Out with the old, in with the new! 2019 Reflections and 2020 Goals!
Hi All,
Long time, no post. Sometimes I forget the label has a blog. Anyways, I just wanted to make a quick post to reflect on 2019 and share some ideas on where the label will be going in 2020.
First, I want to acknowledge all the folks who've supported the label throughout it's very short existence. Without your sharing, listens, or purchases, Useless Plastic Toys wouldn't be able to exist and it definitely wouldn't be as special. Thank you so much for the support!
As for the bands I worked with, I want to give a special shout out to Josh who performs under the names Wild Heart & Restore, Brian/Simian Cyborg, and the lovely folks in Man The Manipulator. Being allowed to play a part in mixing/mastering the music or working on the artwork/design for their releases was a fun and rewarding experience that I hope will continue into 2020 with other Useless Plastic releases.
Now no process is ever perfect in regard to art, let alone releasing it. 2020 I will definitely be improving how I operate in regard to shipping orders out. 2019 I was extremely busy outside of the label and music, but 2020 looks like it'll be more relaxed. My goal is to ship orders out ASAP or in a timely manner. I can't thank you folks enough for your patience and understanding with the long shipping times. As always, I try to make it up for it by including free stuff.
Outside of shipping times, I will be attempting to promote more, which is a scary and anxiety ridden thing for me. Folks can be a little too over the top and aggressive on social media these days, which is a waste of time and energy, but you can't control the negative mind some folks have. You can only hope people get better. Promoting on social media is just a part of how things operate these days in regard to promotion, so I have no choice. Outside of the digital realm, I have a solution for physical promotion and that's just sending ads to labels and bands. I favor the old school way of doing things anyways, so I'm going to move forward with that idea as well.
That's enough about 2019 and just that whole decade in general. Let's jump into 2020 and beyond!
Thanks to you lovely supporting the label monetarily, I was able to upgrade to better equipment for podcasting! Yes, expect some more solo podcasts with me spinning records and giving label updates, also be on the lookout for some rather unique interviews and shows. I'll be rolling out a new one within the next few weeks.
I'm rolling out a Useless Plastic Toys Zine. The goal is to do 4 this year. They're going to feature live photos, interviews, plant based recipes, band/label ads, articles, and whatever else that sounds cool. I'm tossing around the idea of doing a yearly subscription that'll come with a sticker, button, and a shirt to make it something special. If you fine folks want to contribute photos, articles, reviews, art, funny stories, serious stories, anything at all, hit me up at xuselessplastictoysx@gmail.com.
Another goal is to do a benefit compilation tape. I haven't began planning this out yet, so maybe expect something in the spring/summer?
I'm looking forward to what 2020 brings! Again, thank you all for the support. It means a lot!
-Nolan/Useless Plastic Toys.
Long time, no post. Sometimes I forget the label has a blog. Anyways, I just wanted to make a quick post to reflect on 2019 and share some ideas on where the label will be going in 2020.
First, I want to acknowledge all the folks who've supported the label throughout it's very short existence. Without your sharing, listens, or purchases, Useless Plastic Toys wouldn't be able to exist and it definitely wouldn't be as special. Thank you so much for the support!
As for the bands I worked with, I want to give a special shout out to Josh who performs under the names Wild Heart & Restore, Brian/Simian Cyborg, and the lovely folks in Man The Manipulator. Being allowed to play a part in mixing/mastering the music or working on the artwork/design for their releases was a fun and rewarding experience that I hope will continue into 2020 with other Useless Plastic releases.
Now no process is ever perfect in regard to art, let alone releasing it. 2020 I will definitely be improving how I operate in regard to shipping orders out. 2019 I was extremely busy outside of the label and music, but 2020 looks like it'll be more relaxed. My goal is to ship orders out ASAP or in a timely manner. I can't thank you folks enough for your patience and understanding with the long shipping times. As always, I try to make it up for it by including free stuff.
Outside of shipping times, I will be attempting to promote more, which is a scary and anxiety ridden thing for me. Folks can be a little too over the top and aggressive on social media these days, which is a waste of time and energy, but you can't control the negative mind some folks have. You can only hope people get better. Promoting on social media is just a part of how things operate these days in regard to promotion, so I have no choice. Outside of the digital realm, I have a solution for physical promotion and that's just sending ads to labels and bands. I favor the old school way of doing things anyways, so I'm going to move forward with that idea as well.
That's enough about 2019 and just that whole decade in general. Let's jump into 2020 and beyond!
Thanks to you lovely supporting the label monetarily, I was able to upgrade to better equipment for podcasting! Yes, expect some more solo podcasts with me spinning records and giving label updates, also be on the lookout for some rather unique interviews and shows. I'll be rolling out a new one within the next few weeks.
I'm rolling out a Useless Plastic Toys Zine. The goal is to do 4 this year. They're going to feature live photos, interviews, plant based recipes, band/label ads, articles, and whatever else that sounds cool. I'm tossing around the idea of doing a yearly subscription that'll come with a sticker, button, and a shirt to make it something special. If you fine folks want to contribute photos, articles, reviews, art, funny stories, serious stories, anything at all, hit me up at xuselessplastictoysx@gmail.com.
Another goal is to do a benefit compilation tape. I haven't began planning this out yet, so maybe expect something in the spring/summer?
I'm looking forward to what 2020 brings! Again, thank you all for the support. It means a lot!
-Nolan/Useless Plastic Toys.