Interview with the owner of No Label Records, Muhammad Fitrah (By Demi)

No Label Records is a independent records label bassed in Surabaya, east java. This label founded in 1999. As you might know, this label has relesed so many great bands album. Also a well know death metal bands amongst the indonesian metalhead, such as : jagal, wafat, extreme decay and many more! So here's the interview with the owner of No Label Records.

Demi : Ok, previously thank you for the time! How are you and the NLB current developments?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : I'm doing good. NLR is currently being planned to release an album of THIRSTY BLOOD, a war black metal band from Sidoarjo.

Demi : For an album that will be released in near future, do you have a specific target to be achieved?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : My goal this album could be accepted widely in Indonesia and in other countries, and can be received by all the metal music lovers locally and internationally.

Demi : So far, what NLR greatest achievement in contributing to and advancing metalscene in Indonesia?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : My greatest achievement in contributing, NLR currently able to distribute and introduce many locals metal bands to the international public at large. So far, approximately NLR has been able to distribute more than 4000 CD to many countries.

Demi : ISZ is a webzine that focuses to indonesian death metal scene and its sub-genres epecially brutal death metal. Currently, do you think Indonesian death metal scene is quite good?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : Very good. Many new bands popping up, and they have great musicall quality. many of them already released an album.

Demi : what kind of genre's that dominate NLR the most?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : CD : most of our band is death metal
Cassette : most of them are punk/hardcore band's. Judging from the type of releases format.

Demi : NLR has a few bands from other countries. How many of them today?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : 8 : Engorriment (spain), cerebral turbulency (Czech), Human Carnage (spain), Decrepancy (Serbia), Blasted Pancreas (Greece), Necrobiotic (Brazil), Nemessis (Colombia), Fall Of Mankind (Spain)

Demi : most of them are playing death metal I guess. What do you think about bands that have joined with your label?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : I love all the bands that I release. In terms of musicality that they play.

Demi : I want to ask about the history of the formation of NLR. How did it start and where did the idea for the name of NLR itself?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : At first, I intend to release a compilation album titled freestyle in cassette format in Bandung in 1999. Actually, this is not a serious project , there is no intention to include the name of the label. That's why I've included the name "NO LABEL RECORDS".

Demi : Then how can NLR can grow and eventually formed the label that is working seriously?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : Starting from a hobby only. I used to love to collect local indie albums, and eventually want to try to release some interesting bands in my opinion.

Demi : Until now, how many bands have joined with NLR?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : To be honest I don't remember specifictly. To be sure NLR has been released: 179 albums on cassette format and 45 albums in CD format.

Demi : If a band wants to join the NLR, did you apply the special specifications or there is any condition?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : To be sure I have to like their music. And the recording quality to meet the standards to be released.

Demi : Have you ever refuse a band to join the NLR because they can not meet these standards?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : so many of them :D

Demi : Do you feel bad if you've done such a rejection?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : Abviously! I would feel bad because I've disappoint them.

Demi : What pleasure and misery in running this label?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : the pleasure: when the album I've released received positive responses from people and sales to meet targets. And the misery is the opposite of it all.

Demi : I want to ask. What comparison of metalscene in Indonesia compared to other countries according to your perspective?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : To be honest, lately I pay less attention to metalscene in other countries. Maybe this time I'm experiencing boredom.

Demi : beside running this label, do you have another job?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : I have distro and online shop.

Demi : Do NLR ever to collaborate or cooperate in terms of the distribution and promotions?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : In production, NLR still work independently. But for distribution, I work closely with many local labels and of course labels from other countries aswel.

Demi : Are you satisfied so far with the achievement of the NLR? Which has released the local bands and international bands?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : Still far from satisfied. There are still many shortcomings that need my fix. In terms of quality and distribution.

Demi : What are your future plans to fix these things?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : Learning from labels that more advanced. And maintain consistency.

Demi : Ok sir, thank you very much for your time. Hopefully NLR could keep continue developing, and was able to advance the metalscene in Indonesia. Do you have any last statement?

Muhammad Fitrah (NLR) : you're welcome! Keep support the local band's and labels to keep maintain their ability to work.