"Label Spotlight" featuring Fresh II Death!

We respect lots of  different record labels and this is definitely one of them...  If you don't know already, you need to find out!!  Fresh II Death records are well worth your attention.   Find out more in our interview below...

What was the first release on  Fresh II Death?

Our first release was by Anton Ishutin and was featured in Beatport's Top 10 tracks of the week way back in April 2013. We had some great support from some of our producer friends who were more than happy with getting involved in remix duties. Anton is from Russia and has gone on to make a great name for himself. As have some of the other remix artists from the release, namely Will Berridge who's signed to some really great labels and is featuring a lot in Mixmag, under the name Will & Held.

What's the ethos behind the label? Do you have firm targets in terms of what you want to achieve with it?

I'd had a couple of tracks of mine in the charts and I started getting quite a lot of attention overseas. Before I knew it I was getting loads of music sent to me to the point where I felt like I should be doing something with this. I'd always dreamed of running a label and so it just felt like the right time to make a start. The main ethos behind the label has always been pretty simple really. Regardless of the genre. "Would I play this?" I definitely regard myself as a "dj deck hog" as it’s really hard work getting me off them once I’ve started. I've been known to go on a bit of a tangent when playing so I could never define myself to just one style.

Our main target for the moment is to make the transition from digital to wax. With some showcases coming up in the near future, we're hoping to feature more of our artists live in the flesh!

What's your view on the current music scene? What do you like and what do you dislike?

I’ve seen a lot of genres come and go but its always the same, the music is good until it gets too popular and then the market gets overloaded with the same sound and over saturated to the point where it just fizzles out. It's the same with the clubbing scene. The cool kids are around for the new sound but as soon everyone hears about it, it starts attracting the wrong sorts. I've never really been one for following trends, I just like to do my own thing, get my head down and stomp my back out.

If you could sign any artist, who would it be?

I’ve been into DJing for about 15 years and ever since I started playing house music, I think the most tracks that I’ve bought and played by a single artist has got to be Hector Couto. So, he would definitely be on my hit list to sign.

Any advice for someone hoping to get a release on Fresh II Death ?

Yes, send me your demos. FreshIIDeath@live.com

I listen to them all, eventually! Ha. It’s a really nice feeling when you sign an artist who has been putting their heart and soul into their work. I remember how it felt when my tracks were first getting signed so it's great to be able to pass that on.

Finally… Guilty Pleasure track?

From the label;

And one from the vault;

Find out more about Fresh II Death:

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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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"Label Spotlight" featuring Daylight Robbery Records

This blog was never meant for only blowing our own East Project trumpet and so we have always tried to cover the labels, artists, producers, DJs and music, in this great big world of dance music of ours, that have influenced us or we are currently diggin'...  And this week is no exception!

We caught up with the label boss of the excellent London based Daylight Robbery Records!

Tell us where the idea and concept for the label come from?

Well the label was basically a result of my flat being burgled one day whilst I was at work. Came home to find the front door kicked in, all my sound equipment and various other items gone. I hadn't backed up for a while, didn't have insurance and had lost practically everything. Needed a silver-lining to the shitty situation and decided it was time to start a label, the name Daylight Robbery seemed an appropriate choice!

You are nearly a year old, how has the first year gone so far?

Much better than I could have hoped to be honest! We were really lucky early doors to get original tracks from some name producers that we admired and who trusted to us to release a Free EP to help build the profile of the label. We had Trav + Volta, Marco Darko, Jamie Antonelli, Ashworth, Cutting Agents and myself releasing on a free EP (which is still available).

Still not exactly sure how I managed to convince them, but the EP did really well and helped get us noticed. Then our first release on Beatport was featured by Mixmag on their website and Soundcloud, and since then we've just tried to grow with each release. Our current EP is our most successful yet; it's at no.7 on Beatport at time of writing - which is something I never really thought that we would achieve.

In what ways do you think Daylight Robbery stands out from the other labels out there?

That's a hard question, there are so many good labels out there doing their thing. To be honest, I'm just trying to put out releases that I think are great and that I want to share with people. Some releases will be more disco, or more techy, or more housey - but I just try and get a lot of artists that I admire all under our roof and releasing EPs that I want to hear. That's kind of the philosophy, we just want to be known for putting out consistently good house music.  

If you could have signed one track to the label, past or present, what would that track be?

There's a couple that stick in my mind! From last year it would be 'Newbie Nerdz & Going Deeper - Your World', massive massive tune and I'm big fan of Newbie Nerdz. This year it would have to be 'Mark Wells & Marco Darko - Who's Ya Daddy'. This track is 'the one that got away' for me - we were planning to release it on another Free EP, but Nervous NYC heard it and unsurprisingly swooped in and offered a full release - definitely my tune of the year so far this one!

What are you really excited about with regards to the future for Daylight Robbery?

Many things, got some really exciting releases in the pipeline that I can't wait to share with people, from big name artists & upcoming ones. But at the moment I'm mostly excited about building on our debut label party which saw 150people meet in a secret location in Brixton for what turned out to be an amazing party.

