Imprints brings you weekly profiles of the most exciting independent record labels the world over, written by movers and shakers from within their own electronic music communities.Name: RAW Records
Location: Montreal
Founded: 2012
Vibe: Emotive bassFounded in 2012 by producers Louis-Laurent Bastien (aka Dear Lola) and Thomas White, Montreal label RAW Records has gained attention for its diversified sound design and refusal to compromise individualism. With a wide range of contributors on its roster, the collective has released music by artists such as Haze Lane, Krimslo, and SIMPIG, and produced over 15 free downloadable EPs. By pushing genre boundaries, the RAW collaborative has also earned accolades from the international scene, including the legendary DJ Shadow, who played Lola's music during his BBC Radio 1's "Diplo and Friends" show. THUMP caught up with the RAW Records co-owners to learn about their musical inspirations, creative challenges, and plans for the rest of 2015.
Location: Montreal
Founded: 2012
Vibe: Emotive bassFounded in 2012 by producers Louis-Laurent Bastien (aka Dear Lola) and Thomas White, Montreal label RAW Records has gained attention for its diversified sound design and refusal to compromise individualism. With a wide range of contributors on its roster, the collective has released music by artists such as Haze Lane, Krimslo, and SIMPIG, and produced over 15 free downloadable EPs. By pushing genre boundaries, the RAW collaborative has also earned accolades from the international scene, including the legendary DJ Shadow, who played Lola's music during his BBC Radio 1's "Diplo and Friends" show. THUMP caught up with the RAW Records co-owners to learn about their musical inspirations, creative challenges, and plans for the rest of 2015.
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THUMP: What was the inspiration behind the label name?
RAW Records: The label name is a statement about how honest and raw our vision is. We started this imprint with little to no resources and certainly without a background in running a collective. A simple and efficient name like RAW encapsulates that experience perfectly. We also chose it because nothing is as fresh as when it's raw and we only put out the freshest music we find.
RAW Records: The label name is a statement about how honest and raw our vision is. We started this imprint with little to no resources and certainly without a background in running a collective. A simple and efficient name like RAW encapsulates that experience perfectly. We also chose it because nothing is as fresh as when it's raw and we only put out the freshest music we find.
What type of sound are you trying to cultivate?
Whatever it is, there needs to be that unexpected virtuosity to it. It needs to surf the line between what would make the club go wild and also blow you away with the details if heard in a more intimate setting. We have bass music that's rich in variations, organic elements, and emotions without being restrained to cast or formula.What's the next release on the label?
It's too early to speak about the future, but June 15 marked the worldwide release of our second distributed offering, a beautiful four track EP by Atlanta duo Krimslo titled New Balance. The record also happens to be their debut. As a whole, New Balance pairs East Coast club aesthetics with the resurgent sound of Grime. Drum breaks are subtly woven through carefully chosen synths and textures.Describe the scene in Montreal.
It's alive, it's bubbling. We have an obvious hotbed of talented producers, well not only in Montreal, but all over Canada. We have nice venues and festivals run by smart people, and with the right approach and talent, the opportunities are plentiful. It's also a small scene, increasing the importance of entertaining healthy relationships with your peers and fans. No matter what kind of electronic music you make and/or promote in this city, there is an atmosphere of general respect between collectives. A lot of these groups are good friends coming from the same place who just ended up taking different musical paths.
Whatever it is, there needs to be that unexpected virtuosity to it. It needs to surf the line between what would make the club go wild and also blow you away with the details if heard in a more intimate setting. We have bass music that's rich in variations, organic elements, and emotions without being restrained to cast or formula.What's the next release on the label?
It's too early to speak about the future, but June 15 marked the worldwide release of our second distributed offering, a beautiful four track EP by Atlanta duo Krimslo titled New Balance. The record also happens to be their debut. As a whole, New Balance pairs East Coast club aesthetics with the resurgent sound of Grime. Drum breaks are subtly woven through carefully chosen synths and textures.Describe the scene in Montreal.
