Where do you get you records made? Is it expensive?
We have used three pressing plants. Corduroy Records who are based in Melbourne Australia, Peter King Records in New Zealand and GZ Digital Media in the Czech Republic. Don't start thinking it is cheap! For quantities under 500 you'll be looking at around $2.50-$3.50 per unit and that isn't counting the costs of making sleeves. There is also United Record Pressing in North America - we haven't used these guys but from all reports, their quality is pretty good. As with everything, the more you make the cheaper it gets....but then you've got to sell them. Contact the companies above and they'll give you a hand.

What about those lathe-cut singles from King Records in New Zealand? How do they sound?
There is a lot of misinformation floating around about these records. Personally, I think they're great. The volume of these records tend to be a little lower than standard records and there may be a little extra surface noise too but, considering that a lot of music that makes it to this format is pretty lo-fi stuff, it hardly matters. I have bought much worse sounding records on traditional vinyl. The records are individually cut from a polycarbonate material, very similar to the material used for CDs. As a result, the records are a little thinner than traditional vinyl (but not as thin as flexidiscs - these are completely different) and are generally considered to be a little 'softer'. I have had lathe cut records in my collection for many years and, even with regular playing, I have not noticed any significant reduction in sound quality. If you are looking at pressing over 100 records, maybe traditional vinyl is the way to go but if you're looking at a limited release, these records offer a unique format that is available, nto only in 7", 10" and 12" varieties but also any combination in between and down to as small as 5" or specific shapes (triangles, squares etc etc).

Do I need to get my recordings mastered especially for vinyl? Anything else I should know?

Ok, this will be up to you to decide based on what you're likely audience (and budget) will be. Technically, your recordings should be mastered especially for vinyl. As well as consideration given to playing times (about 4 minutes per side of a 45rpm 7"), there are issue relating to the bottom end, top end, phase and bunch of other technical sound engineering stuff I can't get my head around. If you're doing a lo-fi release of home recorded stuff for selling at shows and giving to friends, maybe specific vinyl mastering isn't needed but if you're pressing up a large quantity and indeed sending copies out to radio & print media, it is probably worth investing a little extra time and money. If you are serious about mastering especially for vinyl, make sure you get in touch with someone who has had some experience. There is some good information on the Corduroy Records website here and on teh United Records Pressing website here. For the record, most of Steady Cam releases have been mastered for vinyl with the exception of the background frequencies series and a couple of the limited and gig-giveaway 7"s.

Where do you get your sleeves made?
We get our sleeves made at SNAP printing. They are usually done with offset printing and one colour ink (pantone scale) on lightweight card (usually less than 200gsm). This means we provide the printer with a greyscale image and the 'black' is substituted with a shading of the colour you select - there are tons so drop by your local printers for a few ideas. There are a lot of printers around so call a few in your local area and get some quotes. Don't forget to make sure the sleeves are 'scored' so they are easier to fold. Also, ask the printers how much extra it is to get an additional print colour, you may find it is not a lot more. Also, remember the sleeves should be a little larger than 7"x 7" but make sure they'll still fit in your plastic outer sleeves. If you want to get sleeves that are glued together, you'll have to contact a company that has the appropriate di-cut equipement. International Trash printers can be contacted via Corduroy Records. If you'd like to hand make your sleeves, you can also pick up premade 'blank' white 7-inch sleeves from Corduroy.

Where do you get those plastic protective covers from?
In Australia, one of the only places left to get protective covers is Norripack (phone 02 9153 6502). They have two varieties of 7" covers and three varieties of 12" covers. Overseas, you may like to check out Bags Unlimited who have a HUGE range of vinyl record products ranging from paper inner sleeves to vinyl record cleaning machines!

Do any record stores still stock vinyl in Australia?
Not as many as used to but there certainly are a few. In Sydney, Red Eye Records (CBD), Pony Rocords (Alexandria) and Paint it Black (Newtown) and three of our favourites. Missing Link (Melbourne), Cumbersome (Melbourne) and Rocking Horse (Brisbane) stock vinyl releases for local acts too. Overseas, try Norman Records (UK), Melody Bar (UK) and Tonevendor (USA).

Where do you send vinyl for review in Australia?
Not many places doing music reviews these days in the absence of any regularly released zines. First Past the Post (Perth) and Sadness is in the sky (Melbourne) regularly review vinyl. However, I review Australian vinyl releases (7", 10" & 12") for the Ozmusic Project and you are welcome to send any releases for review to Cameron Webb PO Box 72 Westmead NSW 2145. Make sure you include a press release.

I hate vinyl but I want to hear some of these songs on CD....do they exist?
Ok, we know there are a few of you out there who don't want to buy vinyl (for whatever crazy reason that is!). We don't release our vinyl singles on CD. However, some tracks have found their way to CD. Number One Fan by twelve24 (scam9801) was included on a Blind Records promo compilation called 'Some Assembly Required'. Contact Blind to order a copy. 'Bells of Sunday' by Golden Rough (scam9802) was included as a b-side to their 'April Wind' CD single on Candle Records. 'Ivy' by the Dearhunters (scam9804) was included on their album, 'Red, Wine and Blue', released by Candle Records.

