Terp record label seeks to support local artists

Route 1 Records, a new record label ran by students in Music Management Fellows, is working to support and promote artists and DJ's in the area.

            "We're more of a talent agency," said Zahir Surmawala, president of the new group.  "We want to support the artist on all stages, not just their record sales."

            The record label was begun last fall, when Professor Hugh Turner who teaches the Music Management Fellows pitched the idea to his students.

            "I wanted to get the students more involved.  I looked up other universities and several had record labels.  I figured it was worth a try," he said.

            According to Surmawala, the traditional way that record labels are run are costly and are now inefficient.

            "Big businesses rely on record sales as income but no one is buying records anymore," said Surmawala.  "We want to help artists meet their own personal goals while they meet the goals of the company."

            Right now some of the biggest challenges facing the group include gaining connections and artists to support, marketing, and funding.

            "Because we are so passionate, we are not doing this for money," said Surmawala. 

            So far the group has been going through a trial period, recruiting several artists from the area and working with them to start their careers.

            "They have recruited new artists in the past couple of weeks," said Turner.  "Right now they are trying to see if their method will work."

            According to Surmawala, the label hopes to gain their own sustainability and an artist that they can support by the end of the semester.  Despite starting a business from scratch in work that is extremely challenging, he remains hopeful that the label will do well.

            "The team works really well together.  With my experience and their passion, we are really excited to move forward," he said.