Gold Robot Records

"The name "Gold Robot" was chosen since the two words carry interesting weight: gold is a precious metal and has served an interesting cultural role in the exploration of unknown frontiers. while robots have always captured the imagination of the human mind; they are "the future", no matter what era it is."

If that makes sense to you, maybe you should be listening to the music released by Gold Robot records. Under the careful guide of Hunter they've released the likes of Bonnie Prince Billy, Railcars and a guy called Seamonster... who is sometimes known as Fox Hands...

I got into releasing records because...
many of my friends were making music and there wasn't an outlet for their work. For example, my friend Graham (who records under the name Roman Ruins) had this song called "Your House". I thought it was so good that it had to be preserved on vinyl forever and ever, so I started a label and released the inaugural 7".

I believe that...
we're at an exciting point in the history of music. I'll never understand the folks who insist that all good music has already been made.

I hate that...
an abundance of restaurants have tables with 4 legs, thus resulting in wobbly tables. Doesn't it just make more sense to use 3 legged tables?

I love that...
it has become so easy for artists (musicians and otherwise) to interact and gain constant feedback through the internet. However, from a music business point of view, this a double edged sword; everyone's a critic and artists are oftentimes not afforded the luxury of growth and experimentation.

Recently I've been thinking that...
books and LPs are really quite similar. Both are mediums which define the gold standards of their fields, yet both are being bludgeoned by easier-to-swallow formats.

I would never release a record by a band if...
they heavily featured the mouth harp,it's a disturbing instrument.

But I'll always want to release a band's record if...
I like it but nobody else does.

The hardest decision I've had to make is....
having to pass on some exciting projects/artists/ideas because Gold Robot isn't rolling in the dough. (I'll keep the specific examples close to my vest for the time being)

I hope that...
we're able to continue releasing records and involve more and more artists, designers, musicians, filmographers, and other talented folks in our projects.

The new stuff that is on my label that I love is...
One new release that I'm currently quite proud of is a split 7" by Colossal Yes and The Good Fear. The bands are from Oakland (California) and Fayetteville (Arkansas), which is where I live and where I'm from, respectively. Their two tracks are absolutely brilliant and fun, it couldn't have turned out better. The outer artwork is by a couple of talented photographers (Rett Peek from Arkansas, and Elise Irving from Los Angeles) while the inner labels were designed by Leandro Castelao (Buenos Aires, Argentina), and amazing artist whose name you should know. It's pressed on this opaque gray vinyl which looks like concrete. I love it.

The music that isn't on my label that I love is....
there's a load of artists who I love, but haven't had the chance to work with yet. Top 5 in no real order: Les Savy Fav, Jason Molina, MF Doom, David Byrne, and Lucero.

When I'm not listening to records I like to....
make my own art (paintings, drawings, etc) and hang out with my newborn son.

I'm excited about...
the fact that those Chilean miners are finally free, a couple of new Gold Robot releases on the horizon including our first proper 12", the San Francisco Giants and their current showing in the playoffs, and the fall weather.

Visit gold-robot.com for more information.