Hotflush – Confessions of a label with Scuba..

eqtv — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 13:06:41 +0000

Scuba will perform at Hotflush present Reflexion with Scuba, Dense & Pika and Function at The Steelyard, London on Saturday 28th March and DGTL Festival Amsterdam on April 4/5th – www.dgtl.nl

Scuba and his Hotflush imprint have been an integral cog in the techno empire over the past few years. Drafting in the likes of Dense and Pika, Paul Woolford, George Fitzgerald and Mount Kimbie to his ranks have catapulted his label to the forefront with huge tracks paving the way for new talent to aspire to. Not one to rest on his laurels and often looking for fresh scope within the vast depths of our musical environment, Scuba offers the olive branch to new talent rather than just heading for the big hitters, although there are a few of those as well. Here we chat to the label head honcho about his latest album Claustrophobia and what its like running Hotflush.

Scuba releases his new album “Claustrophobia” that is out on Hotflush March 23rd.

Interview:

1. Best label party I have been involved and why is…

We’ve done a lot of quite big label parties in various places, but the most fun are the small members-only ones we do occasionally in Berlin and London where we don’t announce the lineups and nothing is taken that seriously. We had a really good one in Berlin on 3rd Jan this year where me, George FitzGerald and John Osborn played – there aren’t many cities in the world where people are still going from New Year three days later, Berlin is quite a special place like that.

2. The hardest thing about running Hotflush is…

Definitely the most difficult decisions are to do with having to turn music down. We could release at least twice the amount of stuff than we do without compromising on quality but I think doing more than one release per month is too much, and that means some hard choices about what we can and can’t release. There’s been more than a few things over the years that I’ve ended up regretting passing on, but you just have to do what you feel is best at the time.

3. What I look in new music and when I’m A&Ring is…

I’ve always tried to avoid just taking whatever big tunes we get offered in favour of signing new people who I think have potential and who we can build up over time. Something like Mount Kimbie took over a year of knocking ideas around before we agreed on a release and that process was totally worth it in the long run. If someone totally new sends a demo and one tune is massive and the rest are average I generally won’t go for it, but if there’s real sign of potential there I’ll be more likely to be interested.

4. If I wasn’t running Hotflush I would be…

For me it’s always been a balance between making music, DJings and running the label… I guess if the label wasn’t there I’d be in the studio more which on the one hand could be good, but I tend to think that the three things support each other and taking one out wouldn’t necessarily help the others even if it meant having more time. I dread to think what would happen if I had to give up music altogether though, let’s try to avoid thinking about that please…

5. In 2015 Hotflush has….

We’re releasing albums again this year, which hasn’t happened since 2012. So my fourth album, Claustrophobia, is out on 23 March and there might be another album project later in the year. We are also starting a series of parties called Reflexion, the idea of which is to branch out from just doing label showcases and bring in people whose music we love and will contribute to making a great party. The first one of those is at a new venue in London called Steel Works on March 28th with myself, Dense & Pika, Jack Haighton and we’ve invited one of my favourite DJs, Function, to be the first outside guest. And of course we have a lot of 12″s coming from people like Paul Woolford, Alan Fitzpatrick, George FitzGerald, Auden etc… It’s going to be a busy year.

Mobilee – Confessions of a Label

eqtv — Sun, 18 Jan 2015 20:18:35 +0000

Ralf Kollmann, alongside Anja Schneider is the figure head of the illustrious Mobilee imprint. Coming into their 10th year as of 2015, evolving and adapting to the current climate is a given, but sticking to their roots and aspiring to further their brand is a must. We ask Ralf to confess his outlook with 5 simple questions…

1. Best label party I have been involved and why is…

Definitely our own event series in Barcelona at the Hotel Silken Diagonal rooftop. Its a very special atmosphere with a stunning view over the whole city. A very intimate happening with random people from all around the world that all make friends towards the end of the party. Its starting again this year in May with a monthly date and the 3 day in a row highlight during Sonar and ending in September. But I am also excited about our new residency at Egg London starting this month! Its a rare occasion to have so many Mobilee artists playing together and thats always the best guarantee for a fun filled night with exquisite music no matter if its a rooftop, pool or club.

2. The hardest thing about running Mobilee is…

Keeping up with the always evolving scene and industry, re-inventing yourself from time to time and not losing the spirit and inspiration. I feel so lucky and happy being able to run a show like Mobilee that this all doesn´t feel hard at all.

3. What I look in new music and when I’m A&Ring is…

Its always nice to break the common rules and usual type of sounds, arrangement and beats. Something you can hardly describe with words, you need to feel it!

4. If I wasn’t running Mobilee I would be…

A buddhist monk as orange is the new black!

5. In 2015 Mobilee has…. (you can chat about plans with label parties or releases or any exclusive info)

Its our ten year anniversary and the festivity plans are coming together quite well. #Let Go is our theme for this year starting showcases and tours from around April on. But we kick off this year with Lee Van Dowski and a massive track coming out this week on Jan 16 called “050504” followed by Re.You´s turn on our annual Mobilee back to back compilation. He deconstructed mobilee tracks in his very own way and delivered two 30min jam tracks and 4 exclusive tracks and remixes. I just got the masters yesterday and it sounds brilliant.

But first we hopefully meet at The Egg on Jan 24th. Rodriguez Jr., Lee Van Dowski, Ray Okpara, William Kouam Djoko, Ranacat and myself cant wait to dance with you.

https://www.facebook.com/RalfKollmannOfficial

Ralf and the Mobilee team play Egg LDN on January 24th – www.egglondon.net

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Hotflush – Confessions of a label with Scuba..

Mobilee – Confessions of a Label