Please present your label, when and where was it started, who is involved in its activities and what genres are promoted by it.
I started the french label Ancestrale Production back in 2009, first to release the album of my band Vergos dî Noctis, on tape and CDR, and to start a little distro list. Then I started to support some autoproducted band pro-CD releases I liked by buying them some copies on wholesale, and distribute them mainly by trades over the world. The number of contacts was growing, the distro list too, and I launched new releases, on CD and vinyl. I am the only person involved in the activity, some friends help me sometimes, for example when I come with the distro at a gig. The label is mainly about black metal / pagan black, but in the distro you can find also death, thrash, heavy, ambient... Even if for now the releases are for the majority in black metal, I think to vary this in the future.
Tell us a few words on each or the most important releases of your label, and which of them are still available for purchase.
I wish here to focus on AP04 Darkenhöld "A passage to the towers" CD, a great album of medieval black, well-executed, melodic, powerful
AP05 Draugen "Among the lonely shades" CD, an atmospheric and old-school black, captivating journey
AP06 Nydvind / Bornholm split 7" EP, the french-hungarian alliance in pagan/black, meody, power, impressive experienced bands, exclusive tracks before their 3rd album
AP07 Aorlhac / Darkenhöld / Ossuaire / Ysengrin split MCD, 4 french black / death bands around a medieval concept, exclusive tracks.
AP08 Fhoi Myore CD, furious black metal, first album, for fans of old Gorgoroth and finnish scene, with a french epic side.
All release from AP02 are available for purchase.
What are the most important features you look for in a band that is or has the chance to be signed on your label?Sincerity is the most important thing, honnest in the music and the words, with integrity, that I can ear the convictions in a second, a sound that highlights the composition, good enough to understand and ear everything.
How can a band get in touch with you? What should bands know before submitting their promos for your consideration?
Nowadays, email is the easiest way, before sending me a promo demo. I can first listen to the online tracks available, or the mp3 the band can send, because if I'm not interested, they could save the shipping cost!
Anyway, I'm not searching for new bands for releases at this time, but I'm always happy when some bands are agree to make trades with me! That I can discover their albums/demos/etc.
What's the most important thing in the relationship between you and your bands? What is your label offering to its bands?
To have a good contact with at least one member of the band, even if the contact is only by Internet and phone, due to distance. I offer as much copies of the release as I can to the band(s). If possible I help to pay studio a little, but most of the time I simply can't. I do my best for worldwide promotion and distribution, and also to find gigs, if the band has a live line-up.
Is there anything you planned with your label and has not yet been completed?
Yes, a tape is planned for a while now, but I don't have news from the band since months! I'm waiting for the final version of the artwork... It's a re-release of ukrainian black metal band Vermis Mysteriis 2nd album.
How does the future looks for your label? Any major projects you would like to share with us?
The future looks slow for the activities, I mean I won't release new material until next year, or maybe more. It's only because of the low budget I have hehe. I have some ideas for new releases, but only ideas. Nothing serious I can talk about!
How can anyone get in touch with you? Please list your website, webstore and/or social media links.
Thanks for the interview and interest! Here is all the links :
April 2012