Dave Clarke to launch new label

Dave Clarke to launch new label

22 September, 2008 | 8.40PM

• Written by: Lee Smith
• Filed under: Music News: dave clarke

After a lengthy period dedicated solely to his punishing DJ schedule, the ‘Baron of Techno’ is returning to the label fray with a new imprint, White Noise.

Named after his globally syndicated radio show, Dave Clarke says he decided to start White Noise “simply because there is a lot of great unsigned material coming out...and it must come out somewhere”.

It’s the first time Clarke has been involved with running a label since his ill-fated stint at Magnetic North back in the early ‘90s.

Not that it it did him too much harm in the long-run, as he went on to become one of techno’s biggest draws, and indeed, one of its more controversial mouthpieces.

However, following a series of well-documented rants against the music industry, Clarke’s clearly decided it’s time for action, with releases scheduled from both established and emerging producers.

He spoke about his plans to EPM in the interview below.

What inspired you to set up your own label after so many years as an artist signed to other labels?

Simply because there is a lot of great unsigned material coming out, having a weekly radio show on quite few national broadcasters means a lot of artists reach out to you.

I feel if I can get them even more exposure than radio plays then I am doing my job and bringing new music to people at the same time.

Do you feel that running a label is essentially the same as when you were running Magnetic North in the early ‘90s? If not, what has changed?

Let’s be clear, I never ran that label on a day-to-day basis.

I chose all of the tracks and artists but I had no real say in protecting artists’ long term interests, it was early on and I was naive.

A lot has changed - obviously vinyl was king and the only real contact with digital was a DAT tape, if you were lucky.

Now, so many people think music is a free right and they shouldn’t pay for it, that making any money from a label is extremely hard, but there is so much good music that it must get aired somewhere.

Tell us about the new artists and music you have lined up? Is it a case of ‘expect the unexpected’?

The first is from all round nice guy Frank Kusserow (he works with Anthony Rother), he sent me some amazing music and I felt his track should be the first release.

Next up is a Magnetic North chap whose ‘Rattlesnake’ track I still play out.

It’s Mr. Woody McBride, I played some of his material last year at ADE, and one of the guys from DJ Mag (I think it was Allan) came up to me and wanted to know all about it.

Well finally, a year later, here it is.

Next up are Dutch guys Benny Rodriguez and Afrojack with a superb Chi-town influenced booty grabber.

There is such a good scene in Holland and I’m sure they will not be the only Dutch artists representing - thereafter I won’t say, but there are some established artists and new guys and girls too.

Will you be bringing influences from your radio show into the label?

Undoubtedly, the freedom that I have at all the stations has given me new blood and enthusiasm.

What criteria are you looking for when signing new material to the label? Would you have to be able to play it in a DJ set?

Most of the time I would say yes (that is how I road test it, after all), but some of the releases will suit other DJs playing out tastes in clubs, and I crossover with that by playing it solely on radio.

Frank Kusserow is set to release the first single on Dave Clarke’s new label, White Noise on 20th October.

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