By Will McGuirk

Sometimes you have to go full punk and do-it-yourself. For Matt Post and Laura Klinduch of the psych-garage band, Deathsticks, D.I.Y. meant setting up their own label, Not My Car Records, to get the music they wanted to listen to out into the world, to sign and support bands they knew and yes as Post says, “to promote our own music from a different angle, rather than just being an unrepresented artist asking for attention.”

The first release on Not My Car was the scathing noise rocker, “In The Motors” by Deathsticks. Post and Klinduch, now based in Ottawa, grew up in the Oshawa/ Whitby area and like many artists and musicians found few opportunities in the GM focused town.

“crumbling factory
we used to build
walk past my high school
giving me chills
everybody leaves and they don't come back “

The first act signed to Not My Car is The Tenebaums from Ottawa, garage rock at its most garage-y. An album by the band will be released early summer. Submissions from other acts are encouraged by the way.

Post says there is a story behind the label’s label.

“I used to burn mix CDs,” he says, “and when someone gave me a ride somewhere, I didn't get my license until I was like 20 or 21, I would give them a CD that said ‘Not My Car’ on it. It's also kind of a reference to how Deathsticks has always toured in Laura's dad's car, or my Opa's van, or my mom's van, none of which are really ‘My Car’.”

Post says Deathsticks have taken ‘not their car’ coast to coast, touring, playing shows and making probably every mistake a band can make crossing Canada. But there have been successes and it is that mix of experienced- based knowledge the labe offers bands seeking to be signed; “we hope to help guide other bands into digital streaming, booking tours, getting their own merch. We're DIY and any band I'm interested in working with should have that same ethic.”

Bands are offered in-house production and recording, live show booking, press and social media advice.

For Post, the label offers him a chance to make his own future and to make a difference. There are challenges of course, being your own boss has its disadvantages too, he says.

“That sounds like a cliche, small business-type thing. But I've learned that music gets closer to feeling like your job, when you start treating it like your job. Believe me, no one is asking anyone to put more music out into the world, there is already so much to pay attention to. But working hard and putting in those hours and growing a little thing in your group of friends and local scene is very rewarding and you get to watch it have a real effect when people actually buy records from you at a show or come to see your band. That's always nice.” he says.