've got about 7 tracks out there to about a bunch of artists for remixes, some heavily established and some up-and-coming, and am really excited to hear what they come up with.  I need to tweak and mess with all the tracks a bit more, but I'm extremely excited to have this bitch finished up.

There's going to be a single disc version of THIS IS JIZZCORE and a 2CD version which will contain an ass-ton of remixes and possibly a few other new tracks, as I have a lot of extra tracks which won't be on the main CD but may be worth releasing on the bonus disc.  For the first 100 or so preorders of the 2CD we've got ANOTHER disc (bonus bonus?) in the works as well, to show appreciation for all the people that continue to support Caustic and Crunch Pod in general.

I just have to finish up a few collaborations for the CD, one of which is with the ever awesome Tom Shear of Assemblage 23/Nerve Filter, and the other is a bit of a surprise, as it's with a few members of a band I love to fucking hell and I don't really wanna jinx the "okay" I got on the music I sent.  Regardless, if it happens it'll be a huge thing for me and I think you'll all dig the hell out of it.

I've got a LOT of fun stuff planned for promoting the CD, and due to Crunch Pod's release schedule this won't be out until early 2009, so that leaves me a lot of time to get my shit together to help pimp this proper.  Of course, the best promotion is word of mouth, so I'm planning on giving you all plenty of reasons to help with that, too, if you're so kind.

Anyway, THIS IS JIZZCORE is another weird buffet of all the shit I like, from rhythmic noise to gabber to breakcore to ebm and to WAX TRAX era industrial (seriously, I have a track so inspired by early RevCo that I tried to get Chris Connelly to sing on it.  Damn his busy schedule.:))

NEXT UP for Caustic is a kinda sorta departure from what I normally do, as I'll be doing a full on PUNK ROCK Caustic CD with half of Stromkern's live band and a few others.  I'm excited as hell about it, as it'll be not only a few punk versions of songs I've already released but about 8-10 totally new songs written just for the CD.  Needless to say, it should ALSO be out next year, so stay tuned:)

So that's the scoop, kids.  I'm planning some great live shows next year and have 2 in Madison THIS year-- one's an all trip-hop and AMBIENT Caustic set on a bill with L.A.'s WOVEN, and the other is to celebrate my birthday on Nov 22, where we'll be partying to support the release of SENSUOUS ENEMY's debut disc FRAGMENTS with a bunch of our favorite local bands.

So that's where we're at.  Thanks.

-Matt
Caustic

2:57 AM - 15 Comments - 14 Kudos - Add Comment