R. Loren (owner) Handmade Birds/Pyramids
What is your name and band/label/etc?
Pyramids / Handmade Birds Records
What are your top five albums that were released in 2012? (In order 1-5)
- Locrian And Christoph Heemann - S/T
- Pinkish Black - S/T
- Fiona Apple- The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than...
- Blut Aus Nord - 777 Cosmosophy
- King Dude - Burning Daylight
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?
There is a Denton duo called Vulgar Fashion that has been working on an album for almost two years. I finally saw them live in a very intimate setting and they blew my mind. I am ecstatic to be releasing their album in 2013; what they are doing is very honest and raw and really catchy at the same time. Also seeing A Silver Mt. Zion live was a spiritual experience. Lastly, the Ramleh 8xCD box set rekindled my spirit.
How will you remember 2012? (In terms of music)
I will remember it as the year Pinkish Black began taking over the world, the year Blut Aus Nord completed the brilliant trilogy with a new strain of vocal work that is incredibly effective, and the year I saw Fiona Apple perform live which further solidified my long time appreciation for her music.
What can we look forward to from you in 2013?
A new Pyramids proper full -ength is in the works. It will be only the second proper full-length outside of the various collaborations we have been involved with these past couple years. The Handmade Birds output will be extremely strong for 2013, with special releases from both new and iconic artists.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2013?
Right now most of my excitement stems from the stuff I will be putting out on Handmade Birds next year. In the past I have gone out of my way to stay clear of bias when discussing year end lists or upcoming releases as relative to my own roster, but the truth of the matter is I believe what we are doing, at least right now, is so incredibly special and exciting, that I can't help but prioritize it in terms of personal anticipation.
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 think it will continue to grow, but it definitely rubs me wrong to see the new wave of celebrities using it to fund projects. The idea, at least in my mind, is not for people already incredibly wealthy from their own respective careers or bloodline, utilizing the site for new projects (like Charlie Kaufman and Colin Hanks), because that is going to create a diluting of what people can do with their money.
