Ain’t No Grave Records | A Common Ground To Build Off
You may be confused by a certain collection of letters you’ve been seeing a lot around the hardcore scene lately. ANGR (Ain’t No Grave Records) is quickly gaining buzz and ears with its mission of supporting artists who adamantly stand for a cause. So far the industry vets Ryan “Dog” Nelson, Ryan Downey and Josh Eldridge have managed to wrangle in Sleeping Giant as well as The Great Commission. With a growing roster of already established acts, ANGR is following in the footsteps of innovative communities and progressive label models. Ryan Downey recently filled us in on the rest!
We know that both of you have an extensive background in the music industry. Fill our readers in on yourselves and some of your past accomplishments.
Ryan Downey: My partner Ryan “Dog” Nelson and myself have backgrounds in management, merchandise, touring, publicity, press, television, online and various other facets of entertainment. We’ve also both played in bands ourselves and we know what it’s like to spend time on the road.
And what inspired you to start Ain’t No Grave Recordings?
RD: We wanted to provide a platform for bands with an outspoken point of view. Not all of the bands we’ve worked with or will work with through ANGR share complete agreement on everything when it comes to spirituality or philosophy, but what they will all have in common is passion and commitment to whatever they stand for and however they present that.
Solid State and Facedown are two great labels releasing heavy music albums from bands whose faith play some role, large or small, in their music. We have been inspired by both of those labels as well as our direct interaction with bands over the years. We wanted bands to have another outlet, one more choice, when deciding who to align with to release music.
We also feel compelled to build awareness about various causes we support – Feeding America, Charity: Water, To Write Love On Her Arms, to name just a few…
The label model has no doubt been having to change and adapt over the past decade or so. Where do you see it heading in the future and what is ANGR doing to avoid potential pitfalls?
RD: The landscape is certainly always changing. We are keeping a close watch on making sure our bands interact with their fans and offer more than just music. We think when that connection is made, fans will be more willing to support what the bands are doing. “We feel a responsibility to spread awareness about the organizations we see enacting positive change in the world. We don’t want to just talk the talk, we want to walk the walk.”
Your first two signings were Sleeping Giant and The Great Commission. What is it about these bands that you knew you wanted them to be your first two acts?
RD: Sleeping Giant are some of our best friends. We work closely with them on a number of things and we are both very inspired by their live performance and their records. The Great Commission shares a similar type of vision and presentation onstage.
Are there any future signing taking place in the near future that you can talk about yet?
RD: We just signed the band As Hell Retreats and there are more on the way!
What do your ties with Century Media look like and how will that relationship come into play in helping your bands?
RD: Century Media are great partners for us. They have been developing, marketing and distributing heavy music for years. I’ve been friends with the owners for a long time and they have great leadership in the North American office. We lean on them for marketing muscle and other areas of expertise.
On your site right now there are advertisements for To Write Love On Her Arms and Charity Water. You mentioned wanting to support these causes. Can you tell us more about this?
RD: We feel a responsibility to spread awareness about the organizations we see enacting positive change in the world. We don’t want to just talk the talk, we want to walk the walk. We look forward to spreading the word about more charity groups in the future, too.
What is happening currently at ANGR that fans can be looking forward to?
RD: New albums from Sleeping Giant, The Great Commission and As Hell Retreats this summer!
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