Two and a Half Questions with Akatombo

Tell us about your label, Hand-Held Recordings
HHR was set up about a year ago. Presently, it's main function is to release Akatombo recordings, and hopefully, in the not too distant future, recordings from other artists & projects that I think deserve a wider audience. The label's ethos is, literally, a genre-free zone - anything goes, if it's good.

Let's talk about album presentation for a bit. What are your thoughts on packaging?
I think that in these very tough times, music sales-wise, packaging is a very important part in attracting potential customers. My feelings are that each Akatombo release should be as special as possible; the packaging for each album should be as enticing and intriguing as I can conjure up & put together. With "Unconfirmed Reports" I spent almost as much time on the packaging as I did on the recording. It's THAT important. The overall aesthetic of each release from the outer sleeve right through to the label design are of paramount importance. It doesn't take too much effort to source the most suitable printers, stationery suppliers, etc., once you set your mind to it.

In the 80's, you used to be in the punk rock scene, is that right? What was your transition into electronic music?
Yes, I played in a few punk bands & released a few records back in the early 80's .... fun times! However, ever since my mid-teens I also listened to a lot of early electronic music from the likes of Cabaret Voltaire, Suicide, Brian Eno and the like. So, it wasn't as difficult as it might have been to switch genres. Even when I was listening to a lot of guitar-based groups, I was also listening to experimental bands like Zoviet France & early Chrome too.


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Read the entire interview on Headphone Commute

See also Headphone Commute review of Unconfirmed Reports