Hi everyone.
REMEMBER ITS THIS COMING WEEKEND!
ASK PROHIBITED PROJECTS A QUESTION
DAY
Sometime ago we sent an
open call for questions to be sent to us at Prohibited Projects, as an
interactive interview for those who wanted to know more about how we roll, but
never had a chance to.
At the rate we’re going
(we put on a ton of shows, but are also the lousiest record label and distro)
some are surprised that we’re not on social media and cant seem to grasp how we
keep a pretty low profile online. Which by the way makes us vague and dodgy,
just the way we like it!
However with constant
involvement in this scene, we have plenty to say and at every half-chance we
would probably say something.
Because dialogue is
important.
We had a pretty shitty
response with only 2 people sending in questions (we had a feeling the rest of
the world didn’t give a fuck, and we were right).
So thus here are the
questions and our answers. Thanks to Murali Dumpster Cops and Esty Radigals for
the interest!
We'd like to keep this going, so if you read this and you like what you read, send your own questions to prohibitedprojects(a)gmail.com
1) What will be
the future of scene like after all this new law about entertainment?
Nothing will change. Punk is not entertainment. It is reality,
it is art or maybe something close to art. And with art there are always ways
to go around rules and regulations. The scene is at its healthiest with
generations of punks doing stuff and hanging out. The only problem is with a
first world reality like Singapore it will be taken for granted. The soul of
this scene will die if we end up too comfortable and safe.
2) How long will
Prohibited Projects be around? And if it's gone do you see any hope for the
underground scene?
Until the day we want to call it a day. The way you put the
question is strange. The scene doesn’t revolve around Prohibited Projects.
Prohibited Projects exists BECAUSE there is a DIY underground. I hope the
underground lives on forever. It is a crucial part of the social ecosystem.
3) What do you
think about the young gig organisers? Are they ready to face the future
of scene? Or do they still have a long way to go?
I’m not sure what you’re asking but I’ll try to understand it. The fantastic
thing about punk is that there are no formal standards to live up to. Whether
or not a band sucks, whether or not a label is doing a good thing or whether a
gig organizer is worth his/her salt is really for the individual to decide.
There is an agreement to disagree and that is important. The scene must
continue to be independent, whether or not you are contributing to punk, oi,
hardcore, metal, grunge, techno, hip hop etc. There will be a billion arguments
and opinions on this, and for me as long as things stay independent and it
keeps going then the ‘scene’ as we know it is in good hands. Everyone has a
long way to go in anything, what matters most is what they mean in their heart.
4) Why you blond
dei?
Because life is a struggle. I don’t know. Fuck you. Haha.
5)
How long have Prohibited Projects been going on?
2003-2004. I cannot remember. Haha.
6) Is
Prohibited Projects run by one person?
Yes. It is a one man show. Actually could have been a 2 man show but the one
idiot running it was so used to running things alone that “second man’s” role
somewhat dissolved over time. Sorry. But we do maintain that Prohibited
Projects is always addressed as “we” because everything is NOT because of one
person. Countless individuals, groups, bands and collectives help Prohibited
Projects from time to time (from setting up equipment to doing door, to helping
with printing to playing in our shows to being cooperative and nice etc etc),
they deserve more credit than just one person. It is a privilege for us to have
help from so many people every single time we need it. We are forever thankful.
7) What are the challenges that Prohibited Projects
have faced?
Mainly money, trust, and co-operation. The constant stress of hoping to cover
costs at shows, or if people would turn up in the first place. Sometimes there
are solutions sometimes there are none. Then also constant disappointment of
friends dropping out of the scene, people changing, polar opposite ethical differences
etc, but that always keeps us going somehow. Punk may look simple but it is not
easy.
8) Why Prohibited Projects exist?
Firstly as a DIY record label and distro. Then we realized we sucked at the
distro-label thing. It takes a lot of resolute discipline to constantly put out
and distribute recordings and merchandize, and there are way more better
reliable distros / labels other then PP. But we still kept PP going because it
still was handy as it encapsulated the things we do, like shows, exhibitions,
screenings, parties, events like DISTRO DAY OUT and more. It would be
considered a holistic platform for all things punk. Our projects are
theoretically prohibited anyway haha.
9) Will
Prohibited Projects still be alive in years to come? Any plans of passing down
Prohibited Projects?
We may call it a day when the time feels right or we can go the traditional way
of how punks put an end to things…by fading away to oblivion. Haha.
To pass down a half-assed bedroom label? For what? This isn’t an empire. The
beauty of punk is its ability to create and destroy in very simple terms. No
corporate royalty bullshit, no wealth to pass down. Everyone must know that
anyone can do anything on their own. Ive seen too many collectives and labels get
inherited, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. I would encourage everyone
to start from scratch and end it when you feel like it. DIY for life.