We're now in talks for our next party which will be us moving to a big venue with the hope of doing regular nights in London. We want to be running a consistent successful Daylight Robbery club night in London, and then we plan to take that on the road as well. Oh and maybe another Free EP soon too ;)

Last Question... What is your music guilty pleasure?

Easy one this... Spandau Ballet - Gold! My old producer name was Spangled Ballet, and if I had to sing any song at karaoke...

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"Label Spotlight" featuring YOVERSION RECORDS!

If you are into your proper straight up house music, then there have been numerous labels over the years to cover your tastes in this forever lasting sound...  A staple diet that is served up in numerous clubs around the world week in week out, it forms the foundations that new sub-genres and trends in the underground are built on!

Whether you are new to the sounds of house or a veteran, there will always be room for a classic tune that fits perfectly in the mix, next to the latest fresh sounds of today.  There are numerous classic house labels that have been around for years but also some great new additions that are worth your attention and Yoversion Records is certainly one of the those!!

Our resident, Disko Trooper, was asked to do guest mix recently for the label's 9th edition of their podcast, so we though we would catch up with DJ/producer and label boss, John Jones, to get the low down on his project and how things have been going...

Hi John, how's it going?  Tell us a bit about the idea and inspiration behind your label - Yoversion Records.

Heya Ben, thanks for doing this feature on the label. Its great to have like-minded positive people trying to push things forward for small labels like our own. Together as a community we can make a positive contribution to getting some really talented producers' music out there for people to enjoy. That's what house music is all about, heh!

I started up the label last year as a channel to push forward music that I was feeling to the house music community and hopefully beyond! Plus it's a great platform to establish myself as an artist individually. Being your own boss...... that's something that everyone always wants!

If you were to describe the label's sound, what 5 words would you use?

House Music Pure and Simple

What is your favourite release on the label?  And which has been the most successful so far?

My favourite release has been our very first release 'Soul Central - On The Edge'. Both Andy & Timmy are good friends of mine and it was a dream to get an outfit of their calibre to kick off the label in style. You must check the video.... One of the funniest things I've seen... It's Top Draw!

The most successful I think has been this excellent remix of Anthony Atcherley Ft. Jamie Lewis - Why Do You Cry (Frater & Stent Remix) which has featured on Hed Kandi's latest Deep House Compilation.

We are also pretty excited about our latest release Richie Barthez Ft. Leroy Macs - Want You Back due for release on 7th July 2014!

You are onto the 9th edition of the Yoversion podcast...  Tell us how that podcast came about?

I have always listened to podcasts as they are a brilliant channel to source and learn new music, so I thought with the amount of material I get sent on a weekly basis, it would be enjoyable to create one of my own. Plus i'ts a great way to generate a database, showcase new material and build relationships with, whilst entertaining your catchment audience. We have had some amazing guest mixes so far and I've been able to tap into contacts that I have built up over the years of being in the scene. I think it makes for some good listening! On top of that..... Its good fun! The next show is a milestone 10th Podcast..... what should we do to celebrate!????

Also, I know we've discussed this previously but I like the fact you include a full playlist on your podcast, so the listener can track down their favourite tunes.  Is that an important part for you?

Yes and no. I have gone with it because it's great for producers to be able to showcase their music and these days in a crampt and compact world of mass production, I think i'ts beneficial to have as much information as possible about a track available, so that it has a chance of achieving its potential within the market.

However, I am kinda still old school in thought that material is too readily available these days via the wonder of the interweb. Gone are the days of searching down records and the buzz you got from finally locating them. That was part of the game and the harder you worked the more it shaped your individuality.

Although I've always posted the podcast tracklistings via our website, it's only recently I've started posting the tracklisting on our Soundcloud link..... and I'm still undecided on whether to keep doing this. I guess what im saying is that I'm happy to make the info available...... but I do not believe in spoon feeding.

One of my other favourite podcasts for house music is the Defected one run by Sam Divine...  Do you have any favourites?

Funnily enough I also listen to the Defected Podcast. From when Aaron Ross started it through to Copyright and now my good friend Sam Divine who is doing a sterling job. I think they give a great representation of good housic music across the spectrum. I also listen to Luciano's Cadenza and Noir's Podcast.

Lastly, you've been around for years on the dj circuit, so give us a brief update on what you are up to at the moment?  And what have been your stand out gigs this year?

Yes, obviously people tend to generally associate me with my long-standing residency with Hed Kandi & Ministry of Sound, so I've been busy on the touring front on that side of things of late with some brilliant gigs at Gibson Club (Frankfurt, Germany) and Prive (Tallinn, Estonia). But our schedule for Yoversion has been fantastic this year so far with an amazing trip to Canada for gigs in Vancouver & Calgary. We have also had very special shows in Slovakia & the brilliant Marquee Fest in Middlesbrough (UK)

Added to that we have our yearly summer shows coming up at Cafe Mambo (Ibiza) plus more events scheduled back in Slovakia, Seoul and Jordan this summer is shaping up to be quite a healthy one for sure

For all the latest on Yoversion Records and John Jones, check out at the following links:

