{"id":28222,"date":"2016-03-04T15:38:21","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T14:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/?p=28222"},"modified":"2016-03-13T14:17:00","modified_gmt":"2016-03-13T13:17:00","slug":"label-showcase-14-needwant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/london\/label-showcase-14-needwant\/","title":{"rendered":"Label Showcase 14: Needwant Records"},"content":{"rendered":"

We continue our label showcase series here, and in conjunction with Deep House Amsterdam, highlighting some of our favourite labels from around the world, we thought we would catch up with London-based Needwant Records<\/strong>‘ boss, Sean Brosnan<\/strong> to get the scoop on all things Needwant.<\/p>\n

Launched in 2009, and boasting a roster featuring\u00a0Mario Basanov, Nicholas, The Mekanism, Kim Ann Foxman, The Revenge<\/strong> and more, Needwant is truly a label on the rise.<\/p>\n

Also, at the end of the article there is a slamming mix from Sean himself, so that you can get an idea of the Needwant Records experience as it was meant to be heard…in the mix! Of the mix, Sean describes, “I wanted to create a mix that was right for the start of summer and to be listened to as the temperature rises over the next few months. I was trying to create a mix that could somewhat join the dots between the Journeys compilation and the more Techno leaning sounds on the label. In the end i came up with a dreamy selection that would work for sunset or sunrise, to be hopefully consumed somewhere more tropical than London.”<\/em><\/p>\n

“The name was kind of a play on the capitalist ideals of needing and wanting things.”<\/span><\/h2>\n

What does Needwant add to the dance music spectrum?<\/strong>
\nWe like to think some sense of quality. Sounds come and go, but we try to keep a sense of emotion and soul with the music we release. I like to think we only release timeless music and I think we get that right most of the time. I don\u2019t listen back and cringe.<\/p>\n

When did you first think about launching Needwant<\/strong>
\nI\u2019d always dreamt about running a record label, even when I was at school. Some kids wanted to play for Man Utd and I always wanted to run a record label. I loved the dance music culture from when I was about twelve years old; collecting rave flyers and buying old school jungle records. So once I had worked for someone else\u2019s label for a few years I felt like I knew enough to get started on my own.<\/p>\n

When did Needwant actually launch?<\/strong>
\nThen end of 2009, start of 2010. We released a Future Disco compilation and it became iTunes album of the year. Compilations aren\u2019t cheap to make and I had put every penny I had into it. So when two months later it was highlighted on itunes as their Dance Album of the Year it really felt rewarding and gave me the start I needed.<\/p>\n

Story behind the Needwant name?<\/strong>
\nI was running warm parties in London but wanted to do something more art based so I started a little fanzine, just black and white. I asked designers I liked to submit art, poems and artists for interviews. It was called Needwant, the name was kind of a play on the capitalist ideals of needing and wanting things. I used to think quite deeply about things in those days\u263a<\/p>\n

What was the most difficult aspect of launching the label?<\/strong>
\nI think it\u2019s a balance of finance and then just having the confidence to actually do it. I mean, anyone really can launch a label, it\u2019s just a name on beatport. To actually have a label that operates properly and in profit, for a long period of time, it\u2019s a big job.<\/p>\n

But saying that it all comes down to the music, so the most difficult job for any label is to keep the music right, especially when you launch you need to be a bit different otherwise there is no point.<\/p>\n

What qualities do you look for in a Needwant artist?<\/strong>
\nMainly the depth of the production. They have to have layers of sound. I really love new ideas too and also just real quality and care for what they are doing. I seem to have a knack for finding artists when they are at the start of their career and I\u2019m not sure why. Maybe it\u2019s just because they are doing something really interesting at that point and that gets me excited.<\/p>\n

[gallery_bank type=”images” format=”filmstrip” title=”true” desc=”false” img_in_row=”4″ display=”all” sort_by=”random” animation_effect=”bounce” image_width=”600″ album_title=”false” album_id=”209″]<\/p>\n

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Describe 3 seminal moments in Needwant existence?<\/strong>
\n1. I think hitting number one on Juno with the second single release was good. I\u2019m a vinyl person and was great to see a track appeal to vinyl buyers.<\/p>\n

2. The release of the Journeys compilation, as it was an idea and it took a lot of confidence to get that out, it was a bit out of my comfort zone. We have just released volume 2 too.<\/p>\n

3. Getting essential new tune on Pete Tong. I remember listening at home a few years ago and was super excited, it\u2019s those things you listen to growing up that when you get them, it means something.<\/p>\n

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Most disappointing moment in Needwant existence?<\/strong>
\nThere haven\u2019t really been too many disappointments. But when we celebrated 5 years, it felt a bit muted and we probably should have just carried on, no one really care too much about the past.<\/p>\n

Describe Needwant album artwork?<\/strong>
\nFresh, colourful and free.<\/p>\n

Best Needwant showcase?<\/strong>
\nI went back to back with Lauer at Fabric that was memorable, also I think Kim Ann Foxman and Ejeca in London were great.<\/p>\n

Worst Needwant showcase?<\/strong>
\nWe never really have a bad night. If the music is good and drinks are flowing, which they always are. We always have a good time.<\/p>\n

Dream Needwant artist?<\/strong>
\nToo many, but a dance crossover artist who can sell lots of albums would be nice. Something like Massive Attack would be the dream for me.<\/p>\n

Most important business\/music app\/program\/software?<\/strong>
\nI was thinking about this today and how all software programs like dropbox, soundcloud, xero are so vital to our business now. I\u2019ve just started using Evernote and finding that really useful. I should definitely use more technology to make my life easier.<\/p>\n

Longest Day(s) ever worked?<\/strong>
\nWouldn\u2019t like to think. I sometimes go to clubs to DJ and come home two days later if that counts as work! I\u2019m kind of always working, I think you choose music as a lifestyle so you can feel in some way you\u2019re not working. That\u2019s why we do it.<\/p>\n

Upcoming projects?<\/strong>
\nWe\u2019ve just released the second volume of Journeys. New remixes of Ashworth\u2019s recent album are dropping really soon including Dorisburg and our friend Kris Davis. Also Few Nolder has a new EP. We have lots of plans over the next 12 months so I actually think this is going to be our best year.<\/p>\n

Journeys Season 2
\nAmazon: http:\/\/amzn.to\/1QjPlrq<\/a>
\niTunes: http:\/\/apple.co\/1QY8wXL<\/a>
\nSpotify: http:\/\/spoti.fi\/1oMdC2U<\/a><\/p>\n

Download <\/a><\/span> Soundcloud <\/a><\/span> Label Page <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n