Brian Kirk of The Bus Stop Label

For Brian Kirk, there’s no arguing with a great pop song. “You can, but you shouldn’t,” he says. Kirk should know. For more than 20 years, he’s sought out perfect pop songs and released them on The Bus Stop Label, working with bands like Velvet Crush and Rocketship. Originally based in Iowa City, Bus Stop moved with Kirk to Milwaukee seven years ago. Lately, he’s been busy putting out records by a number of local bands, including Juniper Tar, Quinn Scharber And The … , The Celebrated Workingman, and John The Savage. Kirk recently talked with Decider about his label, his latest releases, and finding Bus Stop artists in his own backyard.

Decider: How did you get started in the record business?
Brian Kirk: I guess it would be fair to say that Paul Chastain and Ric Menck were the two people that got the whole thing rolling. They were both on the first Flexi disc I released, as well as the first two 7-inches, and later both of them together in the band Velvet Crush. Getting to put out records by friends who were also musicians that I admired is really what helped set the spirit of the label from the start. Initially, I wanted to write a fanzine and give a Flexi disc with it, but I realized I couldn’t write. But I pressed the Flexi disc, and realized I could put out records much easier than I could put out a fanzine.
D: Do you still have that record?
BK: Of course I do! It’s a one-sided Flexi disc with two photocopied covers. One side is a photo of Paul Chastain and the other side a drawing by Ric Menck. It’s moved with me all over the country.
D: Before this year, Bus Stop hadn’t put out a record in a while. Why?
BK: The label was dormant on and off over the years. The past two years were very quiet, with the only two albums being released by Allen Clapp and the Incredible Vickers Brothers, who are both from the Bay Area. I thought that The Vickers Brothers was gonna be the only release of the year, until Juniper Tar.
D: Are you planning on staying in Milwaukee?
BK: Yeah, I definitely think so. It’s been exciting to work closely with so many talented writers and performers. I wouldn’t change anything right now. The Celebrated Workingman was the first band locally that I started talking to about possibly releasing something. I’m thrilled about the way it’s come together. And since then, getting to know and release CDs by Juniper Tar and Quinn Scharber is more than I could have hoped for.
D: After dealing with bands from all over the country, what’s it like having these bands in such close proximity?
BK: I’ve never worked so closely with bands in the past, so it really is a new experience for me, and I guess being able to sit down face to face and discuss things has helped keep up my enthusiasm. If they think I’m dropping the ball, they all know exactly where to find me, so we can keep it all in check, which is something I really like.
D: More than 20 years later, Bus Stop is still your steady job. Do you think you’ve been a good boss?
BK: I guess I can’t be too bad, or else I would’ve quit a long time ago.