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Last Updated:
Sep 3, 2008

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 25
Sign: Virgo

City: Brooklyn
State: New York
Country: US

Signup Date: 12/23/05

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Projekt’s 25th Birthday Editorial from Sam

| ProjektList526 | September 3, 2008 |

Projekt Turns 25
from Projekt's Sam Rosenthal

September is the 25th anniversary of the first cassette compilation I released on Projekt. Projekt didn't even have a name when I put out that tape featuring some of my friends' electronic bands. I released it as an offshoot of my fanzine, Alternative Rhythms. I certainly didn't expect that 25 years later, I would still be at it, paying my bills by releasing music I enjoy. Though I have run Projekt full-time for the last 16 years, I guess you could say I am as surprised as anyone.

Robert Rich recently wrote a blog about 1000 True Fans discussing how the business for independent artists has shrunk over the years and an artist is lucky to have 1000 true fans who buys their work. This got me thinking about a topic I often ponder: knowing where my bread is buttered (as my friend Athan says). How do I do it? Well.... You do it! You feed me, Sasha, Shea & Sarah (and Harley the cat). Through purchasing Projekt releases and the releases we distribute through the webstore, everyone gets a paycheck for the week, and Projekt keeps the lights on.

Let's face it: it's not an easy economy for either you or me. (see political rant, here). Wages don't go up, prices do. Stores go out of business, our releases grow harder to find. Some people purchase music legally, others rip copies for their friends and/or steal downloads. Yet at Projekt, I continue to invest in new artists, taking risks to release interesting music.

In the last year, three American labels in our genre have shut down. One for financial reasons, one for health reasons, and one bolted the doors to raise a family. I keep plugging along (while raising my son, and I *do* have my health).

I remember going out on the road with Lycia in 1997, when they opened for Type-O Negative. Projekt fans would come up and say things like, "Oh, Lycia! They don't need me to buy a CD; they sell 20,000 records." I did not want to dispell the myth with the cold, hard facts, "Lycia never sold 20,000 on any of their brilliant albums." This is equally true for Black tape for a blue girl, Voltaire, Android Lust and every other Projekt artist except Steve Roach. Only Steve has topped 17,000 sales on a single album! Steve and Voltaire are the only full-time artists on the label. These days, breaking 5,000 is my goal for the bigger acts; selling under 1000 is the order of the day for many of the bands I release.

Why do I mention this personal information? I want you to understand we NEED your support. We NEED you to buy our CDs. We NEED you to come out to our shows. Tell your friends! When somebody says, "Hey, I'll rip that CD for you!" Respond with, "No way! I don't want the music if the artist isn't being compensated." I know, that sounds pretty naieve, right? Well, that's the way I do it (and in a similar vein, when those people come up to me in Chinatown, hawking "DVD! DVD!" with their badly ripped dubs, I squawk back, "Bootleg! Bootleg!").

I don't think music should become open source where it has no value. Because you know what? I like to eat my bean burritos with guacamole. And Sasha likes his chicken nuggets. And Shea likes her arugula and cappuccinos! And Sarah likes whatever the heck it is Sarah likes! ; )

Everyone likes to be fairly compensated for the work they do, whether you are in IT, a hairstylist, accountant, or teacher. You wouldn't go to work if you weren't being paid, and yet out there in the digital ether, people think musicians should work for free. There's something obviously wrong with this bellief. Would you like the masses to decide that your job should be done for free? Who might be next?

Those of you reading this list are probably already in agreement with me on this one. I suspect I am preaching to the converted. But spread the word! Labels don't get to be 25 years old if people don't support the music. We need you! When there is a band you like, buy their album! Tearwave needs your love. Revue Noir needs your love. Steve Roach needs your love. Voltaire needs your love, and he will gladly accept it in person at one of his shows! ; )

Thanks for sticking with us over the years. Here's to 25 more (yikes!).
Sam

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Friday, August 01, 2008

Lux Interna: the light pours out (exclusive Projekt.com interview)

We've just posted a great interview with Joshua of Lux Interna here at the Projekt website. You can listen to Lux Interna MP3s and order the CD for $13.98 from Projekt here or from amazon for $16.99 here. The album is also available from iTunes, eMusic, etc.

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Voltaire tours America, this April !

Voltaire embarks on his first ever month-long U.S. Tour!

