As told by Andy Ingram. Transcribed by Sven London. October 2008

So Poptek does have a story. Everything has a story. The Poptek history all starts with Mike Ruetschle. Back in 2001 he mentioned that he thought I should start a record label. That was in 2001. I ignored him them. I love music and am obsessed with pop melody but I have never wanted to start a business. I still don’t and I did not give that initial mention another thought. Mike talked about it again over a Marion’s pizza, I think near the end of 2002. This time it made sense. Ruetschle had our second record coming out, and within a small group of friends there were three bands and various other talents represented. Community has fascinated me for a while and we had realized that no one was going to care until we made our own scene. So Poptek was born without much vision other than to write good songs and to take care of our friends.

It hasn’t progressed much from that initial idea, which is good. I think simplicity is always more pure than complexity. Since we don’t make any money, I’m glad we have some level of purity.

We got more classy though when Graham Travis joined in 2003. I met him at a church when I was living in Seattle. Graham was recording his debut record then. We struck a pretty easy and quick friendship and I was amazed at how good the music was that he was making. Graham wanted to become a part of Poptek even after my warnings, so we did. Why Don’t You Know Me Yet? became the most well received record Poptek has released. Graham got some press, some distribution, did two tours, and above all else wrote some memorable melodies. He really has the most talent of any of us. Graham really needs to make a new record.

Poptek is so small and unassuming that sometimes it just has to “be”. The years of 2004 and 2005 were about that. Graham kept plugging away. I moved back to Dayton to help Mike make Ruetschle plays Exotic Destinations. That took two years. I am sure I was still planning the XL427 record. When have I not been? That thing has taken five years to make.

We released the third Ruetschle record in June of 2006. I am still really proud of that record. Ruetschle went on our first tour, which only amounted to Seattle and Portland. Then in 2007 we sent Exotic Destinations out to college radio. That was an illusion. I think I met Kris Neises and Johnny Callon seperately in 2006. He worked at Dingleberry’s Records and I would see him whenever I dropped off show posters. I didn’t really get his music when I first saw him play some shows. I have since come to realize he writes some of the most subtle pop songs I have ever heard. We got to release The Burning Down Belmont EP just cause Kris has no desire to promote himself to anyone else. We get to release Lo-Fi Movement and Supine Sailor for much the same reason. No, I‘m kidding a bit. I have inserted myself as drummer into most of the Poptek bands. That’s how I really control everything.

I met Johnny at my friends’ house way before he ever wrote a song. A year or so later and Wake Up Mordecai unleashes a great debut album in North to the Nth Degree. High school kids aren‘t supposed to be writing as catchy and mature songs as Johnny is. All of a sudden our roster has really filled out and exudes quality. Oh, and the XL427 album is finally done.

So that is the story of Poptek. I wouldn’t call ourselves successful in the financial sense at all. Every record is a loss. I think we have taken care of our friends though. Well, maybe the Seattle branch of Poptek hasn’t felt so cared for. Sorry Graham, Alison, and Tim. But we have written good pop songs. I am really proud of each of our records and I think we are only getting better. Sometimes it just takes time for people to catch on. Even if we never catch on, that doesn’t change the quality music we are making. I can be content with that.