Post/punk band Pause and record label A New Label team up after discovering each other on the Groover platform. Read more about the history of the band and label, how they became the perfect match and all about the next steps in this new partnership.
Groover has made us be with A New Label, a luxury. It’s an unbeatable feeling.
– Toni from Pause –
Who is Pause?
We are a Post/punk band formed by Toni Gastón and Juanjo Seguí. We are a relatively new formation, although it’s been a few years since we started as a group of friends, with no other pretensions than having a good time. About 3 years ago someone realized that we were more than just a band that gets together to hang out. This person who bet on us and pushed us to do something more is Gene Garcia, a great blues artist. Our influences are bands like: Echo and the Bunnymen, The Clash, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Lagartija Nick, The Cure , Talking Heads. In general we are into British stuff.
For a long year we locked ourselves in a studio looking for our sound. With just guitar, bass and music computing, we came up with a handful of songs. After experimenting a lot with them and with the help of our producer Gene, who was able to read our minds and capture the sound that was in our heads, we came out with the dark, emotional and heartbreaking sound we were looking for.
From this point on we enjoyed a few concerts and we were able to get on stage with a very positive response from the public.
We are a passionate band and this is reflected in our live performances and our intention is simply to excite. Today, a label like A New Label has trusted us and with their support we hope to give a lot of joy and to be able to show our potential live.
What is A New Label?
A New Label is a music industry company whose vision is to cover the 360º that a musical project needs to prosper in this business. Reaching agreements with recording studios, such as the audiovisual sector; having different professionals for both the production of events and office work; manufacturing cd’s, vinyls, merchandising or performing graphic design work. But the most important thing for any musical project is to have its own communication and promotion department as well as its own booking agency, everything necessary to develop artists.
In any musical project it is essential to communicate what is being done at all times, so that all the actions carried out in a project have an impact. As we always insist, putting content on digital channels, making an album for sale or doing a concert tour does not mean that it will do well just for the sake of doing it. You need to attract people and that means doing promotion, both in the music media and in social networks. And of course doing concerts, the basis of any musical project.
Pause, in order for people to get to know you better, can you tell us a little bit about your history, how the band was formed and how has the road been up to the present day?
Toni from Pause: We are neighborhood musicians, but above all, music lovers. Juanjo and I are lifelong friends; the band has an indestructible foundation. Honestly, we have misdirected our energy for some time and it is clear that tenacity is the basis of any success. During the process we have been able to enjoy the chaos, but things have to come when they have to come. We are the same as always; we want to enjoy being together and enjoy this wonderful profession. Despite the fact that people don’t realize it, it is just that, a profession. Just as respectable as any other. Let’s go as always with resilience and work.
We can’t stop talking in every interview about Gene Garcia, friend and great reference for us. All bands have a family tree but not this one. There are only friends who have contributed. Friendship is the nexus of this story.
For you, what are the best conditions to discover and listen to your music?
We make songs for everyone to make their own. The mainstream is a monster that swallows everything. But there are a lot of people who are looking for little gems and our music is humbly aimed at those people.
A New Label, could you introduce us to your record label, its beginnings and history?
A New Label was born in 2008 as a distributor and service manager, with the intention of giving self-managed groups and newly created labels the possibility of opting for distribution contracts and comprehensive services that were difficult for them to get on their own (better services and prices to be working in collaboration with a larger company). Over time, the release of the company’s own groups was also added. Previously, the founder owned another record label for the editions. But, finally, it is encompassed within A New Label. Basically it starts as A New Label, hence the magnificent name; to give another vision to how things were and are done in the music industry.
The goal is to work in collaboration with artists or other companies; taking into account that in Spain and in our industry, specialization is very difficult. So, we work with the objective of being a micro multinational; covering all the fields that can help musical projects.
What is the curatorial process like to determine which artists you want to collaborate with and what does an artist need to get your attention?
Mainly we have to like the music, that it is good music and well done. Always taking into account the situations, since a young project must have time to mature; a cheap recording does not give the results of the soul of the songs; but we are interested that the base is good and with soul. Once we have seen an interesting project we try to talk a lot. Explaining how we work and that they explain to us how they work and what their objectives are.
We try to avoid the commercial presentation to sell ourselves. What we do is to make it clear that the musical project is a startup; it is in the development phase and they can work with us to climb the ladder that is this long-distance race. Above all, we make them understand that it is teamwork, and that they are not going to ask us to do the tasks for them. We are going to create them as a team, based on two very important concepts: promotion and concerts.
