Clamarama Records
An interview with founders Jay Allen and Kerry Murphy
by Scott Hefflon
What made you want to start a record label?
Kerry: I’d wanted to start one for a while. Working at an independent label (Rounder) gives you a lot of perspective as to the ins and outs of how it works. I also wanted the control, and not to have to work for someone else.
Jay: For my half, I was looking for an avenue for my band, Bosley. I wanted to put out a record myself, but I wanted to do it right. I didn’t want to print 1,000 records and have 800 left in my closet for the rest of my life. Now I’ve printed 3,000 records, but I have someone else’s closet to put them in.
Why don’t you do a band by band?
Jay: Evan from The Nines has been one of my closest friends for a long, long time. That was an easy choice. The Prime Movers was one of my favorite bands many, many years ago. When they talked about getting back together, I sensed an opportunity to put our label on the map right away. We got them into the studio and they recorded a few new songs. I didn’t want them viewed as an old-timers thing. They really wanted to get back together for real and start working on new songs, recording, playing live…
Any difficulties starting out with 7″s, as opposed to a CD EP or compilation?
Jay: We’d thought about doing a compilation, but it wasn’t really what we wanted to do. While I like singles, unfortunately, vinyl isn’t very widely distributed. It’s an extremely niche market. I’m not a vinyl purist, but I think they have something… If one of the bands gets signed and moves on, that’s great. I’d like to be thought of as the label that put out their single.
Are you going to stick to just Boston bands?
Jay: It’s easier to work with them, definitely. I like to see a band live and really get a feel for their chemistry before I invest my time, energy, and money. Long-term, I’d like to work with bands from everywhere.
If you had to stick within a genre, what kind of label are you working to build?
Kerry: Definitely song-based. We both lean toward the pop thing.
Jay: Also, bands that have a sort of garagey, or punky feel. While The Nines are often thought of as a garage band because at one point they had the look and the sound, I think this single is very power-pop. It’s the song that counts. Good songs always sell.
Is this a full-time job for either of you?
Kerry: I’m a tour publicist for Rounder, so I do most of the Clamarama work in the evening. Most fanzines are in the same situation I’m in, so I can usually reach them. We have some good friends that help with the radio stuff. Some good, unemployed friends.
Jay: I don’t have a huge amount of capital to invest all at once, but this is a good business to start off small and build slowly. I sell wine. That’s my job. I also like to make and sell records. That’s what I want to do.
What other bands will you be working with?
Jay: We’re putting out a 7″ by The Gnats in the Spring, our first CD EP by The Nines, and also an 8 Ball Shifter CD.
