These Go to 11: interviewing Pretty Olivia Records

Keeping the nice pace of interviews this Spring at the Blog, today we have the pleasure to count with Javier Abad answering our questionnaire. He's the man behind Pretty Olivia Records, a fantastic label from Alicante, devoted to eternal guitar-driven indiepop. Another brave music enthusiast (what a great music taste) fighting among giants. These Go to 11!

Pretty Olivia Records' expanded family. Pretty fun!

Javier Abad, Pretty Olivia Records
Hailing from Alcoy, Alicante, Javier started Pretty Olivia in January 2014, after deciding it was time to jump from the quintessential guitar-driven indiepop fanatic to a cultural agent decided to gather an impeccable record catalogue (in vinyl), rescuing artists that mainstream and tailored indie was going to keep way under the radar forever and ever. His first release was debut album of local musician Vicente Prats, recorded some years before, and luckily becoming a quick sold out. The adventure had begun. Since then, Pretty Olivia has released records by The Jangle Band, The Feedbacks, Loor a los Héroes, the Scottish band The Wellgreen, The Rainyard (Australia!), Wild Poppies (New Zealand!!) and the great Star Trip (Vicente again), and more wonders to come (check El Palacio de Linares immediately!). Looking for that sun, that essence, that larger-than-life spirit you can find on the songs of Big Star, Teenage Fanclub or The Go-Betweens, Javier is building the soundtrack of a lifetime. Here we go!

How old are you? Robin Gibb gettting personal... 

1.First record that you bought (be honest)

Wow, not an easy one… maybe a Robin Gibb cassette, that with the amazing 'Juliet' (love that song!)

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)
First one: Siniestro Total in Denia.
Last one: Madrid PopFest 2016, last March

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

Do you know Kajagoogoo the first band of Limahl? (the guy of 'Neverending story') I really like their hit 'Too shy'. Watch the video and insult me! hahaha (Blogger's note: would never insult you, but wow, wow, wow, watch the video and judge yourselves...). 

The Lucksmiths, sunlight pop

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

I’ve just watched discogs and I have some very expensive singles (Riptides, Ripe, Apple Boutique, Treebound Story,…) but I think my most precious item (although not the most expensive) is an original mono copy of Nina Simone’s 'High priestess of soul'.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)
Many of them, for example when The Lucksmiths sing 'cause try to sum you up in songs is like catching sunlight in a jar…'

'The Quiet Man', Irish heartbeat

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
Easy one, Grant Mclennan. His songs are part of what I am, my gratitude for him is eternal (Blogger's note: right here, straight to the heart).

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)
Mark Mulcahy: 'Fathering'. Amazing cover.

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 
I prefer movies. My all-time favorite is 'The quiet man'. Maureen O’hara forever!

A soundtrack for a thousand days

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of
I’m really proud of nearly every record I have released, but 'The Rainyard' compilation is one of my favorite records ever!! Can’t believe I released it. But really, this question is like choosing between your mother and father.

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
Good question. I’ve always thought that indie means freedom, doing what you want without the pressure of selling or being profitable for a record company. Make the music your heart really feels no matter how many people are going to hear it.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 
Not sure, hopefully having a laugh with my wife and daughter at Indietracks, or falling in love with a new band at home and writing them to release a new record,... Keeping the faith!

 Zillion thanks Javier!