1. Beginning with the history of VLE Media. When did the label start, what were your reasons behind it and do tell us about the significance in the name?
VLE Media started in 1997 as platform for regional electro bands. My first releases were published in “Very Limited Editions”. That is all what the name means.

2. Does the label intend to focus solely on forms of electronic music?
My first compilation compiled music of different styles on it. But soon I focussed on the music I like, i.e. electronic music.

3. How many releases have you available to date?
There are 46 releases at the moment, but some of them are not available anymore. If everything goes okay we will release the 50th VLE cd this year.

4. The recent “4004 Compilation” was released as a joint venture with the internet magazine ‘Happy Noise Production’. How did this situation occur and did you find it rewarding working together?
HNP is published by a friend of mine who is also a member of the band T.I.L.A.N. Together we listened to bands via the internet and asked the bands to be involved in the compilation. I think cooperations with others always are fruitful to reach a large publicity.

5. Will this type of collaborated compilation release be a regular feature for VLE Media?
This cannot be answered at the moment.

6. I see that “4004 Compilation” is only available at the moment through yourself or eBay. Why no other distribution source?
VLE Media is a platform for electronic bands, which works on an uncommercial basis. Everyone involved in the compilation works for free so we can sell the compilation for a very cheap price (EUR 8.00). If the compilation would be sold by a distribution company the price would rise automatically. I think it is better to do all this for fun than to think of the “big” money only.

7. You commented that the prospect behind the “4004 Compilation” was to introduce little known bands to a larger audience, have any of these bands informed you of the feedback that they have received due to this release?
As the compilation has been available only for a few weeks, there is not much feedback at the moment. However, I received positive feedback from some internet magazines which had reviews on the compilation.

8. As well as many other un-established bands, there are quite a few of your own signed bands making an appearance on the CD. Just how many bands are now under your wing… and who are they?
On the compilation, there are only a few direct VLE Media bands. These are:
Inside Agitator (the project of my own), Synergy, T.I.L.A.N., The Ghost Killer, Cyradium Six and Abnormal Dysfunction. Other bands are represented by me for the compilation. But most of the bands have not signed to a label.

9. So…what do you look for in a band to make them worthy of signing to VLE Media?
The direct VLE Media bands are friends of mine. All other bands of the compilation were chosen as I liked them when listening to their music. I always search for new music and new ideas.

10. Do you offer / do you plan to offer other services than just the label?
VLE Media is not my main work. When I would like to offer more than I do at present, it would need much more time. Unfortunately I do not have the time.

11. What methods are you using to attract attention to the VLE Media name?
The main media of my promotional work is the internet. I promote the products by my homepage and take efforts that our products will find attention on other homepages. In our region I try to attract attention by means of concerts and radio shows.

12. What do you find to be the positive and negative sides of running a small label such as yours?
The most important thing is for me that I can do what I want. VLE Media is not meant to earn a lot of money. All what I do and all what the bands involved do is decided by us only and serves for one purpose only. And this is the fun of making electronic music, live performances and everything connected.

13. What has been the biggest achievement for the label so far..?
I think we have our biggest achievement at the moment, the 4004 Compilation which is accepted very positively everywhere.

14. How different do you feel it would have been to set up the label, had you not been based in Germany?
I think Germany is the biggest market for electronic music at Europe, however, what is not decisive for me. I also think that in other countries there are labels and bands which primarily make their music to have a lot of fun.

15. And the forthcoming events on the VLE Media calendar are….?
There will be some cd-r releases this year (Inside Agitator, Synergy, …). For November our next VLE Media Festival is scheduled at our city. The following bands will present their songs: Mystery of Dawn, Inside Agitator, Synergy, T.I.L.A.N. Next year, there will be the possibility for Inside Agitator to play at a festival in Spain with some bigger bands.

16. Do you have any further ambitions to strive for?
No, because I make music for almost 10 years and the most important thing for me is still having fun.

17. Any final words for our readers?
Support the underground!