In 2004 I sold my car to start Littoral Records, a tiny Australian independent music label, in order to complete the production, marketing and distribution of the album ‘Pacifico’, for Karma County.

It’s been a rapid and fascinating chance to learn all about how the music industry works by losing money. The faster I learn, the slower I lose money. I aim to reduce cash-burn to zero and I’m on track to achieve that at approximately the 2.35 second-hand Peugeot 306 GTi mark.

Following the slow-burn success of ‘Pacifico’ I got stalked by the effervescently talented young MrJames Cooper, whose ‘Second Season’ needed representing here in Australia (it was already signed to labels for Europe, US and Japan.) James is undeniably talented and in his enthusiasm cleared every hurdle I put in his way until I had no choice but to release ‘Second Season’ in Australia. A bit of a slow-burner too, I can’t help wondering if perhaps my speciality is slow-burners.

Currently, unless you're Paul Kelly, Jeff Lynne or Todd Rundgren, Littoral Records isn't accepting new artists. Yes, the bar really is that high. But if you're unsigned, you shouldn't be trying to get signed right now, you should be following my advice.

Best of luck!