UK vinyl-only imprint Hokkaido Dance Club takes the next step on its journey with only its second ever release. The label plays host to a brand new EP from Aussie producer Mall Grab, who’s fresh from the exquisite ‘Sun Ra’ EP on Church. Joining us this week, label bosses Viers & Don Found took the time to run us through the concept behind the label and their motivation for getting started. We talked challenges, vision and standing out from the crowd. What’s more, the pair shared an exclusive from the new EP in the form of lead cut ‘Let U Kno’. It’s all below!
WWD: Thanks for talking to us guys! Tell us, What was the motivation to set up Hokkaido Dance Club in the first place?
Joe: It started with Jay (Viers) who spoke to me about his idea of starting a label. The premise of a vinyl only label grabbed me and I just wanted to get involved as much as possible.
Jay: Yeah man been wanting to set up a label for a few years so when I had the chance to have Joe jump on with me, I was well up for it.
WWD: What sort of sound do you look for in potential records that you listen to?
Joe: For me it’s all about the feeling. Having some piece of the music that grabs you, be it a vocal line, chord progression or banging drums.
Jay: Big drums, Open hats.
WWD: What do you hope to achieve with the imprint?
Jay: Keep things simple, hand stamped vinyl goodness at a semi-regular release schedule.
Joe: Just to have a continuous platform to release music we feel. As major record collectors, it also gives us an excuse to fill our shelves with sick music!
WWD: With so many new labels coming into being these days. What do you feel your label offers that others lack?
Joe: I’ve always described the sound as being deep club music. Having that melancholic aspect but with the addition of choppy hard hitting percussion. I’m not saying it hasn’t been done before, but with the new artists coming through, it brings something fresh to the sound. We also push for vinyl only. We’re a couple of guys who don’t touch digital that often so feel like there’s no point pushing something we don’t really believe in.
WWD: Five years down the line how do you see HDC evolving from where its at now?
Jay: Probably releasing vintage lo-fi PC music at that point
Joe: Id say it’s all about the sound. Sound moves on, so I think we’ll keep the same vibe but be in a different place.
WWD: How do you go about finding artists you want to release?
Joe: Jay is the boy. All of the artists that have come about have been through him. He sends me potentials and I’m like DISISHAWT! And we go from there.
Jay: Go on the Youtube flex see what I find.
WWD: What artists can we look forward to seeing on your label in future?
Joe: We have a couple of releases in the pipeline, but as far as artists info we’re keeping that covered at the moment. Mall Grab is taking centre stage.
WWD: Has running you own label changed the way you approach your own releases?
Jay: I have a lot more respect for the people who run labels, takes a lot of time and effort to get to the final product. So I would say I’ve gained a lot of patience since starting to run a label.
WWD: How have you found balancing running your own label and also being active DJs and producers?
Jay: Making music and DJing is what I find fun, so when its been a long day its the first thing I wanna do regardless
Joe: I’ve always done it really. I have a full time job also. From running Labels and doing a fair bit of design work, I just get on with it. You’ve got to love it to keep involved and on top of everything.
WWD: Since starting the label what have the biggest challenges been that you have faced so far?
Jay: Deadlines man, i’m real bad with deadlines.
Joe: For me it’s getting the brand right. Being focused from the start of what we want out of the label and how to get that across to the audience. We also started off on a different distribution company, as of recent we have moved over to Lobster Distribution, which really fits the sound more.
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