The Shades Recordings main man now wowing Berlin with his new Carousel record store
Interview by Rob Chadwick
Tell us about Carousel and your ethos behind it?
I’ve probably been involved/passionate about music for a decent chunk of my life now, in particular electronic music. And Carousel is about furthering that, doing more and trying to create, but in a different more cultural entrepreneurial way. If you’re making music and quite focused, it can sort of consume you, I wanted to do something different for a while. Carousel is about music and people and I think with a good record store you can reignite some of the nice old experiences in discovering new music pre the digital era. As we all know record stores can be fantastic, invaluable cultural hubs. I’ll have a crack.
What made you turn to the pop up shop and where do you see it fitting into the Berlin market?
Well, initially we did the pop up shop because we’re poor and don’t have a full time shop, but people have responded well to it. There’s a few more yet to come and we’re looking for that perfect, permanent place. It’s all a massive, exciting learning curve and I’m embracing it the whole way.
And what are you top 5 records right now and why?
1) The new EP from Jerry Riggs, featuring Mike Davis on Tom Diccicio’s Run Out Run. Weird, weird techno stuff but it’s good! Mike also co runs Carousel with me so gotta give the man a shout out eh?
2) New York City Survivors – The Game
I saw this played recently, pitched down and people completely lost it. Weapon. Lets face it, occasionally you should play a record that freaks everyone out, I think this could do the trick. They will love it later.
3) The new 12” of Banoffee Pies! I don’t know if you have heard it, it’s a new series under the imprint called ‘World Series’ featuring edity kind of stuff of a worldly nature, couple of gems on here. Perhaps it’s originals, I dunno, check it out, it’s very very good.
4) Chrissy – The Right To Dance With Somebody on La Mission. Seen this label yet? They’re characters and their releases are pretty darn good to, go and have a listen. They’re a self described situationist art cult based here in Berlin and they mean BIZNISS
5) This ain’t a record, but it’s my mates blog and it’s amazing. It’s called Enchanted Rhythms and it archives rare UK/Garage tunes, articles and history really. It’s full of hidden gems, including a track of the day. Check it www.enchantedrhythms.com
You’re residing in Berlin, what have you learned being over there these past couple of years?
I’ve learnt you definitely can’t party all the time, or maybe you can? But no, being serious for a moment. For me personally it’s been a great experience. I miss my friends and family of course. The way my life is balanced out is much, much better. It’s easier to get ideas off the ground when you’re not working 55 hours a week and spending that all on your rent. I’ve also met a lot of really interesting, politically inclined people here that seem to be drawn here, I like that about it too. Shitloads of lefties. But the bottom line is, it’s not about where you live, it’s about what you do.
You’ve had repeat appearances at Fabric in London, Dommune in Japan and the now closed (reborn as Kater Blau) Kater Holzig in Berlin. Any highlights? And in your opinion what makes these places so special?
They are all fantastic venues, often for different reasons or each has their own unique special things about them. I suppose one similarity seems to be that they are run by people who are in it for the music. Fabric is a pillar of culture for London and the UK, and long may it live!
Do you have anything coming up in the pipeline that we can expect?
I do! I’ve got a couple of 12”s I’m really pleased with coming out this year, after a bit of a break from writing music I’ve got some stuff coming out that I’m pleased with. Life has really got in the way of writing music, but now I’m beginning to find the time again. And a lot of gigs, they are always listed on my Soundcloud. come down!
Can we expect Carousel to tour Europe?
Yes defo. I’m touring Europe constantly, especially Germany and Blighty. However, soon enough we’ll put together a more Carousel specific series of showcases. One step at a time though.
And for 2016, what are your resolutions?
To fight and love like it’s our last day on earth.
http://www.soundcloud.com/owenhowells
