Død Beverte Interview

What events lead to your recent decision to go DIY?
I have always been DIY in a sense that I have never signed to a specific label, and I think learning how labels screw artists helped me in that regard, although I have worked with some labels for splits, compilations, etc. I actually started by using smaller, easy-to-access, DIY distribution, starting through Tunecore. I eventually was able to have distribution that was contracted and was handled and funded by someone other than me, but this is when I began to notice how many stores I was sold in and how much distributors encouraged the artist to spend more time into selling the music than making it. As I noticed how difficult it was for me to leave my art in someone else's hands, I later tried CD Baby, but I noticed they take an extremely commercial approach as well. I eventually got a point where I was sick of seeing so much about the money, and finally decided to detach from the sales side of music altogether.

How long have you been thinking of going this route?
I've considered this route since I noticed a small amount of fans disliking my routines of exposure: a few people had told me I had "sold out," and I personally believe if a fan is willing to tell you something you should listen. More people heard the music when I gave it away also, some would argue anyone would take it because it's free, but I noticed a lot of the fans that took free music became more involved than those that bought it anyway. A lot of people into heavy metal and punk rock are virtually broke, but that doesn't mean they don't care about the music they listen to.

Why do you feel more artists haven't broken free of the corporate label machine?
I think a lot of artists have it instilled that sales prove the better artist, but by that logic pop and rap would be superior to metal. Music is fundamentally art, and art is supposed to be an emotional expression. I believe "hey you don't need to pay me, this is for you" gives the music a personal feel, and I believe artists all could break away from commercialism by accepting the more spiritual aspect of music. If they are worried about money, my advice to them would be to sell merch and tour often.

Going forward without a label, do you foresee any issues you might not be able to overcome without outside help?
The biggest issue I will have with future releases is the amount of exposure I can get as quickly, it will likely take longer without the external support in place. Being in stores is actually a bigger form of exposure than simply being free and found somewhere on the internet, people may have to dig harder even if I promote it more on my end.

What does all this mean for fans?
Fans will be able to get the music I release free-of-charge, but they may have to search a bit. A perk would be that you can copy this and give it to friends, and you'll know I'm perfectly okay with it, in fact I want this to happen. This may help make up for my lack of commercial promotion and notice ability.

What was the labels reaction after you leaked your previous release?
I kept the rights to my music which means they couldn't really say anything, but I also believe I was able to leak that album more discreetly than I did this time: I was switching distributors, and I also didn't go to the press last time I did this; I was afraid to tell people as openly as I am now.

What has there reaction been to today's events?
I haven't seen a reaction, and since I kept the rights to my music in this release as well they can't take legal action. I once again caused a distribution conflict by going to CD Baby when I was sick of lack of communication with my distributor, I felt like I was just another one of their roster artists, like I wasn't an individual to them.

When will your next album be leaked?
I'm currently working on a single, the great thing is that releasing it free of charge means it's out as soon as I finish it. I have time to perfect it, and you hear it directly from me.

What is next?
I may turn the single I mentioned earlier into an EP or maybe a full-length and give that out. How I plan on doing music from now on is releasing music when I feel the inspiration to make it and finish it. You'll probably hear more diverse music and more often. As for playing live I would have to gather a live lineup, and due to the time that may take it may be a while as I am also a college student, a little known fact about me.


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Tags:  Død Beverte  , Stefan "Død Beverte" Klein, interviews

Jason Fisher    May 20, 2011