Who Got The Cooch? Post*Records.
I recently hit up Chris Coochie, owner/founder/CEO/Big Pimp of Post* Records. I tackled some tough issues and asked him some hard-hitting questions. He was reluctant at first, but then he let all his secrets out. So if you want to know everything there is to know about whatever it is you want to know, then read this interview, because it's in here (if what you wanted to know was about Post* Records and what you wanted to know about Post* Records was addressed in the questions I asked).
How long has Post*Records been in operation?
Post*Records was formed in the late summer of 2004 when we started working with an all girl band called Evil Ballerina that did this really crazy indie/folky stuff. The first official release didn't come out until February 2005.
What was it like handling a task as daunting as starting a record company?
It took (and still takes) all of my time. I don't ever have spare time. I live for music and for Post*Records and the artists on the label. I'm really lucky that I have had very supportive people that are motivated to help out with many of the tasks involved.
Have you always worked with visual artists?
Working with visual artists was a primary goal when we started Post. I wanted to make sure that the record label was not merely an entertainment venue, that it also encompassed the arts. I had a longtime friend named chris musina (he did most of the original Post*Records merchandise art) and wanted to promote the amazing paintings that he does, so the label was a good venue for that. We continue to work with visual artists and support visual arts locally as much as possible.
Who were some of the first groups you signed?
The first two groups signed were The London Apartments and The Bad Spellers from Toronto and Tokyo, respectively. More recently, we've worked with Dodger, Mumpsy, The Heathens, On Cassette, Kingsbury, The Punching Contest, Watch Me Disappear, Reveries by Moonlight, Thaelo, and others.
How long have you worked with Dodger?
I've been a fan for a while. We started working together in June of 2005. Post just released their self titled EP a few months ago and it's been doing really well.
I saw that you just started working with :dz: (aka Daniel/ Mr. Zegiel). Do you represent his visual art as well as his music?
I am a supporter of his art and music, but Post does not officially represent either. When it comes to the visual artists, we are more of just a supporter.
Are there any artists in the Orlando area that you'd like to work with or even sign?
We're really swamped with our current roster. I'm sure that in the future we will have more openings and more time to think about adding other artists. I would love to eventually work with people i know in town that are involved in other projects... bands like Yip-Yip, Summerbirds in the Cellar, Baby Calendar (Miami), Tres Bien (Tampa)... maybe Lightning Mouth.
Do you guys have any compilations out?
Not yet! The first comp will be out this fall... be on the lookout.
Are there any other realms you cover besides visual art and music?
We do our booking through an affiliated company called Aknotet Entertainment also based out of Orlando. All our merch is done through Zig Zag Designs. They're an awesome printing company in town that Matt Kamm manages (he is also the lead singer in Dodger).
What are some of the releases you have coming up?
The Heathens debut record, "Big White House". We're doing a national college radio and press campaign for it that will last most of this year and they're touring the US this summer. The record comes out July 4th. We're also releasing the next record from The Band of the Name on June 29th.
Oh yeah. JT was telling me that in the interview we just did (plug plug). How far does the umbrella of Post*Records stretch (geographically that is)?
Orlando, Philadelphia, Toronto, Seattle, Olympia, Tokyo... We're very stretchy... Like silly putty.
Where does the name come from?
Post as in "after" as in after this other music company that I was part owner of. I ran a company called Check Plus Music in Orlando with a partner but things were tough because there were so many different ideas and different people involved. I wanted to simplify and focus. That's what Post is all about.
Your Myspace headline is "The nicest label in the Universe". Did you have to fight for that title, or was it a unanimous decision?
Some labels challenged us to a fight, but we just wanted to breakdance instead. They thought our dancing skills were "niiiiice", so that's it. We are the nicest.
Tru. What is your association with Nonsense Records?
I love those kids. They are the hip hop counterpart to what Post does... Or maybe Post is the rock counterpart to what they do. Either way, we have common motives and goals and try to support each other
Have you ever worked with any of their artists (or vice versa)?
