The World Forgot

A couple of weeks ago I was emailed an interview by Record of the Day. I’m fairly confident in assuming that most of you don’t read their e-mag, so I’ve included the questions and answers here for your reading pleasure.

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Where are you based? - Currently I blog out of northern Indiana in the States although for about a year I was maintaining the blog from China.

What made you start an mp3 blog? - I’ve always been passionate about music and this passion has always led me to share my favorite bands with my friends. Starting an mp3 blog allowed me to share this passion with more people at a time.

Who are your favourite three artists? - Right now my favourite three artists would have to be Cloud Cult, The Weakerthans, and The National.

Please pick just one artist as a tip to break through in 2008 - If there’s one artist that could potentially break during the next nine months I would go with Wakey!Wakey!

Is there a band or track that you were first to feature in the blogosphere that you are particularly proud of? - I’m particularly fond of Zach Williams who is currently based out of New York City. As far as I know I’m the only blogger to ever write about him.

What’s your day job? - Currently I work as a substitute teacher.

What would be your dream job in music? - My dream job in the music industry would be to work for a magazine such as Paste {or for a music promotions gig such as Chop Shop}.

Do you make any money from the blog or do you have any plans to try and make money? - Although I do have advertisements on my blog they only generate income when someone actually purchases a product through those links. As of right now I don’t even make enough money to pay my web hosting bills each month.

Do you still go to record stores and buy vinyl/CDs? - I enjoy record stores that have vinyl due to the nostalgia factor but I can’t justify spending money on a CD that I will immediately rip onto my computer and then store away in the corner with all the other unused CDs.

Do you post classic tracks or just new music? - I try to maintain at least some classic tracks on The World Forgot. Basically I blog about whatever I find to be particularly appealing to me at the moment I sit down to write regardless as to when the track was recorded.

Do you post links to iTunes, Amazon or any other store? - I have links to buy music from iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby on every single post I put on the web as long as that particular artist is available from those retailers.

Do you only post music that has been sent to you by the band or their representative? - No, although when I can I work as closely as possible with an artist or their representative to get permission. I do however only post music that I think will interest people in new musicians.

If you received a leaked album by your favourite band way ahead of release date, would you post it? - I would never knowingly post a leaked album before it’s release date. Sometimes I receive an album ahead of the actual release for promotion and review purposes and in that case I post a track or two.

Do you ever post music you don’t like? - I try not to. I attempt to only post about music that I actually enjoy.

Have you been threatened with legal action at any point? Or asked to remove tracks by artists or their representatives? Do you comply? - Only once have I ever been asked to remove a track by a label representing an artist. I complied as soon as I possibly could after reading their email.

Anything to add about your policy for posting music? - I only post music so that new fans can be made for the artist I’m talking about.

What are your favourite mp3 blogs? - You Ain’t No Picasso, Cable & Tweed, Who Killed the Mixtape, and Good Weather for Airstrikes are currently on my short list for favorite blog.

Do you read traditional music magazines and papers? Which ones? - I read Paste every month and occasionally Spin and Rolling Stone.

How much influence do you think you have? Is your influence growing? Any examples of artists you feel you’ve really helped break? - I have a bunch of emails and a massive list of comments that declare I’ve helped open the ears of some of my readers. I like to think I have an influence on those who read my blog, but I’m not sure if I’m as persuasive as the artists songs can be. I’m confident that the longer I maintain my blog, I’m almost to two full years now, my influence will continue to grow.

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