YO! Hello from Copenhagen people… I have wanted to do something with Tom Scott, a friend over at Chemical records, and was talking to him before Christmas about bits and bobs. After chatting I realised that it was Chemicals 10th year as an online store (pretty good going if you ask me) and that now would be a good time to ask him some questions. Watch this space as Chemical and Get Some may have something up their sleeve for 2010! So here is the interview, hope you enjoy. Thanks very much Tom!
PEACE&OUZO!
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Tom Scott and I’m responsible for marketing at Chemical Records. I’m involved in too many things to list them all here, but mainly focus on music-related fashion marketing, PR and advertising. If you’ve ever seen a Chemical Records vinyl giveaway on Dubstep Forum, that’s me as well.
Where are you currently based?
I live and work in Bristol. Bedminster, South Of The River.
When did you first get involved with music and what were you doing?
Chemical is actually my first music industry employer. Before I came here I was running the show online at Drooghi, which was a great menswear retailer in Cardiff.
How has the music industry changed since you first got involved? In your opinion, has the online revolution has a positive effect on what you do and the music industry?
I think the biggest change has been the shift in importance for artists of live performances over record sales. It’s something that many DJs and producers have known for years now: record releases are important for establishing your name, DJ sets and live PAs bring in the regular income.
As for the online revolution, I think the general assumption that digital music sales are killing off vinyl couldn’t be further from the truth. Being an online vinyl retailer allows us to sell to scores of emerging markets and our vinyl sales are stronger than ever. That’s the real benefit of the internet on the music industry, it’s opens it up to many more talented people who never would have had a look in previously. If you’re making great music, geography shouldn’t be a limiting factor in getting it heard.
It wasn’t very long ago that the music industry pronounced vinyl dead. In the last couple of years digital music has begun to find its feet, how has this affected your business and has vinyl made a comeback?
Vinyl was and continues to be the foundation of our business. As I mentioned in my previous answer, the internet has allowed us to sell to a number of countries that most people would have dismissed offhand if they didn’t know any better. Hopefully, access to our music has been a contributing factor in the growth of their local scene.
Do you find there to be a prejudice against DJ’s who use MP3′s and is software like Ableton Live bridging the gap?
I think it’s a fairly typical response to new technology, especially when the existing way of doing things has been around for so long. Personally I think once people realise the versatility these digital interfaces give you they’ll be more open to them. I know guys in the US like Starkey work closely with manufacturers on testing and development and speaking to Starkey about it, he’s said it’s opened up so many more options to him in terms of the music he can play. What DJ wouldn’t want to broaden their range, increase the number of bookings they can get and the number of people they can play out to?
What can we expect from Chemical in 2010?
2010 is the 10th year of the Chemical website, so we’ve got one or two things lined up to mark the occasion. Without going into specifics and giving the game away, we’ve got a number of products and events coming that are going to make this a year to remember.
If your career in music was to end tomorrow, what would you do instead?
If wasn’t working in music or fashion, I’d like to think it was because I’d gone off in a MK1 Range Rover to build a vineyard in the Cornish Riviera.
Who should we be watching in 2010?
Kastle, Mensah and Cosmin TRG are the three I’m watching.
Kastle is a new project from B.Rich that’s remixing and producing on a Roger Troutman/Zapp level.
Mensah is H.E.N.C.H.’s prodigal son. I’ve been lucky enough to see him go B2B with Jakes at Run and you feel the future of this music’s in safe hands!
TRG needs no introduction – he’s one of those very lucky people that can turn their hand to any style of music and produce amazing things.
And finally, please complete the following sentence…
GET SOME… Sun!
It’s kinda like an advent calender, and this is the third day of GET SOME! Today we are proud to bring you an exclusive mini mix by DJ Greena which you can listen to and download here! Check it out and enjoy!!!!! Friday is looking BIG.
PEACE
Tracklist Julio Bashmore – um bongo (dead boy remix) (dub)
Karizma – how fly this life is
Pangea – sunset yellow (forthcoming hessle audio)
Jam City – underpass (dub)
Martin Kemp – after the night ( forthcoming blunted robots)
Mosca – square one (greena rmx) (forthcoming night slugs)
Mya – free (brackles rmx) (dub)
Zed Bias – neighbourhood (steve gurley rmx)
KMA – cape fear
Aardvarck – nosestep
Peverelist – esperanto
Davinche – buzz lightyear
Wiley – you would get wileup
It’s coming quickly now, and our resident bad man selector SSG has dropped another promo mix and it’s another banger! Don’t forget to check out the Facebook group and event for more info and set times.
As we kick off this week in the warm up to the party on Friday night, we bring you Exel’s interview and mix from Reggae Roast’s latest show at the Jazz Cafe featuring Ishu.
Name(s):
EXEL & MC ISHU
Where are you from? Where do you live now?
I was born in Hackney and still reside at London fields.
Who are you and what do you do?
