Myles is relocating across the pond and needs a bit of help for the transition. Join the revolution, support RE(FORM) and help
Myles get his move on. RE(FORM) Revolution Shirts (T2) start at $10 (allow 3-6 weeks  for shipping). Open donations accepted
- donations of $25 or more lands you the ‘MS Bonus Pack’ (T2 Shirt, Transitional Man CD, and Exclusive Download content)*
As always, any help is greatly appreciated – Peace.

* While Supplies Last

Sizes

S $10.00 M $10.00 L $10.00 XL $10.00 2XL $13.00 3XL $13.00

Gender

Mens Women’s

The FLASH compilation was recently selected by ZERO” editors as a ‘July Essential’ release. Additionally, 6ONE6 has been recognized and selected by our friends at ZERO” and promoted as a ‘Featured Label’!  Heartfelt thanks go out to our extended family at ZERO”, to the editors and staff that listened and understood, and to all the artists involved with the project — big love to you all.

“Detroit’s 6ONE6 crew has put together this excellent volume, the proceedings of which go entirely to Aaron Carl’s family. Stand-out contributions come from Santiago Salazar, ‘Trackman’ Mark Archer, and Mario Massaro, while Aaron-Carl is represented with the great ‘Justa Groove’. In many ways essential!”  - ZERO”

To begin with — I would like to personally take this time out to thank each and every artist and contributor that donated their time, and artistic works to the FLASH compilation project. From the bottom of my heart, and with deepest sincerity I thank you. Laboring over this project for the past few months has been quite a task, and rather enlightening. The experience has compelled me to speak out, in attempts  to put things into perspective — so that perhaps you can get a feel of where I am coming from.

Before I begin however, I feel obligated to elucidate the extent of the 6ONE6 organization, as to dispel any misconception regarding our corporate standing. I began 6ONE6 around 2005, as a simple yet effective means of cataloging and associating my personal works and compositions, and those of associated local artists. Through encouragement and partnership with Myles Clark, the decision was made to extend the established brand, develop our resources and run the organization together as a label.

At times, I get the feeling that people think were bigger than we truly are. Myles works full-time driving public transportation, and I’m an unemployed family man — back to school trying to earn a degree. 6ONE6 has no corporate hierarchy, no offices, no hourly employees, no expense accounts, no marketing budgets, no business loans, no fax machines. We are a small, tight-knit group of music and art enthusiasts  — with a deep seeded desire to transform this organization into a sustainable business we can equally make a living from. A small group of cats hanging on that common thread, running shit from our bedrooms and basements, pushing the brand, plotting out our next move, and putting together the next release — on a shoestring.

We began compiling the FLASH benefit project in late 2010, and had initially intended sales to support Amnesty International. Following the tragic death of Detroit House legend, colleague and friend — Aaron-Carl, the decision was made to change the project focus and donate sales to Aaron’s surviving family. (Aaron was a contributing artist on the Amnesty Compilation, and had submit his track between hospital visits, just days before he passed on.)  The initial community response regarding this decision was very positive, and an influx of artists (domestic and international) submit material to the cause as a result.

Stress mounted as production delays plagued the completion of the release, the result of several contributing artists surpassing the implicit submission deadline, and or declining participation. Additionally, a shortage of available funds prohibited scheduled payment for CD production and shipping. By Mid-January, I was able to pay for CD production and shipping costs from my personal finances and student loan disbursements — and in February, FLASH was made available for worldwide release.

I shopped the Double CD to several retailers (domestic and foreign), and it was picked up by a few. Notably, our friends at Disk Union Japan came through with the largest order (nearly covering the initial CD production costs). In March (shortly after the shipment arrived in Tokyo), Japan was was hit with devastating national tragedy — Sullenly, I had accepted the fact that both product, and sales were probably a loss. Yet Disk Union was the only retailer to fulfill their financial obligation and pay the balance due (all other retailers remain outstanding and past  due). You heard that right. Our local retail stores have yet to render payment, and Disk Union managed to get it done through earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. So, to my man Seiichi Kunishi and all our friends over at Disk Union, Thank You — Sincerely, you have my utmost respects. To all other retailers, your balance is past due.

For weeks from the point of release, I fielded multiple requests for retail promos. While I completely understand why one would make this request (and as an artist, may even expect as such), I fail to understand why my responses went ignored, misunderstood, or warranted any  bad vibes or hostility. Let me try to break it down again: All sales are to be donated to the family of Aaron-Carl (we take no profit). If I send free retail promos out, not only does Aaron’s family not gain $20 from the sale of that release, it spoils any chance for the release to be re-stocked (per sales) in the future. Additionally, with nearly 40 artists involved on this project, sending retail promos (domestic and foreign) would prove extremely costly (product, packaging, and shipping) — and for an unemployed dude living on student loan money — the situation is beyond stress. (Project Artists seeking Digital Promos please contact me directly.)

Initially, Direct CD sales started off relatively well — selling mostly to associated artists and community members (social networks). Sales tapered off and stopped in April however, signaling the necessity of the imminent digital release. (Currently available exclusively from JunoDownload — and worldwide July 18, 2011) Expectations based on positive responses within the community and the artists involved with this release ran high, as we anticipated selling out units in record time. We discovered rather quickly however, that verbal ‘support’ and Facebook ‘Likes’ do not accurately represent (in the least) actual sales. In fact, the reality is quite grim. You could literally count on two hands, the quantity of CDs that sold here here in Michigan. I had surely expected to be moving some units in Detroit (as Aaron’s closest friends and family reside there) — but I was sadly mistaken. Perhaps I went about it all wrong — Maybe I should have played it like  “Donate $20 to the surviving family of Aaron-Carl — get a free CD” ?  Que Sera, Sera.  Needless to say, the entire experience has left me a bit disenchanted. As I finish uploading the the lot to our digital distributors — I reflect on the time, money and heart invested in this project.  FLASH was a positive project that we pushed with the best intentions, for a great cause — and though I remain optimistic, I can’t help but feel a bit defeated, and shamed. I am physically, mentally, and spiritually spent, — this whole endeavor has disrupted my own creative processing. So as a result, we’re taking a hiatus from organizing and releasing ’cause’ compilations for awhile — at least for the time being. But, we will solider on (as Aaron did in life) — remaining optimistic.