We've done shows with the Sol.Illaquists, Holly Riggs, Skip. We love what they do and how they do it.
Nonsense Records Sol.Illaquists of Sound recently signed with Epitaph. Have any of your artists been signed to major labels (or as major as Epitaph is considered)?
Not yet... at least, not that I can talk about at the moment. Here's a hint: keep an eye on The Heathens.
I am. What's the best part about having your own record label?
I get lots of free music and go to lots of shows.
Does it help, at least in terms of dealing with the artist needs and concerns, that you are in a band, namely one signed to your own label?
It was never an intention to play in a band on the label, but it has worked out better than I could have ever hoped. The artists are all people that I have made an effort to establish good relationships with. They realize that we are all working to grow and succeed together as friends and as artists.
Speaking of your band, how long have the Heathens been together?
We formed in the late spring of 2005 and we've been in love ever since.
You guys have a lot of interplay between artist such as Sean Moore playing with the Heathens and Dodger, and the split with The Bad Spellers and The London Apartments. Is this something the company initiates or encourages, or is it simply the will of the artists?
TBS/TLA wanted the split. In the case of the Dodger/The Heathens stuff, we are very incestuous in the Orlando musical scene. Mostly because people like to help out their friends on projects and sometimes those projects just grow. I love it, personally. I think it gives Post and Central Florida a unique identity.
What is your favorite Valentines Day chocolate sampler?
I like dark chocolate, not that milky stuff.
Ew. What is your personal favorite band whose name starts with the letter G?
GRAVY TRAIN!!!!. NO DUH!
Good answer. If killerPOP had a sock hop, would you come?
In a poodle skirt and roller skates. For shizzle, sir.
If you could be any key on a computer keyboard, which key would you be?
CTRL. I love control. I think i'm power obsessed.
Whats one word you want this interview to end on?
Perineum.
interview by Matt Harrison
I recently hit up Chris Coochie, owner/founder/CEO/Big Pimp of Post* Records. I tackled some tough issues and asked him some hard-hitting questions. He was reluctant at first, but then he let all his secrets out. So if you want to know everything there is to know about whatever it is you want to know, then read this interview, because it's in here (if what you wanted to know was about Post* Records and what you wanted to know about Post* Records was addressed in the questions I asked).
How long has Post*Records been in operation?
Post*Records was formed in the late summer of 2004 when we started working with an all girl band called Evil Ballerina that did this really crazy indie/folky stuff. The first official release didn't come out until February 2005.
What was it like handling a task as daunting as starting a record company?
It took (and still takes) all of my time. I don't ever have spare time. I live for music and for Post*Records and the artists on the label. I'm really lucky that I have had very supportive people that are motivated to help out with many of the tasks involved.
Have you always worked with visual artists?
Working with visual artists was a primary goal when we started Post. I wanted to make sure that the record label was not merely an entertainment venue, that it also encompassed the arts. I had a longtime friend named chris musina (he did most of the original Post*Records merchandise art) and wanted to promote the amazing paintings that he does, so the label was a good venue for that. We continue to work with visual artists and support visual arts locally as much as possible.
Who were some of the first groups you signed?
The first two groups signed were The London Apartments and The Bad Spellers from Toronto and Tokyo, respectively. More recently, we've worked with Dodger, Mumpsy, The Heathens, On Cassette, Kingsbury, The Punching Contest, Watch Me Disappear, Reveries by Moonlight, Thaelo, and others.
How long have you worked with Dodger?
I've been a fan for a while. We started working together in June of 2005. Post just released their self titled EP a few months ago and it's been doing really well.
I saw that you just started working with :dz: (aka Daniel/ Mr. Zegiel). Do you represent his visual art as well as his music?
I am a supporter of his art and music, but Post does not officially represent either. When it comes to the visual artists, we are more of just a supporter.
