FREEDOM MAN: Is this the E.P. you spoke of?
MIKE
RANDLE: No. These are demos I did at home. There is a lot of room and
it's done on purpose. I didn't feel up all the tracks; i could have but I
didn't. I wanted people to really see how a tune evolves from a demo to an
album. I mean, people in bands know this already but most of the people that
read the "Diaries" are not musicians. Music lovers? Yes. Musicians?
No.
FREEDOM MAN: So what does it consist of?
MIKE
RANDLE: It's 5 songs and about 25 min of music. I play all the
instruments. I did it at my home studio. Over the last year I've bought some
gear and it's very relaxing to be at home and just record, when I'm not
rehearsing or in the studio with LOVE. It was a lot of fun and I hope it
translates like that to other people.
FREEDOM
MAN: Are you still signed to Eggbert Records as a solo artist?
MIKE RANDLE: Unfortunately, the label had been in limbo the last year or so,
due to (Label Owner) Greg Dwinnell's illness. Greg learned he had cancer
around this time last year. He pasted away just this saturday in his sleep.
He put out all his favorite records and he let me do whatever I wanted. His
slogan was, "It's your record...you gotta live with it."
FREEDOM MAN: That's unheard of at a Major Label!
MIKE
RANDLE: Right. So, I am labeless at the moment but I am talking to a few
labels in the UK and in Japan. Some Label in Japan put out my first solo album
with 2 bonus tracks. I can't even remember their name. But they paid me
within days of me signing the contract. Now THAT'S unheard of!
FREEDOM MAN: ...and you were on the Teenage Fanclub Tribute "IS THIS MUSIC?", right? That's that Japanese label, "Painted Sky Discs."
MIKE RANDLE: Yes. My friend, Michael Shelley, got me that one. Also, I know (TFC Singer and Drummer) Norman and Francis so I dropped those names and that certainly got me thru the door. I love name dropping!
FREEDOM MAN: So what are the plans for this "Demo under construction"?
MIKE
RANDLE: Well, right now I am going to be at a spot (like a pub er
something) and have the CD for sale for 5 pounds. It comes with artwork and
the songs are printed on the disc. I am only doing these as "Limited
Edition"
so when they run out that's it. When I get home from this upcoming tour (July8)
I'll make them available through the mail. I'm going to make it $6 USD for
the states, $7 for Canada (which will include shipping/handling for both countries)
and, for a very limited time, 5 pounds and free shipping in the UK and Europe.
Sometime in August I'll have a 4 song demo to accompany this one.
I'll make it free to everyone who bought the first one.
FREEDOM MAN: How will you differenciate?
MIKE
RANDLE: I trust people. Everyone that buys a copy will be encouraged to
e-mail <travelsongs@yahoo.com> and request the free copy. They will
only have
to pay the shipping (2 Quid).
FREEDOM MAN: Will any of these demos appear on the record?
MIKE RANDLE: No. The record will be completely recorded from scratch.
FREEDOM MAN: Will do you plan to record it, when you sign a new deal?
MIKE
RANDLE: No, not at all. If I record the whole record and pay for it
myself, I can liscense it to labels and retain ownership. The only issue is
that I want to have the Forever Changes Ensemble play on it. I'd have to fly
to Sweden and Swedes don't work for free. But there is a label in Stockholm
that may absorb the cost in exchange for having the Scandanavian territory
so
we'll see how it plays out.
FREEDOM MAN: How many songs will the Full length Cd have?
MIKE
RANDLE: 10 songs and 2, maybe 3 bonus songs at the end. The 3 songs will
probably be demos, but none that i will have already released.
FREEDOM
MAN: So there could be 11 demo songs in addition to a 10 song new CD?
Is there a Label address to post to?
MIKE RANDLE: Very soon.
FREEDOM
MAN: Ok. Well, I hope this interview answers any questions that people
may have!