Bert Records: Simple is best  
by Henry Horman

Dave Rasmussen's got an enviable, although very do-able, little hobby. The full-time engineer's chosen part-time job is to serve as the, ah, President of Bert Records, a little record label he runs from his computer in Woodbury.

No, it's not an online record store or anything like that-- aside from the label's website, the computer is used primarily to press the CDs, and produce occasional Bert propanganda. Once a band's finished in the studio, they turn a disc over to Rasmussen, who burns it onto a bunch of CD-Recordables on his Macintosh. "It takes five or ten minutes for each one", he says. It's a do-it-while-you're-reading-or-watching-TV sort of project."

Since it's just a little time consuming, Rasmussen has also set a couple of limits that have subsequently contributed to the charm of the little label, which was co-founded by he and his business partner Dan Kromm.

The rules are as follows-- no Bert Records release exceeds 100 pressings and no Bert Records release is anything but an EP in length. Other than that, there are no rules.

The nifty packaging (CDs with simple plastic slip covers and no jewel boxes) and intentionally limited editions make the releases into instant collectors items. Holding a Bert disc feels like holding a 45 record. Rasmussen say that is just a happy by-product of keeping the operation simple.

"Bert Records is not done, in theory, to make money", he says. "If they sell out, they're break even projects by design. If we really hit something big, we might go with more. I'm in favor of success, but I think the odds are much better if they're experimental kinds of projects instead of trying to hit a homerun every time."

Compared to the usual shove-it-down-your-throat marketing methods of the music business, the Bert Records plan seems so unconventional that it just might work. In fact, it already is working quite well since selling out at 100 CDs isn't the most daunting task, even in the super-saturated, pop culture mania we currently live in.

"I'm not saying I necessarily know what I'm doing, either." Rasmussen is quick to point out. "But I didn't want to make 1000 CDs if I wasn't gonna sell 1000 CDs."

Rasmussen also likes the concept of EPs as opposed to full-length projects. "I think 20 to 25 minutes gives a band enough time to say what they what to say."

Who's on Bert?

The labels roster consists of the following seasoned local artists: Steeplejack, Cave Music, The Mill City Blue Blowers and Auto Body Experience. Bert also released a collection of music made by ex-Something Fierce member Jeff Carpenter while he was in high school in the late '70s (Shut Up Mom, I'm on the Phone).

Steeplejack is halfway though a four-EP "contract" this year with Bert. The first one, Songs for Swingin' Lovers is the sole sell out si far, thanks in part to Radio K's airplay of "Mazel Tov, Mr. Molotov" and a couple of local radio appearances by the band.

If Steeplejack are the Beatles of Bert, then John Knowles (a.k.a. Caveman) is its Dylan, granted that it be a "Dayton's Bluff Mentality" version of Dylan. Cave Music's Holiday Cheer was the label's official first release , in the December of 1997. Cave Music is also set to release The Abducted on Bert any day now (by the way they're also playing the Entry tomorrow w/Bill Patten and Tail, $5, 8 p.m.).

Another project in the offing is a four song EP by Beatifics (Update from Bert: on hold per Chris Dorn; the band broke up). Rasmussen likes the advantages of working with musicians who have been around the blocks enough times to be realistic about the music business; which makes it a good place for them to put their shoes up and relax, while they await that lucky break.

"They're mature enough to know that this is a hard business", says Rasmussen. "But this way, even if it's on a small scale, the label can provide them with continuing visibility, even if they don't sell a ton of albums. I just tell people to go, then I wait for stuff to be done."

One of my favorite Bert discs is Art Carnage from Mill City Blue Blowers, a loose collection of musicians including Dan Newton (accordion, vocals and kazoo), Bob Fyfe (gutbucket bass, jug, musical saw and funky kazoo), Joe Steinger (washboard, percussion, slide whistle), Eric Mohring (mandolin) and Dr. John Walker (guitar).

The Blue Blowers sum up the relaxed nature of most Bert projects-- like Caveman, Steeplejack and the others-- they're happy to be making music and likely playing much looser as well with the "sell, sell, sell" pressure completely removed.

One hell of a hobby, eh? "It's a very fun thing to do," says Rasmussen. "and it's fairly easy. I would encourage others to do the same so I can buy their records."