IndieHQ / Article Detail

March 21st, 2006

Interview with Equal Vision’s Dan Sandshaw

Equal Vision Records started in the early 1990s as a vehicle to distribute Shelter’s releases. The label has come a long way since those days. They have since been responsible for releases by such successful acts as Converge, Saves the Day, Coheed and Cambria, Bane, and Refused. They are currently home to a whole new wave of bands playing some of the most exciting music in independent music including Circa Survive, Fear Before the March of Flames, Armor For Sleep, Fall of Troy, Good Clean Fun, and so much more.

I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview Dan Sandshaw of Equal Vision Records. Dan has worked for EVR for the past 8 years and serves as A&R (Artist and Repertoire) for many of the biggest past and present acts on the label. His answers are very interesting especially regarding what he looks for in a band and which bands were signed to EVR from demos(you would never believe who!). A big thanks goes to Dan for taking the time to answer these questions.

IndieHQ: What is your name and what do you do at Equal Vision? How long have you worked at EVR?

Dan EVR: Dan Sandshaw and I have been working at EVR for almost 8 years.

IndieHQ: Which artists do you represent at EVR, which artists have you signed?

Dan EVR: Currently I work with armor for sleep, circa survive, fear before the march of flames, actionreaction, boysetsfire, versus the mirror, youinseries and jonah matranga.

In the past I have worked with coheed and cambria, bear vs shark, alexisonfire, saves the day, fairweather, the rocking horse winner, and this day forward.

IndieHQ: Have you ever signed a band from a demo? If so, which ones?

Dan EVR: Yes, coheed and cambria as well as bear vs shark we signed off demos. Pretty crazy!

IndieHQ: Are there any artists you passed on that have went on to find success at another label?

Dan EVR: Tons! Sometimes bands become very successful, but it doesn’t mean they would fit in with the EVR community. I’d like to think we do things different, we try to keep it feeling like a family.

IndieHQ: Are there any past artists that you wish you could resurrect and sign to EVR?

Dan EVR: Without a doubt, led zeppelin.

IndieHQ: What are some things you look for in a potential EVR band?

Dan EVR: Raw talent and work ethic. Those are the two most important things to me.

IndieHQ: Are there things that you recommend unsigned bands that might be reading this do to catch the attention of a label?

Dan EVR: Work hard and the labels will find you.

IndieHQ: Are there things that you recommend bands not do when it comes to sending demo packages?

Dan EVR: If I had a dime for every time I received a demo with a note that said, “this demo doesn’t sound good, it was recorded on a boom box - our new stuff sounds way better”, I’d have a lot of dimes. If your new stuff is awesome, figure out a way to record it to show it to people!

IndieHQ: Is there someone at EVR that listens to all of the demos sent in? Can you give an estimate on how many demos you receive each week?

Dan EVR: Yes, I would honestly say that most of them get listened to these days. We receive around 150 things a week, so it takes a while to get through everything.

IndieHQ: What got you involved in independent music? Did you play in bands? How did you end up at Equal Vision?

Dan EVR: I have been involved in indie music since I was in my teens. I went to shows, worked at a college radio station, interned, worked for free… and eventually got a really great opportunity to work for a small but growing record company.

IndieHQ: Tell me your favorite concert, record, book, food, and movie.

Dan EVR: Favorite concert would have to be a toss up between sigur ros and REM.

Favorite record… led zeppelin IV or bad brains ‘rock for light’

Favorite book… private parts by howard stern

Food… vegan chinese food

Movie… any of the national lampoon vacation movies

IndieHQ: What interests/hobbies do you have outside of music?

Dan EVR: howard stern. I can and often do listen to him all day. family, poker, movies, my cats are all things I enjoy as well. Did I mention that I love howard stern?

IndieHQ: What region has the best music scene in your opinion? What region has the most underrated music scene?

Dan EVR: Its hard to argue the legacy of the Seattle music scene, so that’s definitely one of the best. Long Island always creates good bands as well, it must be something in the water there.

Dan EVR: I think the Las Vegas and Arizona music scenes have been long overrated, but I feel like that’s changing right now. There’s something about 120 degree summer days that creates amazing bands!

IndieHQ: What record label do you have the most respect for? Why?

Dan EVR:I really respect hopeless records. I admire the way Louis runs his company and also how they give back to the community through their sub city

Written by Virgil Dickerson