Label Profile with the boss Mark Jones
From the early ’90s when Mark Jones released the legendary ‘Give Em Enough Dope’ compilations, Wall of Sound has gone on to enjoy both commercial and critical success with artists such as Propellerheads, The Bees, Röyksopp, The Wiseguys, Reverend and the Makers, Mogwai, Grace Jones and Les Rythmes Digitales (aka Stuart Price/Jacques Lu Cont) always walking the finest of lines between the cutting edge and accessible credible pop music. The summer begins now for Mark Jones and his beloved label, with three new signings right on time for those magic festival moments…
Mark, an exciting time over at Wall of Sound, let’s kick off with the new signings. First up Aeroplane, the brilliant Belgium duo who have had the likes of Grace Jones, Friendly Fires, Cut Copy and Bloc Party clamoring for remix duties. What are your plans for them…?
“Well we’ve been in contact with the boys since very early with The Shortwave set and the Grace remixea, and they have come a long, long way already. They have made a classic 21st century Balearic album that is a beautiful, musical journey. They didn’t want to compromise their sound and style because of growing hype and pressure and so hopefully we can help them deliver exactly that. They are constantly touring the world and playing all over the Summer at various festivals. The first single ‘We Can’t Fly’ will be available in June, followed by a second single and the album in September.”
Another duo, Kids on Bridges hailing from oop north, two guys raring to go and appearing at some very large events this summer, what can we expect from these guys?
“Kob’s ‘dirty electro pop’ has huge crossover potential. They come on like an indie PSB’s (lovin’ these abbreviationos). Mixed by Steve Dub (Chems etc.) it works on a lot of deifferent levels. Their live diary is rammed festival wise through the summer.”
And finally, reverend sound system – the rev & the makers side project, what gives here?
“Jon has always had his finger on the pulse and Rev Sound System is a hook up with Ocelot, Jagz Kooner, Kano, Roots Manouva and various guests delivering a huge bassline sound. Five new tracks and five remixes of classic Rev tunes too.”
We believe there may be a new Royksopp album out in the autumn?
“There certainly is. ‘Senior’ is the ‘darker’ side of ‘junior’ . An amazing piece of work.”
“One of the main reasons you are so good at what you do is that you started working in the industry at the bottom, one day a week at Marc Lessner’s Soul Trader distribution warehouse, cleaning loos, packing boxes until within 6 months you were running the show and actually telling marc what to do. Do you think today’s starry eyed teenager’s wanting to follow in your footsteps have the same grit and determination to get stuck in, or do you think modern technology has simply gone too far and you’re not going to get your kind of scenario any more?”
“Marc gave me a break and an opportunity to understand the not so glamourous side of what the industry exactly meant back then. Its totally different now as the physical format is not the power it was and the digital revolution has changed things so dramatically. Drive, passion , inspiration is what it takes to do this. The minute that goes it becomes a different ball game.”
How does a record label make money these days, is there enough revenue streams from the music alone?
“Thats a good question and one I ask myself every day. The 360 deal situation gives us a share of live income and other incomes . With all artists I’ve ever worked with it’s been that from the beginning. It’s just that back then it wasn’t contracted. Syncs have always been a huge support for Wall of Sound as is well recorded, but you cant rely on these as they’re a bit like buses…”
Do your bands have to follow a criteria at WOS?
“I’ve never seen the point in signing the second of anything . I want all my artists to be originators and inspired. If an album I’ve released has sold a million copies or a thousand copies I will still tell you why it’s the best album ever made.”
Back in the days working at Soul Trader, you spotted a niche in the market. Fed up with what you called “fluffy house music bra hell”, you recognised that people were looking for alternatives so started to distribute act’s that were finding it difficult to break – bands like Basement Jaxx, Howie B and Kruder & Dorfmeister – did you know back then that this sort of music was the way forward – what was the defining moment?
