If ever there was an incentive to start an independent record label just look at Richard Branson and Virgin records. One hot selling LP (Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells) and ching ching - let's buy a rail company and start an airline. Things haven't worked out quite like that for Matt Newnham and Gringo records. The label launched in the mid-90s and was originally based in Colchester but eventually relocated to Nottingham. Matt's still waiting for the million seller but he's not complaining. "I like the fact that it's not money driven. It's about the art and helping friends release music," he says. Adapting
 | | Gringo owner Matt Newnham |
Quite a lot has changed since Matt began with Gringo. "When I first started the internet was just in its beginnings. I had no idea how to set up a website. There was no such thing as downloading music at all." Amazingly Matt still doesn't own a mobile phone because he likes a bit of privacy. Beginnings Matt says: "My friends wanted to put out a record and we all started to do the label together. Everyone clubbed together but eventually people dropped by the wayside. It was left to me because I tend to save my money and you have to have a bit of cash going spare because it can take a while to make your money back." Matt balances running Gringo with holding down a full-time job. If he put any more into the record company he says the dynamics would change. Success for Matt is breaking even. The future Matt always chooses British bands for his label. His current roster includes three Notts groups - Lords, Designer Babies and Clambake. Gringo celebrates a decade in existence in 2007 and Matt's planning a big festival in the city. He's not worried about groups like Arctic Monkeys making it on their own via websites like My Space. "There's always going to be someone who wants to own a record. There'll always be a demand," he confidently predicts. Hear more Listen to Nigel Bell's interview with Matt to discover more about: - What running an independent record label entails
- Promoting records
- Choosing who he signs
- Highs and lows
- John Peel sessions
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