Advanced Perspective

AP started in 2015, yeah?

Yeah, 2015. Should’ve been 2014, but things fell through as so often they do. 2015 was a lot of regrouping even though it didn’t really exist yet.

Was AP #1 the Give "Brand New Flag" VHS and how did that come together?

Yes - the Brand New Flag VHS was the first project that was fully completed under the AP umbrella. I had a lot of ideas prior but things just weren’t working out. Meeting John helped, he’s a very consistent guy. I brought up the idea to him after I filmed his band, GIVE, a few times on that California tour. And he followed through by emailing me when he got back home. Sort of jump started things. After that it just felt like an endless well we could pull ideas from.

You recently dropped the Diztort EP. How has the reaction been to that so far?

The Diztort record is doing great and topped any expectations I had for it (I do believe in everything we do but I never want to assume). It’s our first record and I’m really proud of the entire process and excited to hold the thing in my hands - at the time of this interview, the covers haven’t even arrived yet. I’m eager.

My favourite AP release may be the Substance "For the Sake Of.." CS, Crippled Youth cover into a live Bold cover is a big move. Do you have a certain release that means the most to you?

They all mean so much to me and I can think back to any one of them and feel like we’ve grown after it- i think that’s important. I can’t really pick so I’m going to just go with the first one that comes to mind as I’m typing this - I’m going to go with a photo collage zine I made in 2017. It was ADV number 7 or 8.. I can’t even remember. I’ll have to look after answering this. It’s called “All Flowers in Time Bend Towards the Sun” But what I really liked about that release was asking people to mail/write in physically for it as opposed to just buying it through a web link. I asked for non-monetary forms of payment or $7 if they really wanted to. I think only one person actually sent money. 

But I received a lot of cool things from people.  Handmade things, trinkets, creative outputs of theirs, letters - personal things. I felt really connected with every person that went out of their way to send me something and I think there’s a special sentiment in the way I went about that. I worked on that project through a month of nights. I would just do one page every so often. Every zine was unique and especially for whichever person it was for. I asked them not to share it online etc. I think about 30-40 copies are actually in circulation. Not much to most but enough for me. 

I read somewhere that you don't consider AP a record label per se as you've been able to put out stuff across a variety of mediums. How would you describe AP to the uninformed?

This is a question I get asked a lot and I have a hard time trying to answer it every time. I feel like I always give the same one. So I’m going to tap into one of my good special friends, Daniel Darrah, who pretty much runs this hot air balloon with me, to answer this.  -

““Label” is too restrictive a term. AP is interested in ideas, projects— moments where people’s imagination takes over— and wants to invest in bringing those things to life. Just this morning Marco said to me, “I don’t care about making the money back, I just want it to exist.” And that’s the philosophy, really. That’s what we try to put into practice— here’s an idea, we like it, let’s ensure its creation and survival and dissemination. Sometimes it’s a record, other times it’s video, a zine. I’m not sure what you’d call an organization like that. But, truthfully, I don’t think we feel any real desire to resolve that problem.”

What are some current bands you're digging / would like to work with in the future?

I pretty much like every band on our roster. I think they reflect our taste perfectly. But I’m always attracted to new and interesting things.

It must rule to have Programme as a local venue, what have been some of your favourite shows there?

Programme definitely has a spotlight. It’s become a haven for young bands and people trying to book shows - cool location, and no having to deal with actual club dickheads. There’s an equally cool spot in the high desert that just popped up not too long ago. It’s run by my friend Julio and another person. I recently had GIVE play there on their last west coast strut and I was really happy with the turnout - felt like every person there was young and no cool guy flexing attitudes whatsoever. Just youth needing a release.  You can find them on Instagram and inquire there if whoever is reading this ever needs a California show - @c47diy. I highly advise playing there. Really special.

Shout Outs  / Final Words

Thank you for the interview. I really appreciate the interest.