If you haven’t heard the news yet, SW and Easy Street Records are working together again to put on monthly music showcases. This used to be more common a year or so ago, but after a relatively short break, we’re bringing it back even stronger than before and are stoked to have Seattle’s Visqueen kicking things off again tonight at 7 p.m. The band has a solid new record out as of this month called Message to Garcia and Visqueen’s affable lead singer, Rachel Flotard (pictured on the left) — flexes her songwriting skills to make some of the catchiest straight ahead rock tunes that I’ve heard all year. In addition to finally putting out the band’s third album, she did so on her own record label, Local 638 Records. The label is named after her dad’s old Steamfitter’s Union. As many readers already know, her father passed away last year. Wanting to make a gesture like that is one thing, but actually having the chutzpah to start your own record label is a crazy reality. And it’s not easy. I caught up with Rachel via email this week and asked her about that, plus the new album and a few other things. She responded with some fairly comical answers. You can check out our conversation below.What frustrated you so much about searching for a label home… and when did it first click that you should just start your own?Waiting for the “right” and “perfect” circumstances for your career upswing to materialize sometimes just slows down the rock output. And can make you a nutcase. I couldn’t identify the right label fit for myself, so I tailored one to suit. I have distribution, a hugely supportive band, family, and hilarious community of rock-likers. I also have the energy and motivation to try, which is honestly what wakes me up early in the morning. There’s this idea that in order to have any traction within the music business you must follow a certain magical protocol. Wear a shiny shirt, or be on the “right” label, or be represented by the “right” people. Whatever to that stink bomb. In 2009, resourcefulness, good music, and internet gumption can move a band farther than most established labels. So what if my 15 month old niece is the only one who thinks I’m cool? That’s success to me.Right now, Visqueen is the only band on the label. Do you aspire to gather more bands or are you not looking that far into the future yet?It’s one thing to take on your own band’s hopes and dreams, and quite another to do that for someone else. I would need to thoroughly prove myself before assuming the responsibility of building out a roster. However, should Local 638 Records become a wonderful and respected framework for delivering music, then my responsibility is to pay others forward. But right now, I’ve got some rocking to do, with my man Ben Hooker.Where did the band record this album? It wasn’t Kurt Bloch’s house was it?We tracked all of it at Barrett Jones’ house. Laundry Room Studios in South Park. It was super comfortable. So much so it dragged on for years. (Sorry Barrett). I was in the middle of a lot of dad stuff, and my band stuck by me through the intermittent/flaky scheduling and loss of commitment. Barrett opened his doors when we had time to work. The ever fabulous Kurt Bloch part came much later, in July of 2009. We mixed the entire thing at his house in Ballard. Nordic style.About how much time did you spend making Message to Garcia? And was the bulk of it finished before or after your father passed away? I was 75% of the way tracked while he was alive. A few weeks after he died I went back in to do vocals just to feel normal. Flew to Toronto to work with Neko. Then I stopped. It’s kind of blurry how it happened. By September of 2008 I started listening to it again, and heard the horns, and the keys, and the cello in my noggin. That’s when Barrett watched me go a little Phil Spector. And I’m glad I did. Then I stepped away again and went to Laos, which shined up my head and heart big time. By spring 2009 I was ready to finish and just got a wild hair up my butt. Ben Hooker really likes those, and has seen a few in our decade long voyage together. But this one was a long-y. It had a label attached to the root.How much did your dad’s illness and passing effect the songwriting that you did for this album?”So Long” is directly about him, and I wrote a bunch of these MTG numbers, like “Ward,” during the last few years. Are you planning to do some mini touring for the album? And when do you leave for Laos again? Oui Oui. Besides our tours of Seattle, and um, Seattle, and er, Ballard, we’re going to BELLINGHAM! Can you say road dawgs? Seriously. I am going to book some out of town November dates, prior to my trip back to Laos (which happens December 15th through January 8th). I am going to Cambodia and Vietnam this time too. I’m so exited. Visqueen’s plan is to tour full tilt 2010. Right now I’m making the calls and investigating booking opportunities. It would be great to support an awesome band and deliver this thing from coast to coast to coast to coast, and I’ve always got my work cut out for me as the booking agent. Do you know anyone that could tell Pearl Jam we don’t take up too much space? They could put us in their cargo holds. I mean our bass player is 4 feet high. Bring us with Eddie! Visqueen plays at Easy Street Records tonight at 7 p.m. They’re also performing as part of REVERB on Sat., October 3rd