Why are you doing CDs now?
It isn't like we've stopped doing vinyl! We've decided to extend Steady Cam's catalogue into compact disc releases because the label is always growing and it gives us an opportunity to release longer releases from our favourite artists. We hope the success we've had with vinyl releases flows onto our CD releases too.

How can I buy one of your records using a credit card?
We're sorry but you can't buy directly from Steady Cam using a credit card. You can, however, contact Augogo Records in Melbourne or Whammo in Sydney who take credit card details over the phone. If you are overseas, you can order some of our records from Twee Kitten, Little Prints, Parasol or Pennyblack Music using your credit card. Very soon, you will be able to buy our releases using a credit card from a wonderful new mailorder service called Traffic-Sounds.

Can I send you cash? Overseas currency? what does 'well concealed cash' mean?
Yes but please keep in mind we cannot accept any responsibility for lost orders. We understand that the cost of money orders is getting more expensive all the time so feel free to send local or foreign currency. The best way to conceal it is to wrap the cash in a couple of sheets of dark coloured paper.

Are there any stores where I can buy Steady Cam singles?
There sure are! Try these stores: Red Eye Records (Sydney), Augogo (Melbourne), Rocking Horse (Brisbane), Skinny's (Brisbane), Raul's (Melbourne), Polyester (Melbourne), Dada (Perth) and 78 (Perth).

Where can I buy Steady Cam singles overseas?
Pennyblack Music (UK) is the only place overseas that stock all of our releases. However, other singles are for sale at Baby Roo Records (Japan), Twee Kitten (USA), Parasol (USA) and Melody Bar (Scotland) and Little Prints Mailorder (USA).

How does my band get released on steady cam?
We gladly accept demos for consideration. However, please keep in mind that there is always a line up of bands that have been earmarked by the Steady Cam executives for future release. Apart from liking your music, there are a few other things we look for in a band before we release a single. The most important is your enthusiasm for having a single. We appreciate it if bands are willing to help promote and sell their records. In the grand scheme of things this is very important to us.

What happened to Steady Cam mailorder?
Unfortunately, we just couldn't find the time to dedicate to the mailorder service we offered for other labels and bands. However, one of the reasons we also closed down that section of Steady Cam was because our good friends at Traffic-Sounds were starting up and they'll do a fantastic job with distributing indie-pop and alternative music from all over the world. Drop by their site and say hi.

What happened to Slide Show fanzine?
Well, you may have noticed that the extensive Slide Show fanzine site has disappeared into thin air. We don't exactly know what happened either but it was a shame we lost a lot of archived material, reviews and interviews there. 

I sent Steady Cam Records an email or a copy of my bands demo/label's latest release but I haven't heard anything from you? Didn't you get it or are you guys just rude?!?!?
Well, things like this do happen, we try to get back in touch with everyone who sends us stuff but sometimes we get so overloaded with email or demos that we just don't get the chance to get back to you as soon as possible. If you want to send us an reminder email, please do. It is always a good idea to send us an email before you send that demo too so we know it is coming and we can make sure we get back to you as soon as possible. 

I'd like to interview Steady Cam for my fanzine or website?
We love that! Fire away any questions you have to Cameron. If you are interested in interviewing any of the bands who've appeared on a Steady Cam release, we can put you in touch with them.

Can you add a link to my new record label from the Steady Cam site?
Sure, we love to swap links, just make sure you email us your correct URL and we'll get it up on the site as soon as possible. If you change URL, please drop us a line so we can update it.

I'm a graphic designer/photographer/artist who would like to work with Steady Cam designing sleeves/posters/flyers, can I?
The majority of graphic work done at Steady Cam is by ourselves but we are always keen to hear from artists looking to be involved. Feel free to contact us with a sample of your work and how you would like to be involved but please keep in mind you will not (intially anyway) become rich by doing work for Steady Cam.

Where do you get those cute button badges made?
Our buttons are made by the One Inch Button Company. They can be contacted here. For those overseas, please try the Busy Beaver - they are helpful and great to deal with. There are a lot of places in Australia doing buttons nowdays, try cute as a button, patterns in static, x-badges, number one chicken and weather records.

I took some pictures of a band on your label, can you put them up on your site?
Sure, drop us a line first and let us know what you have. We aren't interested in those photos of soap star joe or purplene either so you'd better keep them to yourselves.

I'd like to get one of the Steady Cam bands to play at my birthday party, how much does it cost?
Depends on who they are. Some may do it for a friendly smile but others may require you to meet an extensive list of demands. Drop us a line and we'll try to help out.

Why has Darren Hanlon released something on Steady Cam Records, I thought he was signed to Candle Records?
Well, he kind of is signed to Candle but since they stole the Dearhunters and Golden Rough from us, I thought we'd better pinch someone back from them.

Can I come and do work experience with Steady Cam Records?
Unless you want to do the dirty dishes and go get lunch there isn't a lot to do. We suggest you do work experience at the Bureau of Meterology - it'd be much more fun!

What is a runout groove?
Get with the program! It is the groove that runs from the end of the music to (almost) the label.

How do I know when I'm going steady?
Not sure if you're asking the right people here. We never knew, however, I reckon if you hold hands in public then I would say you're going steady. Not just once though, pretty regularly. Maybe on three separate occasions.

What the hell is 'Math rock'?
Who knows? We lost track just after 'post-rock'......