I did an interview with That Girl Interviews awhile back and talk about starting TDR Records and more. Read it below!

Name:  Michael Hollins

Age: 26

Organization Name: TDR Records, LLC

Age/Date you started TDR Records: I officially started TDR in June of 2005 when I was 20 years old.

Where did you get the idea for TDR Records? One of the first reasons I started TDR was to release my band’s music. I had also been following Drive-Thru Records and Fueled By Ramen Records for a few years and was so intrigued by how they began, promoted, and released music—I wanted in the music industry!

What about a band makes you want to sign them? I have to like their music, obviously. If I don’t believe in every song, lyric, or message, it’s not going to happen. I also want to make sure I get along with everyone in the group and if possible, they get along with my other bands. It’s a cliché, but TDR is definitely a family of musicians. They’ve all toured together, helped write and produced some of each other’s songs, and also hang out outside of the music industry. I want to have a healthy mix of a personal and business relationship with each band.

Did you ever want to give up when times were tough? There’s never been a point where I just wanted to quit, that’s not how I do things. When things are going well, and especially during tough times, I put in 100% to make the best of each situation.

What is your musical guilty pleasure? Anyone who knows me understands I will be a pop/punk music lover for life. I had to look on my iTunes for this, but I do have albums by Ashley Parker Angel, Cheyenne Kimball, and John Mayer.

Do you play any instruments? I’ve been playing drums since I was 13. Not so much recently though. But I did fill in for Set It Off last summer on the “Friends Or Enemies” tour with Barely Blind and With The Punches. My first show in five years was in Canada—crazy!

If you could sign any band/group which one would it be? That’s easy. New Found Glory or The Starting Line. Aside from Green Day, they are two of my favorite bands for so many reasons and have never released a bad song. I was interested in signing Treaty Of Paris, New Years Day, and Move Out West at one time though.

What do you most like to do on a day off? A day off? I’m not sure what that is exactly. I’m always brainstorming ideas and promoting my bands in some form. It doesn’t feel like work to me at all. I’m very lucky to be in the position I’m in and hope to do it for a long, long time.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an astronaut, FBI agent (like Fox Mulder), and in the shipping/receiving industry.

What are 3 words your friends would us to describe you? Hollins. Robot. Hard-working.

Do you have any words of wisdom to pass on to those that want to follow in your footsteps? Whether it’s in the music industry or somewhere completely different, don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. I don’t ever want to say later in life, “I wish I had done that.” Do it!