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MusicTAP:
I'm a fan of Black Tape from back in your Garden Grove/LA days. Can you tell us a little about how you decided to start a label?
Sam Rosenthal:
I was making a fanzine in Florida . . . we're talking the early 80s. I decided it would be cool to put out a cassette of some of the local bands I was writing about. The bands were in the new romantic / electronic genre... though I believe that most of the tape ended up being instrumental, as the new romantic bands didn't have any material to give me. It really wasn't a "decision to start a label" or anything so grandiose.... I just wanted to put out these bands so people could hear what I was writing about... I had no idea that it would one day become my "career."
MusicTAP:
After Projekt became an entity, did bands approach you about being distributed by it or did you approach bands yourself?
Sam Rosenthal:
Generally speaking, lots of bands approach me. Very few got signed, however. In fact, we don't even take demos anymore. Frankly, the majority of the demos I received (and it's probably been over 1000) sucked! And it's not very fun to tell people "no," and then deal with their ongoing requests for me to listen to "more." It just got too tiring. Nowadays, most of the bands are ones that have been recommended by people we trust....
MusicTAP:
What prompted your move to Chicago? To New York?
Sam Rosenthal:
I was living in Los Angeles for a decade ending in 1996. It was time to get outta Dodge! So I moved to Chicago. I had a pretty large staff of employees and I knew I couldn't afford the rent in New York, so I moved to Chicago because it's a nice "big city" -- as opposed to Los Angeles, which is a big suburb. I had the feeling like I should move to Chicago first (before New York) because I would meet somebody there. And it happened! I met Lisa shortly after.... We decided to move to New York in 1999, because we really like the Culture here. The availability of art, theatre and dance. Also, I had shed all the employees... so it's easier to do Projekt here, now.
MusicTAP:
How do the styles and types of music that is represented by your label exist in GG/LA? In Chicago? In NYC? Which city nurtures Projekt more?
Sam Rosenthal:
I don't really think the cities have anything to do with Projekt. Those choices are for personal reasons. That said, there are currently four Projekt bands based in NYC (black tape, Voltaire, Unto Ashes & Mors Syphilitica)... so there is a certain convenience in that!
MusicTAP:
I would never ask you to pick a favourite band from your label, but surely there are acts that touch you deeper than others? Comments?
Sam Rosenthal:
Yes, you are correct. It's kinda like asking "which is your favorite child?" Even if you have one, you know that it would offend the others if you said their name.... : )
MusicTAP:
What brought on the need for Black Tape?
Sam Rosenthal:
I was making my own music a bit before I put out that first cassette. It was solo electronic music. For a release in 1995, I had Oscar sing on two songs and had a few other guests... so that was really the birth of the idea behind Black tape for a blue girl: my songs, with other people chipping in parts..... the first album from black tape, "the rope," was released in 1986! It's been over 15 years, now!
MusicTAP:
Black Tape has grown remarkably over the past decade. What do you see as the next stage of Black Tape?
Sam Rosenthal:
I don't actually agree that Black tape has grown. I think we have been respectfully holding our own. Our sales have kept consistant. Perhaps we have more press these days? Anyway, the next stage is for me to keep writing the music I want, without worrying about "holding our own" or "sales." I hope to start working on some music this fall....
MusicTAP:
How do you arrive at the themes for Black Tape? Do you acquire them as a result of personal feeling or does an artist, writer, philosopher intrigue you to creation?
Sam Rosenthal:
I think I take very simple ideas and embellish them... and eventually end up with the Theme / Album. While there are artists that influence the content, it really starts with a simple idea that is rattling around in my head...
MusicTAP:
Why the resistance to touring?
Sam Rosenthal:
We toured extensively in 1997 / 1998. And while it was enjoyable to drive around the country, it really took a lot of time and didn't do anything for our sales. If I wanna spend six weeks away from home, I'm gonna go take a nice long vacation in Prague.... why kill ourselves driving around the country, just to lose some money? That's not meant to be bitter or regretful, just realistic....
MusicTAP:
Lisa Feuer is a talented individual. How did you meet her? When did it become evident that she was a fit with Black Tape?
Sam Rosenthal:
I met Lisa when I moved to Chicago. We were at a New Years Eve party, the day I got to town... but then things clicked a little while later when we were at Scary Lady Sarah's nite that used to be held at Neo.... In 1997, I was beginning to think out the set for the 2nd Projektfest, and I guess Lisa suggested that I consider having her play flute on a few songs. She played for years in High School and College, so it wasn't one of those things where a guy puts his girlfriend in the band out of pity (laughs). She's a much better musician than I am!
MusicTAP:
Where do you see Projekt going in the next decade?
Sam Rosenthal:
Projekt is something that I've been working at for almost 20 years. My goal is to have it keep going and keep bringing in enough income so neither Lisa nor I have to get another job. At one time, everyone has a dream of things "taking off." That's not realistic, though. I just want Projekt to keep paying the electrical and food bills....
MusicTAP:
What bands are you presently thinking of signing to Projekt?
Sam Rosenthal:
None. Projekt has enough bands at the moment.
MusicTAP:
Who are your favourites bands? Present, Past.
Sam Rosenthal:
Hmmm? I really don't listen to much music (by choice) these days..... when I do, it might be John Foxx, John Cale, Marc Almond, Steve Roach, or Bowie. The last concert I saw was Peter Murphy.
MusicTAP:
What were your biggest influences? Musically? Philosophically? Religiously?
Sam Rosenthal:
Music (in the beginning): Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, Soft Cell
Philosophically: Neitzshe, Kafka
Religiously: Not Applicable.
MusicTAP:
You are definitely pro MP3. What triggered your fondness and why are you so liberal with your contributions?
Sam Rosenthal:
The music industry does everything in it's power to prevent the consumer from hearing good music. All the music industry cares about is forcing crap down people's throats. MP3s are a good equalizer. Because potential audience members can hear music before they purchase. The radio doesn't offer that possibility, anymore. So I am Pro-MP3, because I feel that if a band is good, people will want to buy it after hearing it. If people only download and never purchase, it means that a) the music wasn't powerful enough to convert the listener into a buyer or b) the listener is a cheapskate bastard (in which case, they probably wouldn't have bought, anyway).
MusicTAP:
How did the events of 9/11 affect you? Black Tape? Lisa? Cats?
Sam Rosenthal:
For me, 9/11 was a justification for Bush to begin implementing the Police State the Republicans have always desired. It was their cue to restrict freedom in the name of preserving freedom. So much BULLSHIT has happened as a result of the government's response to 9/11. It has nothing to do with preventing terrorism or making America safer. It's about stealing our Civil Liberties. People are going along with it like sheep. It's really bad.
MusicTAP:
Tell us about your charitable works/contributions?
Sam Rosenthal:
Projekt released a compilation that benefits the TreeHouse Animal Foundation.
More info is here: http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00091
We are selling the disc for $6.98 through the webstore.
MusicTAP:
Cats? How did you come to be fond of them? What is a good personality on a cat?
Sam Rosenthal:
A good personality is a certain amount of lunacy mixed with a lot of affection.
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