Who started the label and what were your general aspirations?
I (Lou Ridsdale) started up Z-Man Records clearly during a bout of insanity in the dead of the night during the winter of 2009. I obviously had too much to drink and thought I could take on the world. When I sobered up, I realized it was a reality, and I couldn’t look back. Actually, I started the label up when my part-time job of five years as publicist at Aztec Music (Melb-based reissue label) needed to become full-time, and I couldn’t commit to full-time due to Lance Rock Publicity (my music publicity business) and my work with Meredith Music Festival. So with the assistance of Ted Lethborg at Aztec, I set up Z-Man. The name is based on the character Ronnie “Z-Man” Barzell of Russ Meyer’s film Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. I’m utterly obsessed with this film and highly recommend you watch it if you’ve not seen it. Fast dialogue, great music and sassy chicks wearing very cool threads. Ronnie is the A&R dude in the film, and Lance Rocke is the swindler/schmoozer of the film. So it made sense to call the record label Z-Man, and my music publicity company Lance Rock Publicity. So, I rolled up my sleeves and started signing bands that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. That’s my general guideline to signing artists to the label. My aspirations are to stay true to my indie philosophy and ethos I’ve instilled regarding my other music business, Lance Rock Publicity – I only work with musicians I admire both musically, and professionally. It’s not about commercial ability, but always about credibility. Being organised is also a must for bands too – I’m not here to wipe noses and tie shoelaces.

Where is the label’s homebase?
Z-Man HQ is, like all my other fave indie labels, in my loungeroom in my apartment in Nicholson Street, Nth Fitzroy. My warehouse is my hallway cupboards. True story. One day I’d love to move overseas (Berlin is a big possibility), but for now 3068 is just fine for me.

What kind of distribution does the label have?
Physical distribution of my CDs is via Aztec Music. Vinyl distribution is via the mighty folk at Missing Link. And overseas distribution of vinyl and CDs is via Shock Exports (a division of Shock Records and again another old workplace of mine). If shops don’t currently stock the CD/vinyl you can request to order it in. Or you can hit us up at www.zmanrecords.com for speedy and cheap mail orders worldwide. Digital distribution is via CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com.

How can a band get signed to your label?
Anyone can send their CD to me c/o PO Box 592, Nth Carlton, VIC, 3054 for me to listen to. And I do listen to all of them – that’s a promise. I’m a bit old and cranky these days and overdosed on music sometime ago, so I send out my A&R dude Mark Nelson (from The Stabs/Miniature Submarines) to hunt down new bands. He’s one of my best friends in the whole world and I’ve known him for over 10 years – we met at Triple R FM after bonding over The Stooges. Luckily we have similar musical tastes, which helps a lot, but we’re happy to thrash it out over something we disagree on too. I call him DJ Chucky, because years ago he DJ’d at my birthday party and was deathly ill with gastro (but the little sweetheart was determined to still DJ for me) and straight after of a special Dirtbombs track he played just for me, I noticed DJ Dead Air was in the house. Looking over to the abandoned DJ booth, I motioned to a mate to get on the turntable, and went in search of Marky. He was in the ladies toilets and the poor thing had chucked all over himself. He will kill me for telling that story. I can’t pinpoint what we are looking for: it just has to be AWESOME. I’d say I have a leaning towards rock and swampy-blues punk stuff, but my ears are open to all.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a record label owner right now?
I hate to be negative, but fuck it’s tough. I’m an avid vinyl collector, have been for over twenty years, so this whole digital stuff has me beat. But I know we have to cater to all, and so we do. CD manufacturing really is not cheap in this country, and vinyl is a killer (although I LOVE the work of Vinyl Factory in Sydney! Thanks Laura!). Problem is, once you sort out CD manufacturing costs, then sell to retail stores for not much more, but they have the right to put whatever price they want on your product. Record labels have no say, so if it appears expensive: don’t point the finger at the label, it’s the store. And it’s not the stores fault either, because not many people are coming through the door. They have to earn a living. We are all struggling. Because physical sales are so dismal these days, it’s really hard – you have to do short runs, which means it’s more expensive, because there’s no way in Australia you will shift large amounts. I got a bit jaded a while back and so along with the awesome Loki Lockwood of Spooky Records, set up a collective of indie record labels. We have started meeting regularly, so hopefully we can all help each other. We have to – or it’s not looking too good for us all.

