804noise Community Meeting Minutes

Meetings are open to the public and held on the first & last Sunday of every month. If you feel like you have something to bring to the table or you just want to see what its all about, please come and participate. [Meeting Minutes]

Sunday April 30, 2006
Present: Wayne, Carol, Kelly, James, Marty, Tim, Adam, Roger, Kenny, Will
Items Discussed:
-The main topic of discussion for the meeting is the opening of the record store space. Carol was kind enough to prepare some information for us which proved to be a huge help. She went over the main benefits of non-profit versus profit, explaining the process for each, and brought examples of necessary paperwork, which is currently housed at the HarmStryker house but can be viewed by anyone at any time. As a quick summary, there are a few things we would need to do in order to operate as a non-profit. First, we need to apply for an EIN--a tax id number--and apply for tax exempt status. We need to keep books, and take meeting minutes, have bylaws (which have to be notarized and voted on) and we would need to have a minimum of four board members, under the following conventional titles: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. These board members will serve a minimum of one two year term. We also need to write up a business plan/mission statement. We will need a business license also. Now, we can establish and operate our space before some of this paperwork is finalized, so the record store isn't such a far off objective.

-The main benefits of establishing the record store as a non-profit are:
--we can accept donations that will be tax-deductible for the giver
--we can apply for grants, which we can use to support new releases, touring bands, shows, etc.
--no one person has to shoulder the responsibility of the business

All information about starting a non-profit is available at the irs.org website.

There are no real benefits to establishing the record store as a business versus a non-profit.

-Tim brought us a recording he'd like to release on 804noise as a limited, we discussed artwork standards and gave him the big thumbs up to go for it!

We also discussed the 804noise fest and voted unanimously to bring Carlos Giffoni and Prurient to perform, which will require between $500-$600 to cover their transportation costs and a fee for each. All of us feel it will be a great thing for the fest and we are all happy to see it happen.

END

-804noise Festival will be held Saturday & Sunday October 14th and 15th this year. We discussed trying to secure Art Works for Saturday and Sunday so that we can try and have a more elaborate event. We discussed the idea of Saturday consisting of workshops and a label showcase, where we would invite a few different record labels for a live show case of their artists. Sunday will be the normal all day extravaganza with 20 or so artists from 12 noon to midnight including the label expo in the adjacent room like last year. As soon as we secure the dates with Art Works we will put the call out for submissions from out of town artists, spots for local artists will probably be first come first serve, and like last year we may have to get creative and collaborate with eachother to fit everyone on the bill.

-Kelly & Kenny announced that they are in the process of opening an all noise and experimental music record store in Richmond. We've found a nice spot and it's cheap, that's all we'll say for now, atleast on this list. We discussed whether or not we should make it a non-profit or a sort of unconventional business. Kelly & Kenny expressed their dis-interest in being business owners, but it would allow more flexibility. They proposed that the store would be establish as a business tentatively named Kinch Records (the sound of metal striking stone - thanks wayne) with a subname of "804noise Records" and that outside of a reasonable salary all profits would go back into the store and 804noise Records so that we can release more records on 804noise and other projects, and so we can host more ambitious events in richmond as well. The store would also not only have a presense on the street but also on the internet whrere a good percentage of sales will probably come from. The store will definitely focus on noise and experimental music, but will specialize in limited edition releases, and some major-independent releases. ie. we wouldn't cary the Wolf Eyes record out on Sub-Pop but we'd carry their harder to find material, old and new. The record label will still be run collectively and input for the store will be encouraged. Meetings would be held at the store, and we will be able to have small in store performances. The hours would be from 5pm - Midnight. Everyone present said they'd be willing to help make this happen anyway they can and would volunteer to look after the store and/or build shelving, computers, etc. Any other support would be appreciated as well. We'll keep you all updated.

-We decided to increase the maximum number of 804noise Ltd. releases to 100 and the minumum to 20, with 20% of the product going to the artists. ie. if one made 100 ltd. cdr's then they would keep 20 copies and the rest would be donated to 804noise. So it now goes like this:

804noise LTD Series. The 804noise LTD series will focus on a limited number of releases hand created exclusively for 804noise as a beneficial act of solidarity to raise funds for future 804noise Record Releases. It also provides an opportunity for local Virginia artists to be heard/seen. 804noise will send copies of your release for review and radio play to a few select magazines and radio stations. All materials for these releases are provided by the artists with the finished product being donated to 804noise. The artist keeps 20% of the copies for themselves. Depending souly on the artist, titles may be limited to no more than 100 and no less than 20 copies. All releases must be completely finished before they are officially released. If you need help assembling your release or need access to supplies, 804noise will do everything we can to help. Once all copies of a particular release are sold-out, and depending on the permissions of the artists, 804noise will make the recording completely free to download. If you're interested in releasing something in this format, bring a mock up of your submission to the next 804noise community meeting.

-On the "looking for venues" front, Roger said he may have a lead on a warehouse space that may allow us to do shows, atleast for the next 90 days. It's slated to be demolished by developers.

***STYLE WEEKLY*** It was discussed that Style hasn't been giving us the kind of press we deserve, and Roger suggested that we call Style when they do not post events in their magazine. Great idea. Style is a doo doo magazine, but it is a way to spread the word. Speaking of spreading the word...

