Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Dragon*Con Q&A with Black Tape for a Blue Girl's Sam Rosenthal
Posted by Chad Radford @ChadRad on Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 11:40 AM
Black Tape for a Blue Girl plays Sat., Sept. 4 in the Marriott Atrium Ballroom at Midnight. Rosenthal will also speak on a panel about the State of the Goth Scene Fri., Sept. 3 at 8:30 PM. The group’s vocalist Athan Maroulis will also appear on a panel titled “Gigs from Hell” on Sat., Sept. 4 at 1 p.m., and on a David Bowie panel discussion on Sun., Sept. 5 at 8:30 p.m.
Since 1986 Black Tape for a Blue Girl has operated under the direction of principle songwriter Sam Rosenthal who runs Projekt Records, one of the country’s longest-standing indie goth labels. For those who are unfamiliar, the group is a progenitor of the ethereal “darkwave” sound, and throughout the ‘90s Black Tape... dwelt in bleak, droning washes of brittle, personal explorations — sort of a dark and dramatic counterpart to the My Bloody Valentines and Cocteau Twins of the world.
Over the last few years the group's lineup has expanded to include a full band, and their latest release, 10 Neurotics embrace more tangible elements of songwriting, that lends itself to a stronger live performance; albeit steeped in sprockety cabaret and deep, dark narratives.
Chad Radford: Is this the first time that Black Tape For A Blue Girl has played Dragon*Con?
Sam RosenthalYes. I have been hearing about Dragon*Con for many years, but this is the first time it has coincided with me having a touring band ready to perform. I am really excited because this year is kind of like "Projektfest South" with Voltaire and WEEP also on the bill.
Most of the Black Tape For A Blue Girl material that I'm familiar with is of an ethereal, drone-based nature (in the vein of The First Pain To Linger, Mesmerized by the Sirens etc.). The new material show a different side of the group, one that probably makes for a more engaging live show, especially for a Dragon*con audience.
You are correct, that we're really not an ethereal band these days. I've created a lot of albums I love in that genre, but I definitely felt like staking out new territory. The new material from10 Neurotics is in a rock / dark cabaret vein. It is meant to be heard and performed live.
What did you want to do differently with 10 Neurotics?
When I started writing these songs, I knew they were a break from the past, but I was really open to that. I feel as a songwriter it is good to take chances and do new things, I feel that my listeners want me to explore, and bring new things to them. So I brought in Brian Viglione (of the Dresden Dolls) to play the drums on 10 Neurotics. He gave, me encouragement to follow my ideas, and see where they would lead. To not be worried by things that would be unexpected, or perhaps a bit shocking to the old audience.
Thematically, I set out to write first person narratives of people on the edges of society. Many of the characters come from the fetish world, but the stories talk about relationships, desires & insecurities. They explore the continuum between the erotic and the neurotic.
Tell Me about the song “Love of the Father.”
Well, I think that "Love of the Father" has some of the best lyrics I've written. I've heard back from people who relate to it. It takes place in two eras of a person's life. One is an 8 year old boy who is jumbling up his abusive father with his disbelief in a holy father who is out there looking over him, protecting him. And the other is the boy as an adult, and where that childhood has led.
Will you have the full lineup in tow, and will you be playing older material in addition to newer songs at Dragon*Con?
Athan Maroulis is my male vocalist, Nicki Jaine is my female vocalist and she plays guitar. I play guitar, keyboard and sing. The songs are primarily from 10 Neurotics and Halo Star, though we do a few old songs, including "Memory, Uncaring Friend" which is the first song off the first album, from 1986.
In addition to the live show you and some other band members will be speaking on a few panels this year, correct?
Yeah, Athan is on the Bowie Panel. I am on one about the State of the Goth Scene. Which makes sense, since I run Projekt, which has been releasing music in the genre for 27 years!
You are the sole owner of Projekt Records, correct?
That's right.
I've always thought of Projekt as a true indie label, in the grand, punk rock sense of the word. When you started the label that was an outsider approach. Now it’s the most viable business models for younger artists. How the label has the label changed over the years, and persevered in a climate where there is so much financial doom and gloom?
Well, the peak period for Projekt (and probably the whole music industry) was around 1997. That's when CDs sold the most. Then the major labels fucked up, by not getting on the digital bandwagon. They spent years suing Napster, instead of starting a download service, which fortunately Apple figured out for us.
However, honestly I cannot complain. Projekt's total $$$ has been very consistent year over year for the last ten years. As physical sales have decreased, legitimate digital sales have increased. Projekt is still here, releasing fantastic music, and connecting directly with the fans. It pays my bills, support myself and my son, and I have two employees. Our fans love what we do, and they keep it moving forward. So there's a lot of doom and gloom in the music industry, but I'm happy with where Projekt is at.
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