Spring 2008 tour with special guests Ego Likeness:

Apr 4 ~ Ascension @ Club Orpheus in Baltimore, MD
Apr 5 ~ Pegasus in Pittsburgh, PA
Apr 6 ~ Wake the Dead Cafe in Decatur, IL
Apr 7 ~ Disco Macabre @ Kirby’s Beer Store in Wichita, KS
Apr 8 ~ The Marquee in Tulsa, OK
Apr 9 ~ Quixote’s in Denver, CO
Apr 12 ~ The Fire Escape in Citrus Heights, CA
Apr 13 ~ Fez Ballroom in Portland, OR
Apr 14 ~ EL Corazon in Seattle, WA
Apr 17 ~ The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, CA
Apr 18 ~ The Sets in Tempe, AZ
Apr 19 ~ The Hot Monkey Love Cafe in San Diego, CA
Apr 23 ~ Atomix in Austin, TX
Apr 24 ~ The Church in Dallas, TX
Apr 25 ~ Elysium in Austin, TX
Apr 27 ~ +SALVATION+ @ Code Blue in Nashville, TN
Apr 28 ~ Raoture @ Dante’s in St. Louis, MO
Apr 30 ~ The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA
May 1 ~ Backstage Lounge in Gainesville, FL
May 2 ~ Volume 11 Tavern in Raleigh, NC
May 3 ~ The Dawning @ Outback Lodge in Charlottesville, VA
May 4 ~ Knitting Factory in NYC, NY

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Side-line.com Interview with Sam Rosenthal

SL. Finally, where do you see Projekt going from here? If it does last another twenty-four years, will someone stand to inherit it, or will Projekt end with you?

S. When people ask me, 'where do you see yourself in X number of years?' I always answer 'Kind of where I am now, but a little bit to the left.' There was never a plan behind Projekt - it just sort of evolved. Now it's how I make a living, so I can imagine it still being around when I am older, assuming there's still somebody out there buying Gothic + Ambient releases. Sasha, my five-year-old son, will inherit Projekt. He currently likes to come into the office and run the paper shredder, which means he's got a leg-up on most of the people who run major labels. Thanks for this interview. I really appreciate it.

Full interview from January, located here.

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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

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Projekt508 | Mirabilis CDs out now on Projekt!

Projekt508 | February 6 2008 | from Projekt's Sam Rosenthal

"What is your favorite part of running a record label?" a friend recently asked. Aside from making my own hours, I love introducing you to bands. I like releasing artists I enjoy,and spreading the word about music I think you will appreciate. Thus, it is a special treat to tell you about Sub Rosa, the new album from Mirabilis. Their debut, Pleiades, was released on Middle Pillar Presents in 2004. It was a consistant seller for us - though has been out-of-print for a while. Now, in an arrangement with Middle Pillar, Projekt is releasing the new album and the debut, introducing Mirabilis to a larger audience.

The following two CDs are available now at Projekt.com.
They will be at retail stores, amazon.com, iTunes, etc. on Tuesday February 12.

Mirabilis Sub Rosa
Listen to MP3s and order it here for $13.98

"Records like this remind you where the term
'Heavenly Voices' comes from." - Mick Mercer

Mirabilis - the collaborative neo-classical / heavenly voices duo Summer Bowman of The Machine in the Garden and Dru Allen of This Ascension - return with Sub Rosa. The new album mixes classical sensibilities with exotic electronics and acoustic instrumentation to complement the vocal depth listeners are familiar with from Dru and Summer. The vocals are supported with a melancholic arrangement of flute, hammered dulcimer, and live percussion mixing with multi-layered vocal stylings to invoke a range of emotional textures.

