Michael Kaufmann | Assistant Director | Asthmatic Kitty
MICHAEL KAUFMANN
Assistant Director
Asthmatic Kitty
WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT RIGHT NOW AT ASTHMATIC KITTY?
Well, it would be nepotistic to shamelessly speak to what we have recently released or are about to release, which of course we are all very excited about (i.e. Shapes And Sizes, My Brightest Diamond, the Curtains, Rafter). But I will speak to things non-AK related that are exciting to me: The Drama magazine, Weird Weeds, the beautifully packaged and sounding Numero Group releases, the wonderful poly-psychologically confusing Sublime Frequencies, electronic labels putting out multi-folk (freak, psych, trad, post, new, etc.), multifolk labels putting out electronica, wooden bling, Fabergé grills.
THERE’S A WIDE VARIETY OF MUSIC COMING FROM ASTHMATIC KITTY, SO THE LABEL DOESN’T REALLY HAVE A PARTICULAR “SOUND.” HAVE YOU SIGNED ANYONE BASED ON A DEMO YOU RECEIVED?
One demo has lead to a signing, at this point. We got a demo from the drummer of the Blue Öyster Cult. This wasn’t the signing.
IS IT FRUSTRATING THAT SOME PEOPLE STILL THINK OF ASTHMATIC KITTY AS “SUFJAN STEVENS’ LABEL?”
It is very frustrating because we have so many other great artists. But it also can’t be denied that it is rewarding. More and more I see people coming to our site for Sufjan, but then getting excited about Half-handed Cloud and many of our other artists. Sufjan and Halfhanded Cloud worked on a 7-inch together, and, as a result, a lot of Sufjan fans became Half-handed Cloud fans. Sufjan is great about bringing other artists on our roster on tour with him. We also are part of the SC Distribution family (Temporary Residence, K Records, Secretly Canadian, Monitor, Social Registry, Locust). Successes on other labels also help us. So no, it is not frustrating. Can I change my mind in the space of one answer?
WHAT IMPACT HAVE INDEPENDENT RETAIL STORES HAD ON YOUR ARTISTS?
Independent retail stores, yes! Huge impact for our artists. And there are several stores who seem to be big supporters of the label in general, which is really nice. I could give many a shout-out here.
YOU RETIRED FROM MAKING NOISE MUSIC, BUT YOU’RE STILL IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. DO YOU LIKE ONE SIDE MORE THAN THE OTHER?
I have discovered that there is just as much art and creativity on the business side of things. Of course it’s an entirely different craft, but a craft nonetheless. I really do enjoy the business side. I enjoy trying to discover how to be both ambitious and humble, aggressive and courteous and sincere. My interest in music always stemmed from a process of inquiry: “How do I create this mood?” or “Why is this done this particular way?” I am approaching the business side in the same manner—experimental business. As with any good experiment, there are going to be mistakes, but those mistakes only bring new wisdom and insight.
FINALLY, SUFJAN STEVENS’ ILLINOIS: TOTALLY OVERRATED?
Well, just not as good as Enjoy Your Rabbit.
