Tiny Engines
Interview with Chuck Daley
Tiny Engines is one of a few indie labels that are doing interesting printing treatments on the LP jackets, was this something that you set out to do from the first release? Definitely. For me, the appeal of vinyl was not only the sound of an expertly cut slab of wax, but also the potential for going the extra mile with packaging and artwork. There’s some creativity involved with CD packaging, but less so because of size constraints ... and a digital release is completely lacking in that regard. An LP simply has the ability to draw you in on so many levels and I always figured that if we were going to be releasing amazing music from amazing bands that the packaging should reflect that. Beside, I’ve always appreciated other labels who devote a hefty chunk of their resources into artwork and design. Give me an exquisite gatefold jacket and a simple black LP over colored vinyl any day.
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I know that kids love to collect the different color variants, but I could care less about that. I just want the record to sound great, and if a label has put a lot of effort into the packaging, it’s a big plus. Who comes up with the ideas for how each LP jacket is going to be finished? Do the bands ever come to you with ideas? Sometimes bands have a concept of what they’re going for, but normally I’m the one who is suggesting different packaging ideas to them. Hopefully they don’t mind me butting in, but I think everyone has been really happy with how their records have turned out. And I would never push a band to do something that they didn’t want to do. Sometimes it’s just a case of, “Hey, the art looks great ... but I think if we did this it could look even better.”