Onze laatste liverecensie.
Onze laatste albumrecensie.
Ons laatste interview.
Onze laatste video.
Why did you choose to name the label Muze?
EdB: "As artists used to be inspired by someone, their "muse", our goal is that this label
inspires and challenges artists. A breeding ground for different creative disciplines: art, music,
theatre, and film..."
SC: "To us a muse is something that keeps an artist going, something that keeps an artist
sharp and his creativity in constant motion. That is what we want to reflect with our label: Never take
the easy way."
What - in short - is the history of Muze? How did it come about?
EdB: "Originally, it started as a group of musicians who were living in the same town, who
made music with each other in all kinds of different formations. Several bands and projects were formed,
and everyone recorded their music on tape recorders and four-tracks. After a couple of years, there were
a lot of musicians who had all kinds of tapes with great music on them, but the tapes were just lying in
closets gathering dust. At one point in time, Jeroen [Blijleve] and I started to collect all of these
tapes and decided to make a selection from these songs and put them on CD. It turned out to be the first
Muze release, called 'Neefjes & Nichtjes' [Nephews & Nieces], which reflected the fact that we were like
one big musical family. At first, we only thought of doing this for one CD. However, when we organized a
small festival to present it, it turned out that people were very positive towards it. Soon came the
second release, and a third followed, and then it just started growing... We did not really think:
"Well, we are going to start a label now." It just happened."
How would you describe the Muze sound? What are the qualities you look for when signing artists to
the label?
EdB: "We all think artists nowadays lost their creativity and intensity, because they think
too much about their image and indulge in a competitive rat race for fame, while we think you should
indulge in your music. We want artists to be serious about what they do and nice to work with. However,
we do have a taste for guitar-oriented music and melancholic art."
SC: "I think the Muze sound is a pretty intense sound. It's honest, and it is full of
emotions. We don't only specifically want to work with guitar bands. So the future of the Muze sound
might become more influenced by other instruments."
If they weren't signed up already, is there any band you'd like to snatch up without hesitation?
EdB: "We would resurrect Miles Davis & Ennio Morricone. But we would be satisfied with
Motorpsycho, Will Oldham, or Sonic Youth... Seriously, there is an upcoming split release with the Dutch
Bingo Trappers and Chimney Brothers which we are very proud of!"
SC: "Ennio Morricone! But this is a difficult question... We would like to work with every
band or artist who has the same intention as Muze does. If the feeling is right, then they're more than
welcome."
Muze is a relatively small and independent label. How important is the make-up and position of the
label to you? Is independence and size a major factor in the label's philosophy?
EdB: "Yeah, it probably is. Things tend to become more about money when they grow. I think
that's where you lose spontaneity and fun. Of course we'd like to have a major seller, but right away we
would invest all of the money into all of those great bands we can't release now."
SC: "The philosophy of Muze is that if you work together you always stand stronger. Five
people manage Muze at this moment, each with their own special qualities. That gives us the possibility
to form an all-round program for bands. We organize festivals and expositions. We work together with
artists and drama players. We're very diverse, and that makes us strong."
What does a typical day at Muze Central look like?
EdB: "Chaos. Most of us work in the music business besides the label. So in between those
chaotic jobs, we have contact by email or phone every day. We meet at concerts, festivals, or museums.
And meetings of course. So you can imagine it's kinda hectic."
SC: "It's like running a household for a very big family..."
What's the scene in Haarlem at the moment? To what extent is Muze a product of its natural
surroundings, and to what extent are you influenced by music coming out of Haarlem?
EdB: "Haarlem traditionally is a town for punk and funk music. Not something we deeply care
for really. Our position is therefore next to nothing there. However, we have a lot of contact with
other small Dutch labels from other towns. Mostly, they have the same problem. Together we have enough
audience to have concerts and to sell our records."
SC: "The scene in Haarlem is not very good for us. The people from Haarlem are pretty
stubborn people. They only react to music that is accepted by the crowd. Therefore punk, funk, and party
music is very popular here. Those bands can have a lot of success, often short, in Haarlem. But as soon
as it is slightly different, people start frowning and look at their neighbours to see if it's OK to
like this band. What you see now is that a new scene is starting to evolve, next to the ruling one, with
bands that think differently and have the guts to show more emotion in their music. I think it's OK to
say that our bands are part of this new scene."
The internet is rapidly changing the way people consume and listen to music. How important is this
new technology to you, and do you have any plans to use this medium in different ways?
EdB: "We've just put up our new website, which is incredibly important to us. We can promote
Muze, sell records, etc., worldwide now. We've received lots of demos from all over the world since we
have our website. The art section is still under construction, but there will be an art gallery too very
soon. We're all very creative people, so I have no doubts whatsoever about the endless possibilities
that exist and that are/will be used by us."
When releasing a record, how important is packaging to you, combined with the music on the disc? Is
there a Muze look?
SC: "Packaging is really important to us. It's half of the "product". As a label we also try
to be a platform for young artists, and we think it's really important that a cover is very special."
EdB: "We work with artists, and they produce our covers. Mostly they are handcrafted. We
think of every release as a piece of art. An advantage is that the covers will be noticed by the buying
public, which increases the chance of them buying them. We don't have a particular look, I think; it has
to be in perfect harmony with the music. Also because we release in every format possible: 7", 10", 12",
and CD..."
What does the future hold for Muze?
SC: "We really want to grow out of the Netherlands. We are currently working on
international distribution, so we will be able to guarantee our bands a larger amount of sold records
and maybe opportunities to tour foreign countries. I think that this is what we'll focus on in the
coming period. Releases are always our focus, by the way!"
EdB: "When we release albums worldwide, our public still will be small. But hopefully enough
of those small scenes worldwide will make Muze worthwhile doing. We'll keep on doing what we do, but
hopefully a little bit more of everything! More releases in more countries, more concerts, more art!"
http://www.kindamuzik.net/label/709/muze/744/
Meer op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/709
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