We’ve been asked, quite frequently indeed, why we do not present or overlook bands & artists from a bunch of specific music labels. I think the time is right now to make things clear and close that matter once and for all.We, absolutely, have no issues or disputes with any record label. That’s our steady position and we have expressed it again in the past. We present/review any kind of albums that have to do with rock music in general. We’re not so much, as the ezine’s name claims, into extreme metal music but we do present/review various albums from time to time.
We cooperate with various music & PR labels and we also accept albums from independent bands & artists that are contacting us on a daily basis. As for a few labels that we used to cooperate in the past but now we decided not to present their new stuff, there is a reason and it is simple. We used to have good relations with those music labels; they sent us their new release, press releases etc. until one day all of a sudden that thing stopped. We tried to find out what went wrong, as they still haven’t got back to us, almost after a year, (labels tend to do such things when they have nothing to say and they are just hiding), and I, personally, noticed that those music labels have given their promotion campaign to a certain PR label from Germany. We also used to cooperate and have good relations in general, with that certain German PR label, till one day (and after the long hiatus GR had taken) they burned bridges with us. So far so good… no problem at all.
From the moment that this PR German label took over the promo of those few music labels they rejected us for no reason. It was their call and we totally respect that, even though they do not have a good or any reason at all to act like that. Shall I call it lack of professionalism? Well, absolutely! The thing became a bit weird when some artists & bands, individually, contacted us in order to present their new albums on GR. In our reply to get their label’s OK, so as to be fully covered in case something went wrong we were being accused of reviewing albums which haven’t been sent to us and they do not want such thing to happen and the specific bands & artists never got back to us! They disappeared! Ain’t that kinda strange or what?!! Hehehe…
The same thing happened with a US promoter which had taken over a certain musician promotion. The result was the same. When we told him to get authorization by the label, he also vanished!
We really do not care for such incidents and/or PR labels that behave so immaturely & unprofessionally. The only thing that matters is that we stand our ground. The whole thing I described above was caused due to our undeniable thesis: we go on independently and express our true point of view without sucking anyone no matter big or small they are. The mediocre or at times bad reviews some albums from those labels got by us, was the major problem that they decided to burn bridges. We will become nobody’s little toy for a few promos and good PR. We do what we do freely and we will continue to do so for as long as we can, depending only on ourselves. That’s all folks!
PS1: It seems that some of the greatest albums of 2013 appeared in the last two months! It’s actually wonderful to listen to so many good albums in such a short time period.
PS2: We’ve given many great albums, signed by the bands, the last days and we will continue doing so in the future. Hence, do try your chances by checking our Contests page on a weekly basis. We do not offer just some ordinary albums but albums that we like a lot and have a great music quality.
PS3: This month’s editorial is dedicated to the legendary Lou Reed who passed away a couple of weeks ago. May he Rest in Peace…