HMTV Canada: Hi Brad, how are you doing? I understand it’s been a
busy year so far for Cyclone Records.
Brad: This has been by far the busiest year for Cyclone
Records. In the
first year, it was all about establishing our name in the
industry and
developing a reputation for integrity and hard work. In our second year, we
moved on to build the infrastructure through developing
contacts in all
aspects of the business and securing distribution agreements
for our artists
here, abroad and online.
Now, in our third year, we can be more selective
about the artists we work with. Through the reputation we
are building, we are attracting more and more internationally
known artists that are interested in working with us. This is the greatest
accomplishment, the greatest compliment and the greatest
reward for
everything we have put into the label thus far.
HMTV Canada: Brad can
you elaborate about Cyclone Records a brief
history of your record company?
Brad: Cyclone Records
was founded in 1986 but truly began in early 2005 as
a means for unsigned artists to be heard through regionally
specific
compilation CDs. Our
first several releases covered compilations of artists
in the folk/country, rock and metal genres. Then, having worked with about
40 or so of those artists, we began to see which ones truly
shone and had
the type of business sense and vision that we were looking
for. From that
came bands such as Wormbox and Creature Republic. The music business being
what it is today, required us to don many hats so we do a
wide variety of
services for bands in the roster and otherwise such as CD
manufacturing,
graphic design, web design, record production, photography,
distribution,
promotion. As the
industry changes, we will have to continually reinvent
ourselves if we want to stay current and provide value added
services to our
HMTV Canada: What s
it like running your label?
Brad: Surprisingly, this is the toughest question you have
asked. I think
because there is no specific answer every day is a totally
different one
from the day before it.
And that is what makes this job so amazing. Most of
what I do is via computer from sourcing artists,
communicating with them,
producing their records, getting copies pressed, promoting
them, etc. I love
the variety and am always anxious to check my email every
day as it is a good
meter as to how I am doing. The other upside is I get to rub
shoulders with
many of the artists whom I have idolized over the years and
who inspired me to
get into the music business initially. Many are now my close friends and
have helped me along the way. A great example of this at
work is my recent
signing of Steve Negus of the prog rock band Saga. I have always respected
Steve s drumming and was inspired by him in the early days
when I was
learning to drum myself.
HMTV Canada: Cyclone
Records is different than any other record
company a "Promotion With A Twist". Brad how do promote your Musical Artist
and what do you have to offer for new unsigned independent
bands?
Brad: Firstly, we don t focus on geographic boundaries. Most labels tend to
work an artist in their own locale and then expand
outwards. Our focus is
international. Canada
represents 2% of the international market and CD
sales dropped another 35% last year in Canada. It is not practical to expend
our efforts on something that is not going to give us the
largest return.
Also, bands will typically be working in their own cities
and towns and will
support and build their local fan base through live
shows. We promote
artists through whatever we feel is the best, most effective
and most wide
reaching means. We
always try to stay on the leading edge of trends and
technologies and therefore prefer online
interviews/features/reviews as
opposed to print, podcasts as opposed to terrestrial radio
and more and more
so, online retailers as opposed to physical CD sales.
HMTV Canada: One
Artist's that caught my interest in your list is
Holly Woods how did you meet Holly of Holly Woods the former
Toronto Band?
Brad: It’s an interesting twist how this project came
together. I knew Scott
Kreyer back in the early 80s when he was keyboardist for the
band Toronto
and he worked on producing a band I was in at the time. After Toronto
disbanded, Scott moved to the US in about 1985 or so and we
lost touch.
Periodically, I'd try and find Scott to see how things were
with him but
never had much luck.
Then just before Christmas 2006, I found Scott on
MySpace.com and we began talking about what we've been up to
over the past
20 odd years. When I
mentioned that I run Cyclone Records, he mentioned the
album that he and Holly Woods had recorded in 1986 after
Toronto had split
but had never been able to release. So, after numerous emails, phone calls
and a few meetings in Niagara Falls and upstate New York, we
were able to
reach an agreement. I was always a big fan of Toronto and am
honored to be
part of bringing this part of Holly to the world.
HMTV Canada: Toronto
was one of my favorite bands growing up as a
kid my friends and I would turn up Q107 Radio when they
aired Your Daddy
Don't Know Track.
What happened to the original band Toronto? Who were
the band members and Toronto's record label back then?
Holly: The band broke up in early 1985. Band members were:
Brian Allen
Allen-lead/rhythm guitar/songwriter, Sheron Alton
lead/rhythm
guitar/songwriter, Scott Kreyer-keyboards/songwriter, Gary
LaLonde-bass
guitar, Barry Connors-drums, and ME, Holly Woods-lead
vocals/songwriter.
The record label was Solid Gold Records.
HMTV Canada: Holly's
what were your musical influences with your
Toronto band and your musical influences with your new
project?
Holly: My influences run the gamut from blues to jazz to
rock to fusion.
HMTV Canada: Have
these influences changed with the project? Who
are the current band members in Holly Woods?
