Imprints: Circus Recordings

Imprints brings you regular profiles of the most exciting record labels the world over, with input from the movers and shakers who contribute to their local electronic music communities.

Name: Circus Recordings
Vibe: Authentic and colourful House / Techno / Electronica
Founded: 2008
Location: LONDON / LIVERPOOL
Upcoming releases: Yousef – Are You Ready EP
Artists-to-watch: Acid Mondays, David Glass, Kydus, Scuba, Yost Koen, DJ Fronter, Harry Romero, Carl Cox, Green Velvet, Lewis Boardman, Bimas, Yousef.

Since 2009 Circus Recordings has paved its own lane as arguably one of the most important labels in house and techno music. With UK pioneer Yousef at its helm, the imprint has been home to some of the most iconic names in dance music, including Carl Cox, Maya Jane Coles, and Sven Vath. Taking its name from the infamous dance events at the Circus club events in Liverpool, the label has grown in tandem, providing some of the best electronic music the world has to offer.

Label boss Yousef spoke to THUMP this month to give us the rundown on Circus Recordings.

THUMP: What's the Deal?

Yousef: Circus Recordings releases underground house and techno that either moves the dancefloor or is memorable, all with personality. It's just as likely to be deep with poignant vocals as it is to be blistering oddball techno.

Can you explain the name?
It was set up to represent the sound of the club event, which is six years older. The club event "Circus" has been considered one of the most important and best clubbing events in Europe for over a decade. It recently celebrated its 13th anniversary.

Why did you decide to form your label?
Originally, to release my own music, but as time passed, I wanted it to become a proper label with long term plans, artist development, and a proper fan base, which is where I'm at now.

What can you tell us about the scene in your hometown?
It's immense! For over 20 years, Liverpool has been thriving with the best in electronic music, from Cream to Bugged Out! to Circus and Chibuku, plus a whole host of really impressive club nights and events throughout the city. House music is king in Liverpool thanks to its incredible abundance of authentic ravers and club kids.

What's your favourite label that isn't your own?
Innervisions,. It's incredible.

Have your releases been received as well as you'd hoped?
Yes, overall we've had some success. Of course the release of a global phenomenon, Green Velvet's "Bigger Than Prince," certainly took us from a DJ label, to a proper record label. Since then, we've been able to develop our sound and our artists too.

What makes your label different?
We never look around to see what everyone else is doing. If the music feels right, it sounds good, and excites us, then we release it. We really get behind it. It's not just designed to represent Yousef or Circus Events exclusively anymore, although the two will always be important.

Which release would you recommend to introduce a new listener to your label?
Kydus – "Transatlantic" or Green Velvet – "Bigger Than Prince" (Hot Since 82 Remix).

Which are your favourite tracks?
I like "The Butcher" by Harry Romero, "Jupiter Rising" by Kydus, and my own "Let Go."

How do you choose the artists that you work with?
Sometimes it's friends, sometimes it's demos I've happened across on Soundcloud, sometimes I peruse an artist, sometimes I get sent music for consideration. The only constant is no one that's hard work to deal with, I won't waste time on anyone that saps my energy.

What's the next release on the label? How far ahead do you plan your releases?

The next release is "Yousef – Are You Ready" EP, it's a killer! And as far as planning goes, I'm booking in artists for early summer 2016 already.

What challenges do you face running the label?
Making money!

Or, the artists I spend time and money promoting and supporting giving me shit for not being able to instantly book them at my Circus events ;)

What sound do you think the music industry is moving towards?
Im concerned to be honest. The ability to make a return while releasing creative music is so difficult.

Circus Recordings is on Facebook // SoundCloud // Twitter

Imprints brings you regular profiles of the most exciting record labels the world over, with input from the movers and shakers who contribute to their local electronic music communities.

Name: Circus Recordings
Vibe: Authentic and colourful House / Techno / Electronica
Founded: 2008
Location: LONDON / LIVERPOOL
Upcoming releases: Yousef – Are You Ready EP
Artists-to-watch: Acid Mondays, David Glass, Kydus, Scuba, Yost Koen, DJ Fronter, Harry Romero, Carl Cox, Green Velvet, Lewis Boardman, Bimas, Yousef.

Since 2009 Circus Recordings has paved its own lane as arguably one of the most important labels in house and techno music. With UK pioneer Yousef at its helm, the imprint has been home to some of the most iconic names in dance music, including Carl Cox, Maya Jane Coles, and Sven Vath. Taking its name from the infamous dance events at the Circus club events in Liverpool, the label has grown in tandem, providing some of the best electronic music the world has to offer.

Label boss Yousef spoke to THUMP this month to give us the rundown on Circus Recordings.

THUMP: What's the Deal?

Yousef: Circus Recordings releases underground house and techno that either moves the dancefloor or is memorable, all with personality. It's just as likely to be deep with poignant vocals as it is to be blistering oddball techno.

Can you explain the name?
It was set up to represent the sound of the club event, which is six years older. The club event "Circus" has been considered one of the most important and best clubbing events in Europe for over a decade. It recently celebrated its 13th anniversary.

Why did you decide to form your label?
Originally, to release my own music, but as time passed, I wanted it to become a proper label with long term plans, artist development, and a proper fan base, which is where I'm at now.

What can you tell us about the scene in your hometown?
It's immense! For over 20 years, Liverpool has been thriving with the best in electronic music, from Cream to Bugged Out! to Circus and Chibuku, plus a whole host of really impressive club nights and events throughout the city. House music is king in Liverpool thanks to its incredible abundance of authentic ravers and club kids.

What's your favourite label that isn't your own?
Innervisions,. It's incredible.

Have your releases been received as well as you'd hoped?
Yes, overall we've had some success. Of course the release of a global phenomenon, Green Velvet's "Bigger Than Prince," certainly took us from a DJ label, to a proper record label. Since then, we've been able to develop our sound and our artists too.

What makes your label different?
We never look around to see what everyone else is doing. If the music feels right, it sounds good, and excites us, then we release it. We really get behind it. It's not just designed to represent Yousef or Circus Events exclusively anymore, although the two will always be important.

Which release would you recommend to introduce a new listener to your label?
Kydus – "Transatlantic" or Green Velvet – "Bigger Than Prince" (Hot Since 82 Remix).

Which are your favourite tracks?
I like "The Butcher" by Harry Romero, "Jupiter Rising" by Kydus, and my own "Let Go."

How do you choose the artists that you work with?
Sometimes it's friends, sometimes it's demos I've happened across on Soundcloud, sometimes I peruse an artist, sometimes I get sent music for consideration. The only constant is no one that's hard work to deal with, I won't waste time on anyone that saps my energy.

What's the next release on the label? How far ahead do you plan your releases?

The next release is "Yousef – Are You Ready" EP, it's a killer! And as far as planning goes, I'm booking in artists for early summer 2016 already.

What challenges do you face running the label?
Making money!

Or, the artists I spend time and money promoting and supporting giving me shit for not being able to instantly book them at my Circus events ;)

What sound do you think the music industry is moving towards?
Im concerned to be honest. The ability to make a return while releasing creative music is so difficult.

Circus Recordings is on Facebook // SoundCloud // Twitter