Slumberland Records

Mike Schulman is responsible for releasing some of the most interesting pop records of the last 2 decades. As the main force behind DC/CA Slumberland records he's navigated the changing tastes of the underground through the shoegaze inspired DC-ers Velocity Girl and Kurt Heasley's Lily's to the powerful whirl of Pains for Being Pure at Heart and Brilliant Colors. Somewhere in between he put his approval on Leeds guys Hood and super-underrated Aislers Set, making the label the go-to place for undiscovered awesomeness. To celebrate more than 2 decades in the business, a Black Tambourine Re-issue and great new singles, Neu Magazine spoke to Mike about why "twee" isn't easy, how nostalgia just means great pop and why making records will be his legacy.

I got into releasing records because....
I was in some bands and we didn't think anyone would be interested in putting out our weird, primitive racket. The singles scene was really booming then, and I worked in a shop and had some idea of how it worked to make and sell records. Taking the next step and releasing a few things just made too much sense.


Lilys- February Fourteenth

I believe that...
we're putting out music that's at least as good as the stuff we did in the 90s.

I hate that...
People use the term "twee" without understanding what it means.

I love that...
You can now say you like Orange Juice and Shop Assistants and people know what you're talking about.

Recently I have been...
Slacking off on writing band bios and one-sheets. It's seriously the hardest thing for me to do, write about the music.

I reissue records by bands because...
There's some great old records out there that people need to hear.


The Aislers Set - California

It isn't just nostalgia because...
Good music is timeless. The pleasure you get from listening to a Phil Spector record or a VU record or '77 punk record is just as valid as the pleasure you get from the latest and greatest. I don't believe in nostalgia.

If I could reissue anybody it would be...
Mousefolk. I love those records.

The Twentieth Anniversary shows are important because...
Running a record label is bloody hard work, and doing it for twenty years is just foolish. I think we've earned a few nights of high fives and free pints.

The hardest decision I've had to make is....
To stick to our guns and make vinyl records when everybody else was throwing in the towel.

Staying in business is...
A daily, hourly struggle.

I hope that...
I'm still doing the label when my son is old enough to help fill mail orders.

The new stuff that is on my label that I love is...
All of it!


Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Tenure Itch

The music that isn't on my label that I love is....
The Clientele, Grass Widow, Moodymann, Theo Parrish, anything on Soundway, Skull Disco (RIP), skinhead reggae, hard bop, Jeff Mills, 4Hero, mashed-up amen jungle, Burial, etc etc etc.

When I'm not fiddling about with records I like to....
Play with my son, sleep, drink red wine.

I'm excited about...
The imminent arrival of BBQ season.