Institute of Contemporary Arts

Pills Thrills and Bellyaches: The Cut talks to Junior Aspirin

Date: 4 September 2008

Team Cut

On Monday 1 September, The Cut hit the ICA en-masse to check out the Junior Aspirin Records Night. The artist_run Label is best known for releases by Skill 7 Stamina 12, who played a smashing live set on the night. The band was formed in 2001 by friends Nathaniel Mellors, Ashley Marlowe, Dan Fox and Maaike Schoorel and have been playing since. Although at first we thought it was all a bit odd- the show started with poetic ramblings about the supermarket, but once the guitars kicked in we began feeling the music. Our favourite bit was when an old dude with white hair got on stage starting going for it big time punk style.

So what's the deal with J.A? Are they artists? Or musicians? Or both rolled into one? We spoke to Dan Fox, one of the label's architects, to find out more.

 

So, where did you come up with the name Junior Aspirin?

We were looking for an umbrella name to put out our own music projects. When we were brainstorming we came up with so many that were self consciously cool, we couldn't say them with a straight face. So we ended up with something that was more absurd than anything else. Junior Aspirin is like a weak form of aspirin. The name reminded us of 90s dance labels like Junior Boys Own. But a slightly weirder take on that.

How would you describe your style of music?

It's more like experimental rock music. We did a compilation a couple years ago showcasing artists who we work with.

All the people we work with are friends from the art scene. On that compilation there's everything from hardcore guitar band through to weird electro tracks, spoken word, there's a real range that informs everyone that takes part in the label. In skills, although we do rock stuff the two other guys used to make techno records together in the 90s.

Speaking of the 90s, what do you think of all the 90s revival going on now?

I dunno. Revival of stuff thats only just passed is a bit weird. Pees should be thinking about where they are in the present rather than recycling things that have only just happened.

What's your day job?

I am associate editor of frieze magazine, a contemporary art magazine. I'm an art journalist. That's my 'bread and butter' job.

So, what tips would you give an aspiring editor?

Good question. I'd say keep on writing, because writing is a good way of working out what works and what doesn't work in language. When you're editing you really notice with other people's text what works and what doesn't. You can reflect that back on what you're doing. Keep at it. Its takes a lot of work but its very rewarding!

Do you hope to put any messages do you put across in your music?

No. (laughs) I'd like to say were promoting world peace and kindness to animals but were not really. Sorry.

How was it starting up your own record label?

No one else was going to put out anything so we decided to do it ourselves. We all save up money for 6 months and put it into doing a release. There are so many hundreds of labels you are in a massive forest of them, it's hard to carve a niche for yourselves. You just have to keep plugging away at it.

Do you consider yourselves artists or musicians, or are they the same thing?

I think they're the same thing. On a conceptual level you can apply to music making. Also the social aspect we like. None of it can be done on your own, it's very much a way of socialising with people, it takes you out of yourself too. You're there in a room with people all trying to accomplish this task, so you have think in collaborative ways. It's not all that different from making a magazine. There's all the same kind of problems and egos to deal with, and laughter.

 

Junior Aspirin Online
www.myspace.com/skill7stamina12
www.junioraspirin.com

Junior Aspirin blog glossary
Frieze Magazine
Junior Boys Own

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