I am 24 years old, I run an event & label called Reggae Roast and generally hustle.
A day in the life of you consists of….
Wake up, cup of tea, shower, switch on the mac, do the emails, work, cigarette, work, eat, cigarette, work, Coffee, work, meet my girl, chill, cigarette, eat & sleep. Roughly.
What was the first record you bought?
Cypress Hill – ‘Tequila Sunrise’ 12″
Who influenced your musical career?
Solution Sound System, Ghetto Priest, Adrian Sherwood, David Rodigan, Roni Size, Sizzla
Who are your influences now? (not necessarily musicians)
Have to say a massive thanks to Brendon, SSG and all the Informed London crew for hooking this one up. Check out our interview below and the Informed London website here for more news and info on Get Some and similar nights.
Where are you from? Where do you live now?
From the North, now in the South.
Who are you and what do you do?
We are Darkstar and we make computer dust tunes.
A day in the life of you consists of….
Sitting in the flat making beats with various synths and other instruments. Rehearsing our live show and drinking lots of Yorkshire Tea.
What was the first record you bought?
The first record Jay bought was Common People by Pulp.
Aiden’s was Appetite for Destruction by Guns n Roses.
Who influenced your musical career?
Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, Paul McCartney, Nas, Radiohead.
Who are your influences now? (not necessarily musicians)
Werner Herzog David Eagleman, Kenneth Anger.
If you could be anywhere, doing anything in the next 12 months, what would it be?
Getting up in my new Pad with white walls, big ceilings, huge windows, lots of space, making a cup of tea and thinking of the day ahead.
Finally, finish the sentance:
GET SOME… milk while your out.
Where are you from? Where do you live now?
FROM SOUTH WALES TO SOUTH LONDON, I LIKE TO KEEP IT SOUTH
Who are you and what do you do?
By night I’m the UKG/BASS LOVING P.O.W (Princess of wales) and by day I’m Jenny the graphic designer
What was the first record you bought?
Theme From S’Express by S’Express
Who influenced your musical career?
BOBBY BROWN, THE CURE, THE SMITHS, MJ COLE, ARTHUR RUSSELL, WOMACK&WOMACK, BOB MARLEY, THE BAR-KAYS, BEATS INTERNATIONAL,
Who are your influences now? (not necessarily musicians)
SHANE MEADOWS & STEFAN SAGMEISTER AND GENERALLY ANYONE THAT JUST GETS ON WITH IT
If you could be anywhere, doing anything in the next 12 months, what would it be?
CREATING ALL SORTS RANDOM/COLORFUL DESIGN & TICKING OFF PEOPLES NAMES ON “I WANT A PIECE OF JENNY SCOTTS DESIGN” WAITING LIST AND GETTING PAID FOR EVERY PIECE!
AND LISTENING TO AN ENDLESS PLAY LIST OF ABSOLUTE BANGERS
A day in the life of you consists of….
PHONE/WALLET/CLARKS/KEYS/IPOD/FAKE GUCCI-HANDBAG/HEADPHONES/LAPTOP/ACRYLICS
Finally, finish the sentence:
GET SOME… LOVIN’! IT’LL MAKE THE WORLD SEEM LESS SHIT!
Name(s):
Dark Arx is my artist name and label name. There’s another one on my birth certificate.
Where are you from? Where do you live now? Music-wise, I’m a product of the UK’s early 90′s hardcore/techno/eletronica scene. A four year stint in the USA introduced me to70s soul & rocksteady/dub. Since 2001 I’ve been back in London and trying to keep my ear on all of it. I hold OUZO personally responsible for introducing me to dubstep and its been an important part of my musical diet since.
What was the first record you bought?
Random stuff, like you do when you’re finding your feet. But I remember electronic music standing out immediately, whether it was MARRS or Kraftwerk, I was always trying to find more and randomly buying house, techno and hardcore 12s. I think it was around 1992 when Warp released albums from F.U.S.E. (aka Richie Hawtin), Autechre, Black Dog and Aphex Twin in the space of about 18 months. That pretty much blew my mind.
Who influenced your musical career?
This might sound strange if you’ve only been in London a while, but the biggest single influence on my musical career was Kiss FM circa 1989-90. They had two specialist shows on every night and it covered everything: from David Rodigan to Colin Favour to Tim Westwood to Colin Favor to, ah, Danny Rampling , I would sit there riding the pause button on a tape deck and by the end of the week you had dancehall, techno, electronic, hip hop and house all randomly spliced together. That dubstep came out of the UK isn’t surprising, its just surprising how long it took…
What are you trying to achieve with the label?
I’ve spent years enjoying other people’s music, the risks that labels and artists have taken, and it feels like a good time to give a little back. Binary Sequence is creating something quite unique and I want to support that. Likewise, I feel my own productions are getting to a good place.
What’s the story with your mix?
