C

I’m going to start this with a pretty standard question – How did you form Akamady?

A

It was purely by coincidence. We (Ojon, Patra, Gerhan) knew each other because we work in the same building. There were many music shops, specifically vinyl record shops, that were closing and there weren’t any online record shops – at least in Jakarta. We all had the same vision and started to work together to create Akamady.

There are three of us at the moment, but we actually started with four with together with our friend Aji. He unfortunately isn’t active at the moment.

C

And when did Akamady begin, 2011?

A

Our online shop became active in 2012, November 2012.

C

What does the name Akamady mean?

A

Akamady originally came from a track Gerhan did for Space Rec. a few years back where he sampled Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry mispronouncing the word Academy has many meanings. From then the name just struck.

C

How did your affiliations with Space Rec. and Quirk it influence the formation of Akamady?

A

We just happen to be affiliated with these groups. You can say Space Rec. and Quirk It shares and supports [Akamady]’s vision. Quirk it is a series of DJ-based party events while Space Rec. produces more ‘serious’ music. We luckily have similar tastes in music, were willing to work with each other, and wanted to distribute the music that we have.

C

It is interesting that you decided to focus strictly online. Why don’t you have a physical shop?

A

Firstly, from an operational standpoint it is much more efficient and effective. It comes down to our budget; the online shop makes sense with what we can afford to do. Also, we understand that the average (record buying) person in Indonesia is not used to shopping online, and we want to introduce this idea to them.

C

And what has the response been?

A

To be honest, it hasn’t been easy. People still prefer to meet in person. We cannot deny that you can interact and share music when you visit a physical shop. We do want to have a physical store in the future, but right now online makes the most sense. Luckily the store is up and running.

I suppose you can say the lack of human interaction is a disadvantage. Aside from the budget, what would you say is the advantage of an online shop?

Well you can visit us [at Rossi] if you really want to. (laughs) We would like to create this interaction through the internet (in the form of forums and blogs), but to fair we are still looking for the best system to execute the idea. Akamady is very new to this field, particularly in Indonesia.

C

What sort of format have you considered in adding to your site to help build this interaction?

A

We have considered forums, blogs.

C

On a side note, vinyl collecting is presently still a pretty-niche market in Indonesia. Do you see it becoming more common?

A

We think and hope so (laughs).

C

Though, in general, music stores like Aquarius are closing down. Do you think there will be a resurgence of record shops?

A

We do believe there will be more small record shops that are more (genre) specific. The shops will specialize in a certain flavor and will have their own communities. It is mostly the bigger, corporate shops that are closing down.

C

Talking about distribution, specifically local music. What is your goal in terms of distributing the works of local artists? Or perhaps you are focused mostly on international artists?

A

We really would like to distribute local music internationally. We are quite open to local artists selling their music at Akamady, local artists that are, of course, appropriate to our site. There will definitely be a growing number of local artists in our catalogue.

C

What is distribution like for your own individual labels such as Space Rec.? Will we see the label’s past releases on Akamady?

A

Yes, you will see our collective works on Akamady. We have our own release right now, Komodo.

C

So there will be future Akamady releases?

A

Absolutely, next we will have a Space System EP. It will be a 12’ EP of remixes of an upcoming album single. It should be out in a couple of months, late February/early March.

C

That’s really soon! What else do you have planned for 2014?

A

Yes. We have plans to release a series of 7 and 12-inch records. They are collaborative projects with Space Rec. where we will release out of print Space Rec. music. The project actually started before Akamady even existed in 2011 when Gerhan released Musik Akamady under his Komodo moniker on Space Rec.

C

Does Akamady have any particular international labels it distributes? I noticed a couple of Soul Jazz records on the site. Are there plans to stock up more International labels?

A

Well, this year we would like to focus on Akamady Records – our own, local music.

C

Will that include musicians that are not usually associated with your collectives? Because your are closely associated with Space Rec., Rossi…

A

Yes, we would like to be that way. We would like to meet more local musicians, and Akamady Records would like to create a platform for artists to be creative – at the very least to be a catalyst for them to create.

The current 12” project focuses on local dance music that has an underground edge to them – mostly uncommon sounds. There should be a lot though, because there are more and more local musicians making great songs.

We are also working Grieve Records, who specializes in metal. You can also get their records and merchandise in Akamady.

C

And this music will be available strictly on Akamady?

A

We would like to be distributed locally, and internationally even – that is part of our vision and mission. We do press in limited numbers, though.

C

How many did you press?

A

200 for Komodo, 150 for the next release.

C

As you are affiliated with Space Rec. and your works have been and planned to be released on both labels, what differentiates Akamady’s music with Space Rec.’s?

A

It will be quite different; the labels have their own individual focus. Like we mentioned before, Akamady as a record label is more focused on dance music, while Space Rec. is leans more towards experimental – serious music (laughs).

C

Can you explain to me a bit about the Akamady Mixes that have been released on CD?

A

At the present moment we already have 8 mixes released on CD (as well as being available online). The main goal is to have local DJs and/or record collectors that we like/admire present their personal music curation. Every 6 weeks we feature a different ‘selector’.

C

Well this is the end of the interview. Any last words you’d like to share?

A

Don’t forget to visit www.akamady.com