{"id":34751,"date":"2016-08-10T01:17:29","date_gmt":"2016-08-09T23:17:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/london\/?p=34751"},"modified":"2016-08-10T01:17:29","modified_gmt":"2016-08-09T23:17:29","slug":"label-showcase-24-defected-records","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/london\/label-showcase-24-defected-records\/","title":{"rendered":"Label Showcase 24: Defected Records"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since 1999 Defected have been releasing tunes that have definedHouse Music settling their position as its global authority in the process. From its first release to its upcoming milestone 500th(!), Defected\u2019s classic soul and disco sound has remained consistent, rooted in the firm belief that the essential musicality of house has never faded. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Operating in more than 40 countries, Defected has built their internationally recognisable brand purely on the love of music. With millions of records sold, the label has aligned itself with some the industry’s biggest names, even introducing such seminal talents as Bob Sinclar, Junior Jack, ATFC, Sandy Rivera<\/strong> and Copyright<\/strong> amongst many more.<\/p>\n

So, with that, we continue our series highlighting our favourite labels from around the world. Today, catch up with Defected boss, Simon Dunmore<\/strong> to get the scoop on all things Defected Records. Also, at the end of this article, you’ll find an exclusive full length mix from the Simon himself, showing you how Defected is meant to be experienced\u2026in the mix! (big you knew that already). Oh, and if you’re in (or heading to) Croatia this week, Defected hosts its inaugural multi-day festival event Defected Croatia<\/strong><\/a> from 11-15 at Tisno’s The Garden Resort.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“We take records that have a bigger audience than some people may appreciate and broaden the awareness of great music.”<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n

What does Defected add to the dance music spectrum?<\/strong>
\nDefected is a platform to promote great house music, whether it be underground or commercial. I feel as though we take records that have a bigger audience than some people may appreciate and broaden the awareness of great music.<\/p>\n

When did you first think about launching Defected?<\/strong>
\n1997 \/ 1998 \u2013 I had been working at a major label and having crossover success, with two number 2 singles whilst I was at AM:PM. People then started to approach me about working with me, maybe starting my own label and replicating that success for myself, rather than someone else.<\/p>\n

When did Defected actually launch?<\/strong>
\n1st January, 1999.<\/p>\n

Story behind the Defected name?<\/strong>
\nI left Polygram \/ Universal Records to start my own label, so I defected from a major label to become an independent.<\/p>\n

What was the most difficult aspect of launching the label?<\/strong>
\nRunning the business and the administrative side of a company. Staff, leases, tax returns, VAT returns, human resources, staff leaving, staff joining \u2013 it was not something I was prepared for.<\/p>\n

What qualities do you look for in a Defected artist?<\/strong>
\nHunger, longevity, talent and being an upstanding \/ decent human being \u2013 some people don\u2019t conduct themselves as well as they should, and I feel it\u2019s important that when you meet people, you\u2019re a decent person. Ultimately though, being talented as a producer and a DJ.<\/p>\n

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Describe 3 seminal moments in Defected existence?<\/strong>
\n– Our first record, Soulsearcher \u2013 I Can\u2019t Get Enough, was a great way to launch the label.
\n– Two number one singles with Roger Sanchez \u2013 Another Chance and Storm Queen \u2013 Look Right Through, because ultimately we need records like that to keep the company financially viable.
\n– Deciding to do events, taking Defected on the road and having a direct way of communicating with and seeing the people who buy and support our music, the fans.<\/p>\n

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Most disappointing moment in Defected existence?<\/strong>
\nThe constant lack of loyalty from DJs and producers, people that you support from very early in their career, who seem to forget what you\u2019ve done for them very quickly.<\/p>\n

Describe Defected album artwork?<\/strong>
\nEasily identifiable in this day and age, where people don\u2019t have much time and you need to be quickly seen among a barrage of visual images coming at you. The logo is very quickly identifiable and I believe that\u2019s a good thing in these times.<\/p>\n

Best Defected showcase?<\/strong>
\nThey\u2019re all good for different reasons. The most important ones, as I said earlier, are the ones where you meet people \/ the fans who support you through thick and thin. I\u2019ve had amazing showcases at Miami Music Conference, ADE, Ministry of Sound, residencies at Pacha, Boom and Space. They\u2019re all amazing and different, it\u2019s hard to pick out one.<\/p>\n

Worst Defected showcase?<\/strong>
\nWhen you turn up and a promotor really doesn\u2019t understand you, your music and why they\u2019ve booked you. There\u2019s a disconnect between you and the audience, meaning a night can feel like a lifetime.<\/p>\n

Dream Defected artist?<\/strong>
\nPrince. If only you could sign Prince, you could leave the world a very happy person!<\/p>\n

Most important business\/music app\/program\/software?<\/strong>
\nAbleton. We can produce music on it, make edits, mix our radio show, do our compilations on it \u2013 it\u2019s one of those things that\u2019s portable, you can do it on the plane, on the train or in the office. It\u2019s an amazing piece of technology.<\/p>\n

Longest Day(s) ever worked?<\/strong>
\nRecently I did 3 dates in 3 days and was catching sleep on the move in the car or on the plane. Some people say that DJs get paid too much, and some do get paid astronomical amounts, but a real working DJ earns their money. You have to get up there in front of two thousand people, with a big smile on your face and rock a crowd by selecting the right records \u2013 that\u2019s not always easy when you\u2019ve had one hour of sleep.<\/p>\n

Upcoming projects?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019d like to mention this Autumn we\u2019ll be releasing our 500th single – it\u2019s something I\u2019m very proud of, the fact I own a label that\u2019s managed to release (just on Defected, not our sub labels) 500 releases. There\u2019s not many labels that get to that landmark, in terms of working with the artists and releasing the music we have.<\/p>\n

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