by Brad Rose

Dave: We both had previous music endeavors came to their respective halts, and agreed it was time for something fresh. We were striving for a new approach to appreciating and sharing music other than just going to shows and buying records. At the time, I knew few people who were into underground and experimental music. Ian and I share an admiration for similar sounds, so starting a label allowed our tastes to be put to good use. To me, labels now function like a smaller, artistic endeavor that—if done carefully—embody a larger creative idea. At least we like to think of ourselves as being creative with our curating of artists on the roster.

Ian: I think initially we came up the idea of starting out with a compilation of artists we were really digging on at the time. I know....extremely original idea right? Dave had been to one of the Non-Events in Boston that had Tim Hecker, Geoff Mullen and the fun years sharing the bill. He was going on and on about how great the whole show was and especially the fun years set and how blown away he was....having never heard them before. I downloaded the set from their(the fun years') website and concurred....the fun years were truly a force to be reckoned with and must have their music brought to a wider audience. So, in a way....we can almost say that this one show became a catalyst for Barge's output thus far. We have since released 2 records by the fun years, a double LP from Geoff Mullen and Tim Hecker (as well as the fun years and Geoff Mullen) appeared on the above mentioned compilation that would eventually become our first release called Innature.

Ian: We like the way it sounds, and looks. We were batting around names, some of the ones we came up with were pretty bad, and should not be repeated. Barge just kinda clicked for us both. We've both been really good about coming to a common agreement about every creative decision that has been made... very democratic like.

Dave: Yeah, I just liked the way it sounded. The word is barely poetic, but it evokes something visual for me... charming to imagine a giant barge traveling down a river with boxes of dusty Barge LP's stowed away in a crate inside.

Dave: When I hear our newest release for the first time, I'm reminded that not everything has been done musically, and that there are still sounds which remain unheard. That's refreshing, to be responsible for making that unheard idea available to people. I remember hearing Geoff Mullen's "Armory Radio" for the first time, and being completely blown away. I was thinking "wow, we get to release this!?"

Ian: I echo Dave's sentiments here. Also, I truly feel blessed to work with such incredibly creative talents of the likes we've been able to deal with. Not only are they just astounding musicians but amazing, funny and intelligent people to boot! Nothing beats that. I think we really try our best to match them with our business ethics, production, marketing...etc....ya know what labels do. We try to really do justice to their work and their persons because we really care about this music and the fact that these people take time out of their busy lives to make this music. It gives us great pleasure to be even a small part of that process.... to act as the gift wrap ...so to speak.

Dave: Well, there are soooo many labels out there now, more so than musicians it seems. Not to sound competitive, but it's much more difficult for a grassroots label to develop an identity because of this. I think we've been able to establish some identity, but it's been a slow process for sure. Also, keeping on the radar can be a little tough with a slower output. It's tough to be memorable label when you only release 2-3 titles a year. This isn't a popularity contest thing though; we have a small and loyal niche which we're honored to get music out to.

Ian: I know it's probably a common answer but money. Keeping track of dough is critical. Neither Dave nor myself are independently wealthy and so any money we spend on this label comes out of our own hard earned kitties. So, selling at least a few of each release....enough to produce the next becomes all important and can sometimes be a hard job especially in a market as we exist in today. This definitely aint the 90's.....

Dave: Jan Jelinek. I would love to release a vinyl EP, a nice 10" or something. His last 2 releases are beautiful, genius electronic music in my opinion. He only releases quality stuff, an ethic we strive for!

Ian: I'd love for us to branch out a bit into the "rock" world. I've really been digging music by Sic Alps, Tyvek, Crystal Stilts...ya know this kinda druggy new jack pop-garage thing. I think it would be fun to do a couple records in this vein. Punk and post-punk are the reason why I have an obsession with strange music in the first place.....so I've always been open to releasing this kind of music. Dave and I have batted around the idea of starting a reissue subsidiary to Barge where we could release obscure records that we dig....Suburban Lawns, The Girls, or this Boston band from the 60's called Dry Ice.

Dave: Send us music and we'll listen to it. If we like it, we might put it out. So far, we've gotten some great demos from all over the world, but deciding to release it is something intuitive, not just a an appreciation for someone's hard work.

Ian: answered above.

Dave: We have a new vinyl release in November, Bird Show's self-titled album, which we're extremely excited to release. Kranky released it digitally and on CD, so it's nice to do something alongside a label we've always admired. Beyond that, we're keeping our ears open for new music, so keep the demos comin'.

Ian: Maybe an Animal Hospital full length.....?

Dave: Well, I can't seem to get enough of the GAS boxset and limited vinyl version with the extended tracks. I don't think I'll ever get sick of GAS, ever. Other than that, maybe the newest Grouper album on Type records.

Ian: I have to agree on the Gas box...so glad they finally did that. Sic Alps / U.S. EZ, Robert Wyatt / Comicopera got a lot of play on my turntable....great record to be sad with. I also really liked James Jackson Toth's "pop" offering "Waiting In Vein". There are some great songs on there and I think that record unfortunately went kinda unnoticed. Can I say the fun years - baby, it's cold inside?.....I play that album an awful lot.

Dave: Please keep buying music, even in the toughest of financial times.. even if it's one record a month. I know too many people, collectors even, who now settle for shitty MP3's on their iPods as their new music libraries. What a bum out! You really think the Jesus Lizard was meant to be listened to at 192 kbps?

Ian: I couldnt agree more. Buy more LPs...they are truly archival and will at least retain a portion of their value. MP3s are often free for a reason....cuz they sound like doo doo!