Re: (idm) Fat Cat

From daniel
Sent Thu, Aug 26th 1999, 21:31

David Turgeon wrote:

> one thing i think is going for them is the simple fact that once a
> subgenre dies, they don't go down the drain as well.  i.e. if angular
> idm fans deserted the genre tomorrow to convert to post new age drill &
> bass, i doubt anyone'd be running to buy musik aus strom shares.  on a
> long term scale, this is the most viable option.  however, for the short
> term, i feel your pain, so to speak.  without a clear niche that doesn't
> confuse music sellers & buyers, i wish you lots of luck & hope you have
> more perseverance than the average label-head.  
> 

I never really thought of it like that.  But economically it does make
sense (if your in it for the long haul).  I have always assumed fat cat
puts out the style of music they do because that is the kind of music they
like (and I still beleive that; especially after I read a couple of
interviews).  We put out what we do because it is what we like(and enjoy).
No more no less.  Thanks for the luck btw. 

<snip>

> the aforementioned schematic & c.i. managed to carve their niche
> themselves, even though they remain quite hermetic.)
> 
> ahh, the mysterious ways of music marketing.

I have wondered about this myself.  I wonder how popular they really are.
It is hard to judge their success from the viewpoint of the fish eyed lens
the idm list utilizes.  However, I think they carved their niche by having
a good scene, live shows and support from major players (autechre etc..).
I have loved what these guys are doing since day 1.  Also, I have a
feeling that they are pretty successful in Europe.  Import sales help
quite a bit.  Schematic and CI are two of the labels I buy on site. (and
have only been dissapointed once).


lastly, even labels who put out one type of music have to re-invent
themselves ever so often.  A good example is warp.  Compare their first
releases to what they are putting out now.  But even warp now days is
becoming more diversified.


-daniel