Dubstepforum.com

Lately it seems like everywhere I look, everyone and their mother is starting up their own dubstep label. Most recent ones I've heard about (in Blackdown's blog) have been a new one from Appleblim called Applepips, one from Martyn called 3024, Tes La Rok just launched one called Noppa, Heny G is starting one called Gangsta Boogie, Skream's got Disfigured Dubs, Distance has got Chestplate, Cluekid has Bullfrog Beats, Elemental has Runtime, the list goes on.

With everyone putting out their own material now, they can choose WHICH tunes they want to put out and HOW they are put out. They're also free to put out tunes by other producers (such as Disfigured for example) that they feel fits with the same aesthetic of the label. Not having to deal with someone else running the record label, they have complete creative control. It also makes the label much more attractive (press-wise and fan-wise) to be run by a producer than by just some guy who likes the music.

Now this all seems to be good for the scene because music can be put out there by the people who are actually making it, therefore the overall quality is much better.

But it also seems that it's making it much much harder for non-artist labels (as in, labels that are NOT run by a producer who releases their own tracks) to match up to the same level of quality, resulting in quite a few new labels with 001's that are pretty lame.

So what I'm wondering now is, are these non-artist labels becoming obsolete? Should new ones even be launched anymore? How are they going to resist being cast into that ever-growing pool of mediocre labels, when all the great tunes can so easily be put out by the a) the artists themselves, b) the artist-run labels, or c) the already established labels such as Tempa, Tectonic, Planet Mu, etc?

My answer is, make sure what you're launching is just as QUALITY, and is also DIFFERENT. Otherwise don't waste your time / money.

Discuss?

Me and my mum are starting up a label, first release Digitall Milksticks- Warm Damp Pub. I'm worried.

I think its more about artists standing behind their product rather than having to solicite their art to some third party and compromise/suckle at the teet of someone else's standards...

Who gives a fck if someone wants to devote their resources to such an undertaking?? more power to them, they obviously want to see that particular sound pushed - and the cream will rise to the top..

I think overseeing the complete production/pressing/distro of your tunes and your mates tunes is the way forward in this age of the rotting dinosaur music industry

granted dubstep is getting a little harder to keep track of with producers releasing on multiple labels and whatnot but I mean - its all about tracks getting released isn't it? more is available these days and its all part of the larger trajectory dubstep is undergoing.. no use in resisting ..

I mean, I see the concern.. but gosh the forum has some totally conservative vibes going on as of late --- its getting tired --- is it that hard to keep up with the releases?? just keep your ear to the floor - this was all totally inevitable -

All these new labels popping up makes everything a lot harder to follow. Doesn't really bother me though, as all the 001's and 002's I've heard recently have been pretty tame. Seems like all the new producers are just adopting the regular half-step wobble, no matter if they run their own label or not.

yeah but its all established producers making their labels!!! they're doing it to give themselves the creative space to release their personal visions!! someone like skream obviously has a right head to put out what he deems worthy - same with cluekid et al... why not see what they have to offer and then see if you want to fork over the dough and support/or not support what they're doing... the sales of the 001s and 002s will dictate to them whether or not its worth continueing.

I agree Alex, quality control is the key whether your tunes are by your own "in-house" artists or those who you've signed up. we've received dozens of really strong tunes but at the end of the day creating a label style/image is all about consistency, and having your own "production crew" is ideal for this. cash is another issue - whilst we'd love to be putting out records left right and centre, it's quite a leap of faith taking a tune you have (or even someone else has) made on a computer and spending hundreds of pounds putting it in the shops.

one thing is that i don't really see why a "non-artist" label's tunes should be any weaker: so long as the label's A&R team are hustling for new dubs then at some point they're gonna come across something both quality and different...it's also up to unsigned artists to keep sending tunes to labels/dj's as 99% of the artists who's names you see up in lights were discovered by someone further up the chain. End of the day, both labels and punters should be discerning when they invest their money

Tubz (Planas)

Jolly Wailer wrote:yeah but its all established producers making their labels!!! they're doing it to give themselves the creative space to release their personal visions!! someone like skream obviously has a right head to put out what he deems worthy - same with cluekid et al... why not see what they have to offer and then see if you want to fork over the dough and support/or not support what they're doing... the sales of the 001s and 002s will dictate to them whether or not its worth continueing.

Oh I was more referring to relatively unknown producers starting their own labels. DIS001, CHST001 and CHST002 were all top.

And now, before I confuse anybody further, I'm off for a nap.

Good post Alex.

I will comment when i get back from my meeting

my two pence

Do It Yourself

its the only way to push music forward

For some its just about baging a release out, for some its about doing it right.

The levels are always being raised. I think its good labels are popping up left right and centre, we have a choice to pick tunes ... we are't forced. Certain tunes may not see light if it weren't for some of said labels.

if it weren't for the medicore and garbage tunes, the amazing ones wouldn't sound as good.

Atleast if you run your own label you have less chance than being mugged off by people who you thought were your friends.

i think the diy attitude is the best. i dont see how itd make things "harder to follow", if u want a tune ull get that tune if u search for it

classagraphics wrote:if it weren't for the medicore.

is that breakcore to meditate to

incyde wrote:My answer is, make sure what you're launching is just as QUALITY, and is also DIFFERENT.

i couldnt agree more with this, it applies to labels and producers alike. too many releases/tunes out there that dont stand out. people need to find their own sound and label identity...

Personally i wouldn't wanna release anything until my first QUALITY tune can be backed up by more QUALITY tunes...

It is really hard to get in the 'clique' of certain labels as certain (most) labels are just run by groups of friends, and only seem to release stuff from their friends.

thats one thing that bugs me.

doesn't really concern me what other people choose to release. fair play to them for having the dedication to see it through. this sort of thing is always inevitable with the growth of any scene. at the end of the day if a tune isn't up to scratch, the sales should speak for themselves, and maybe the labels in question will think more carefully about their next release.

i'm on what your saying with the amount of lables perhaps, sometimes jeopardising the quality of realeases. this can also lead to other pro's or cons depenpending on you opion, like going down the route that drumand bass took and segregating the genre i.e liquid, jump up, intellegent... in stead of the keeping dubstep eclectic which i'm sure is the biggest appeal for most?

Blackdown wrote:

incyde wrote:My answer is, make sure what you're launching is just as QUALITY, and is also DIFFERENT.

i couldnt agree more with this, it applies to labels and producers alike. too many releases/tunes out there that dont stand out. people need to find their own sound and label identity...

Ok, but what do you do if you got tunes, that are being played out alot, just as much as tracks that have full releases-

but you've sent these tunes to certain 'cliques' who won't have any of it?

which brings me to my conclusion about the music industry in general, its about who you know, just as much as what you know.

The main problem with setting up a label to release your own tunes is that
as an artist it's really difficult to detach yourself from the process of creation that the tune has gone through from concept to the final mastered version. So it becomes difficult to judge the track for what it is
Also...........
While the DIY approach can speed up releases and you get to release what you want and when you want , the time it takes cutting dubs / test pressing / sorting artwork /choosing tracks etc etc is all time
away from being in the studio + theres more pressure on (you wanna at least break even financially) so therefore more often than not you get
less experimental releases and more routine crowd pleasers.