Nine Mile Records in the news, baby!

OK, OK, so there's been quite a lag in my blogging. Well, jesus, you try to keep up with a three year old and make time for this crap, eh?!?

Anyway, a lot of folks have been asking for an electronic version of the article on Nine Mile Records in this month's Northeast Performer Magazine. Well, I'll do you one better and include a pice written by Kristen Beam for MassLive last August after we put out Fancy Trash's Three Cheers For The Cheated. Check it:

NORTHEAST PERFORMER DECEMBER 2007


Nine Mile Records Helps Unique Talent Thrive In A Changing Industry

Since its inception in the late 80s, Nine Mile Records has taken independent artists in need of nurturing under its wing, allowing them to grow in a co-operative exchange until they feel prepared to fly the coop. Originally created by a group of friends in upstate New York as a means of bridging the gaps between local Syracuse artists, NMR has always shared in the DIY mentality, stressing the importance of the self-sufficient artist and his potential power in the modern music industry. The now-Easthampton based label began as a kind of guide or facilitator, helping artists take steps to promote their music locally. Over the span of roughly two decades, co-founder/musician Rick Pierik has transformed Nine Mile Records into a small but versatile label that works closely with its artists, some from overseas and some based locally, having been loyal to Nine Mile since the early days.

After taking an unofficial hiatus, Pierik revived NMR after a move to Boston in the 90s. At that point, its services were still limited to friends and locals, Pierik himself being the drummer for four bands (Josh Lederman y Los Diablos, Grubstake, Alex Maws, and the surf trio The Benders) that were, and still are, part of Nine Mile. While Pierik handled PR and distribution for Nine Mile-affiliated artists for years, it wasn't until 2005 that the label officially signed its first non-local artist. The premier talent, Patrick Sweany, a bluesy-roots singer-songwriter from Ohio, is now signed to a national booking agency and has a string of accomplishments under his belt - one being that his last CD charted on the national AAA and Americana charts. Since Sweany's initiation, the label has built up its roster and currently showcases 10 artists from an eclectic array of backgrounds and styles, though the focus usually leans towards genres such as singer-songwriter, blues, folk rock and folk punk. Yet Nine Mile is drawn to the musician who has a little extra to offer - dedicated artists who take these genres to the next level and somehow make them their own. For example, Northampton-based Fancy Trash has been described as "spazzy, folk-tinged, acoustic indie-rock," New Orleans outfit The Zydepunks honor their Cajun roots by singing primarily in Creole and French, and longstanding NMR band Grubstake combines accordion with zombie flick lyrics.

Despite gradual expansion, Nine Mile Records retains its center and close-knit sense of solidarity. Pierik recently told Performer "Because I'm such a small operation, I try to craft a contract to meet the specific needs of the artist. The new mantra is true: the music industry has changed and independent artists can now do a lot of more for themselves than before. They don't need the monolithic label to handle all affairs, but they do need an advocate who can pound the pavement, pick up the phone and talk to people on their behalf. There aren't enough hours in the day for most musicians to do all that."

Pierik intends to continue reinforcing the reciprocal relationship between artist and label that has granted Nine Mile success.

"I'm taking on much fewer artists in 2008 than I did in 2007 so I can focus on really developing the talent I already work with. Nine Mile has grown every year and I expect 2008 to be no different."

Getting to know Nine Mile Records

Posted by kbeam August 09, 2006

Categories: Western Mass. Record Labels

The news that Fancy Trash had been signed to a record label inspired me to find out more about Nine Mile Records. Rick Pierik, the label's owner, agreed to answer some of my questions.

What is your title and function at Nine Mile Records?
Owner. My function is to do whatever I can't get my interns to do.

What's a typical record label intern like?
Usually a budding college-attending musician who wants to get some practical knowledge of the industry and make some contacts, but also sometimes just a music lover who can't satiate their intake of music by simply seeing live shows and buying ten CDs a week. Most have a far deeper knowledge of unknown great bands than I do. Surprisingly, it's been difficult to find interns in the valley, so if anyone reading this is interested, check out the NMR website and shoot me an email.

Where is the label based?
Easthampton, Mass., Center Of The Universe.

But you didn't start out locally, correct?
I started the label in Jamaica Plain, Mass. approximately five years ago. At that time it was a collective - kind of like Pigeon Records - with different artists contributing different skills to help the label function. When I moved to Cambridge three-and-a-half years ago, I took it over myself and let the bands go back to making music and playing shows. I think the business workings of the label were getting in the way of them focusing on the music. I moved to Easthampton almost two years ago.

I am always interested to hear what people outside of Western Mass. think of the Northampton scene.
Actually, when I played in Los Diablos, we played out here often with Treefort, Ware River Club, Drunk Stuntmen, Fancy Trash, The Figments, Ray Mason, Big Bad Bollocks, and on and on. I was so impressed with the vibrancy of the scene given the community's size. And everyone was always so supportive - very different than Boston. We made a lot of friends. When my wife and I were ready to leave Boston two years ago, the Valley was on a very short list of places to move. I can honestly say that the music scene was a major reason why we moved here.

Do you ever see Northampton exploding into something major? I mean, since you chose to base your label out here could it be said that you are making an investment in the potential of the region?
I hate to say it but no, I don't. It just doesn't have the number of people to support the kind of live music scene that merits an explosion. But considering its size, the relative output of interesting, quality music is amazing. And not just the stuff that's making it out to the wider world like The Winterpills or Grace Potter. I'll stumble across a hidden gem like Our Lady of Bells or Josh Crane and be completely blown away. As I said, the music scene was an important decision in our move to the region, but really it was about a lifestyle change - fresh air, small towns, mountains, farmshares - all stuff we wanted to 'invest' in. Also, as I said, I hope I have the opportunity to invest more in the music of the Valley. One of the drawbacks of being the 'new kid' is that I haven't had the chance to really sink my teeth into the scene. I think once I do, you'll see some more locals on Nine Mile.

What helped you make the decision to sign Fancy Trash?
I like their music first. That's always the priority. And their sound has really evolved in the past couple years beyond the more standard folk-rock of their first CD. I try to build my roster around artists who use tradition - in this case traditional acoustic instruments and folk and pop music - and expand it. If you've ever seen Fancy Trash live, you know they are all about expanding it.

What are some other notable bands on the NMR label?
"Boston's Kings of Irish-Jewish Folk-Punk" Josh Lederman y Los Diablos and a retro-soul wildman out of Akron, Ohio, named Patrick Sweany, whose band used to include (and whose CD was produced by) Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys.

Fall and winter releases in the works for The Zydepunks out of New Orleans, a stripped down solo CD from the lead singer of Detroit's High Strung and a blues punk duo from Philadelphia called Grubstake.