Are there any artists in the Orlando area that you'd like to work with or even sign?
We're really swamped with our current roster. I'm sure that in the future we will have more openings and more time to think about adding other artists. I would love to eventually work with people i know in town that are involved in other projects... bands like Yip-Yip, Summerbirds in the Cellar, Baby Calendar (Miami), Tres Bien (Tampa)... maybe Lightning Mouth.
Do you guys have any compilations out?
Not yet! The first comp will be out this fall... be on the lookout.
Are there any other realms you cover besides visual art and music?
We do our booking through an affiliated company called Aknotet Entertainment also based out of Orlando. All our merch is done through Zig Zag Designs. They're an awesome printing company in town that Matt Kamm manages (he is also the lead singer in Dodger).
What are some of the releases you have coming up?
The Heathens debut record, "Big White House". We're doing a national college radio and press campaign for it that will last most of this year and they're touring the US this summer. The record comes out July 4th. We're also releasing the next record from The Band of the Name on June 29th.
Oh yeah. JT was telling me that in the interview we just did (plug plug). How far does the umbrella of Post*Records stretch (geographically that is)?
Orlando, Philadelphia, Toronto, Seattle, Olympia, Tokyo... We're very stretchy... Like silly putty.
Where does the name come from?
Post as in "after" as in after this other music company that I was part owner of. I ran a company called Check Plus Music in Orlando with a partner but things were tough because there were so many different ideas and different people involved. I wanted to simplify and focus. That's what Post is all about.
Your Myspace headline is "The nicest label in the Universe". Did you have to fight for that title, or was it a unanimous decision?
Some labels challenged us to a fight, but we just wanted to breakdance instead. They thought our dancing skills were "niiiiice", so that's it. We are the nicest.
Tru. What is your association with Nonsense Records?
I love those kids. They are the hip hop counterpart to what Post does... Or maybe Post is the rock counterpart to what they do. Either way, we have common motives and goals and try to support each other
Have you ever worked with any of their artists (or vice versa)?
We've done shows with the Sol.Illaquists, Holly Riggs, Skip. We love what they do and how they do it.
Nonsense Records Sol.Illaquists of Sound recently signed with Epitaph. Have any of your artists been signed to major labels (or as major as Epitaph is considered)?
Not yet... at least, not that I can talk about at the moment. Here's a hint: keep an eye on The Heathens.
I am. What's the best part about having your own record label?
I get lots of free music and go to lots of shows.
Does it help, at least in terms of dealing with the artist needs and concerns, that you are in a band, namely one signed to your own label?
It was never an intention to play in a band on the label, but it has worked out better than I could have ever hoped. The artists are all people that I have made an effort to establish good relationships with. They realize that we are all working to grow and succeed together as friends and as artists.
Speaking of your band, how long have the Heathens been together?
We formed in the late spring of 2005 and we've been in love ever since.
You guys have a lot of interplay between artist such as Sean Moore playing with the Heathens and Dodger, and the split with The Bad Spellers and The London Apartments. Is this something the company initiates or encourages, or is it simply the will of the artists?
TBS/TLA wanted the split. In the case of the Dodger/The Heathens stuff, we are very incestuous in the Orlando musical scene. Mostly because people like to help out their friends on projects and sometimes those projects just grow. I love it, personally. I think it gives Post and Central Florida a unique identity.
What is your favorite Valentines Day chocolate sampler?
I like dark chocolate, not that milky stuff.
Ew. What is your personal favorite band whose name starts with the letter G?
GRAVY TRAIN!!!!. NO DUH!
Good answer. If killerPOP had a sock hop, would you come?
In a poodle skirt and roller skates. For shizzle, sir.
If you could be any key on a computer keyboard, which key would you be?
CTRL. I love control. I think i'm power obsessed.
Whats one word you want this interview to end on?
Perineum.
interview by Matt Harrison