Amid the current electronic gold rush, record labels are popping up left, right and centre. With so much noise going on it’s harder and harder for one to make its mark. UK imprint Chapter 24 is an exception. It has been a leading light for young electronic outfits over the last twelve months, proving a tight crew and a solid message can still make waves in the monstrous ocean before us. The label has brought us exciting new names, while also showcasing experienced producers in a new light.
This week, Sam Pauli, the chief behind the label took time to discuss the Chapter 24 journey. What’s more, he’s put together an outstanding recording titled Love & War exclusively for When We Dip readers. It’s all below, we’re sure you’ll enjoy it as much as we did!
WWD: It’s been a huge year for chapter 24, have you been surprised by the growth rate?
Yeah, it’s gone well! I don’t think we quite knew what to expect. This was a wholly new venture for me, Marcus and Paul. We hadn’t run a label before. It got to a stage where it seemed the natural thing to do, but I hadn’t guessed it would come to consume our lives in the way it has!
We put a lot of work into the concept behind the label, its visual identity, the brand and so we’re glad it’s paying off. Things are warming up very nicely. Our next round of releases are combining our family of artists with some big names on the scene.
WWD: There seems to be a nice little crew of you behind the label driving this growth. Do you all have similar tastes in music or is there a big variety?
As the three of us on the core label team, I think we all share a similar taste for house and techno that is deep, melodic, emotive and makes you think as well as makes you move…basically, music that tells stories and takes you places.
Sounds and scenes evolve so quickly. All three of us are into a more timeless and open sound, rather than limiting ourselves to one variety, If the music doesn’t give us a certain feeling, we move on.
We’re really really happy about the crew we have built up around the label. Many of the artists on the label including the likes of KatrinKa, QUARTZ, Twelve Minds, Danny Oliveira are close friends, and it’s always been our goal to make Chapter 24 into a community where our artists and our fans are part of a single greater whole. It’s always best to work with people you believe in and care about!
WWD: From what I saw, you guys were over at IMS? How was that? Make many new connects?
Knackering…and interesting! The conference has come on a great deal and the quality of the speakers was really high. A real honour to listen to people like Carl Craig reveal parts of their creative process. We made some good connections and will be back next year, for sure.
WWD: I’m sure it wasn’t all work over there? Did you guys get to catch any of the nights? Who impressed most and why?
The great thing about running the label is that going out counts as work as well. Or at least that’s what I tell myself. There were some real standouts: Noir at Sankeys opening, Solomun at Dalt Villa and Dennis Ferrer at Pacha’s Insane. Respect to all three!
WWD: lans for Chapter 24 this summer? Are you guys throwing any label nights?
Our next Gather Round party is on 12th September. We like to book headliners who haven’t played London as headliners before. This time it will be Jonas Saalbach and Melokolektiv, to follow on from Rashid Ajami, Just Her and Soul Button at our previous parties. They’ve been great successes and this time we’re going one further at Blackall Studios in London, by combining the party with an art exhibition beforehand, where our Danish illustrator Simon Vaeth will be exhibiting the art he has made for the label, and some personal pieces as well.
Hopefully in future years we’ll be holding Gather Round in different countries and building up its reach.
WWD: One artist you’d love to see signed to the label in the next year?
Assuming David August isn’t available, then let’s go with Johannes Brecht. So musical, such a good artist!
WWD: What are you own plans Sam? You busy in the studio or have you a couple nice gigs lined up?
Things are building up nicely on my personal artist side as well. First up is an Edition of Danny Oliveira – Stargazer that Paul Nolan and I made at the start of July, which has gone really well on promo and which we’re excited about.
Then Reiver and I are bringing out an EP on the label based around a track called Aspice/I Love To Fly at the end of August.
On the gig front, I’ll be playing a nice three hour set at And.You at the Horse & Groom in London on 24th July. Come down if you can.
WWD: One name we should look out for this summer.
We have some stunning original music from Kurt Baggaley along with some great remixes that we’ll be releasing soon. It’s very fresh from his Former Self EP on SoHaSo earlier this year, which had that incredible The Drifter remix on it.
WWD: 3 tracks that will do it for you this summer.
You can’t go wrong with these three:
Melokolektiv & Darlyn Vlys – Change Of Mind (Dub Version)
Sezer Uysal – Le Grand Labyrinthe (Unique Repeat Remix)
Danny Oliveira – Stargazer
WWD: Finally, you’ve titled it so you must have put some thought into it! Tell us a bit about the mix you’ve put together for us.
Yeah, it’s the Love and War mix – so titled because it’s quite a banging mix for me. I like my mixes to have a theme and for this one I was quite influenced about ideas of tension between fear and love. The mix finishes on the MP Edit of Place of Love, so I guess love wins!