I started [excursions into the abyss] when I was still a teenager, back in the mid 90's.
 
 I was quite taken by the entire diy movement at the time: 94-99, and wanted to emulate the majesty of it all.  Dischord was the most successful example, and that was one of the starting points. Outside of extremely small labels, I think Ebullition and Gravity were also influential. All three of these labels had a specific aesthetic I could identify with, as well as admire;  Dischord being all about the DC scene, Ebullition more into philosophical (the personal is the political and so on) approaches, and Gravity just releasing bands that really pushed and defined an era through the bands as well as the packaging.

  I wanted a label that would reflect my projects, but wanted to get to a place where I could release friend's bands - they didn't necessarily have to be from Fort Wayne, as I don't really identify as being from anywhere in particular. But, I never really got to that point. The one 7" I released for a local band ended in their demise and them requesting that I not sell the record. Which is just as well as they had never completed a cover for it - which is why there are 3 different versions of 25 each - the rest of the records have been "lost."

 I decided to relaunch the label with the release of Jarod's new band, Morrow, this decision was really fueled by Josh as well, as he wanted some of his current bands' releases to come out on our label. [I say our, because [excursions into the abyss] wouldn't be anything without the bands and the individuals that make them up]. I'm really excited about the releases we have planned this year, Morrow, Drowning With Our Anchors, Peter and Craig, Portraits of Past, and a tribute album to Dinosaur Jr's "You're Living All Over Me" featuring Morrow, Towers, Algernon Cadwallader, Sterling Says, Skything, and a few more tba.

 Another aspect of [excursions into the abyss] is publishing. I also wanted to find my voice in my writings, something I am quite aware that I am still struggling with. The beginning is painfully embarrassing (the early zines - some of which are available on the blog), but there's comfort in that I don't think I've even really begun. I hope that some of my friends emerge as writers so that we can work together, in some capacity.