Hi Sam. We featured you on the blog last summer when you recorded a mix for our EP Podcast series and just after you joined the team as A&R… How has the past 9 months or so been for you working with us?
It is crazy that it has been that long
because it feels nowhere near that. It has been an absolute blast I feel I have
really broadened my horizons with joining the label team, especially when East
Project was where it all began for me in terms of my first gig so it’s great to
be working more closely in growing the label.
There has been a real buzz about the label
lately and so many great upcoming talent releasing with us. The likes of Ben
Sterling, K&K and Louis Robinson all happy to release on label has really
helped and happy to say I was able to get them on board! A special mention to
Tom Laidlaw as well who got in contact with me and released his first EP with
us.
The biggest thing for me was helping
artists that are trying to break through in this industry because I have been
there myself and it is seriously the most rewarding feeling I have had by
helping someone else.
With a really successful first release for
2018, there is a real sense that this could be a big year for the label, why do
you think that is?
I think it is a combination of things. As a
team me, Ben and Adam always work hard to brainstorm releases and who we can
bring onto the label to help grow it. We always post a lot on socials as well.
Another thing is our attitude with no egos, it is always about the quality of
the music not the stature of the artist. If a producer has 0 followers on Soundcloud
but their music is spot on for the label we will release it. Same goes if an
artist has 10,000 followers but music doesn’t suit our sound then we won’t.
We also don’t have a fixed kind of sound,
we release what we think sounds good, whether that’s minimal, deep house, tech
house, techno etc if we like it we will release it. Then to round it off we
have had so much support from Lindsey Matthews, Billy Rath, Ying Yang, Jo
Poole, Matt Fear…. The list goes on. Without support there wouldn’t be so much
hype around the label.
When you are out looking for new music or
if anyone sends you a promo, what do they need to do to catch your attention?
I feel that approaching me in a kind
genuine way is the best way. I don’t need anything specific, just you know a
simple hello and little intro goes a long and a polite please and thank you.
Manners go a long way for me. In terms of what I want to hear is always
something different for example with Tom Laidlaw’s Jungle Move EP he had
samples from a rainforest, which I thought was so cool and the groove of the
track was perfect.
Are you looking for anything specific from
a track/artists?
It has to sound clean. I feel a lot of
artists sound clips that haven’t mixed down their tracks properly are
presenting themselves in a bad way. A master isn’t crucial but a clean sounding
well layered track is!
Looking at this upcoming EP from Billy Rath
and specifically your remix of lead track “Cuerno”, what were you hoping to
achieve with your version of the original?
When I got the parts, the vocal was a big
factor for me. So when writing the track I based it around that and made a hook.
I wanted to make something that had groove and energy with progression with a
deep bass and that’s how it ended.
Did it come out as planned?
Yeah, I was really happy with how it turned out always want my productions to be as perfect as possible!
Did it come out as planned?
Yeah, I was really happy with how it turned out always want my productions to be as perfect as possible!
Finally, feel free to use this question as your chance to promote the DJs, producers, events that you are really feeling at the moment!
Ok! I feel Jacky deserves a mention! I have
known him for some time now and he is taking his Jacky & Friends brand to
Fabric! Which is huge for him. From being a part time DJ when I met him to
where he is now is a perfect testament to hard work and dedication. Also,
George Privatti for me is an unsung hero from Elrow. His productions have been
solid lately and his December 2017 set over on Soundcloud is full of so many
heavy tracks that make you wanna dance.
For more info on LA SAM, go to:
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