World exclusive with Ricky Simmonds – the man behind one of the strongest labels of 2015
Interview by Dan Prince
Ricky a massive welcome to the biggest ‘little’ label in the world which has been dominating The Buzz Chart in 2015…guys there hasn’t been a week it seems when you haven’t an artist smashing in. Was this the plan? To start 2015 running and just well, keep on running…?
“Thanks for the welcome guys, good to be here. We had such a great year in 2014 with releases from Illyus & Barrientos, Bearcubs, Jason Burns, Poupon and Kokiri that the aim for 2015 was not only to keep up the quality on the label but to always try to better it. As you’ll see some of the releases coming up later this year do exactly that!”
Let’s kick off with the actual people behind the label. Nearly 1 year young, how many people are behind the scenes at Love and Other
“Essentially one, me! I do work with a few people helping out with press, radio and distribution so you could say one with help.”
“Welcome to a new way of thinking, a new lifestyle, a new brand and a new wave of great music” you told the world. What is that ‘new way of thinking’?
“I suppose it was a way of taking it back to the core values of good music. I didn’t want to be tied down to strict targets in terms of releases having to be over commercial or over underground, it’s about forgetting boundaries and just putting out good house/electronic music.”
Who over the years have been some of the labels that have been influences to how the label thinks and works?
“I’m a massive fan of these four labels and have definitely taken some influence from how they release/develop acts: MTA, PMR, MadTech and Black Butter.“
Okay the tunes! Let’s have a few words on each please. Gotta kick off with one of Annie Mac and Pete Tong’s favourite records of the year, Après and his Frankie Knuckles ode ‘Chicago’…
“Haha yes this one is huge! Really glad to be involved with the Après project, we have two pretty big full original vocal tracks coming from him soon. Watch this space…”
Mediate’s ‘What You Do’…
“Really happy that I found Mediate, they’re so talented and really nice guys. Their second single on the label ‘What You Do’ is this week’s BBC Introducing track of the week across Radio 1 and 1Xtra so you’ll be hearing a lot of it!”
Playless ‘Hurt’ – the Buzz Chart crew LOVE this record…
“Thanks guys! Yes really happy we put this one out, great vibes on it and had some wicked remixes in from Ben Mono, Reset Safari and Sean Roman.”
Miami vs Ibiza for breaking a track…?
“Having never been to Miami I’d have to say Ibiza, but for me it’s more of Ibiza vs UK thing. The clubbing scene in the UK couldn’t be stronger at the moment and it’s always a great place to test demos and future releases. I think I was playing Kokiri – Retrospect in venues ten or so months before we released it on the label.”
How do you work with such a talented but mysterious producer like The Dealer, do you have a go between man to discuss his new ‘For A Night’ track?
“He has a really cool down to earth manager but me and Tim speak on the phone via whatsapp quite a bit.”
With so much support on Radio 1, does it get a bit tricky who to give that exclusive first play too?
“Haha I wish! The support has been great but the DJs (particularly at specialist level) play what they are feeling I suppose. It’s great testament to the label that we’ve had the support and hoping for many more plays in the future.”
A huge night coming up for London town next week when you take over XOYO for your first live show of the year. What have you got in store for us…?
“It’s so exciting to be able to launch our first live gig at XOYO and I can’t wait for Friday. I’ve actually been roped into a warm-up set as it’s sold out so will busy very early! Joining me will be: Kokiri, Illyus & Barrientos, The Dealer, Mediate and Bordertown.”
Listen to Kokiri – ‘Retrospect‘ here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXfdf7KnMF0&list=PL1bNySqEUF_URI5NjnwfzY5sjGwTq8vb2
Name 3 artists you’d love to have on the label?
“Bodhi, Henry Krinkle, SG Lewis, Bondax, Tourist, Breach (sorry that’s more than three).”
And finally, what are the plans for the next few months release wise…
“We’ve got some great releases coming up over the next few months from: Beckwith, Jason Burns, Après, Bearcubs, Jade Blue, Bordertown, Riton, Ferreck Dawn and Herve…keep an eye here: www.loveandotherthings.com
