{"id":22632,"date":"2015-08-31T17:55:38","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T15:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/?p=22632"},"modified":"2016-03-13T14:13:54","modified_gmt":"2016-03-13T13:13:54","slug":"label-showcase-001-fina-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/london\/label-showcase-001-fina-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Label Showcase 001: Fina Records"},"content":{"rendered":"

Established in 2011, in four\u00a0short years FINA has become one of the most essential and respected house imprints of its time, counting electronic luminaries such as Move D, Leif, Roberto Rodriguez, Cottam and Francis Inferno Orchestra as part of its artistic family.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Originally an offshoot of Ralph Lawson\u2019s 2020 Vision<\/strong>, FINA is now under the sole ownership of Leeds DJ producer Simon Morell<\/strong>, with plans to build on its ever-growing reputation for quality and consistency into 2015 and beyond.\u00a0Setting its distinctive stall out from the very release \u2013 the shimmering deep house of \u2018Live East, Die Young<\/em>\u2019<\/a> from a then relatively unknown Mic Newman<\/strong> \u2013 FINA\u2019s releases possess that extra morsel of quality that makes them shine just that little bit brighter.<\/p>\n

While FINA undeniably releases a wide variety of music, there is a common thread that connects each release; a rich vein of funk and soul than lies at the heart of the label. More musical than your average house records, recent releases in the manner of Rick Wade<\/strong>\u2019s \u2018Sweet Life\u2019<\/a>, <\/em>Powel\u2019s<\/strong> \u2018Cloud City\u2019<\/a><\/em> and Borrowed Identity<\/strong>\u2019s \u2018Bang Bang Boogie EP<\/em>\u2019<\/a> have taken the label in an ever-more considered direction, the slowing tempos and intricate melodies of these records belying FINA\u2019s absolute indifference to following the bassline-focused bandwagon-jumping of many of its contemporaries.<\/p>\n

Kicking off our new monthly series, highlighting some of our favourite labels in the UK and beyond, we thought we would catch up with Simon Morell and get the scoop on all things FINA Records. Below, you will find information on the label’s history, ethos, releases and future in, what we hope, will be as educational and informative (for all you aspiring label heads out there) as it is entertaining.<\/p>\n

“We try and stay true to our roots \u2013 that is quality underground house”<\/span><\/h2>\n

What does FINA Records add to the dance music spectrum?<\/strong>
\nOriginality. We try and stay true to our roots \u2013 that is quality underground house – but what I think makes us distinctive is that we\u2019re always open to experimenting with styles and tempos. We\u2019re not afraid of mixing things up from one release to the next. Rather than sticking to the same formula, we like to showcase eclectic mix of sounds \u2013 from both well established and lesser known artists. Even thought our back catalogue is varied, I like to think we\u2019ve created quite a distinctive sound with FINA. It\u2019s hard to put your finger on it exactly, but when I hear a demo, I just know instinctively if tis right for the label\u2019s sound.<\/p>\n

When did you first think about launching FINA Records<\/strong>
\nWell. It\u2019s been going for 4 years, but I guess after I stopped promoting DDD \u2013 I had the space to concentrate on what I\u2019d been wanting to do fro a while \u2013 that is setting up my own label. Although I loved running the party, after 9 years it became a little bit monotonous and the clubbing scene in London was changing. So it was time to explore different avenues for me. And most of all I wanted more of a creative outlet – I loved curating lineups nights and wanted to start creating a sound but via a label instead. At this point, Ralph Lawson approached me and Matt long and suggested we set up and label together using 2020 as a platform to help us launch.<\/p>\n

When did FINA Records actually launch?<\/strong>
\nOur first release was Mic Newman\u2019s (aka Fantastic Man) \u2018live east, die young\u2019 in 2011. Early this year we\u2019ve launched our sister label, FINA White, which focuses more on peak time house and techno.<\/p>\n

Story behind the FINA Records\u2019 name?<\/strong>
\nI can\u2019t remember exactly but basically me Matt and Ralph were banding a few names around. At the time Ralph was about to have his first daughter and he liked the name Afina ( I think its spelt like that) He mentioned it and then it somehow got shortened to FINA which in Italian means \u2018pure\u2019 and \u2018fine\u2019 – as in \u2018a fine wine\u2019. And we all thought that was a perfect fit for the sound we wanted to create so went with it. It was nothing to do with an old petrol station – although I quite like the way our logo is a bit similar! I\u2019ve found an image of an old reto FINA pump actually and was thinking of using it for the artwork of our forthcoming compilation \u2013 \u2018Refill\u2019.<\/p>\n

What was the most difficult aspect of launching the label?<\/strong>
\nLike I said, FINA was originally set up in partnership with 2020. Without the backing of such a seminal label, I think it would have been a lot harder to work with the acts we wanted to work with from the beginning and so launching would have been a lot harder. Move D for example did the remix on our second release \u2013 without the association; maybe he wouldn\u2019t have given us the chance to work with him \u2013 who knows. Either way the support we got from Ralph at the time was invaluable in helping us establish the brand.<\/p>\n

