CRASIER FRANE: Läjä Records Interview

Mr. Mozine, owner of Läjä Records, took part in an e-mail interview with the Crasier Frane show about his label. Check it out below.

Is it right that Läjä Records is ten years old?

Yep. I started with this many years ago, and I hope to stay with it for 10 years or more. It’s fucking hard nowadays: CDs are simply not selling, but we keep trying, making it for fun and as a hobby and not for money, but if you wanna send me lots of money that’s good!

How did it all get started?

I decided to start it to release my own band, Mukeka di Rato. But before I pressed the Mukeka di Rato CD, I made CDs for other bands. So I decided to make stuff for other good bands that I like and my friend's bands, and my own projects.

Why did you decide you wanted to start a record label?

I think I answered this with the last question, the main reason was to release my own projects, including Mukeka di Rato, but after this I decided make a label to put the bands I like.

Was it hard to get things going?

Nowadays, I have terrible problems selling CDs. Nothing really sells, but I look for new alternatives like splitting releases with other labels and stuff. But distros are getting smaller or closing, and now CD stores too. It’s hard nowadays.

What was the first band you released material by?

Gritos de Odio (from Brasil) and TPM, also from Brasil. After this I made the Mukeka di Rato Gaiola CD, and many other bands

How do you usually go about releasing a record?

If I play in the band, if it’s my friends band, if it’s some band I really like. I like all the bands on Läjä, not because it’s on my label, but because I just release things I like. Sometimes metal bands, who are really hyped and famous ask me to release their material, I know it sells, but I prefer not to. I prefer to release only what I like.

Has the internet changed the way Läjä works?

Some things gets faster and easier, like talking to you now, sending songs for people to put on radio shows, myspace help etc. But many people get free mp3s and maybe it also helps to not sell CDs. But it’s too complex to talk in English for me, I'm sorry, because I don’t think CDs not selling is only about mp3s: it’s something changing in the whole world.

How do you feel about copyright and piracy?

I don’t give a fuck about copyright. But sure, I don’t like bootleg stuff, for example, free mp3s on the internet is bad for CD selling. But I'm not against it. It’s hard for me to explain in English.

Have you ever had legal trouble with your label?

No, and I hope never have. It’s a completely illegal job: I don’t pay taxes; I don’t have contract with the bands in Läjä records. It’s all in friendly conversation

Do you have a favourite release that you have put out so far?

Mukeka di Rato - Gaiola

Discarga - Musica pra Guerra

Os Estudantes

Leptospirose – Mula Poney

Los Canos