Yahoo News Embrace the vinyl revival at London's Independent Label Market
Look beyond the sugar-coated popstars flooding commercial charts and primetime and you'll find a wealth of innovative musicians stemming from a passionate roster of cutting-edge independent labels.
Many of music's most enduring acts have emerged from the UK's passionate indie label scene and this weekend marks a celebration of the scene and this year's highlights.
Whether you're a white-label obsessive, aspiring DJ or simply want a snapshot of the UK's most exciting current acts, the Independent Label Market at Spitalfields is a coming together of some of the capital's most forward-thinking labels.
With a crowd of 40,000 set to arrive over the weekend, expect rare one-off releases, pop-up performances, endless merch and record signings dished up alongside street food and craft beer, while – with vinyl sales experiencing a 25-year high – don't bet against filling your tote bag with the lovingly curated records on offer.
Ahead of the event, we spoke to three leading indie labels – Transgressive (think Flume, Let's Eat Grandma and SOPHIE), Lucky Number (whose artists include Dream Wife, Sleigh Bells and Sebastian Tellier) and Greco-Roman, which just released a 10th anniversary compilation – about why independent music is so important.
Why do indie labels matter in 2017?
Tim Dellow, Transgressive Records: With a superabundance of music out there, we all need trusted curators to help shine a light on the next song that's going to change your life. And artists need honest, hardworking people with real vision for their careers to partner with. It's the most exciting time to be a part of a great indie label.
Michael Morley and Stephen Richards, Lucky Number: We look for artists that want to achieve long careers through hard work and belief, both searching within and looking outwards for inspiration to expose their distinctive strength of character.
How are shifts in the music industry affecting independent labels?
Alexander Waldron, Greco-Roman: When we started 10 years ago we made a point of not being tied to any genre, but that policy just seems normal these days. People’s tastes are so much broader now. And in 2007 labels released singles on vinyl. And then they didn’t… and now they do again.The resurgence of vinyl isn’t exactly news but it still makes us feel good!
MM and SR: Streaming has enabled artist catalogues to be seen more clearly and for progressive independent labels – where our focus is on developing long careers – this is a great enabler. It’s also reduced online piracy. There are always things to improve, of course, such as parity of payment from the different streaming sources, but, given the dearth of download purchases, it is also great to see a solid income stream accessible through this medium.
Why are these events important?
MM and SR: It’s always good to engage on a deeper level with your audience, cementing that interactive community that we all need to keep the art thriving. It’s also good to get a snapshot of how others operate in the business to share ideas and enthusiasm.
TD: There's great opportunity for independent labels in 2017 – smaller teams can work stealthily in a changing environment to be entrepreneurial with their artists. Great 'pop' music has always been about taking risks with eccentrics and as the overall market becomes more risk averse and data driven, there's a lot of scope to work with some really inventive artists.
What can we expect from this weekend?
TD: We'll have vinyl and CDs of our latest releases and some rarities, signed LPs and test pressings from the likes of Alvvays, Moonlandingz, Foals, Blaenavon, Songhoy Blues, Johnny Flynn, Flume... we've got some exclusive tapes of the debut Julia Jacklin album, some snazzy new tote bags, free lyric sheets and posters and I think Marika Hackman and Rachel who works here are threatening to bake some cakes too.
AW: We have a limited edition 7” of Roosevelt’s cover version of Teardrops by Womack and Womack. It’s completely hot off the press. And we made some engraved rave whistles, of course.
Who are the other labels to look out for?
AW: Whities have been around a while but I think their new Avalon Emerson record is my record of the year. And Young Marco’s Safe Trip label just makes me jealous to be honest. Electronica at its most playful.
MM and SR: The labels that impress are the ones who focus on quality over quantity in their output, and innovation and consistency in the way that they surprise still with ideas, cross-genre, aesthetic and diversity.
The Winter Edition of the Independent Label Market takes place on Saturday 25 at Old Spitalfields Market from 11 until 6.30
