The independent record label, Brick Lane Records, is home to Iska Dhaaf, Benjamin Verdoes, Mayors of Liberty and more. Seattle, a city that fosters its burgeoning culture of independent producers (like this here magazine), is producing some of the most interesting music and artistic work in the country. We caught up with Brick Lane founder Kirt Debique to find out what drives him toward his indie label success, why he started in Seattle and what, exactly, he thinks about the idea of artistic community. 

Jake Uitti: Why did you start Brick Lane Records?

Kirt Debique: The label was founded on three basic tenets – we put artists first, pull together as a community, and have a patient, thoughtful focus on the long term.  The more time I spent creating music, the more I fell in love with the supportive, collaborative, and talented community of artists we have here in Seattle.  Brick Lane came out of a desire to help that community thrive, and to advance independent music in an era that has seen significant industry upheaval. That upheaval has given us the opportunity to forge our own path towards a sustainable business founded on artist-friendly principles.

JU: What do you mean by community? Both influenced by that which is good and that which is bad?

KD: I think of Brick Lane as a family thing; a collective. We celebrate one another in success, and support one another through challenges. The artists on Brick Lane are a community that lifts all its members up together, and “a rising tide lifts all boats” is a common refrain. We should also participate in and engage the broader Seattle and Northwest artistic community.  That ethos is an important part of who we are, and how we conduct business.

JU: What have been some of your favorite moments running the label? What have been some of the more challenging moments?

KD: In the early days of Brick Lane, Nathan Quiroga, Benjamin Verdoes, and I would spend a lot of time together (at Elliott Bay Books or their practice space) brainstorming and working on the strategy for the label and the Iska Dhaaf rollout.  We knew we were making something special, and I love that type of small team collaboration.  Those times will always be a joy to me.  Another special moment was when the three of us drove down to Olympia for the You Are Plural record release show.  You Are Plural is another Brick Lane band whose members are Ephriam Nagler, Jen Grady, and Chad Austinson.  Ephriam is also the producer on the Iska Dhaaf records.  Going down to Olympia was all about supporting family, and the look of joy on the faces of Ephriam, Jen, and Chad when we showed up during sound check was priceless.  As for challenges, we recently completed a four month stretch during which we had six releases come out on Brick Lane.  About two thirds of the way through (in late February), I was pretty close to my wits end.  The love and support from everyone on the label helped me carry on and push through to the final release.

JU: Is there a favorite place you like to do business for the label in Seattle?

KD: I do a lot of work out of the house.  That said, 15^th Ave on North Capitol Hill is my jam, and I can often be found doing work at Café Victrola, Liberty Bar, Rione XIII, or Smith.

JU: Why did you start your label here in Seattle?

KD: Seattle is home, and we’re fortunate to have such a talented, supportive, and musically diverse artistic community here.  Really, there’s no better place to start an independent label.