Label Spotlight... Nasty Funk!

We have always kept a look out for new record labels and when NastyFunk first dropped into our consciousness 3 years ago, we were hooked...  They push a real mix of underground house, tech-house, deep house and nu-disco that always has that "nasty funk" and we are glad they are around!

With that in mind, we decided to throw label boss, Erik Christiansen, a few questions and feature some of the best music on our blog...  Read on and find out more!

You have reached 40 releases since November 2011.  How would you sum-up the label's first 3 years in the music world?

When I started, I knew absolutely nothing about how to run a label, and now, 3 years in, sometimes it still feels like that! But seriously, every single release has been a project of passion, and every artist who has put music out on the imprint, I see as part of our family… The most amazing thing is travelling half way across the world for someone to tell you they love a particular release on NastyFunk, or nights when I hear a lesser known B Side from the catalog being played out at some big party. It’s hard to put into words.

What was your inspiration behind the label?

For me, DJing is about picking the right record, and I think running a label is kind of an extension to that. The day that I decided to start the imprint was at a Crosstown Rebels party in 2010 in Miami. A garden party with maybe 150 people, and a lineup of Maceo Plex, Jamie Jones, Art Department, Soul Clap, Subb-An, Lee Foss, Solomun +++. That was an inspiration without doubt.

Your label has received some great support.  Were there any DJs/Producers you were specifically hoping to impress with your releases?

We were always trying to catch the ears of the big players in the scene, and even now, every time we hook in someone new, it’s exciting. Things like being in Jamie Jones’ chart at Christmas, or days spent signing legends like Jef K or Alex Arnout to the label, to hearing Amine Edge spinning the imprint on BBC Radio 1, it’s all next level for us.

Tell us about your plans for 2015 and what tracks and artists should we be looking out for?

This year is gonna be a fantastic one for music; there’s so much quality in my promo box at the moment and I’m definitely falling in love with the way people are smashing up genres at the moment. To be honest, I'm really excited about all of our artists for the coming year, but if I could pick anyone I’d say my boy, Elijah Collins, 2015 is going to be a very good year for him. Outside of NFR, I’d say I’m really feeling pretty much anything Cera Alba does right now.

For any aspiring producers out there looking to send demos in… Would you have any advice for them?

Whilst we probably have a certain style, we are always looking for new sounds. A lot of people make the mistake of sending in demos that are similar to tracks we’ve released in the past… The perfect demo; if you can make us a track that sounds like something we’d release in the future, then that would be perfect, ha! The most important advice to any producer though – never give up.

If you could pick one track past or present that you wish Nasty Funk could have released, what would it be?

So many come to mind, a lot of underground staples, and some modern classics. My first thought would be Peace Division - Blacklight Sleaze for it’s nastiness… But then I think PBR Streetgang – Downstroke would win for it's pure, unadulterated funkiness. Anyone got a time machine?

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