Music Notes: Hookworm Records (PHOENIX Magazine)
If you’re a music lover, you’ve probably seen author Ryan Clark snapping pictures at local shows, which he posts on his blog, Keep the Greasy Side Down. When the pandemic put the scene on hold, he started Hookworm Records, which released Hookworm One, a vinyl-exclusive compilation of four songs from Valley bands curated by Clark and available on the label’s website (hookwormrecords.com). We spoke with Clark about what else Phoenix music lovers can expect this year.
As a whole, the record industry isn’t doing very well. Why start a label?
It started as a passion project that made me feel I was doing some good for my community, and people needed to see Hookworm One exist to see that I could do it. I don’t want to lose money, but it doesn’t have to function as a viable business right off the bat.
You recruited producer Bob Hoag (UPSAHL, Fairy Bones) to lay down bands like new wavers Paper Foxes and Tempe rockers The Woodworks. How’d you put that together?
When I was an English teacher, I used to tell students that enthusiasm is contagious. You have to get people to listen and talk about the undeniable wealth of talent here. The Woodworks have been here for 10 years. They’d never been on vinyl until they did a Hookworm single. The entire process was more pro than they’ve done, and I think they deserve that.
What’s next for Hookworm?
We have six bands recording an original song with Bob Hoag for Hookworm Two, but that won’t start until August. We’re also releasing the seventh record from Tucson’s Birds and Arrows this July.