It's alive, it's bubbling. We have an obvious hotbed of talented producers, well not only in Montreal, but all over Canada. We have nice venues and festivals run by smart people, and with the right approach and talent, the opportunities are plentiful. It's also a small scene, increasing the importance of entertaining healthy relationships with your peers and fans. No matter what kind of electronic music you make and/or promote in this city, there is an atmosphere of general respect between collectives. A lot of these groups are good friends coming from the same place who just ended up taking different musical paths.
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What's your production like?
I think it's safe to say we're known for our use of space and silence. Organic elements and textures are very present and combined with hand-played instruments to take away that mechanical, flawless aspect of some other electronic music that tends to stay within to the beat grid. Lastly, lots of vocal manipulation, most recently favoring our own voices over sampled material.What's your favourite label that isn't your own?
There are a lot of labels we love, but we're going to have to give this one to Hyperboloid Records from Russia. Their sound and RAW's have always been intricately linked, with our rosters sharing a few names. Hyperboloid's founding members are true friends who supported us from the very start.
I think it's safe to say we're known for our use of space and silence. Organic elements and textures are very present and combined with hand-played instruments to take away that mechanical, flawless aspect of some other electronic music that tends to stay within to the beat grid. Lastly, lots of vocal manipulation, most recently favoring our own voices over sampled material.What's your favourite label that isn't your own?
There are a lot of labels we love, but we're going to have to give this one to Hyperboloid Records from Russia. Their sound and RAW's have always been intricately linked, with our rosters sharing a few names. Hyperboloid's founding members are true friends who supported us from the very start.
How do you choose the artists you work with?
Based on their music and consistency. It's a gut feeling kind of thing. We basically release music by people we would like to work with or have worked with as music producers because they bring a new, interesting element to the table. We want quality music that's going to speak a new language to people, not the biggest name we can lay our hands on. We're not interested in getting the most following out of the biggest name regardless of how he/she sounds. We have passed on plenty opportunities to do so.What challenges do you face running the label?
Making choices in general is a challenge and public relations, too. Some people are able to swallow their principles and pride to get places, and that's been hard on us at times. It's an industry that's full of yes-men where managers and journalists sometimes have more influence than the artists/content they represent. It's easy to feel like you're being left behind because you refuse to be associated with a certain behavior, brand, or sound.What sound do you think the music industry is moving towards?
Grime is on an obvious rise lately, which is cool. We're going to see more and more electronic producers experimenting with songwriting, slowly melting the underground and mainstream together.What can we expect from you for the rest of 2015?
More releases, another tour, and Lola has been working on a RAW Records video game, which should be launched later this year. If our own solo careers allow, we'd also like to get another monthly event series going. Over five months, our #SSENN event brought Jaw Jam, Elaquent, and French Fries to the stage alongside a slew of crazy local producers. It was a great way to connect with and meet our audience, and we'd love to do it again.RAW Records is on Twitter // SoundCloud // Facebook
Based on their music and consistency. It's a gut feeling kind of thing. We basically release music by people we would like to work with or have worked with as music producers because they bring a new, interesting element to the table. We want quality music that's going to speak a new language to people, not the biggest name we can lay our hands on. We're not interested in getting the most following out of the biggest name regardless of how he/she sounds. We have passed on plenty opportunities to do so.What challenges do you face running the label?
Making choices in general is a challenge and public relations, too. Some people are able to swallow their principles and pride to get places, and that's been hard on us at times. It's an industry that's full of yes-men where managers and journalists sometimes have more influence than the artists/content they represent. It's easy to feel like you're being left behind because you refuse to be associated with a certain behavior, brand, or sound.What sound do you think the music industry is moving towards?
Grime is on an obvious rise lately, which is cool. We're going to see more and more electronic producers experimenting with songwriting, slowly melting the underground and mainstream together.What can we expect from you for the rest of 2015?
More releases, another tour, and Lola has been working on a RAW Records video game, which should be launched later this year. If our own solo careers allow, we'd also like to get another monthly event series going. Over five months, our #SSENN event brought Jaw Jam, Elaquent, and French Fries to the stage alongside a slew of crazy local producers. It was a great way to connect with and meet our audience, and we'd love to do it again.RAW Records is on Twitter // SoundCloud // Facebook