What’s it like to start a record company? And why on earth would anyone decide to start one in an era when the head of Capitol Records probably can’t afford having Baja Fresh for lunch? Aren’t compact discs dead?

Precisely the point, dear reader. Meet Keith Abramson: music fan, A&R rep for Kemado Records, and harbinger of the CD’s apocalypse. His new Kemado imprint Mexican Summer launches in September with a unique business model, pressing very limited quantities of vinyl - with accompanying digital downloads - available on a subscription basis and at a select group of retailers (mom and pop not Wal and Mart) across this great land. In other words, vinyl and digital only. Sorry CDs, you’re fucked. We recently chatted with Abramson to hear firsthand about this exciting venture…

EF: How did the idea to start Mexican Summer come about? Do you have prior label experience?

KA: The idea was something we had pondered awhile back, but the timing just didn’t seem to work out. Then we had the opportunity to put out a couple of records that we loved, but only wanted to do as limited run vinyl…so, we revisited the idea to launch an alternate outlet for these kinds of releases and Mexican Summer was born.

EF: Personally, I love the concept of vinyl and digital only, it makes so much sense. Why did you decide to forego pressing CDs altogether?

KA: I don’t think any of us really like the CD as a format. We’ve been pressing vinyl at Kemado since our inception and that was always the greatest thrill - so it’s really a no brainer for us. And nowadays, including digital with a vinyl purchase seems to be the way to go. Having your iPod on the go and having vinyl for home listening…seems ideal to us.

EF: What concerns do you have starting a record label amidst the current horrific climate of the music industry?

KA: We don’t really have many concerns - we’re not spending a boat load of money on these records and we keep our budgets in check. We’re just hopeful that all pressings will sell through and we’ll be able to keep the label up and running. Our goal is to be continually releasing albums….

EF: To what do you attribute the recent resurgence in vinyl?

KA: I don’t think vinyl ever went anywhere - at least for a certain group of music fan. I don’t ever recall a time when an Indie store didn’t carry LP’s, but there has been an undeniable jump in the format’s popularity. I think vinyl sounds better, looks better and creates a more social listening experience - all of the above would be attributed to the resurgence.

EF: I get the distinct vibe that Mexican Summer is also about curating a specific collection, both for the label itself and the consumer; what’s your criteria in choosing the bands that you want to work with and represent this collection?

KA: Definitely - i’m pretty much the guy curating the releases and I’m just approaching bands that I love (and in some cases, bands have approached us). I don’t know that there is a set criteria - i’m not into the idea of limiting the label stylistically, so it’s really more that it feels right, and above all, is really good.

EF: It almost feels like the McSweeney’s of record labels with the subscription basis and all. How will the subscription service work?

KA: We’re still working out the fine details on that, but it will be a three tiered plan - the idea being that the person can subscribe for say, 4, 6 or 12 months and recieve X amount of albums. Subscribers would end up saving a significant amount of money overall. The albums will also be available a la carte via our website, but subscribers will obviously get first dibs.

EF: Do you remember the first record you ever owned?

KA: Sure do - Tom Petty/Stevie Nicks “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” 7″ and Iron Maiden “Live After Death”.

EF: What can we expect for the official launch in September and for Mexican Summer’s future?

KA: We’re working on putting together an event around the official launch - details forthcoming! The future - lots of good stuff - Black Moth Super Rainbow picture disc, Bobby BeauSoleil/Orkustra 2xLP, Valet 12″, Marissa Nadler reissue of “Ballads Of Living & Dying”, The Tallest Man On Earth “Shallow Grave” LP w/ a bonus 7″ - there’s lots of other stuff in the works. We’ll definitely have a special TBD pressing around the holidays, too….

Listen:
Dungen - “Gör Det Nu”

*above image found HERE