Why do you do it?
That feeling of ripping off that plastic cover on stock that has just been delivered to me prior to it going to the stores is something I can’t describe. Blasting it out on my stereo speakers and a little bit of wee coming out of me, is just utter joy. Working with artists I love, and the sense of pride when I can deliver what they want. I liken myself to a curator at an art gallery: they are the creative ones, and I’m merely there to showcase their art. They have complete creative license over what they do. I’m just the dopey music fan, who coughs up the dough to help them release it because I freaking love it. It’s certainly not the ‘rolling-around-on-the-bed-naked-with-piles-of-cash-around-me’ part of the film. I think I have a clear advantage being a music publicist because that obviously helps shitloads in promoting the artist as well. I also think, to the best of my knowledge that I’m the only Australian woman to solely run a record label (maybe ever). There have been others in collaboration with partners, but never a woman sole operator. I’m happy to be corrected if wrong – but I think it may be the case. And possibly the world – but I reckon there has to be other women out there doing it surely? I’m pretty proud of that stat.

What else do you do?
I’ve been a music publicist for the past nine years running my own publicity company Lance Rock Publicity with my business partner Adele Spence. Check us out at www.lancerock.com.au – (typical bloody publicist, always pushing something). Actually the website is new and it’s the first time in years I’m happy to acknowledge it’s existence. Previous to that it was like a plumbers’ toilet: always broken! I also am the Artist Production Manager for Meredith Music Festival; Golden Plains Festival and also Laneway Festival (Melb only). Adele took over my old job a few years ago as Volunteers Manager – we always work together and joke that we’ll be buried together. I’ve been involved with Meredith for 9 years, and I’ve been to every single festival since it started 19 years ago. Best job in the world! I just started with Laneway this year, and had a ball. I love looking after artists backstage – really not work at all…just loads of fun. I’m completely musically retarded. I tried to play guitar years ago and my guitar teacher just turned to me and said, “Best you don’t”. The old adage, ‘Those who can’t…. teach’, applies here.

Favourite holiday destination?
Paris, France without a doubt. Have been four times and have an ongoing love affair with that city and have some very dear friends there. Second option would be Sardinia (small island off Italy) – amazing people and seafood, and a nice quiet getaway which doesn’t hurt the wallet too much.

What is your most recent release and what’s on for the short-term future?
In 2009 I released three artists’ titles: Mother & Father – Nothin’ LP and CD, Witch Hats – Solarium Down The Causeway EP and 10” vinyl, Mark Steiner – Broken + Fallen Little Birds Special Edition CD and Broken LP. My first release for 2010 is coming up in April and will be Melbourne band The Coralinas (a two-piece featuring Cam Butler & Mark Dawson). Cam is a brilliant musician; he was the driving force of Silver Ray and one of the best-dressed men in Melbourne by far. He is ridiculously under-rated in this country and it’s a crying shame. The man is awesome. Mark is equally talented, and was Ed Kuepper’s drummer through the late 80s and 90s. He now plays with The Blackeyed Susans and J.P. Shilo, as well as in The Coralinas. Most of my artists are happy to spread their tentacles overseas which is a damn good thing: Cam is off to tour Europe in April; Witch Hats toured the US in 2008 and are planning a European tour very soon; Mark Steiner lives in Norway and spends a lot of time in New York and relentlessly tours both continents, and has toured Australia twice now; and Mother And Father are off on their maiden voyage to tour America in June.

Long-term future?
Let’s just sit back and see what happens hey? I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.

Z-Man MySpace: www.myspace.com/zmanrecords