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FISHvs MONKEY Two independent Dunedin record labels, both dedicated to vinyl, have recently celebrated significant birthdays. Fishrider owner Ian Henderson and Monkey Killer boss David Ager get together for a chat about what they do. BOTH musicians and huge music fans, Ian Henderson and David Ager’s record labels have been central to the continuing health of Dunedin’s music scene over the last half decade. Henderson set up Fishrider Records in 2006 to release an album from his band The Dark Beaks. Since then he’s released albums by The Puddle (fronted by his brother George and for whom Henderson drums), a seven-inch split single from Robert Scott and Adalita Srsen with the Puddle, and more recently the debut album from Opposite Sex.
all photos: John Needham
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Vinyl only Monkey Killer Records was launched by Ager in 2008 to release the second album from Dunedin quartet Onanon, which also happened to be their swansong (until the recent release of the posthumous digital only Bad Vibrations EP). He’s released a single from Mountaineater, an album from Operation Rolling Thunder, and an EP from his own band Idiot Prayer since. Running a small independent label is clearly a labour of love, as the two elaborate on in this conversation.