By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Friday, May 4, 2018
I was recently hipped to the independent record label Sniffling Indie Kids, based out of New Jersey. One of their supporters e-mailed me their current roster and links to the music, and I was sincerely impressed. Wanting to know more about this label and how it started, I reached out to founders Eric, Frank, and Joe, and they were gracious enough to answer my questions.
When was Sniffling Indie Kids founded?
Sniffling Indie Kids was founded in October 2014. Our first release was Space Jamz: 5 Bands, 1 Practice Space. It was a compilation of the five bands who shared our practice space in Clifton, NJ, each contributing a song that wasn't available on any other release. The label was founded in order to put out our own music and some of our friend's music under one banner. Frank, Joe, and I have all been actively involved in bands since we were kids and that will continue probably forever. The label has grown organically from that original goal. We've released a lot of music since then, music that we truly believe is some of the best indie rock to come out in the past few years, even if it doesn't get as much exposure as some of the bigger acts around.
What was your initial mission statement?
Frank came up with the tagline "Tunes You Should Know from Yesterday's Tomorrow," which is just a roundabout way of saying music you should be listening to right now. Music, like all things, is in a constant state of change. Bands change and breakup. If you like something, you should support it now because if it is still there tomorrow or next year, it'll inevitably be different than what it is right now.
Who is on your roster?
Mostly New Jersey bands. We're an NJ label so we try to support local music as much as possible. Some records we've released in 2018 include LKFFCT - Cayenne, Haunt Club - Volume One, Secretary Legs - Cool Myths, and Subtitles - Modicum.
What do you do for the bands (i.e. help with touring/press/physical copies, etc.)?
We provide digital and physical distribution (mostly CDs and tapes), radio campaigns, and press support as opportunities arise. We don't promise bands the world and try to keep it realistic. The artists that we work with understand DIY culture and get what we're trying to do.
What do you look for in bands?
All we really look for is the music. If you're making music that the three of us (Joe, Frank, and I) enjoy or we think shows potential, then most likely we'll put it out. If a band wants to work hard to promote it and tour a lot, that is greatly appreciated. If not, we believe in the long run, the recordings are what counts. If the music stands for itself, then that's really all you need to connect with people. Great records can build up recognition over time, even if they are basically ignored upon release.
How can a band submit to be on your label?
They can reach out to us via email or Facebook. At the moment, we're pretty jam-packed with releases plus the three of us work day jobs, but we try to listen to everything that comes through.
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Make sure you check out their roster here, and support this quality, DIY record label.