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Let's get to know the Melbourne-based independent label Sensory Projects, whose artist Faux Pas is nominated for a 2010 Jagermeister Independent Music Award for Best Dance/Electronica Album ['Silver Line' by Faux Pas embedded above].

Below is an interview with Sensory Projects' founder, Steve Phillips [pictured right].

How and why did Sensory Projects start, Steve?

In 1996 I began publishing a 'zine called Sadness Is In The Sky. I felt like there weren't enough places in the media focussing on the sorts of music I enjoyed, so I decided to do something small to provide a bit of support. A label was simply another thing I'd always wanted to do and in 2000 I decided to set something up, with some encouragement from friends and distribution support from Inertia.

Who was involved at the beginning?

Me; it's only ever been me.

What changes have you seen since the label began?

Somehow it's difficult to say as, as businesses go, I run the label very loosely, and the impact of change is not ever very obvious. I suppose the number of stores buying the releases nationally has dropped significantly, or the stores have closed, which has made the job of distributing the releases more involved. I guess I'm more conscious of what doesn't change than what does change.

What does being independent mean to you? 

Honestly, it's a mixture of good and bad but ultimately, independence in the context of being a business owner and running a business that is still operating after almost ten years without any third parties contributing financially to the support ofor growth of my business, is actually a good feeling.

What are some of the label's proudest moments and success stories? 

The realisation of every release, of every project I'm involved with is an event that I feel good about. But the Hold Hands! show I organised in Melbourne in 2009 was one of the most memorable and wonderful things I have ever experienced and been a part of.

Conversely, any artists or investments that didn't take off as you'd hoped?

Of course, but the 'broader success' of so many things is about timing and sometimes timing is about making it 'your time', and for a small label that's really difficult.

What's your definition of a successful indie label?

My definition is, simply 'to be' is a success! Just being able to continue to do what you  want to do, to support the artists and releases you want to, that's my benchmark of success. I guess to call on an example of a successful indie though you can't really go past Chapter Music, because Guy Blackman is one of the truly clever people active in the Australian music community. Chapter never appears stale, Guy seems to keep the label feeling fresh and his selections are always personal and fascinating on all sorts of levels. 

What are some of the values that your label adheres to (or tries to adhere to)? 

I think all of the same values that are important within our day-to-day relationships; honestly, trust, integrity. The label exists to support the people I admire in doing what they want to do, in my representing their artforms truthfully, with enthusiasm, honesty, andenjoying the relationships I have with the people I work with and appreciating each other. 

What measurable effect has illegal mp3 downloading/'piracy' had on your business? 

Sensory Projects is a small label and frankly I'd be exercising disillusionment if I complained about illegal downloading and our releases. The fact is that it might almost be the reverse, that someone posting our titles for illegal download has somehow increased their profile simply by existing in this space, in the context of being 'available'. Some things are too baffling for me to understand, and this is one of those things. 

How have you been involved with the Independent Music/AIR Awards over the years? What are some of your wins and losses? 

This is the first year that I am aware of where one of our release has been nominated for an award, and I'm really pleased that it's Faux Pas' Noiseworks, particularly because Tim Shiel is a genius and he worked so hard to create this amazing album. It's a win just to be nominated and so we can't lose! 

Looking to the future, do you see the role of your label changing at all? 

I think so, yes. The label is constantly evolving in terms of how we provide support, what relationships we forge, and how we approach each release, so in another year or two things could be dramatically different from the way they stand now. 

Finally, give us a hot tip or two - which local band/s are you watching closely?

Over the past 6 months or so I've seen a few bands that are, I think, great, some exceptional, including White Woods, Crumbs, Hissey Miyake, Owl & Moth, Pageants and No Zu. If I got out more I'm certain I'd have a whole lot of other bands to list.

Thanks for your time, Steve! For the latest on Sensory Projects, head to their website.