Culver LP sold out just a couple of days after going on proper sale. Very much appreciate everyone grabbing it so quickly. I do feel a wee bit shitty about the fact that a couple of people got in touch who missed out, as I’m very much against the whole “ready-made rarity” thing that’s too prevalent these days, and I don’t want to be part of that.
To justify such a short run,
1) I’ve released several Culver tapes in editions of 50 copies over the past 10+ years now and never have I sold double figures in the first week, and it’s taken months to sell/trade all of my copies in most instances.
2) The reason it took long to come out was simple: money. I know something like a Culver LP is never gonna sell well enough to do anything but lose me a ton of cash. There aren’t 300 Culver fans who’ll shell out for a record going about, simple as. A grand and a half up-front to make back a couple of hundred in the first month or so then the brutal years afterward trying to convince everyone who “really wants one!!!” to actually buy it. Making a small amount at a ridiculously high unit cost and selling just under cost price meant I got a Culver record out to most of the people who’d be into it and I didn’t lose a shit load of cash and have my spare bedroom further filled with unsold records.
3) People are full of shit. Sorry to be confrontational on this point, but even a few weeks ago when I asked on Facebook if anyone wanted a copy, tons of people proclaimed to the internet “I’d love one!!!”, and about half actually sent me cash and got one. If there are loads of something available, people just won’t bother their arses. As my fellow DIY-martyr Rodney Shades pointed out, if everyone who SAID they were into supporting the underground actually supported it, we wouldn’t all be so fuckin downbeat about the situation all the time.
So if you missed out on a Culver LP, I’m really sorry. I have done 180-odd other releases mind, that didn’t sell out really quickly and most of which are amazing and available for an incredibly cheap price. So, to paraphrase the words of the immortal Pink Fairies: don’t talk about it, DO IT!
PS – I thought it would be a nice wee thing since it was so limited to etch everyone’s name into the dead wax. Keeps each copy personal, and also let’s me track down anyone in the future who tries to be a snide prick and sell it on for twice the cost price. The vinyl police are always watching you. 8-0