“The defining moment label wise was picking ‘Give Em Enough Dope Volume 1 ‘ vinyl album out of the box in the warehouse at Soul Trader and staring at it. For what seemed like hours. I didnt know what I’d done, but iI knew this was it. The music we worked then was ‘alternative’. Again , it was about giving these people help to get their music out there and Soul Trader was doing that.”
Tell us about the label showcases over the coming months…
“Yes it’s the showcase silly season with Great Escape, Sound City, IMS ibiza and Sonar in Barcelona . Good showcase opportunites for new artists before the summer festival frivolities hit home.”
How much music do you get sent every week? Is there enough hours in the day to hear them all?
“I get some. Alvin and the office get lots more. No there’s never enough hours in the day to do the stuff I want. I sleep less now than I did back in ‘those days’. Funny that.”
You are back in ibiza again with some exciting looking parties at the playboy paradise Pacha, who will be appearing on the white isle?
“Sander Kleinenberg is the resident at Pacha Nites. He has a very exciting album coming . We have Royksopp and Ocelot opening preceedings in June. It’s our first time ever in Pacha. Various other artists through the summer too.”
Your most famous quote ever (apart from “you don’t get any of that faceless Techno bollocks with us” is – “I want to sell a million of every record I put out. Is that still the case today?
“Yes it is. I’ve always been a pop head and understood and obsessed with melody. Pop to me means popular but doesnt have to be a 4 letter word! As I’ve said before, it’s about giving people the opportunity to get their music heard by as many people in the world without compromise. As I’ve also said, it’s about changing peoples lives. Not just people WOS can help or give a platform to, but the moment in your life you hear one of our tracks and never ever forget it…”
The Wall of Sound has always attracted real characters, your Grace Jones , Jon Reverend etc. Why is that?
“I dont know. You ask them .”
Are the Scissor Sisters still the “the one’s that got away”? How much did Polydor (ball park if you want) outbid you signing them?
“Funny. I’ve no idea. They did send me a platinum disc though and now its come full circle and Stuart Price has produced their new album.”
How have you managed to stay on the top of your game without selling out?
“It’s not been an easy journey and I have looked at myself in the mirror a few times (no comments please) and wondered what I’m doing. Hooking up with the PUIAS team has given me a great support structure and back up that I’ve never had before and hopefully it’s a relationship that will develop.”
How important is the visual aspect to wall of sound?
“It’s always been very important to us at the label though again, the digital side of things changes that more every day. Working with the greatest artists and designers out there has been and still is a great inspiration.”
What is the best wall of sound record ever made?
“Ooer. I have to say E-Klektik – ‘Maracana Madness’. Seriously, I can’t choose one. They all hold a very, very special place in my heart.”
How important in 2010 is live music in clubland?
“It’s as important and relvant as it’s ever ben as there is a new generations of clubbers who have the ‘no barriers/ boundaries’ divide musically and are open minded for most forms of music. I feel a big beat revival coming. Which is scaring me a tad.”
You have a family and a wife who is DJing all around the world, do you ever see each other!?
“Any excuse for me to get a dress on and become Mrs Doubtfire at weekends is all good with me.”
Best club you have ever been to?
“My memory has been sadly eroded so I’m sure I’ve forgotten some but I will say…
1. Manumission, Ibiza
2. Tenax, Florence
3. Any Wall of Sound night anywhere
What else will be the story of wall of sound 2010?
“Oh I’ve signed a band called The Human League, you may have heard of them? Their new album is sounding very interesting, oh and The Jolly Boys from Jamaica too. Watch this space…”
We all have skeletons lurking in our closets, yours appearing on the front covers of Just Seventeen and Jackie are absolute winners, not nearly as good though as appearing live on the Little & Large show on a Saturday night – round it off with a great story from that night…
“Let’s just say it was perfect night.”
And finally, do you think you owe everything you’ve achieved to the Grattan catalogue and that initial purchase as a teenager?
“Yes. Most, most def. 72 weeks at £8.99 or whatever it was. A Yamaha cs-01 synth that changed my life forever. Nothing was the same again. That and The Monkees Greatest hits. The first record my mother and father ever bought me.”