Website - www.YoversionRecords.com

Twitter - www.Twitter.com/Yoversion

Twitter - www.twitter.com/JohnJonesDJ

Facebook - www.Facebook.com/YoversionRecords

Facebook - www.Facebook.com/JohnJonesDJ

Resident Advisor - www.Residentadvisor.net/dj/johnjones

Soundcloud - www.Soundcloud.com/john-jones

Soundcloud - www.Soundcloud.com/Yoversion

Beatport - http://dj.beatport.com/djjohnjones

"Label Spotlight" featuring GOOSENECK RECORDS

Next up is a new monthly section for The Project blog, where we feature some of our favourite record labels from around the world.  We speak to the label owner and get them to answer a few questions, as well as shine a light on some of their latest and best releases…  And we kick things off in March with the excellent and exciting – GOOSENECK RECORDS!

The label was started with the intention of unearthing the latest hidden and undetected talent in the underground house music scene.  It was started back in 2011 by Alistair Gillespie as one of Proton Radio's sub-labels, Gooseneck’s sound falls in the deep to tech house category.

With releases featuring established, as well as new artists (East Project friends Clouded Judgement, Rob Made, Vanilla Ace, Trav & Volta and Alistair himself), if you don’t know about this label already, then you should!

GOOSENECK RECORDS' latest release is by Dharfunkh aka Steve Ricketts – UK producer and recent collaborator with Vanilla Ace on a remix for KMS records.  It's a 3 track EP, with our personal favourite being "Hustler".

It is out now to buy and well worth your support!!

And here are a couple more of their recent releases that are definitely worth your attention and your pennies...

From London boys, "Tainted Souls" featuring Dennis Wonder - Let Urself Go...  With Rob Made on remix duties:

James Stewart – Power:

Interview

So Alistair, tell us a bit about the label and what is planned for the next 12 months?

I started the label when I used to live in Los Angeles, as a hobby, was fresh out of college and realized that I had a ton of music of producer friends I´d collected over the years from djing in South America.  So I said why not try to launch a label with that material... that´s how it all started, just a few tracks from friends...

Originally it was all focused on Chicago house and some Detroit influenced sounds as you can see from the first couple releases, around late 2010.  I believe it was the LA influence that then took the label onto a more "trendier" sound over the next year and a half, releasing Nu Disco and Deep House.  The label is actually now on a new stage, first of all, I am currently based out of São Paulo, and aiming to take the music back onto its original direction which was a more Chicago and old school oriented house.

With new releases in the pipeline, we are also looking to make the most of the upcoming DEMF, with a potential VA Sampler.  In addition, I have started a recent production collaboration with good friend and Gooseneck regular, Thomas De Lorenzo.  We are going under the moniker "Lorenzo & Gillespie", and will be putting out mainly the Gooseneck sound and shopping out a more grimmier tech house to other labels.

Label showcases are also in mind, although would need a bit more time to get that in place properly... hopefully get some international label artists here into Sao Paulo as well as promoting some local talent we already have on board.

What's been your most successful track to date?

"Remember My Name" by Thomas De Lorenzo:

Where did the name Gooseneck come from?

It actually just came up randomly one day while I was still in college and it was all just an idea... further on, noticing it was actually related to the scene (flexible lighting used mostly back in the day to light mixers) I decided to go forward with it... pretty simple actually.

Brazil seems to be making a big statement in the deep/Nu Disco genre. Why is this and who is leading the game?

The scene in Brazil has definitely changed and grown a lot in the past few years.  Personally, I have only been here for the past year and a half, but have noticed how things have changed a lot from when I used to come visit over the years.  Electronic Music in general has become a real trend in Brazil, reaching mainstream recognition (as in many parts of the world as well).  Brazil has seen lots and lots of mega clubs open up around the country, not only in main cities such as São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, but you will also see huge venues in regions that may be considered a bit more "random" to the general tourist.  I believe that shows the impact and consumer power that the country has... in many other places you will only see these 'megaclubs' in a nation's main city. So having such a 'massive' scene as to say, makes way for genres such as deep/nu disco to work, they are considered 'trendy' and work well for both semi underground venues or even mainstream... also, tracks with vocals work very well here, and well... it is a genre that has a lot of that.

Also, another main reason is that there are so many producers focusing on that style here in Brazil...of course, would have to mention HNQO as the go to guy when referring to the deep house scene in Brazil... not only has he made a name for himself locally but when you combine that with support from a label such as Hot Creations, then the result is exactly what is happening in Brazil right now...local audience will have even more interest to their talent after such worldwide recognition.

Who would be your dream producer to release or remix on the label?

May sound cliché, but I prefer all the artists we have on the label...although if I could get Kerry Chandler to remix I wouldn´t complain ;-)

For any producers out there looking to sign their next track, what would be your advice for them sending them into Gooseneck?

Simple e-mail me directly, alistair@gooseneckrecords.com 

Final Question... What is your musical guilty pleasure?

Hmmm tough one..maybe nowadays it could be seen as a guilty pleasure... Kris Kross

Thank you for your time!.

EPx

Gooseneck Records' links below:

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