Holly: In the studio,
there was Scott Kreyer and a bunch of session
musicians. Band
members change with each tour. My influences change and
broaden every day.
HMTV Canada: Holly
I'm curious who had written the songs for your
former Toronto Band in the past and the new Holly
Woods?
Holly: Brian Allen was the principal songwriter, but Scott
Kreyer, Sheron
Alton, and myself wrote many of our songs as well. For our
new project,
Scott Kreyer and I write the material.
HMTV Canada: What are the main themes or inspiration for
most of
your songs? Holly do you ever write lyrics based on personal
experiences,
inspirations, worst experiences while performing or
travelling as a band?
Holly: My inspirations are from everything I have witnessed,
or have lived
through, as it is with Scott Kreyer as well.
HMTV Canada: Are you a member of any music organizations?
Holly do
you have a main website where the fans can access your
former band Toronto
and your new project?
Holly: www.cyclonerecords.ca.
Just Google "TORONTO" or "Holly Woods and
Toronto" for any other sites. Both
Scott and I are members of SOCAN (the Society of Authors and
Composers) that
administer our performing rights royalties.
HMTV Canada: Holly according to your bio in 1986 the new
album by
Holly Woods never saw the light of day can you elaborate on
this at that
time what were the challenges Holly Woods experienced?
Holly: The record company, Solid Gold Records, had gone
bankrupt, so the new
project could not get any attention from other record
companies, for fear of
the bankruptcy red tape that surrounded myself and Scott
Kreyer. In 2006,
Scott got together with Brad Trew of Cyclone records, and
together they put
together a plan to release the songs we had in the vault
from 1986. Now it's
here!
HMTV Canada: Do Holly Woods have any remixes or are working
on any
at the moment? Compilation experiences good or bad
ones?
Holly: Not as this time, but we have plans for the near
future to continue
our songwriting collaboration. There is also some talk of a
karaoke version
of the album as a treat for my really dedicated fans.
HMTV Canada: Just curious Holly how did promote your Toronto
band
through the media back in the day when you started out in
your music career?
Holly: That was all handled by the management and the record
company in
those days. Of course, the internet was not around so
everything was done in
the traditional sense of sending out albums to radio
stations, and sending
out press kits to newspapers and magazines. A lot of it was done by our management spending hours upon hours every day on the phone.
HMTV Canada: Holly what do you think of the Internet today
as a
means of promoting your band Holly Woods? Does the band find
the internet an
effective marketing tool?
Holly: The internet is great. I feel closer to the fans
because I can catch
up with everyone in just a second via e mail or instant
message. It has
bridged the distance gap for our fans all over the
world...IT's GREAT!!
HMTV Canada: Have you performed any live shows or have any
upcoming
music venues?
Holly: All plans are in the process of getting the proper
venues, the best
players and the very best tour dates we can possibly bring
together for a
successful New Year!!!
There have been some opportunities so far but we
are not entertaining any ideas that don t fit best with the
band and what we
hope to achieve from the tour.
HMTV Canada: Holly In the past what has been your favorite
and
least favorite music venues?
Holly: I love them all because the fans are so great, but
the older theatres
are closest to my heart. The acoustics are great because
they were built for
live entertainment.
HMTV Canada: Holly what do you like about today s music
scene in
Canada and do you have a favorite of music genre you listen
to frequently?
Holly: The music scene is always top notch in Canada. It’s
always encouraging
to see local artists continue on and find success
internationally. I adore
the blues, but I try to keep my mind open and listen to most
everything I
can.
HMTV Canada: What are some of the highlights of Holly Woods
"Live
it Up” where can the fans access the CD?
Holly: I love the entire CD, and you can order it and get
info at
www.myspace/hollywoodstoronto or www.cyclonerecords.ca.
There is also
distribution to stores across North America, the UK and
Europe and tons of
online retail outlets such as iTunes, Napster, eMusic, etc.
HMTV Canada Tina: 20. Can we request Holly Woods music on
our local radio
station Q 107?
Holly: Sure!
HMTV Canada: Holly, what are your hopes in the future?
Holly: More recording, songwriting, and touring!
HMTV Canada: How do you like our music site at
www.hollywoodmusic.tv?
Holly: I love it!
HMTV Canada: Holly What advice can provide for young female
fronted
bands that wish to form their own bands in the Canadian
Music Scene today?
Holly: STAY FOCUSED.
And love what you do it will come through in your
music. The industry
has changed so much and is much more accepting of
female vocalists so there is no time like the present.
HMTV Canada: Before
we close off our online interview. Holly
is
there any one that you would like to acknowledge or any last
words?
Holly: Definitely my fans everywhere. I love you all. Also, Scott and Brad
for bringing this album to life after so long. Lastly, have a wonderful
Christmas and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR, and don't forget to
LIVE IT UP!!!
Thank you, Brad and Holly, for taking the time to complete
HMTV Canada's
Online Ezine Interview. You Rock.
Hollywood Music TV Canada Tina
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