Austinist Interviews Stem and Leaf Records

Is the record label a part-time side project, or something that you guys are hoping to turn into full-time jobs some day?

M: I mean, wouldn't everyone like to do this full time?

E: Well, I am, sort of. I mean, I'm unemployed right now, and while it would be wise of me to have a day job, it's been advantageous lately to have the time to really focus on the label. In planning anything, it's good to be able to handle any last-minute things that may come up, and I've really had the opportunity to deal with those lately.

How are your relationships with some of the other labels in town?

E: They're building, slowly. Ever since we got off the ground we've stayed pretty busy with putting on parties and putting out records, and haven't had too much time to sit down and chat with other labels. We hope to, soon, though. We'd love to learn more about how other people around town got started.

What are some of the bigger surprises you've encountered in the past few months, when it comes to putting together shows, getting the word out, etc?

E: I think that what has been most surprising for me has basically been how supportive people have been. It's my responsibility to pull things together for the party, and typically, when I approach people with my ideas, they are more than willing to help. For example, during our launch party in March, we had a geography bee. We got The Handsome Charlies to serenade the winner with "We Are the Champions"... it was pretty great. It was something I'd envisioned, and seeing it actually play out was just amazing for me. And I don't want to give too much away about our upcoming show, but we've got some cool stuff lined up for it.

M: My biggest surprise has been how willing people are to give you stuff if you just ask for it. When we were planning our launch party, I emailed Rand McNally to see if they would support us for our Geography Bee. Much to my surprise, someone actually responded, and ended up giving us six atlases. I was like: "Damn. Six atlases. Awesome."

Have your relationships with other bands changed much, from back when you were all just friends to now, when you've entered into this nebulous professional relationship?

E: I just moved into town and so I really didn't have any such relationships to speak of. I know that my friends in bands from Louisville are interested in what I'm doing, but it hasn't really changed things all that much. There will be the occasional remark, something like, "You have a record label? Well, you know, we're in a band...". But down here, it's really been a great way for me to meet people. Since I'm pulling together these parties, I can always talk to people about the ideas I'm having and what we are doing.

M: This is a difficult question to answer--I've been playing in a band for the last three years, and have never really felt all that professional about it, even in a nebulous way. But there is a difficulty inherent in somehow figuring out a way to look at music--particularly your own--in a realistic, professional way. Obviously, we think everything we put out is genius, but how do we know that it's the kind of genius that will sell?

Did you raise much funding beforehand, or are you guys largely going out-of-pocket as the expenses show up?

M: We are entirely out of pocket, with few exceptions.

Does your attitude towards the music change then? Now that you're financially vested in it, I mean.

M: I think it's caused us to work a lot harder on promotion. Not only for ourselves, but for The Interest Kills as well. When we have a show now, we're a lot less likely to be lazy when it comes to putting up flyers, for example.

From what you've experienced so far, what exactly does running an indie label entail?

E: I think that for us it has, so far, been largely about trying to figure that out. At every step of the way, we're trying to determine the best way to go about things... it's been going well so far, but I think we still have a lot to figure out.

This is the second show you'll be putting on at Victory Grill -- do you guys have a particular affinity for that place, or is it the Eastside in general?

E: We do love the Victory Grill, when I talk to people about it, I tell them that I think it is one of the coolest venues in town. There's so much history in that place, and you just feel it as soon as you walk in there... the space has changed so little that it feels as though you've gone back in time. But my feeling about the east side overall is basically the opposite... it's like that side of town is so charged with all this new life and energy. There's always cool stuff going on at Progress Coffee, and stuff is popping up at other places over there as well, and it's really sort of exciting to watch.

Capital Flight will be the second album you guys release. What's in the pipeline for Stem & Leaf for this next year? Are you looking to expand your roster?

M: We're looking at one other artist right now, but it hasn't really gone very far. We're really wanting to focus on the bands we have right now and learning more about the process of the music business.

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Come say hi to Marshall and Emily at the Interest Kills CD Release Party this Saturday, May 13th!

Stem & Leaf Records Presents
The Interest Kills CD Release Party
with Happy Families, The Total Foxes, and Red Leaves
And a Spelling Bee! And Baked Goods!
Saturday, May 13th
Tickets available at End of an Ear and Austin Mopeds
$5 Advance, $8 Door