An interview with Felipe of 12fruits.com and Pat of 508 Productions

Paul “The Pageman” Pajo of WaTunes interviews 16-year old Felipe, founder of 12fruits.com and Pat, founder of 508 Productions; the brains behind the SOUNDWAVE compilations

The Pageman: What is 12fruits.com?

Felipe : 12fruits.com is an online music network. People who love music can create profiles and share content like photos, music, and much more. Music artists can sign up to and post music. To sum it all up, 12fruits is a place for Fans, Listeners, and Artists to come into one community and connect.

The Pageman : What is 508 Productions?

Pat : 508 Productions is a Production, management, merchandise, promotions, and booking company founded by me, Patrick Maccini. We specialize in providing upcoming music talent with the tools they need to meet their goals. Services we provide are music video and show production, artist management, supplier of band t’s and stickers, personalized promotion of artists and/or events, and show bookins. We can be found at myspace.com/production508.

The Pageman : How did the SOUNDWAVE compilation came to be? Can you give a brief history?

Pat : The Soundwave Compilation CD was an Idea formed by me to bring 14 great bands from across the country together to produce an exciting cd with great bands like Rookie of the Year, Vega Under Fire, Select Start, I Am Empire, Another Option, and many more. The idea was fulfilled by a combination of hardwork by the 508 staff and the 12fruits.com staff.

Felipe : On september 26th 12fruits.com launched the first ever 12fruits tour. The bands on the tour were Another Option, The Sophomore Beat, TGL, and Brookside. After the tour we kept in contact with the band Another Option. From there we were introduced to Pat from 508 Productions who manages Another Option’s publicity, booking, management, etc. We started exchanging ideas with 508 Productions and helping each other out until he came up with an idea to create a Compilation CD. We liked the idea and decided to roll with it.

“Each band on the CD has a unique sound. We aimed to getting bands of good sound, devotion, and quality. You’re just going to have to pick up a CD and listen to them to hear what they’re like.”

The Pageman : Can you describe each band in the compilation? First Impressions? Any anecdotes about them?

Felipe : Each band on the CD has a unique sound. We aimed to getting bands of good sound, devotion, and quality. You’re just going to have to pick up a CD and listen to them to hear what they’re like.

The Pageman : How did you first hear of WaTunes?

Felipe : I had a friend who told me to search online for digital distribution. I started searching and he sent me a message telling me to check out WaTunes and so I did.

The Pageman : What made you decide to go to WaTunes?

Felipe : As mentioned before I started searching around and looking for a service to distribute the “Soundwave” CD. Some services were “okay”. I decided to check out Watunes. I started out with the free service just to “test” it out and support was amazing so I continued to use Watunes and upgraded to VIP.

“I started out with the free service just to “test” it out and support was amazing so I continued to use Watunes and upgraded to VIP.”

The Pageman : What is it like putting together 14 Bands and 16 songs into one project? Can you share your ups and downs?

Felipe : It was amazing! There are always downs when working with a large number of people. There are 14 bands with at least 4 members in each of them. That’s a lot of people you have to work with. There are deadlines you have to meet and things you have to do but at the end it’s all worth it. We are joyful of the outcome and completing a project is the greatest “up” a company can have.

Pat : It was great to work with all the bands. There’s a lot of really awesome bands on the “Soundwave” CD. Of course, it was tough working with bands across the country that we had never met before but it worked out well and I am looking forward to working with these bands more in the future.

The Pageman : What’s next after this? What’s the grand plan?

Felipe : After the release we are off to warped tour. The CD will be sold at all warped tour dates. We’re hoping to make this a yearly thing so be on the lookout.

Pat : More compilations and such with more awesome bands and hopefully we can start to do even more; shows, and much more.

“You can do whatever you set your mind to. I know many people say that but it’s true? All you have to do is try. There are downs but you have to find a way to overcome them.”

The Pageman : Any advice for aspiring producers out there?

Felipe : You can do whatever you set your mind to. I know many people say that but it’s true? All you have to do is try. There are downs but you have to find a way to overcome them.

Pat : Work hard, network, use the tools around you and don’t be afraid to go after things you want in life.

“Work hard, network, use the tools around you and don’t be afraid to go after things you want in life.”

The Pageman : Any parting words for your fans?

Felipe : Yeah, pick up a CD! (laughs) If you’re going to warped tour come and hang with us. Keep on listening to music, we hope you discover new artists through the “Soundwave” CD and please please please, don’t download/rip music illegally. Purchase music off itunes, shockhound, raphsody and more legal services for your music. It keeps your favorite artists on the road and in the recording studio. Thanks for having us WaTunes.

Pat : Fans and Bands should check out the 508 Productions and 12fruits pages ( myspace.com/production508 | 12fruits.com ). Listen to the “Soundwave” CD and we appreciate all the hard work the bands put into the “Soundwave” CD and thank you WaTunes.

posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo