|
de-VICE: What's the name of the
label, how did you set it up, when, why, and what're the artistic perimeters (if any!)?
DAN + PETE: The name of the label is disco_r.dance (pronounced
"discordance"). After running numerous successful electronica events for a number of years, we decided to take it forward
and launch a label that would hopefully reflect the enthusiasm and open-mindedness of our live events. We started discussing
ideas nearly a year ago and have just released our debut offering – a 32 track double cd disco_r.dance volume
1.
Although the label is predominantly electronica-based, the compilation reflects that we feel there
is also other music that we can happily include under the "disco_r.dance" banner. The only real perimeters to what we might
release are set by our own personal taste.
We have an unquenchable thirst for new and exciting music and we would only
release music that genuinely excites us and that we think deserves to be heard by a wider audience.
de-VICE: Who's
involved in running the label, and what other experiences do you have?
D+P: The label is run by us [Dancon1 and Pete Stormcrow], two DJs who have
played at and organised many electronica events. We were heavily involved with the long-running London-based monthly
clubs Rehabilitation and moonpalace. Over the last couple of years we started a series of
events called disco_r.dance, with the intention of widening the scope of our events – previous nights
have included performance artists, poets, magicians, pole-dancers, eclectic one-off DJ sets, in addition to our regular electronica
offerings.
de-VICE: Which artists have you got on board - and why these people?
D+P: The majority of the artists featured on the compilation are artists that
have played at our live events in the past, and whose music we love. A few artists, for example, Satanicpornocultshop, make
music that we have both appreciated for some time and have approached via e-mail for a contribution.
|
| BEDOUIN ASCENT @ MOONPALACE |
de-VICE: How did you assemble the compilation?
D+P: The compilation took some time to get together. We approached the artists
that we knew very well, and asked if they were happy to contribute, and things progressed from there. It was decided at a
very early stage that we wanted the compilation to represent the widest possible range of good music out there and that there
should be no set style or fixed sound for the label.
This could be the undoing of us, but without that feel this compilation
would be a poor imitation of our events, so definitely worth the risk! we had to steer clear of the safe, shall we say!
de-VICE: What
would you like the compilation to achieve?
D+P: The more people that hear the great artists, the better. We're hoping
that the compilation sells well enough to establish the disco_r.dance label, and that we can then continue to release further
releases by individual artists and highlight some new discoveries. We've done so many events with such fantastic artists,
that this album should be the claxon, alerting listeners to them.
de-VICE: How have you launched
both the label and the new compilation, and what's the experience been like?
D+P: The label has been launched with our combined enthusiasm and love
for the music, but with limited finances. Despite our relative lack of experience in releasing music, we believe that we have
a good set of ears between us, and the desire to seek out great music. Neither of us have run a record label before, so it
has been a fairly steep learning curve, which is still far from complete!
We're genuinely amazed by the quality of contributions, showing great trust in us.
de-VICE: Who
are your label role-models, then?
D+P: We don't have label role-models as such, but we are keen to avoid
the need to classify/pigeonhole all musics into convenient sub-genres, and the label will never have a definitive sound. Past
role models may include the early years of Factory – a label which wilfully broke a lot of rules: their
lack of contracts with their artists, challenging packaging and a general independent approach to their business method.
Contemporary role-models are harder - many labels releasing some great music, but with a very rigid
"sound policy" – a great approach for them, maybe, but definitely not for us!
Saying that, though, the graphic work of The Designers Republic has definately swayed
ears towards a certain sound in the past...
de-VICE: Where to now for the label?
...end propaganda spiel...
|
