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"We quickly learnt our music didn't fit into the local electronic scene," says Gawain. Behold the birth of Red Label Records.
With the ambient influences of The Orb combined with the booming bass line of big beat house, Red Label's first release, Men In Speedos single 'My Shirley Valentine/Rising Sun' raised eyebrows from Sydney to California, winning airplay on specialist shows across the world.
Established as a medium to release Men In Speedos music, Red Label was set up to coincide with the 2001 Sonar Festival, which acted as a platform for the launch of the release. True to form, the next release is set to be an album of the duo's most scultped work to date, At A Kalamazoo Near You.
"We've spent about six years developing our production techniques and only recently got into mastering tracks. It was Marty Briggs and Colin Shields who explained it to us," recalls Gawain. "Before we thought our old stuff was good, but now it is good."
The album evolves from a trip to Amsterdam, collecting samples with constantly recording mini-discs. Expect a variation of down-tempo chill out, mody breaks with a hint of dub, and pounding progressive techno.
Lending the label feminine charm, vocalist Fairweather [aka Penny Nixon]provides sweet seductive lyrics, while New Yorker DJ Lori Ward takes the bass and percussion to a beafed up dance floor experience.
Re-mixes and remastered updates of earlier work can be found on the website, highlighting some of the finest production talents in the country. Remix artists include drum 'n' bass general Cappo Regmie, techno titan DJ Colin Shields, and Church Street Records Moody B.
Describing the labelas a "mish-mash of all sort" Morrison's influences range from the floating ambience of The Orb, and progressive soundscapes of Led Zeppelin, to the stadium filling Depeche Mode.
"I remember being about fifteen, getting The Orb's Little fluffy Clouds and sitting in my room listening to it with my mates," recalls Gawain "with no idea about drugs at the time, we sat in the dark and made circles in the air with our fags. It just seemed like the thing to do to that music."
"Where Shane comes from a more Big Beat and House background. The bass is his - I do the ambience."
With the release of the album comes the advent of touring. With a year's experience in the Chinese party scene, Gawain returned to Belfast, met with Belfast DJ/Producer Colin Shields and decided to promote their own club night, Evolution.
They took residency in Brunswick St club Vicos, with Shields behind the decks providing a soundtrack of driving techno. With each guest DJ came contacts across the UK & Europe and it's from these sources come plans for a European tour to promote the live sound of Red Label Records.
Red Label Records differs from traditional labels by being web-based. "All our productions are available online. Everything from music for visual media to tracks we release. It's all available through the website."
"We're very interested in doing a live thing, and more collaborations with more vocalists. We'd also like to move into other media," says Gawain "I'd like to get into sonic art, and sound design for installation soundtracks."
As a small independent, Red Label Records retain creative freedom of expression with their only need for revenue to cover costs. Gawain explained his gratitude that each of the remixers donated their time, and talents free of charge, in order to help establish the label.
"Each of the remixers gave up their personal time to do this. it's very flattering."
Never one to give too much away, Gawain insists the Red Label's presentation and packaging is the tangible reflection of their music and should therefore be as unique.
£We have plans for special artwork for the new release, not just another CD case," reveals Morrison, "But I'm not giving away what it is."
Hopefully we'll find out soon.
By Craig Sheridan.
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