Island Stage Magazine
Island Stage: I remember when you launched
ThinkLikeAgirL Music in 2010. One of the major
labels (Sony or Warner) was hassling you about
posting your music to social networks. It was
like, you made the decision right then and there
to create your own label, and you did it!! I,
along with many others sat back and watched
you do exactly as you said you would, with utter
amazement and respect!
just have turn up and do what you do. I found that
when I first incorporated my label and was looking
for funding, all of my potential investors were mostly
interested in what they could TAKE. They all wanted
a piece if it - A BIG PIECE - which is contrary to what
I wanted for me or my label. It became clear quickly
that I was on to something but for now I would have
to go it alone.
I want to own my intellectual property and I want any
artist I may sign to also own theirs.
Tell us about the challenges you have had to
face being independent, after having been
signed to 2 majors - Sony and Warner Music.
I am extremely grateful for my accomplishments
and experiences with my past major labels, I have
wonderful unforgettable memories and may not have
been known if it wasn’t with their help but my model
is just different from theirs.
DK: Before I start, I want to give thanks to you Susan
and Island Stage for this interview, I truly appreciate
it and I wish you all the best.
Yes, that was a weird but enlightening experience.
It’s baby stepping right now but I know there is a
place for a label like mine. I know there are people
and artists out there who think like I do.
I was so excited at the time. Here I was, thinking that
these are my songs so I am free to upload them to
Facebook or Youtube - NOT! Yes, I wrote and sang
them but I did NOT own the masters. I was pissed but
the labels were right. The contracts I had signed said
so. So immediately I got an idea - I would become an
indie artist.
Island Stage: You were diagnosed with Multiple
Sclerosis (MS), which threatened to end your
career, and you have inspired so many of
your fans to never give up through it all. Walk
us through what it was like to receive that
news and how you were able to rise up even
through the physical pain, (not to mention the
metal aspect in getting this news) and release
AgirLnaMeKING in 2011.
It took years after the initial idea to free myself from
my last major deal but finally I did it and officially
started my own label in 2010.
DK: When I was told the news about my health is was
hard to digest. It got stuck at my throat. For some
people in my position, they swallow it and it goes right
down. It can even speed up your demise if you let it
take you over.
Being independent is extremely challenging but well
worth it.
It’s that type of fulfilling work you dream of or hear
and read about. The biggest task is being responsible
financially for everything which is quite the opposite
of being on a major label. Being with a major is hard
work as well and while you still end up paying you
don’t have to think about those upfront costs, you
Issue 06 November/December 2014
In retrospect, it’s one of those life experiences that
starts out as the most awful thing but ends up being
just the thing you needed because of the wisdom you
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