The mix was created to showcase the first Binary Sequence release on Dark Arx alongside other new music coming from the fringes of ‘dubstep’. While people are constantly cooking up new pigeonholes for what used to be dubstep there are plenty of producers crafting brain-melting sounds that don’t fit the lazy categories. Stick some big headphones on and join the ride.
If you could be anywhere, doing anything in the next 12 months, what would it be?
Looking at a little stack of Dark Arx releases and feeling like every one of them counted.
Finally, finish the sentence:
GET SOME…and pass them round.
I’m originally from deepest darkest Essex and I’m desperate to make the move to the “Big Smoke”
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a Dj and promoter of Don’t Techno Sh!t
A day in the life of you consists of….
I wake up when I want, apart from Wednesdays when I’m rudely awoke by the dustmen. I put on my trousers have a cup of tea and think about leaving the house, I feed the pigeons, I sometimes feed the sparrows too, it gives me an enormous sense of well being, then I’m happy for the rest of the day safe in the knowledge there will always be a bit of my heart devoted to Facebook ??!
What was the first record you bought?
That’s a tough one, I think I would have to say “Adamski – Killer” BIG TUNE !
Who influenced your musical career?
Big influences to my music career would have to be Bowie, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Human league, Miles Davis, Daft Punk, Anja Schneider, Heinrichs & Hirtenfellner, Jon Cutler, Tom Clark, Sandy Rivera, Dandi & Ugo, Anthony Rother, Stephan Bodzin, Richie Hawtin, Cirez D, The list goes on and on, but here are a few from across the board to give you an idea.
Who are your influences now? (Not necessarily musicians)
The Wolf AKA my mum!
If you could be anywhere, doing anything in the next 12 months, what would it be?
Making tracks and playing all over the world!
Finally, finish the sentence:
GET SOME… cream for that rash young lady!
If you can’t wait until GET SOME 001, you can catch Tred playing at Capsized, Thursday 1st October.
Where are you from? Where do you live now? South East London, East Dulwich.
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a Graphic designer and music fiend.
What was the first record you bought?
Massive Attack – Blue Lines, De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising, simultaneously.
Who influenced your musical career?
Stevie Wonder, WARP Records, MJ Cole, WU-Tang, Tuff Jam, Black Dog, Wookie.
Who are your influences now? (not necessarily musicians)
Fout-Tet, Aphex Twin, Arthur Russell, Plaid, Wiley, Burial, The Phantom Band.
If you could be anywhere, doing anything in the next 12 months, what would it be?
Running a cafe down Lordship Lane, making money from custom silkscreens…
A day in the life of you consists of….
TRAVEL, MUSIC, DESIGN, MUSIC, LUNCH, MUSIC, WORK, MUSIC, TRAVEL, MUSIC, HOME, MUSIC.
Finally, finish the sentence:
GET SOME… big tunes, big fun.
GET SOME 001 OUZO EXCLUSIVE MIX – Direct Download TRACKLIST 1: SILKIE: French Knickers
2: KONTEXT: Plumes (Ramadanman Refix)
3: PANGAEA: Memories
4: JOY ORBISON: Hyph Mngo
5: FLOATING POINTS: K&G Beat
6: MATTHEW DEAR: Free To Ask (Body Language Exclusive Track)
7: MRI: Flabbergast
8: MARTYN: All I Have Is Memories
9: EFDEMIN: Acid Bells (Martyn’s Dark Mix)
10: ZOMBY: Digital Flauna
11: BRACKLES: Get A Job
12: BRACKLES & SHORTSTUFF: Broken Harp
13: TRG: Tense
14: MOUNT KIMBIE: 50 Mile View
15: PANGAEA: Bear Witness
16: DORIAN CONCEPT: Trilingual Dance Sexperience
Here it is, interview number one with SSG. As well as answering our questions he was kind enough to give us a taster of what to expect on the night – HYPE!
Name(s):
SSGSSG
Where are you from? Where do you live now?
Originally from South America, Colombia I’ve been based in London for a while now.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m usually the person backstage helping the artists set-up or shift equipment. I also do some music features for a few magazines.
What was the first record you bought?
Blur and Prodigy albums – I think it made sense at the time, and still does now. I’ll try and ignore The Cardigans cassette album hastily purchased during a trip to a remote island off Morocco.
Who influenced your musical career?
Mostly it comes from teenaged bloggers posting tracks ripped from podcasts or online radio. Before the internet was what it is in 2009 I was influenced by the writers, magazines, TV and pirate radio. I try not to pay attention to artists themselves their I’d rather they get on with making more music.
Who are your influences now? (not necessarily musicians)
A&R, indie record labels etc -they help me know what’s good out there and influence people with something dynamic and exciting rather than another self hyped nobody.
If you could be anywhere, doing anything in the next 12 months, what would it be?
How about joining Major Lazer on his battle against the zombies?
For the launch of this party we are going to bring you some mini interviews from each artist, so you can get to know them a little better. Check back in a couple of days for info on the people who will be bringing you the beats on the night and hopefully some tracks and pictures too.
