Hardwired is soon to drop via the ceaseless, productive and future-thinking Terabyte camp. Check the soundcloud at the end if you have no prior knowledge of the camp, and be prepared to be struck by a blizzard of varied sounds, now amassed on what is hopefully the first of many great comps. We caught up with James from the label with some insight: into the comp, and into the wider awarenesses of running a label.
Hardwired sounds great James, tell us about the thought behind the comp, what was the overall concept and approach?
Thanks very much mate! Over a year ago we had a bit of a splurge in signing a load of material. Anthony Waring – now of Co:Lateral / Flexout fame – was our A&R intern and he literally stockpiled loads of tunes he’d scoured the web for.
We decided at that point that any solo tracks we accumulated would be saved up to form a compilation album. It just seemed like a natural way of formatting tracks that didn’t have partners so to speak.
At that time we had no idea that this would form the sister label, Hardwired. That idea came much later. We decided relatively recently that we were simply so far ahead in our planning that had enough material to start a new production line of artists and music alike.
We figured that having a sister label for emerging talent was a good way of splitting it all up. So in the same way that ProgRAM and Med School break new artists, we aim to do the same with Hardwired.
The selection is great, can you take us through some TUNES?
Yeah we were pleased not only with the variety here but the quality of the tunes.
– Intracut ‘Company’
James Bowman, Intracut, is the perfect example of how to conduct yourself when sending demos to labels. James approached me by email, explaining that he’d been a long term fan of the label, and used to be in the London events scene.
He sent the most polite email I’ve ever received, yet more importantly he had an awesome tune to boot. When we told him we wanted to sign it, he was like a kid on Christmas. He even told us he broke the news to his mum!
– Quantum Mechanix ‘Return to the Jungle’
One half of Quantum Mechanix is Jim Wheatley AKA Fractals. I’d been in conversation with him back and forth about demos for quite a few months – if I’m honest he was starting to get on my wick haha!
Then he sent us ‘Return To The Jungle’ and my opinion totally changed. Just goes to show good things come to those who wait. It was the drums that got me with this track – our early Terabyte catalogue mainly contains more minimal stuff than jungle influenced rollers, but this just grooves too nicely too ignore.
– Hanover ‘Ancient Ways’
Dan, the producer in the Hanover duo, hit me up whilst we were both still at our various unis; turns out I had actually met his Mrs through a friend of a friend. After some very protracted conversations, which were admittedly dragged on by my own doing, Dan sent over 3 tracks. If you like ‘Ancient Ways’, wait until you hear the other two.
Last time I spoke to him he was planning on switching lanes into other genres. Hopefully he sees this call-to-action as the light at the end of the tunnel: DONT JOIN THE DARK SIDE!
I see the mighty Crypticz is here with his fantastic take!
Indeed he is! Jordan is a top bloke. After hearing his output on Diffrent I managed to link up with him online just so I could pass on the fact that I loved his release.
We kept talking and a few months later he popped out ‘I Can’t Stop’ and told me it needed a home, and I couldn’t turn it down. Bit of a coup for us really.
Take us into the Picota & Kumbh tune and who are they?
Picota & Kumbh are a Spanish duo who are also two brothers. They sent me over some demos earlier in the year, and they instantly resonated with me. Sam/Altered Perception agreed, and we bit their hand off.
We’ve got another two tracks of theirs waiting in the wings so watch this space. Apart from anything else, I’m really impressed that these guys want to buy into Terabyte as a brand so much – especially given the fact that they aren’t based in the same country as we are!
They’re always happy to do what’s required to make sure we build the best platform available for them to get their music heard, and we have ultimate respect for them for that.
Is the release digital-only and if so are you keen to do a physical release? If not… why not?
The release is currently digital only.
Physical releases are one of our few remaining markers of success. We’ve been in discussion with several distributors for years, but we’ve never been confident enough to take the gamble. Of course, when (not if) we move into the vinyl market we will consider reissuing stuff from the back catalogue.
But we’re only going to make the leap when the time is right financially – neither Altered Perception or myself want to f*ck this up because we tried to run before we could walk.
On topic, Terabyte’s been going for some years now, what are some simple lessons you have learned about running a label?
You’re right, and it’s flown by! I do a lot of the actual day to day work for the label myself, and I think that has been the biggest lesson for me. If you don’t act, you will never understand the shortcomings of your actions and learn how to refine the process. But enough philosophical bollocks, short top tips would be:
1) Music always comes first, nothing can be prioritised above the quality controls you set in place.
2) good things come to those who wait – don’t rush decisions, don’t rush releases to market, don’t rush artists. If you truly care you’ll want the label to evolve naturally rather than going hell for leather from the off.
3) keep all the plates spinning – many people don’t realise that there are several different functions a label needs to have. Alongside good music you need a good marketing strategy, a good PR strategy, a good handle on the finances. The moment you need to keep your finger on the pulse because the moment you stop, it takes a lot of time and effort to get back into the routine.
4) set clear but achievable aims – if you don’t hit them, understand why before aiming for something more realistic. You’re not going to become Headz overnight.
Where will we see Terabyte go next?
2016 kicks off back into the normal Terabyte catalogue. We’ve got 2 singles, 2 EPs, and 3 more Hardwired releases in the pipeline, as well as a whole host of other projects on the go. I think the main distinction – maybe more like main aim – is Sam and I are busting to be playing out more.
We’re hoping to give rise to Terabyte events UK-wide, were also looking into merch and of course chasing the vinyl dream. But we’re not counting our chickens.
What tune is in your head right now?
I feel like a criminal for saying this but Drake ‘Hotline Bling’ has followed me like a shadow in the last week or so, and I finally decided to embrace it rather than fight it.
I usually listen to one tune right before I go to sleep; in recent months it’s been Seba & Paradox ‘Back From Eternity’, but last night I did the evil deed and listened to Drake. It’s my guilty pleasure, let’s hope it doesn’t last.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBCHoGDIjSU
Any shouts James?
Too many to name, but know that if you’re involved in any part of this process, as an artist, a DJ, a designer, an engineer, a distributor, a promo plugger, or someone who buys our material, we are so lucky and so grateful to have your continued support.
BIG UPS