Making Stuff Up: Bayonet Records’ Sam Weisenthal on Plushies, Physical Media, and Keeping Fans Connected
In today’s music industry, creating custom vinyl and merch is one of the best ways for independent labels and artists to connect with fans. Bayonet Records is a standout example, turning albums into collectible experiences — from limited-edition vinyl to plushie collaborations for artists like Mei Semones. With support from A to Z Media, Bayonet brings these ideas to life, helping artists and labels design unique physical media and merchandise that fans love.
At A to Z Media, we help labels like Bayonet bring these creative ideas to life, from custom vinyl pressing and eco-friendly packaging to unique artist merchandise that deepens the connection between musicians and their fans. Our mission is to turn great concepts into tangible products that resonate both at the merch table, in record shops, and online.
In this installment of our Making Stuff Up series, we talk with Sam Weisenthal, Marketing Manager at Bayonet Records, about how the label keeps their releases fresh and meaningful. San shares how thoughtful merch can extend an album’s world, why physical media is making a comeback, and how labels can use tactile formats to stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
So if you’ve been wondering how to make vinyl records, design custom CD packaging, or develop unique merch that fans actually line up for, Bayonet’s creative approach is the perfect place to start.
What’s the coolest or weirdest piece of merch you’ve ever made or seen?
“This past year, Bayonet teamed up with Plushie Love to make a plushie for Mei Semones’ debut album Animaru. The plushie itself is based off of the costume Mei wears in the music video for the title track – I was so pleased when we were able to connect the dots between this video and piece of merch. Mei has been touring pretty much nonstop for the past two years, but on one of her week or so breaks, she was in the office and told us that fans have been bringing her plushies as gifts at the merch table. We knew we needed to find a way to give fans plushies in return!”
What was the first record/tape/CD you ever bought? What was the last one?
“The first piece of music media I bought was a CD of The Garden State Soundtrack for my car in high school. This month I bought the new alice does computer music album bliss on vinyl, and Starcleaner Reunion’s most recent EP “Café Life” on vinyl as well! I do use DSP’s because I need to listen to a lot of new music for work, but I try to buy 2-3 pieces of music media a month as a way to counteract my streaming.”
Where’s your favorite place to shop for records?
“I really love buying records on Bandcamp to be honest! I keep a running wish list on there, and every pay day I’ll go through my list and buy one thing. My favorite physical store in NYC is Paradise of Replica, this shop doesn’t cary as many new releases but it’s full of amazing gems. The guy who runs the store is so knowledgeable and is always playing something awesome – plus they have a turntable to listen to records on.
I’m super knowledgeable about new releases, but because my family didn’t listen to a lot of music when I was growing up, I love talking to someone who can fill in some of my knowledge gaps from music released pre 2000’s. For new releases, the Captured Tracks shop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is pretty reliable.”
What’s one thing people might not know about the label?
“People may not know that there are only three employees at Bayonet! Katie Garcia, the label founder, who primarily looks after the label as a whole. Evan Welsh, the label manager, who primarily deals with production and the cogs of the label. And me, the marketing manager, who primarily handles ways an artist can be discovered by fans and buyers. Our roles overlap a lot and all of us help with the varying aspects of running a label and project management.”
What’s a physical format you think deserves a comeback?
“Vinyl, CDs and cassettes as a product to listen to music on rather than just a collectible! I have collected physical media for a long time, but only in the last few years have I actually integrated those products into my listening habits. Flipping a record, pressing a button to skip to the next track, popping in a new cassette – all of these actions make me feel closer to the music.”