A New Label and Pause, what was it like meeting at Groover and what made you want to work together?
Toni from Pause: Meeting on Groover felt intuitive. We were looking for someone with experience to launch our project and we saw in A New Label, everything we needed. We tried it out and we were lucky that the musical proposal fit with them and it was a luxury for us. Everything was really easy.
Jorge from A New Label: The meeting was quite good, both musically and in the way of working. For me the important thing is that the musicians get involved. The fact that on Groover a group can contact you, gives a lot of bonus points to the project. Then it was all about talking and seeing if there is common ground to work together. That’s the most important thing to run a project: willingness to work, create a team and get good opportunities.
It seems that you have very good future projects already together, can you tell us a little bit about these plans?
Jorge from A New Label: We have already agreed to work together. Now we are in the planning phase. We are finishing the press kit to present the band and the work together to the media. With that we take a first step. But now we have to plan the dates on which we will release new music material, audiovisuals, etc. And above all to prepare the live presentations. With the summer over, we are going to go a little slow to enter the winter season strong.
| Read also: How to create the perfect press kit?
Toni from Pause: We are waiting to know the next steps to continue growing. Now we are going to record a music video and a couple of concerts and preparing everything to go on tour. We are also recording a couple of singles to be released soon, probably in autumn. Currently, we are coordinating with Jorge and his team, preparing the show meticulously and we are very happy.
Any piece of news you would like to share with us?
Jorge from A New Label: The news itself is the signing, as we have said we are in the planning phase. We are preparing the music video. We will release more singles and most likely we will do a pre-sale for after the summer.But for now, we don’t have concrete dates, so stay tuned, we will announce them as soon as possible.
What advice would you give to emerging and developing artists?
Juanjo from Pause: Well, without a doubt the first and most important thing is not to lose heart. Use all the tools available to you, which are quite a few. Groover for example, and believe in what you do without doubting it.
Jorge from A New Label: You are very right, but above all I would go further. You have to treat a band just like you would a startup. You are developing a project to make it work over time. So, remember that this is a long-distance race, it’s important to keep that in mind. Also be aware that the person who cares the most about your project is yourself. You have to work very hard to take it forward, not expect other people to do the work for you. You can’t be a rock star thinking you’re going to get it all done. The stars have created themselves. They’ve surrounded themselves with good people and companies that have helped the project grow. You can stumble, but you have to get up. Keep finding the way, the tools and the people who will do everything to keep you going.
| Check out: A New Label’s website here
Toni from Pause: My advice would be that at no time let yourself be fooled by siren songs. It is important to have your feet on the ground and above all, be realistic. In the end there is a lot of intrusion in the world of music, there are many of us. The illusion is respectable but to be a musician you have to fight, train and rehearse. Shortcuts lead nowhere. Let yourself be advised by professionals and let them tell you the truth, that’s what we musicians are looking for, to improve. Groover is a good tool to find the answers you need. But first and foremost, it’s the effort and asking yourself questions.
Jorge from A New Label: This is a long-distance race and a band doesn’t come out of nowhere overnight. Maybe you can; just like you can win the lottery and never work again in your life, but that’s not realistic. It’s also important not to let people chew off your ear and feed you wrong information. Look for people who can contribute positive aspects to your project. Avoiding intruders or preachers can be difficult, but as Toni says, tools like Groover can help you a lot.
What do you think of Groover and how has it helped you in your careers as an artist and as a label?
Toni from Pause: Personally I think it is a fantastic tool, a natural selection. I come back to the same thing, if you find your space it’s because it exists and deserve it. It is very easy to make excuses but in reality, if there is something that catches your attention, it will reach the right person. Groover has made us be with A New Label, a luxury. It’s an unbeatable feeling. We are expectant and down to earth at the same time. Let’s enjoy the ride.
Juanjo from A New Label: It certainly sheds some light on this long and unknown path. Groover helps you access music professionals without a guide and you finally reach the right people.
Jorge from A New Label: Apart from the fact that you can find great bands like Pause, which is always a luxury; I think it gives you a wide vision. Many times the trees don’t let you see the forest; you focus on what you have in your hands and you see less of the environment. Groover gives you a joint and international vision. You can see what they are doing in countries like the USA, France, Poland or Australia and what level of music is being handled; you see the forest. Groover allows you to learn from musicians other than the ones you are close to; you learn from them as they learn from you. From this, you get not only to improve in your work, but to see new ways to go.
Interviews by Luis Pérez. Written, translated and edited by Betty González Gray
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