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It’s been two years now since Dave Copland opened the doors at Demulcent Records. In that time, we have seen the release of one of the best Christian dance compilation CDs so far in the 00’s, the final album and remix album of a gifted producer and friend to our community, a CDR single and two jointly released singles with some really breath taking remixes. We’ve ment to sit down with Dave earlier, but we just have not been able to work the schedule out until now. Without any further delay, here’s Dave Copland to tell us all about Demulcent.  TF: Why did you start Demulcent?
DC: The short answer is to raise the bar for labels that release christian dance music and for the artists themselves. TF: What does the name mean? DC: Soothing like a medicine or a melody. TF: Why did you choose it? DC: Because music is an incredibly powerful thing. It can change your whole outlook on any given day. I want to release tracks that soothe the body, soul, and spirit. TF: What is the main focus of the label? DC: To release music made by christians that competes with the 'major label' stuff.
You have recently released your second co-release with Deep Sink/Low Roof. What brought about this relationship and has it been what you expected? Wim (who runs the label) and I met online through tastyfresh and our friendship grew from there. It started as a simple matter of economics. The relationship has been fantastic so far. I think it's mutually beneficial in that we can both get a proper release out for about half the cost. I know I've dropped the ball on a few things, like sending 400 CDs to the wrong address! (Thank God they got returned to me!) Wim is one of the coolest guys in this scene. Always encouraging, always patient,and always inspiring. TF: Running a label is a pretty stressful job, what has been some of the hardest things to cope with? DC: Probably the overall state of music industry. The industry is in shambles right now. Downloads (both illegal and legal) and the digital marketplace have completely changed how things work. Distributors aren't taking any new product. The product they do take is bought at little to no profit to the seller. TF: What has been easy? DC: Putting the artists together. It's a lot of work putting together any release,but the artists have been phenomenal. Without them giving of their time and talents for very little reward there wouldn't be a record label. Special mentions also go out to my art guy, Eric (http://cleansedesign.com) and my mastering guy, Victor (hyp0static.com). I wouldn't have any releases if it wasn't for them.  TF: Do you feel that the label is turning out to be a success or is it to early to really tell?
DC: The label has definitely made progress with every release. Most recently getting a tentative P&D deal for all of South Africa. It's hard to say it's a success at this point,though,as the next release will be all digital (yep, you heard it here first,folks!) Welcome to the 21st century. TF: What has been the biggest success that Demulcent has experienced to date? DC: There's been a series of 'little' successes that all mean a lot. Charting #1 on radiou and dancechapel, Shiloh & Terrence Parker playing Demulcent tracks. Andy Hunter sending me an encouraging email about I See Grace. The most recent success was having Faith of a Child by Siminz appear on TVU as one of their featured artists. (If anyone taped it, I'd like to see that footage!) Having people say things like 'this is the best dance track made by a christian i've ever heard in my life“ is a HUGE thing to me,because that's a big goal for the label. TF: How has your faith effected how you run the label? DC: It affects what tracks I choose and in how I do business with people. I try to pick tracks that are somehow uplifting or encouraging. I'm open to listening to anything,but I have to go with my gut about what's right for the label. I try to be fair and upfront with the artists,because they've all been burned...a lot.  TF: Recently, you put a call out for the second Demulcent Sessions CD. How is the track selection process going?
DC: The tracks are pretty much picked. Just waiting for the contracts and final copies of the tracks so they can be mastered. TF: Is there still time for more demos to be submitted? If so, how do we do that? DC: Not for this release, but i'm always open to hearing good tracks. you can email me demulcentATcomcastDOTnet or snail mail: Demulcent
PO Box 3
Belleville, Mi 48111 TF: If you could start the label over again with all of the knowledge and experience that you have today, what would you do differently? DC: Not start a label? heheheh...Seriously, I don't know if could have done anything differently. I would have set the bar too high for the first release and it never would have gotten done. I probably would have pursued licensing and digital releasing more aggressively. I still need to do that,but this is still a part time hobby for me. TF: Where do you hope to see Demulcent a year from now? DC: On record store shelves everywhere! haha. Hopefully still raising the bar with every release. I'd like to get some good exposure in the worldwide scene. I'd like to see big DJs playing my tracks. I'd like to see the “average fan” on the big message boards giving my artists the respect they deserve. I'd like to see a track get licensed for a car commercial or MTV. That would be a pretty good year :-) TF: Where can we get our hands on Demulcent’s releases? DC: The best place is www.demulcent.com it supports the label and artists more by buying direct. Individual downloads are available at www.beatport.com Related Links |