***MYSPACE REPOSTS*** It is VITAL that each of us with an active myspace account repost bulletins about events. Even if you feel that no one on your friends list cares, you would be surprised by the impact that it might have to repost. There is a chance that your friends can repost and connect this information to people who are not linked directly to 804noise but who would be interested in events. Don't ever disregard the importance of word of mouth. Myspace is by far the best communication out there right now, and we can use all the promotion we can get. Also, make sure to encourage the folks on your friends list to add 804noise to their list, it'll only make them cooler. ;)

***MACROCK PREPARATION*** Alfred asked if there is anything that needs to be done in advance of the tabling opportunity at MAcrock, and there's really nothing specific. One thing that would be great would be to get some promotional materials from artists, something that can be handed out. Hundreds of kids pass through that room during those five hours, and it's a chance to spread the word. Free stuff draws folks in like you can't imagine. Plenty of people knew the name 804noise last year, and I can only imagine that more people will know this year. We cannot hand out stickers, per MACrock rules, but if anyone has any other materials--cdrs, literature, buttons, etc.--please get them to Kenny and me soon. MACrock will be held in Harrisonburg the weekend of April 7-9.

Thanks to everyone who made it out to the shows this weekend. We had a nice turnout for both shows, and the performances were satisfying and interesting. It was also really great to meet so many cool people, I saw a few new faces at the shows and hope to see them again at upcoming events. And also, thank you to everyone who pitched in to help, whether it was setting up, breaking down, or hauling gear, your effort did not go unnoticed!

The benefit of incorporating 804noise as a non-profit would be grants and donations, tax exempt. The con's would be that it would require a dedicated base of volunteers to be on the board, a major con would be that there would be a board, meaning a heirarchy required by the government. 804noise was founded as a non-heirarchical organization.

The benefit to establishing "804noise Records" as a business would be more freedom to do what we want. We'd get a tax id to buy bulk supplies like mailing envelopes, blank t-shirts in bulk, etc. Another pro or con (depending how you look at it) would be that we could establish credit for 804noise that we could use to release more music. The con's are basically that it would have to be established under a group of people or an individual.

Kenny said he would be willing to establish the business under his name, and would write some kind of disclaimer to be published publically denouncing any form of heirarchy over the rest of collective leaving all decisions to the community and participants of the meetings like they are now. If Kenny were to leave the collective or move away or something, we could sell the "business" to the next active caretaker for $1 dollar (so it would be official) or whatever the collective thinks would be appropriate. To insure that the money doesn't get used personally, or incorrectly, the record of transactions will be public and the community would be aware of any wrong doing and could react appropriately.... that's pretty much where we left it.

- We also discussed the need for artists and members of the 804noise community to organize more events and events to benefit 804noise. We realize that events aren't always the best place to expect money, due to the fact that all the door money goes to touring artists, but if we could organize a few all local events from time to time, or events where the artists agree to let the money goto 804noise then we might have some success.

Also anyone willing to organize anything should know that they are not alone. We would do everythign we can to help, like securing a venue, disributing fliers, working the event, sound system, etc.

One other really simple way of raising funds for events is to table at other events like Flicker, Bizarre Market, speaking events, media events, art events, radio events, etc. etc. We would provide you with the pamphlets, the stickers, buttons, and the merch and distro to table with. So let us know if you have an event you'd like to table 804noise at. We'll also put out a call for volunteers for events we become aware of and need help with.

Which brought up the discussion of what we'd do and how would we organize the public access show, if we could get a slot. We briefly discussed having a live show with call-ins. The problems with producing a live show are, the acoustics for live music are lousy, there are always wiseasses who will crank call just to hear their own voices, lining up live guests each week to be sure to have enough material to discuss during the show, and always having something to show. This last is important because, once you get a slot, you can lose it fast if you allow dead air.

So then the discussion went towards producing a "canned" show or one which is entirely prerecorded and edited. Advantages to this are we would be able to control all of the sound, we would always have enough material/guests to fill-out the time slot, we would have full control over what is shown, we could tape all of the shows before ever offering them to be shown on public access, and if the shows were good enough, we would be able to offer them to UPN, PBS or other local TV station or network. If the audio is kept clean enough, it might even be something which could be played on the radio, possibly WRIR if no where else.

And one other advantage is that unlike getting a live show time slot, where we'd be obligated to provide material for that slot each week, a taped show might be shown at anytime, and several times a week, rather than just the one live slot. Genearlly tapes are played anytime there is nothing else to show, which is fairly frequent. Tapes are good for public access. The administrator for public access can see ahead of air time, exactly what will be shown, thus he has no fear of the content of the show, no bad language or other types of abuses which might get the station in trouble. And it is ready to be shown at anytime he desires. Thus if there is some down time, show cancellations, empty time slots, he can show the tape and not worry about there being any dead air.

Kenny suggested putting on a noise show and recording it to be edited down into the public access show tape. This would allow for better live acoustical sound, as it would likely be at a venue with better sound. It would allow for a group of several performers to have their sets recorded and used for the show. It would provide several hours of material to be edited for future shows. It would be good exposure for the artists who performed (permission to use their sets on the show might be needed in writing). Also you could still tape interviews of the artists, and then edit in their performances.

All in all a prerecorded or taped show allows more control and would likely air more often. The problem is that it might take a lot of time and preparation. But then to produce a live hour show a week takes a lot of time and preparation too. And there's a waiting list for live slots.

I believe that's about as much as I can ramblingly remember. I was going to inquire at the public access studio, what kind of show slots might be available, and how to apply for one. Sickn ess, tiredness, forgetfulness, laziness, all of the above have prevented me from doing so yet. But by the time get through the Holidays, I should be able to provide more information.

What we might want to do now is start organizing a gig that would feature some of 804noise's finest. A gig we could record for later editing into a tape for the show. Potentially others could submit tapes which could be used for the show as well. If someone already has some video taped gigs, that would be a benefit for filling out a show before we even get started.