Anthony Musiala has been working in the music industry for over two decades. As Managing Director of the Minty Fresh record label he has collaborated with numerous exciting talents from around the globe. Recently, USF brought Anthony in to redefine the sound and image of WCSF 88.7FM. The COMP Magazine caught up with Anthony to discuss the independent label he manages and what we should keep our eyes and ears out for this summer.
We Were Evergreen from France
Can we start with some background on Minty Fresh? Perhaps you can offer an introduction about you, who you work with, and the evolution of the label.
Minty Fresh is an independent record label, synch licensing company and music publisher formed in 1993. The company is owned by Jim Powers, who worked at BMG International and signed a number of bands (including Cowboy Junkies to RCA Records). I was Jim’s assistant, and I joined him at the label’s inception. We started the label when we became frustrated that the major label we worked for was not picking up the artists we were pitching. We released a few singles from bands around the world (including an early single from Liz Phair), and then we released an album by the band Veruca Salt. The album shipped over 100,000 copies from a bedroom in Chicago’s Lakeview community, we got the ear of music mogul David Geffen, did a deal with Geffen Records, and eventually sold over 500,000 copies of a record. After that, we released albums from The Cardigans, Ivy, The Waterboys, Komeda, Tahiti 80, Papas Fritasm Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, Sleep Thieves, Bloods Band, and many more. Our label’s music have been featured in TV shows, commercials, video games, and major motion pictures.
Veruca Salt from L.A.
What’s the focus for Minty Fresh? Global pop music for now people.
Sleep Thieves from Ireland
The music industry is in a paradigm shift in terms of access and economics. What are some of the challenging aspects in running a record label today?
You have to keep up on current musical trends and the changing technology, in addition to always releasing great music. In the end, the song is what matters. If you don’t have great songs, you don’t really have anything.
The Orange Peels from San Francisco
How do you find your acts? What piques your interest?
Recommendations from other acts and music industry friends, in addition to scouring the internet for new music, and seeing a lot of live acts. A great song piques our interest in addition to artists who are doing new and exciting things.
Best Girl Athlete from Scotland
What are some of the exciting artists that Minty Fresh is currently working with?
Bloods Band (Australia), Best Girl Athlete (Scotland), The Orange Peels (San Francisco), Desperate Journalist (UK), Sleep Thieves (Ireland), Veruca Salt (L.A.), Ivy (NYC), Tartu Popi ja Roki Instituut (Estonia), Ashtray Boy (New Zealand), Lisa Alma (Denmark), We Were Evergreen (France)
Desperate Journalist from the UK
Why should we check them out? Because they’re Minty Fresh!
Lisa Alma from Denmark
To check out additional information and videos on Minty Fresh and their collection of artists:
Minty Fresh – http://mintyfresh.com/
Blood Bands, Penelope, 2014 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QNxOsDeot8
The Orange Peels, Circling the Sun, 2010 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zhQpu29xFc
Best Girl Athlete – https://bestgirlathlete.wordpress.com/
Desperate Journalist, Control, 2014 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNwQTRLHTE8
Sleep Thieves, City of Hearts, 2014 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAYq93U9hk8
Veruca Salt, Seether, 2009 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9AUR-iTo0
Ivy, World Without You, 2011 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAmNYvL5lYI
Tartu Popi ja Roki Instituut, Marienbad, 2014 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GiW5LHwzds
Lisa Alma, Man, 2015 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqJAW-rp6Q
We Were Evergreen, Summer Flings, 2012 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81qw-IYWZmo
Tartu Popi ja Roki Instituut from Estonia
Interview by Chester Alamo-Costello
