We here at Tone Deaf love nothing more than reporting on everything that is music, however sometimes there might be a little bit too much focus on just the artists, and the myriad of work that goes on behind closed doors is forgotten. Therefore, each fortnight we will now focus on important sectors within the industry, speaking with leaders in their field as they detail their role within the whacky world that is the music industry.
Late last month Dine Alone Records celebrated its 10th anniversary, a pretty significant achievement for an independent label originally built out of founder Joel Carriere’s desire to simply help friends on their own terms.
Born in the bedroom of Carriere, who was working with a ‘relative small’ hardcore act called Alexisonfire, the label grew into a hotbed of genre-spanning artists and releases.
The Dine Alone roster spans the early days of City and Colour, Arkells and Bedouin Soundclash, recent signings Monster Truck and Tokyo Police Club, to international award-winning artists The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, Jimmy Eat World and Marilyn Manson and vinyl re-issues from legendary bands At The Drive In and Quicksand.
Continuously expanding, having launched offices in Nashville and Los Angeles, and Australia, growing companion labels New Damage, Haven, One Big Silence, and even starting a specialty foods company, Dine Alone Foods.
Dine Alone Records has become a multi-faceted company that, ten years later, still operates on the simple premise of friends helping friends, we chatted with the passionate and honest Carriere about his experiences creating and growing one of alternative music’s most exciting record labels.
The Beginning
The label’s first two releases both technically act like our first release. Dine Alone was created with City and Colour’s ‘Sometimes’ in mind as our first release. The idea was to create an outlet for Dallas that didn’t have the pressures of a normal label so he could exist full time in Alexisonfire.
Being the manager of both City and Colour and Alexisonfire and owning the label allowed me to create a perfect space for Dallas to release other music outside of Alexisonfire all the while keeping Alexisonfire front and centre. However, what became the first official release was ‘Short Controlled Bursts’ by a great punk band called The Fullblast. The deal with The Fullblast starting happening in the middle of Dallas recording his record and ‘Short Controlled Bursts’ simply just ended up as the first release on Dine Alone.
Before Dine Alone
“Immediately before Dine Alone and still to date, I was running Bedlam Music Management. I was managing Alexisonfire, Bedouin Soundclash, City and Colour, Raising the Fawn and I can’t remember if we were doing Moneen then or shortly thereafter.
I was also operating a large music website that had existed for several years before this. On top of that I was promoting shows across Canada with the focus being Southern Ontario, and running a music festival in St. Catharines called SCENE MUSIC FESTIVAL. Previous to all this I worked at some rich fella’s “hobby” label, record stores and brief stint at a major label – very brief.”
How Dine Alone Has Survived 10 Years
“Any company that lasts a decade usually requires its owner, clients and staff to have a very strong drive. You have to be able to bounce back from any type of negativity that comes your way and know that what you are doing is quality. Dallas, myself, my staff and a few of our bands are so driven, that it would take something very drastic to take us off our path and blur our vision of what we are trying to accomplish.”
Obstacles Are A Natural Part Of The Business
“The struggles come in all different shapes and sizes. Whether it’s breaking up with partners because they didn’t share your vision. Whether it’s trusting people to run your money and they feel the need to keep it all. Whether it’s hiring very cancerous people, and the effort it takes to get rid of them. Whether it’s investing a considerable amount of money into a band and they simply devalue what you are doing for them or even break up.
Right down to just having a personal life and managing your health, and being a husband and a rad dad. Anyone that owns their own company will share the same basic stories. This was also a very Coles Notes version of this. Some of this involves plenty of lawsuits and some mind-blowing situations. In the end, I can say we have always been upfront, transparent and honest. It might not be the best business model, but it’s the only one we know.”
The Most Important Lesson
“I have learned that I can’t do it all – that I have to trust people. I have learned to recognize that when we hit a growth spurt what it will take to get through unscarred. I have learned that I need to keep some time for myself. After all, a burnt out me is not good to anyone and a company requires a good leader.”
The Dine Alone Sound
“For an indie label we are rather eclectic. I think the one thing our bands have in common is the quality of which they craft their songs and perform them. We have punk bands, metal bands, Americana bands, folk bands, hip-hop bands and more. My other three labels are a bit more focused in specific genres, but not Dine Alone.
The reason I have the other labels as a bit more specific is because they feed a specific audience. I like those niche labels, but I also like the freedom Dine Alone has and not having to worry about what people think when we sign a band. We have created no expectations other than that the bands we do sign are quality acts – no matter their genre.”
Favourite Releases
“I really do love all the records we put out, that’s why it’s all over the map. My label is my ultimate playlist. However, I know you want to hear specifics. I would have to say Attack in Black’s ‘Marriage’ is one of my favourite records we ever put out. It’s perfect front to back and it comes with so many insane memories.
I am personally in love with our new band Broncho and have not stopped listening to that record since we first heard it. I was a huge fan for a few years before we got to work with them and was over the moon about the record they turned in for us. Of course, the Alexisonfire Box Set is something that I am super proud of. That took us over a year to put together and it turned out beautifully.”
How To Deal With The Low Moments
“We all experience low moments. It’s what you take from those moments and how you move forward with them that really define a moment. If you handle those low moments respectfully and with grace, they end up being learning curves towards a better future. No reason to harp on the low moments because they usually lead to something great. You can’t let negativity blacken the heart, it’s easy and the only thing that really defines us as humans is time, so don’t fucking waste it.”
The Future Of Indie Labels
“I started the label in an era when everyone was saying it’s over, the industry is done, and digital fucked up everyone. The people saying that were simply set in a system of which they were comfortable in for too long and couldn’t think outside the box.
I like to believe our company isn’t just a record label, but an entrepreneurial hub that is rooted in all things awesome ha. We have several labels, we have a management company, we have a food company, we have real-estate investments, tech-company investments – we are doing some fun things outside of the box. The only way we won’t survive is if we start believing that what we are doing is perfect and start shooting down ideas.”
Tips For Those Wanting To Start Their Own Label
“Not everyone is good at being a leader, not everyone had dedication, not everyone has drive, not everyone can handle stress, not everyone can think big. Not everyone can put their ego aside, but you never know who you are until you put yourself out there and see what you can accomplish. I am a dude from a small town in Ontario, Canada giving an interview in Australia about what I have achieved over the past ten years, how fucking amazing is that?”
Stream the DA10year: The Early Years (2005-2009) Playlist on Spotify and visit www.dinealonerecords.com for more info.
