Shawn Milke: Alesana, Artist Integrity, Revival Recordings | Bridge The Atlantic: Interview #109

If you're new, subscribe! → http://bit.ly/sub-bta Support us on Patreon! → http://bit.ly/1N0ySGA Shop official BTA merch! → http://bit.ly/2Fj6aFI SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3rMAuBE Spotify Podcasts: https://spoti.fi/3enyNaT FOLLOW BTA: Instagram:   / bridgetheatlantic   Twitter:   / bridge_atlantic   Facebook:   / bridgetheatlantic   TikTok:   / bridgetheatlantic   FOLLOW MARCIO: YouTube:    / marcionovellimusic   Instagram:   / marcionovelli   Twitter:   / marcionovelli   Facebook:   / marcionovelli   FOLLOW ROSS: Instagram:   / electrickiwi   Twitter:   / electrickiwi   Facebook:   / electrickiwidesign   OFFICIAL BTA WEBSITE: https://bridge-the-atlantic.com/ BIOGRAPHY - SHAWN MILKE: Joining us this week is lead singer of post-hardcore band Alesana and founder of Revival Recordings, Shawn Milke. To date, Alesana have released 2 EPs and 5 full length albums, and have recently brought out a novella - Annabel, which is what inspired their Annabel Trilogy. With Revival Recordings, the message is clear: it’s all about art and the people who create it. The team and artists signed to the label are a community where creative and artistic integrity are paramount. It's not just music, it’s good music by good people - and this is why we think Shawn is a perfect guest for the show. In this interview, we talk about Shawn's work with Alesena, the advice he'd offer to artists who want to sign to a label, and the importance of integrity in the music business. Highlights: Shawn is ambitious and follows through on his ambitions “When you first start out, you make decisions based on where you hope to go” - Shawn Milke Shawn shares the tough decisions that Alesana had to make in the beginning “We wanted to have artistic success, and if that ended up being commercial success, then great” - Shawn Milke Shawn shares how dedicated the fans of Alesana are We hear about some of the opportunities that Alesana was presented with, and how they handled those “We made the decisions we wanted to make, which has benefitted our art and our fanbase” - Shawn Milke We talk about the importance of maintaining your integrity Shawn shares how he loves crazy challenges and has always wanted to offer more than just the music to Alesana’s fans “Our fans’ devotion to what we’ve created has inspired me to keep giving it to them” - Shawn Milke We talk about the importance of having a supportive team around you Shawn shares how it was tough to be taken seriously as a label owner in the beginning Shawn shares how being an artist has helped him earn the trust of the artists they sign Shawn tells us what he looks at when considering signing an artist to his label “The industry could use a lot more honesty” - Shawn Milke “Our mistakes are just as important as our successes” - Shawn Milke Advice: If you want to be signed by a label, you have to consider yourself a professional band You can’t sell your product when your product isn’t finished A label’s job isn’t to make your band good, it’s to give your band exposure Social media is great, but going back to the grassroots is also very important Fans want that real person interaction - be real, and physically interact with them Guest Links: Website: http://www.revivalrecs.com Facebook: Alesana / Revival Recordings Twitter: @ShawnTheMilke / @Alesana / @RevivalRecs Instagram: @Mr.MilkeRevival / @AlesanaOfficialIG / @RevivalRecordings Sponsors: Chris Keaton @ Chris Keaton Presents Christine Infanger @ Thirty Roses Joe Settineri The Rock/Star Advocate Music Launch Hub Bob Baker Buck Naked Soap Company Wendy Donaldson