"These two sirens weave an irresistible spell of seduction with their haunting soprano vocals, and together they create a lush bed of dream-like harmonies." - Dark Realms Magazine

"Sub Rosa, is where wildflower and forest fairies, the seas and the mountains, the spiritual entities, and the innocence of all life from which inspiration develop, go to seek comfort and rejuvenate their magical gifts." - Grave Concerns

A review from Ned Raggett at Allmusic.com
To say that Middle Pillar act Mirabilis also fits in on Projekt with its second album would be to understate a bit -- they almost seem designed for it, at least that part of the label that has consistently shown a soft spot for medievally inclined performers via the Dead Can Dance template, no bad thing when done right (and no question they do it especially well on the instrumental/wordless vocal piece "Undercurrent"). So if the photos of the core duo of Dru Allen and Summer Bowman, both singers as well as instrumentalists, suggests a session either for Propaganda magazine or an SCA flyer, that shouldn't put off anyone not dyed in that particular wool. A mix of originals and reinterpretations suggestive of new labelmates Unto Ashes on their many albums, Sub Rosa hits all the expected sonic marks -- moody, minimal arrangements, stately drumming -- but relies on Allen's and Bowman's excellent vocals at the core. Their singing has the same clear, strong feel to it as the underrated Lynn Canfield's does, and on a cappella songs like "The Flowers Pressed Down," one of several such pieces on Sub Rosa, the effect is entrancing. Among the other originals, a standout is "The Journey," sung and co-written by guest performer Cindy Adzuki Chang in memory of a departed relative. The covers, meanwhile, include two jazz-age standards -- "Nature Boy" and "Angel Eyes," both given gently unnerving takes thanks to more a cappella arrangements (the latter also given a fake vinyl scratch for effect) -- as well as a faithful take on the Beatles' "Because." The fragility and calm singing of the original is thrown into fine relief by the singing here, suggesting less obvious roots to their approach.

Mirabilis Pleiades
Listen to MP3s and order it here for $13.98

The 2004 neo-classical / heavenly voices debut from Mirabilis is back in print for the first time in years in a new packaging configuration; a beautiful re-release on Projekt.

"Beautiful vocals were expected from Mirabilis, but far beyond that, they combine intuition, scholarship, and inspired talent. Bravo!" - Gothic Beauty Magazine

Projekt releases added to iTunes in January

Steve Roach Arc of Passion
Alio Die & Martina Galvagni Eleusian Lullaby
Alio Die & Amelia Cuni APSARAS
Alio Die Under An Holy Ritual
Lycia tripping back into the broken days
Mors Syphilitica FEATHER and FATE
Slap Ghost Stories
The Sleep of Reason A Logical End

Interesting Internets

THE MICK 41 is up, here.

Mick Mercer's pdf "magazine" includes a brand new interview with Oscar Herrera,

concerning his pre-blacktape band, The Sleep of Reason.

Cool old analog electronic t-shirts, here.

Cyber-Angels.nl have a new interview with Viola of All My Faith Lost.... here.

Projekt200 review at Regen Magazine, here.

Excerpt:

"To celebrate the momentous occasion of their 200th release, the fine folks at ethereal label Projekt have released this weighty three-disc tome, a trio of CDs devoted to the label's past and present. ... Longtime fans will want this for the exclusive tracks, but it's a great introduction to newcomers as well, and out of 32 songs, there isn't a bad one in the bunch."

Purchase Projekt200, here.

The Silent Debate, here. Clinton vs. Romney.

Steve Roach Arc of Passion review at Sonic Curiosity, here.

Excerpt:

"The majesty of this music is incarnate, from the delicate soundscapes to the compelling intensity inherent in the title track(s). Roach creates tuneage here that blends ambience with passages of impressive vitality. There is no escape from being drawn in; whether the seduction is gentle or vibrant, his compositions bewitch as they revitalize."

Puchase Arc of Passion, here.

In stock next week !

Attrition
All mine enemys whispers

Listen to MP3s and sign up to be notified here.

A haunting brew of darkAmbient electronic soundscapes & neo-classical strings with Ned Kirby of Stromkern and Erica Mulkey of Rasputina (and darkwave darling Emilie Autumn providing vocals and violins on one track). All mine enemys whispers (The Story of Mary Ann Cotton) limited first edition of 1000 includes set of 4 reproduction stickers of original victorian poison bottle labels! The first 200 copies of the limited edition sold via Projekt.com will include the booklet autographed by Attrition master-mind Martin Bowes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Geeky listening moment. As I write this, I am listening to a promo of Dave Cousin's 1972 release Two Weeks Last Summer. He was the lead singer of The Strawbs, and this was his folk / sloppy-rock differgence from his normal folky/prog band. Thanks Frank! The Strawbs perform the 2nd track on the beautiful neo-folk compilation, Looking for Europe, available from projekt, here.

- Sam

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