How did the label get started? What was/is the driving force behind the label?
The label started up in 1999 when we put out Syrup & Gasoline Vol.1. We wanted to start the label because quite simply, it's something we always wanted to do. I was always intrigued with the concept of putting together a few releases by bands I really like. I met my label partner Alex in university and we saw that we had similar musical interests so we decided to start it together. We first started a more hobby-focused imprint called Bittersweet and put out two 7"s: one by LowBrow and the other by Tricky Woo. We later found out about a Bittersweet label in New York so we figured we'd change the name to Grenadine right away before causing any confusion. We also wanted to start the label with a more professional mindset and have it be more than just a hobby so the name change seemed to make sense.

How did you pick the name?
We held a Name-Contest on our email list. There were some pretty cool and quirky names like All-Star Pop Party, Fuck Me Now Reggie Records, and a slew of others I seem to forget right now. We chose Dan Bryk's submission "Grenadine" because it's a pretty cool name, it's bilingual, and it has a nice tie-in to the name Bittersweet and Syrup & Gasoline (the compilation title).

How do you decide who to sign to the label? Do you sign exclusively Montreal-area bands?
That's a question I get asked a lot by friends & family. It's also a really hard one to answer. I think what matters most to us is a great live show and a great sounding band. The performance is just as important to us as the feel of the music. This plays a big role in why we've only signed Montreal bands so far. I wouldn't say that's the only reason though. Supporting the community is something that's important to us, but also I think there's a need right now for a pop-oriented label in Montreal so I'm sure with a city this size, we could keep on putting out Montreal albums for a very long time. I'm sure we might recruit from other cities one day but I think this is a good base that Alex and I feel comfortable with.

How important is e-business/website to you? Do you get outside funding?
E-business and website promotion is important but within limits. I think it's a great way to get your music out there but you have to do more traditional types of marketing to go along with any internet promo. We like to update and improve our website on a regular basis but at the same time we try not to get too caught up into it, because the fact is that spending too much time on the web can sometimes be a real waste of time. Sometimes spending that time on traditional promotion instead can be 10 times more worthwhile and you see the results a lot faster. E-commerce is still important but just not on our main priority list.

We put every single cent we've saved into the label and are also working on getting grants so that's basically how we make it happen. Also, we really work hard pushing sales so everything that comes back to the label is reinvested.

Any politics behind the label?
As individual people, we definitely have our own strong beliefs but it does not define the label per se. The label is more about lifestyle, fun and rock & roll. We definitely want to bridge the gap between French & English music but it's not really a political thing, it's really more about bringing people together and creating a vibrant energy amongst different musicians that we admire. It's also a result from living in Montreal and seeing two scenes divided. Why not cater to both? Vive le rock n' roll!

Does it pay to release independent music these days?
Well, that depends. I think everyone likes to be cynical about this but if you're willing to work hard, willing to invest your time and money, and are putting out good music that people will be able to relate to, then yes I think it's possible. It's like starting any business, it takes a good few
years before you stop losing money. The only problem with music is that no one ever gives up so tons of folk keep losing money year after year... it's one of the few industries where people would put themselves through this. I love music and that's why I got into this but along the way I've gained a love for an entrepreneurial mindset. I get a kick out of building a label/company so I don't think I'd mind to try something else afterwards.

Any interesting facts?
Hmmm... well, both Alex and I met Bishop's University's college radio station, CJMQ. Alex is currently finishing up his contract as station manager of CJMQ. I'm a workaholic who doesn't really see much daylight... or nightlight. Salgood Sam, our art guy, is a comic book artist who has
done work for Marvel, DC, and recently did the artwork for Wonderwoman in the Real World series.

Discography please.

GREN001 - Syrup & Gasoline Vol.1 - This is our first release under the Grenadine name. Our plan was to put together 20 of our favorite Canadian rock bands. It was about bridging gaps from one side of the country to another, mixing different but similar scenes and mixing franco and anglo acts.

GREN002 - Tricky Woo "Ten Tons" 7" - This was first released under the Bittersweet moniker but it was so damn good that we couldn't resist to re-release it on Grenadine.

GREN003 - The Frenetics "Scenery EP" CD - Grenadine's first band CD release! These guys are really talented at what they do and they're also one of the hardest working bands in Montreal right now. We're putting out a full-length with them very soon.

GREN004 - The Dears "End of a Hollywood Bedtime Story" CD - Our first full-length release! The Dears make some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. When I saw them play over a year ago I knew someone had to release this record and give it the respect it deserved.

GREN005 - Les Séquelles "Et tant pis si cela vous déplaît" CD/LP - Well, it might be a cliché but we're putting out records by bands that really deserve to be well promoted. When it came
down to Les Séquelles it was really a matter of me not wanting to see a band I admire so much put out their record on another label and not pushing it beyond the Quebec boundaries. That would have really angered me because they deserve to be available to French enthusiasts all over North America and beyond.

GREN006 - Syrup & Gasoline Vol.2 - Coming in June! This will feature 20 Canadian acts including The Dears, The Frenetics, Les Séquelles, Mike O'Neil, Riff Randels, The Carnations, Novillero.