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Could you provide us some basic info about your band?
To make a long story short - I (Paolo Greco, former member and producer of Ecodalia's 'Time Has Told' album), wrote and produced the songs for what was to become eventually Notes From Underground way before the band was formed itself. Once the music was conceived, the band starts to take shape in 2007 giving Notes From Underground the necessary stage presence. Yet every single detail, whether it's creative or technical, is carefully and deliberately carried out still under my supervision.
Why did you exactly pick this track to appear on the compilation?
The way elements are mixed in the track 'War' might distinguish Notes From Underground among the more usual sounds of today's industrial bands.
How important is and has the internet been for your band?
It's crucial! Notes From Underground manages their own contacts personally. The record deal was carried out over the internet. A lot of the promotion as well. And it's the band who picks and chooses which way to go next. It does take time, but at least the job is actually getting done.
What are the views upon the local music industry in your native country?
Industry? What industry? Excuse me for the sarcasm, but we do have an issue regarding this point. The only music industry we have in Spain is one concerning Latin music - period. You are free to play any music you like, but if you're serious about it in terms of creating a career... for-get-it! Be it metal, industrial, goth, experimental, rap, hiphop... you name it. Hence, Notes From Underground signed with a German label and has tracks included in several compilations outside Spain.
And what about the rest of the world?
Ok - the music business as we know it so far is crumbling down in many places. It's coming to a point where it falls down to 'sink or sail'. The key is getting your hands deep in the dirt and going for it like there's no tomorrow. Creativity is essential, but a good manager who is creative could make the world spin. It's not about selling records like donuts anymore - it's about getting gigs, tours, a video (yes, image has became way too important, but either you take it or leave it). Thats where hatever business that's left is right now. Selling albums is an extra thing - just how it was meant to be at the beginning of the last century. However, the supply surpasses the demand in such a huge proportion, and it's so unlikely for a band to come up with some kind of a "surprise factor" that it's trickier than ever to break through.
How do you see the role of the record labels in the music industry in about 10 years?
Well, the "legends" who might still be around might feel the need for them. The kids of today who will be teens by then might wonder: "What on Earth was such a thing as a record label?" (in fact, for many kids already all there ever was is an iPod - they're like: "A record? A CD? What the f*ck are you talking about man?")... And the ones in between will have hopefully overcome the trauma of it's loss, as it if were a close relative or a body part. I think they will be there... moribound, but there. Hanging onto the past like a pathetic Hollywood star hangs to his/her Golden Years. There's too much at stake -too many families relying on that as a source of income. But I don't think the main focus on the business will be there.
What are your opinions on the Industrialized Metal Webzine and Death To Music Productions?
Above all - it is something that ought to be appreciated. It's also a symptom of how ill the conventional music business is today though. And it's productive as long as the illness (like any other) is understood as an opportunity for change and growth. But if it deteriorates and it turns into some sort of cancer, then we're all screwed. And if the ones who supply the goods in the first place become "diseased", then even anti-record labels will turn redundant becaue there would be nothing to release - not even for free. The weakness of any anti-anything initiative is their dependency on that against which they stand up and fight. But there's a risk the battle turns so demanding of time and effort (and eventually of money too) that what was initially given out as free goodies eventually might need to be covered by users' "donations", at which point the enterprise is only one step away from becoming part of the main business mechanism. So it's pretty tricky - it's a double-edge sword.
Do you have some final words to add?
A big "thank you" to both the Industrialized Metal Webzine and Death To Music Productions for including Notes From Underground on volume 4 of this compilation. A big "thank you" to the readers for reading this far and sharing your thoughts on these issues with your mates afterwards. Do keep an eye open for our debut album, which will be released in May 2009. It will include a feast of eight remixes by bands such as Die Krupps, Das Ich, KMFDM, Front Line Assembly, Faith & The Muse, The Fair Sex and Icon of Coil. Make no mistake, Notes From Underground deliver the goods. Whether you buy it, you rip it or you download it - do yourself a favour and f*cking listen to it! Then return the favour by spreading the word and get Notes From Underground accross the countries playing live!
Interview by: Gerardo, answered by: Paolo - February 2009
Notes From Underground contributed on the compilation with the track "War"
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