We ended the partnership in end of 2013- Matt wanted to concentrate on their own projects and Ralph on 2020. I wanted to continue in the direction the label was gong. I now manage the label myself and have Juan Corbi on board to work alongside me on the A & R side of things. We\u2019ve got the same musical vision bot FINA and FINA White and that\u2019s the fun and creative part. But getting back to your question, event though FINA is relatively well established now, the difficulties don\u2019t stop there. I suppose the hardest thing for smaller labels like us is that good music sometimes gets overlooked and it\u2019s a battle to get heard. These das you cant\u2019 always rely on the music to do the talking. Just look at the Beatport charts. It\u2019s the money and marketing that all too often speak volumes.<\/p>\n

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What qualities do you look for in a FINA Records artist?<\/strong>
\nWhen we\u2019re looking for new artists, its really just a case of trying to work with producers we respect and whose music we like – whether they\u2019re established or not. And of course their style needs to fit with the ethos of either label. We\u2019ve got to a stage where established acts send us their music off their own back which is a massive compliment. Its great to know that artists want to be part of what we do. Similarly we get loads of demos through from young up and coming producers who are fans of the label. Its ace that they are buying into our sound and we always love to support genuine young talent.<\/p>\n

What specific qualities? Again I think it comes down to quality itself and originality and a degree of intelligence and thinking outside the box. And we always go for artists who have an unmistakable groove to their production style.<\/p>\n

Describe 3 seminal moments in FINA Records existence?<\/strong>
\nI think our 3rd release by Roberto Rodriguez has to be one of the defining moments. The fact that Move D requested a second copy coz his first had worn out says it all really!<\/p>\n

End of last year I suppose what the beginning of an important new chapter for FINA \u2013 on the business side of things we parted company with 2020 and we also launched FINA White which adds another string to the brand\u2019s bow. Ultimately it\u2019s given us the scope work with a broader range of artists<\/p>\n

On a personal level, it was great to remix Rick Wade \u2013 an artist who\u2019ve I\u2019ve always had a massive amount of respect for. And I was equally chuffed to see it receive such a positive response.<\/p>\n

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Most disappointing moment in FINA Records existence?<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s no distinctive moment that comes to mind \u2013its been a pretty positive experience so far but it\u2019s always pretty gutting when releases don\u2019t get the traction we think they deserve.<\/p>\n

Describe FINA Records album artwork?<\/strong>
\nThe artwork started off pretty basic in an effort to get the branding out there \u2013 but after the firs 6 releases we changed it up with image based artwork behind the logo. They were never really linked to the tracks themselves thematically, but just images we liked and thought compliments the release in some way. Now we use a designer called James Hunter from Leeds. I wanted something less mage based and more organic and earthy and he came up with these fibrous, flowing patterns which I reckon captures what our sound is all about. Each release is different but is a variation on the same kind of theme. Visually I think it\u2019s a great fit. For FINA White, its pretty simple \u2013 ate label is always white \u2013 a direct reference to white labels of old and of course the label\u2019s name \u2013 only the colour of the text will change with every release. No, frills- again just like the music.<\/p>\n

Best Fina Records showcase?<\/strong>
\nUnfortunately we haven\u2019t done many as of yet \u2013 partly because I\u2019ve wanted to focus on building up the label\u2019s profile first \u2013 but it is something we\u2019re planning to change for 2016. But out of the few parties we have done, I would have to say doing a sell out show at Sonar alongside Electric Minds was pretty cool and we hosted room 3 in Fabric last summer too which we were really chuffed about.<\/p>\n

Our first birthday party we held at a warehouse in Leeds I was running was pretty special too.<\/p>\n

Worst FINA Records showcase?<\/strong>
\nWe haven\u2019t done enough yet \u2013 ask me again next year!<\/p>\n

Dream FINA Records artist?<\/strong>
\nA tough one. Laurent Garnier, Omar S, Moodman, Soundstream, Chez Damier, Delano Smith , Max Graef the list goes on<\/p>\n

Most important business\/music app\/program\/software?<\/strong>
\nAudilock do a wicked job at taking down illegal downloads
\nAbleton \u2013 fast and quick for editing tracks
\nWe Transfer for obvious reasons<\/p>\n

Longest Day(s) ever worked?<\/strong>
\nDone plenty of 24 hr shifts running Defected\u2019s night in Ibiza – but for FINA? Probably the first birthday party \u2013 sweeping up mid morning after the party finished was pretty grim. Another 24 slog – But worth it.<\/p>\n

Upcoming projects?<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ve got a whole host of great releases coming on FINA\u2013 Terrence Pearce<\/a> with a wicked Francis Inferno Orchestra remix, original releases from Monty Luke, Takuya Matsumoto, Saine and Passo. On FINA White we got The Organ Grinder<\/a>, Schmutz and Affie Yousuf. I\u2019m really excited about what\u2019s coming up<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also rereleasing some of the back catalogue on a comp called \u2018Refill\u2019.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve finally got round to launching our website and we\u2019ll be adding a shop where you can buy our vinyl direct and our cool new range of Tees.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll also be continuing with our bi monthly radio show which is going from strength to strength \u2013 check it out on our Soundcloud. Excuse our dodgy radio voice btw\u2013 it\u2019s a work in progress \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Website <\/a><\/span> Soundcloud <\/a><\/span> Label Page <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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