Michael Phillips (owner) Escapist Records
What is your name and band/label/etc?
Michael Phillips; I am the owner of Escapist Records.
What are your top five albums that were released in 2012? (In order 1-5)
- Deftones - Koi No Yokan
- The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
- Xibalba - Hasta La Muerte
- Title Fight - Floral Green
- Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay
What band did you discover in 2012 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
I happened upon a female vocalist named Elizaveta Khripounova; she's an American born songwriter that was raised in Russia and trained in opera and piano, which she incorporates into her sound, but with a pop twist. Her music is really intriguing, haunting, and absolutely beautiful.
How will you remember 2012? (In terms of music)
2012 was a revival year for the label, something that began at the tail end of 2011 with the decision to work on the Light Years EP. There was a point prior where I had essentially given up and all but decided to call it day. But working with the guys in Light Years on their EP and all the support that went along with it rekindled my excitement for the label. This eventually led to working with Territory on their LP and the arrangements for the projects we will be releasing in 2013.
What can we look forward to from you in 2013?
I have a busy first quarter of the year planned for the label. Things kick off with the new Foxfires 7". The new 12" LPs from Light Years and Sweet Weapons should follow shortly thereafter in early Spring. And we have the Know the Score 7" in the works as well. There are a few other projects shaping up, which will be announced in due time. Basically, just continuing to build on the growth of 2012. I'm very excited for what is to come in the future.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2013?
There will probably be a lot of records I never anticipated to be released, as is the case with each year, but I'd say off the top of my head I am excited for the new Jimmy Eat World, Withdrawal, Celeste, Tegan And Sara, and Dillinger Escape Plan albums to come out.
Fundraising sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have made a strong impact on the ability of artists to release music. Do you think this approach is a trend, or will it continue to shape how artists produce their material?
I'm not a fan of Kickstarter and its peers, per se, but I feel there is a more appropriate way to use these sites to help release your music. Unfortunately the majority of the individuals using these sites for musical endeavors are abusing them. I'll leave it up to you to figure out which ones those are; it shouldn't be too difficult to assess.
