APRIL - DUNE CASTLE

Dune Castle is a studio and record label, situated near the Darebin Parklands in Thornbury, Melbourne. It was founded with a love for microphone-captured recordings and a deep reverence for expression through instrumentation. 

From band sessions in the live room to sonic experiments in the Throne Room, Dune Castle celebrates the spirit of collaboration and invention.Music is the business, but music is not serious business.

For AIR's May Label Spotlight we caught up with Patrick Ryan from Dune Castle to learn more. 

HOW WAS DUNE CASTLE CREATED? WHAT IS DUNE CASTLE ALL ABOUT?

Dune Castle was created out of a need to release my own music, and as a vehicle for world building driven by sonic composition.

COVID lockdowns provided the impetus to convert a double garage out the back of my share house into a DIY studio - slowly collecting pieces of recording equipment and gear to build the first iteration of Dune Castle.

From there it moved to it’s new home in Thornbury by the Darebin Parklands.

It’s a recording space, a collective of deeply talented and fiercely creative musicians, and a framework within which these musicians can play.

Since childhood, I’ve had a love of fantasy books, films, and games - particularly the way in which they can create unique worlds, and Dune Castle is a way to participate in that conversation.

The music stems from a lot of jazz and funk sensibilities - live recording; as many people playing in the room together as possible.

WHAT WAS THE MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED YOU WANTED TO START A LABEL? WAS IT WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO OR DID SOMETHING ELSE LEAD TO IT?

It had never been a consideration when I was younger, but mainly because I’d never thought it possible.

When the time came to release a self-produced record, I thought if I’ve made the whole record myself, why not try doing the label side too.

I’m lucky being both a musician and label owner, and feel like I’m able to understand both sides of how this thing operates. 

For so long growing up as a young musician, labels seemed like a mystical mechanism within the music industry; something that’d change your life if you were lucky enough to be ‘signed’.

But the industry has changed, and so too has the nature of labels. Of course there are things labels can offer like leverage and reach, experience, curation, trust and audience, but digital distribution has changed the playing field for us all.

It felt like a natural progression to create my own world within which to create, represent and release music. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BEST WAYS FOR A LABEL TO SUPPORT THEIR ARTISTS?

I think having a clear understanding of what the artist actually wants to get out of their relationship with the label, and ensuring that you’re working together to get that outcome.

Some acts want to play festival slots, some want big streaming numbers, some just want an avenue to be able to express their art in a way that feels true to them.

If the artist and the label align on most of their goals, then we’ve got a pretty good foundation for collaborating on the release of a record. 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ARTIST AND THEIR INDEPENDENT LABEL?

Trust. Transparency in finances. Consistent, clear communication of expectations and outcomes. Timely execution of the basics. This is exactly the same for both the artist and the label. 

At Dune Castle, most of the records are recorded in the Dune Castle Throne Room (studio in Thornbury), and I’m involved in most of the recordings, whether it be composition, performing, or engineering.

Those kinds of sessions are generally pretty exhausting but deeply emotionally charged, and almost always provide a deep understanding and respect between participants - that’s just the nature of recording with people.

So most of the time there’s already a personal respect - the challenge more so can be keeping things professional.  

ANY ADVICE TO OTHERS WANTING TO WORK IN THE INDEPENDENT SECTOR?

Make sure what you’re working on is something that speaks to you on an artistic level.

It’s no secret that the music industry is in a strange place, if you’re hoping to make a ton of cash, look elsewhere.

But the relationships, the experiences, and most importantly, the art you’re helping to create and share will continue to feed your soul, and that feels enough. 

WHAT ARE YOU DRAWN TO WHEN YOU DECIDE TO SIGN AN ACT?

Music is number one. Always will be.
But, unfortunately, vibe, aesthetic and online presence are a close second.

Dune Castle is a one-man operation from top to bottom, and it makes my life significantly easier to collaborate with an artist that already has their own thing going on.

Having a strong visual identity; storytelling through images and video, artwork and tone of writing on social media go a long way to helping get the music out there. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCLUSIVE NEWS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT DUNE CASTLE?

Four super fun releases this year that I’m really proud of and can’t wait to share.

The first 7” dropped on March 20th. We’ve got a 12” coming through in May that is awesome - a one-day studio session between four amazing players that involved composing and recording a full-length LP. Engineered and mixed by myself.

Then new sounds from Cantrips and Evening News.

The Dune Castle universe is expanding in a really exciting way this year. 

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LABELS AND ARTISTS?

Independent labels and artists are where the most freaky, funky, weird, spooky, electric and eclectic music is being made.

The music and representation of it are unique to scenes of pockets of musical culture around the world, and it’s a joy to be a part of that conversation.

Music feels like it’s in a strange place - in many respects, it’s deeply undervalued; most of us expect to have access to this art form for free, all the while cutting out revenue streams for artists and labels alike... and yet, there is something deeply human; deeply alive to engaging with music.

It is as ancient as we are, and will continue to morph, change and grow as we do. 

The digitisation and use of AI in art is worrisome, but I believe that people will always flock to that which feels real and alive - people making music.   

WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING AT DUNE CASTLE (TOURS/SIGNINGS ETC)

Evening News Tour Japan in September (to promote an LP)
Cantrips Tour Australia in summer (to promote an LP)
Many more recording sessions. Exclusive artefacts available via the website.
A bunch of other fun stuff that I’m going to keep under wraps for now - you’ll have to follow the journey to find out.