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LIBERATORS OF METALI contacted Kirsten Hobbensiefken from German’s music label ‘’Stf’’ records which released series of excellent metal albums. In words below Kirsten and I have talked about happening in label, hers toughts about current scene, work with their bands and such. Kirsten was very kind and opened interlocutor, as her answers were very interesting and informative. I hope you’ll enjoy in interview. I wish all the best to Kirsten and rest of ‘’STF’’ crew in their further work.
Hello, can you tell us when did STF label established and why you did choose to concentrate exclusively on metal and rock music? Also, what STF means? STF Records has been established in 1998. In the beginning all music genres were admitted to the label but after a while we decided to concentrate mainly on metal and rock music. We have much experience in this field also because we used to be part of a metal band ourselves. However, our second label Native Records still signs musicians of all genres. STF means Set Them Free. In your catalogue you have dozen of underground and new names, but also, you have some well established performers like Dave Evans is, or as Raven and Wild Champagne are, so, under which terms, or to be precise, what gets you’re attention, or what you spot as interesting about some band or performer to offer him a record deal? In the beginning only newcomers were signed but pretty fast we expanded and also well known bands asked for a contract with STF. It is important for the bands to be innovative and different from others. They need to be distinguishable, unique and special to be really interesting. The bands have to be ready to work hard for their success and put all of their heart in the music. Finally, we only sign bands that we feel comfortable with on a personal basis. On which fields of promotions STF acts? Do you just release records, or do you covering the bands live promotions, video shooting and such? Because we mostly offer contracts for tape transfer we release and promote the CDs. The promotion campaign is one of the key factors for the success of a band and therefore we advertise our releases very thoroughly; mainly in cooperation with the music magazines and radio stations. We have already done videos with our bands but usually the bands take care of that themselves. To support our bands with their live performances we also introduce and promote them to all relevant booking agencies. How hard is for you to functioning among big amount of record labels, as metal community growing, normally that new labels will popping up also, where do you see yourself out there? Actually it is not that hard because we successfully sign many newcomer bands and not only popular bands like most of the other labels. We fill a good niche in the market and have earned a good name over the years. Do you have the bands which are main and prior in your catalogue? I mean, in terms you spent most of time on their promotion? No we don't have bands with priority in our catalogue. Every band is treated equally and will be promoted with the same diligence. Are you satisfied with selling points of your records, and how do you dealing with piracy? Because of our long experience in the business we sell much better than many other labels with newcomer bands. We are satisfied with the sales but of course you always wish to improve and sell even more. Generally it is difficult to deal with illegal downloading. However, we do as much as we can to protect the copyright. For example when one of our releases is uploaded on Youtube illegally it will be reported and removed immediately. How much hard is for one label to functioning in normal way for today’s way of living? Theres much p2p sharing, illegal download and such, of course, economical situation of most of people isn’t so bright like 15-20 years ago. It is very important to adapt to the trends and changes in the market and therefore we constantly search for ways to improve our strategy and for new opportunities to sell our music. We offer our releases digitally and physically and in our STF-Shop the CDs can be purchased for very low prices. In order to be successful in today's music business it is essential to be flexible and adaptable. Another important factor are the live performances of the bands because they create great chances to convince the fans to buy a CD. A beautiful and striking artwork is a significant advantage to get the fan's attention and to give him or her another good reason to buy the CD. Some labels like Metal Blade or Massacre records are giving Ipool credits to journalists as prevent of piracy and illegal download, but on the other side, it seems that stuff like that are killing the true aura of reviewing the record in its entirety (to have view into the booklet layout, real sound of record)&and for you, as you are sending promo cds to zines and magazines, does that makes big expenses to you (at least, for the printing costs and such), or you havent problem with that? No, we don't have a problem with that because we also think that it is very important that the journalist gets the original CD with a high quality sound and the possibility skim through the booklet instead of sending them mp3s with a much lower sound quality. The CD booklets especially help newcomers to gain more popularity. Also, did you ever offered contract to some bigger names of metal and rock scene, but they refused it, and are there any stories in life of STF of that kind? Quite a few popular metal bands have asked us for a record deal and in the end we have declined for example because their licences were too expensive. Many bands estimate their market value too high and demand a price for their licenses that barely any label is willing to pay. As I mentioned at beginning, you have old wolf like Dave Evans among your performers, can you tell me how you did you get him under your wings, and are you satisfied to have the man that practically started the history of AC/DC? Dave was looking for a European label and has heard about us abroad. So he contacted us and we decided to sign him to our label. We never had any problems with Dave and we are happy to work with him. From your point of view as a record label, whats really going on between the bands and labels when they break the contract? Most of the bands are talking that labels are those that oppressing them, then that labels are greed machine and that they havent freedom of creativity. But on the other side labels doesnt speak much, or at all about it. What you think, wheres the truth? We don't oppress our bands in any way but work closely together with them. Of course the bands keep their freedom and individuality because this is exactly what makes a band special. At our label they have a great influence in the planning of the promotion and release of of their albums and there are always many meetings and conversations especially during the planning stage. So far the breach of a contract has never happend at STF because our contracts are adapted to each band individually. In case there are any problems we will talk openly about it and find solutions. What about artists that doing covers for the bands albums, are you searching for the art-workers, or thats up to band to decide whom theyll take? I noticed that most of your artists have 3d based covers. It is up to the bands how to design their CD covers. They can either do it themselves, with their own designers or with the help of our designers. It is their choice. As a label, do you affect on some bands direction or sound, live album releasing, video shooting and such, or bands have they hands loosed on those things? When the album is recorded and produced in our studio the sound can be influenced by our producer but not without the argeement of the band. With the videos etc. the bands are free to do whatever they what but of course they are welcome to ask us for advice and take our suggestions into consideration. What new stuff can we expect from STF catalogue? I sow on your site that you have a big load of new releases. Some DVD releases in plan? During the next months there will be several releases. First of all Barons Ball will release their second album with us. Also we have signed new bands such as the Gothic-Symphonic Metal band TBC from Austria, the Rock 'n' Roll band Ginger Red with the ex-singer of Jake Porn and the double formation Fundetta with their self-proclaimed music style „Electrogasm“.At the moment DVD releases are not planned because usually the DVD sales for newcomer bands are very low. But who knows what the future will bring... That would be all for this interview, thanks for your time, and all the best in the future, and of course, take care. Thank you and the same to you! Interview was done by: Vladimir Petković |
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