Q&A: Spirit Goth Launches Cassette Club
IN RECENT YEARS we've seen the resurgence of a multitude of interests - from film photography to vinyl, and most recently - cassettes. Though cassettes gained their popularity back in the 1960s, the technology gave way to the more convenient CD by the early 1990s. However, in recent years music lovers have rediscovered the love we once had for cassettes.
Lo-fi music fueled record label, Spirit Goth Records, has always had a love for cassettes and found a way to introduce the passion for cassette tapes to a wider audience by creating a monthly cassette club. For only $7 a month (plus shipping), you receive "all of Spirit Goth's upcoming tapes before they go public, exclusive cassette tape pressings, special featured releases from other tape labels as well as digital downloads of music."
This club is not only a great opportunity for fans of the label to support this industry and the artists themselves, but it's also a great way for fans to discover new music and dive into the cassette scene. Read more from Josh Hwang, founder of Spirit Goth, to hear more about the cassette club and the future of Spirit Goth.
LUNA: How did you come up with the whole concept of the cassette club?
JOSH: So many businesses nowadays use the monthly subscription model so I just wanted to apply it to the label somehow. Making and selling cassettes is what grew the label into what it is today and I want to stay true to that.
LUNA: Do you ever feel discouraged by cassettes not being as popular now?
JOSH: Cassettes are definitely not the most popular item out there but there are still a lot of people who love to collect and listen, especially if from their favorite artists.
LUNA: Why should people join the cassette club?
JOSH: The cassette club is great for people who want to discover new indie music through a physical format. It's a chance for us to create more content for the cassette enthusiasts that support us with every release. Club members will receive our spirit goth releases along with features from other tape labels and exclusive cassette club pressings.
High Sunn's new album "Our Perception" will kick off the cassette club in January 2019 and then February will be a cassette club exclusive pressing with the solo work of Josh Augustin of Vansire.
LUNA: It seems like Spirit Goth is always expanding! What's next for the label in 2019?
JOSH: The label has really come a long way since I started it in college a few years ago. I've recently quit my day job and am going to be putting my full effort into the label, my music, & and other businesses. We've basically become more selective with what we release, but we're currently planning some exciting releases in 2019!
