Although he does not participate in Harriton clubs, Dante Scaglione is a junior with many passions and interests – chiefly, running a record label. His personal motto is, “If you want something, just go get it. Do it.” The Harriton Banner sat down with this Ram of the Week to hear more about his life as an entrepreneur and student.

Harriton Banner: Tell us about your record label.

Dante Scaglione: I run a record label called Third Floor Tapes. I started the label about a year and half ago now and in that time I’ve released 20 albums with over a dozen different artists from Philly, across the East Coast, and internationally. Half a dozen stores stock my tapes in the US, plus a boutique in Thailand, and Third Floor releases have been covered by XPN and a variety of online music outlets. It’s a cassette-based record label, meaning that all of music I put out comes out on cassette tapes that I either hand make and record, or have pro-produced in a factory. I number every limited run of tapes I make and design the cassettes myself or in collaboration with the artist.

The appeal of cassettes is the really unique sound that they yield and also the fact that they’re really aesthetically pleasing and a fun format to listen to music on, especially when the majority of music consumption these days is digital. There are actually hundreds of record labels that produce cassettes – the format is alive and well. Owning a hand numbered tape is like owning a piece of art. It’s a unique, physical connection to the music.

Third Floor Tapes puts out an eclectic blend of sounds, but a lot of our music is lo-fi, fuzzy rock. I’ve also put out hip-hop records and some experimental music, though. My personal music taste is also really eclectic, so I want to reflect that in what I release. If I really dig it and I feel that it is cohesive and makes sense in relation to the rest of the music on the label, then I release it! Up until recently, I ran the label myself, but now I have a small staff composed of close friends who help out with press and creative direction among other things.

I like to think of what I do as music curation. That’s what I always say, and that’s really the main goal of an indie record label these days: to bring a number of different artists under one roof for you to discover and enjoy.

Check out the website and stream some music at www.thirdfloortapes.com.

HB: What do you hope to accomplish before graduating Harriton in 2017?

DS: I hope to expand the label even further, do a vinyl record release, and produce some really sweet apparel for Third Floor and the bands we work with. I’m also working on opening a recording studio, underground venue, and art space in North Philly with some friends, so I hope by then that’s up and running and going smoothly! School-wise, I hope to finish up with good grades and get into a college I feel is the right fit for me, hopefully in New York City.

HB: What do you want to be when you grow up?

DS: I wanna keep doing what I’m doing and see where that takes me. I see myself opening a business or working for a business that I really admire, appreciate, and want to be a part of, perhaps in fashion or music or maybe even something else entirely; I’m open to everything.  I want to see the world and surround myself with artists and creatives.

HB: Describe yourself in three words. Please justify why you chose them!

DS: Creative, savvy, driven.

Creative in the sense that I feel strongly about art and I like to facilitate its creation and be involved with it hands on, whether that be music, fashion, or visual arts. I like to make stuff happen, bring people together, and create!

Savvy in that sense that I’m a super business minded, strategic person in a lot of ways. I’ve had my eBay account since third grade, so I’ve always had a feel for that kind of stuff. I’m good at understanding markets and how to make a profit.

I’m driven in the sense that when I have an idea or a vision, I always try to bring it to life in some way. I’m sociable, and most of the time, I’m not afraid to approach anyone and to put myself in uncomfortable or new situations. That’s what you have to do if you want to experience the world, make things happen, and be a dynamic individual.

HB: How have you grown as you’ve moved from your freshmen year to junior year?

DS: Definitely, definitely, definitely. My goals, notions about the world, and identity have all changed quite a bit. This is perhaps the most volatile period of youth, so it’s not a surprise. It’s funny where even the smallest interactions can take you, the paths you can go down, and the places you find yourself if you put yourself out there and expose yourself to new people and new things.

HB: What has been your favorite class taken at Harriton?

DS: I would probably have to say my freshman year African/Asian Studies class with Ms. Jawork or my Western Civ class with Ms. Murray. I really like history and we have some great history teachers (shouts out to Dr. McKenna and Mr. Bishof too), so those are definitely candidates.

HB: What’s one last thing you want to say to Harriton?

DS: Do cool stuff, meet cool people, and try to be happy. Peace!