Alcopop! Records founder Jack Clothier tells MATT AYRES of his releases of CDs, tapes, vinyl records, scarves and frisbees

Hard work, talent and luck are the three ingredients it usually takes to make a living out of music. When Alcopop! Records founder Jack Clothier gambled a small loan from his dad on a football match in 2006, he was fortunate enough to get his share of the latter.

Since then, his talent and enthusiasm for hunting down quality acts and promoting them in original, exciting ways has proved great enough to make his dreams a reality. He now owns a record label that’s brave enough to swim against the current, digitally-dominated market, making physical formats like CDs, tapes and vinyl pressings as appealing now as they were during the pre-MP3 decades.

“I’m not sure that we set out to be different, but we do try to be true to our ideals,” says Jack, a Coventry-born lad who has lived in East Oxford for the past seven years. “That means regaining the joy of the aesthetics of releases, the physical format, and just having fun with what we put out.”

Of course, Alcopop! aren’t the only ones to have embraced the vinyl comeback, and last Saturday saw the first ever International Cassette Day occur – clearly, physical releases still have their place. But what makes this label unique is its willingness to go one step further.

“We’ve gained something of a reputation for putting singles and EPs out on obscure formats, like frisbees, watches and scarves,” Jack explains. These assorted products usually come with MP3 codes for downloading the accompanying music online. “They’re always a lot of effort to put together, but so much fun,” he grins.

“The next one coming up is actually being released via a personalised Alcopop! mountain bike, which is going to be pricey but well worth it.”

It might all sound a bit kooky, but Alcopop! and their band roster  - which currently includes local boys Gunning For Tamar (click link below to listen) are becoming well respected in the industry for embracing innovation over imitation. This was confirmed on September 3, when Jack and his friend Kevin Douch (who assists in running Alcopop! alongside his own indie imprint, Big Scary Monsters) won the coveted title of Best Small Label at this year’s AIM Independent Music Awards.

listen to ‘The Oxford Mail talk about Gunning For Tamar - Yogging (Alcopop! Records)’ on Audioboom

 

 

“Kev and I genuinely couldn’t believe it,” Jack admits. “They announced the winners and everything went a bit floaty… and not just because of the free booze.

“We had our award presented by Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq and Enter Shikari, and then got sent off to a buffet where, in between a load of interviews, we were given all the crisps we could eat. Score!”

We can add snack foods to the list of key assets for a successful small label, then. Does location play a part too? “Oxford is an amazing, vibrant place to be,” enthuses Jack. “I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. We spend a lot of time in London, but I like to see Alcopop! as an Oxford-based label.

“It’s nice to associate our home with such a proud musical city.”

CHECK IT OUT: Discover more about Alcopop! Records and its bands at ilovealcopop.co.uk