Run for Cover Label Boss Jeff Casazza on Emo Revival, Classic LPs & More
Run for Cover Records stands today as one of the most recognizable names in the independent, DIY music world. And over the past two years, the Boston-based label has become more deeply entrenched in that community than ever before.
The label's knack for transforming unknown bands into favorites among a young, online-obsessed demographic has become its calling card. Bands like Basement, Tigers Jaw, Citizen, Modern Baseball and countless others have, with Run for Cover's help, risen to the crest of a new wave of emo, indie rock and grunge groups. Recently, these bands have earned their way past basement royalty status and graduated, one by one, into a territory marked by Billboard Charts and snarky bloggers. You know, they're making it.
At the center of this movement is Run for Cover founder Jeff Casazza. Armed with one of the most consistent ears for spotting promising young talent, Casazza has spent the last 10 years developing a stacked roster. Now he's riding the high of a renewed interest in the loosely defined world of "emo" and "indie rock."
But Run for Cover has been here before... kinda. In 2009 and 2010, the label got its breakthrough with a buzzing community of pop-punk bands like Man Overboard, Transit, Fireworks and others. But Casazza eventually saw his best-performing acts picked off his roster by bigger fish. Now that Run for Cover is becoming a decent-sized fish on its own merit, the label is leading the way again.
During the 2013 CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, Fuse TV sat down with Casazza to discover more about Run for Cover's beginnings, this year's "emo revival" and much more.
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