Features
SCENE SELECTION: TOOLROOM RECORDS
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You'll probably have heard of Toolroom Records by now, and for good reason too. The label is responsible for a steady stream of big room tunes that bring hands-in-the-air moments to strobe-lit clubs the world over. For this week's Scene Selection, the Toolroom guys have gone into the mix to showcase some of their biggest and best releases and have answered a few choice questions to give insight to life behind the scene at the label. Get stuck in below!
Scene Selection: The Toolroom Records Showcase by Mixmag
The Toolroom Records Showcase for Mixmag:
Tiger Stripes – This Is
Pete Tong – Wardance (Matthias Tanzmann Remix)
Sharam Jey – Shake Your (Nicole Moudaber Remix)
Mark Knight – Yalta Groove
Mark Knight & D.Ramirez V Underworld – Downpipe
Funkagenda & Adam K – Drift
Toolroom is at the top of the game. What does it take to get to that position?
Two things... hard work and more hard work! Seriously though, we have a team of 15 people here at Toolroom Towers that all share a passion for the music and the same work ethic that runs through the entire label. From our A&R department, to the designer, events manager and press department, each roll has contributed to the overall success of the label. The second thing is of course the music itself. We have been fortunate to work with so many talented artists over the years who continue to provide us with amazing music that creates the essential foundations of a successful record label... the rest just follows.
Is there an overriding ethos or mission behind Toolroom?
As a record label our mission has always been to provide the ultimate clubbing experience which is reflected in the quality of the music we release and the unforgettable atmospheres at our Toolroom Knights parties. As a business, we are constantly striving to keep the Toolroom brand at the forefront of the electronic music scene, setting trends that the rest of the industry follows.
You have put out countless records, how do you choose what you release and does each release fit into some kind of grand scheme?
Our main ethos is quality, and we have to believe in the music as a label. A common misconception is we are predominantly a tech house label but we have released house, drum'n'bass, techno, chill out, dubstep and indie! We work alongside the artists with a precise plan to achieve the goals set on each project, with some aimed at purely club level and with others going further to radio and TV. We are planning more artist albums next year alongside our current schedule of singles and compilations. We plan out each year of releases with specific artists to work with and specific events to release alongside, so it’s quite a precise schedule, but as with anything, it will often change throughout the year! One of the main things we aim to do is not just sign records but bring artists to the label, and work with them building a relationship so they become part of the Toolroom family and get involved in everything we do from Toolroom Knights events to artist albums and compilations.
What is the one thing that defines Toolroom?
Quality music that creates moments and memories!
What's next for the label?
Well 2011 has been one of our biggest years yet, from storming the download charts with our Miami album, to selling out the 02 Brixton Academy for TK5 and releasing huge tracks from global superstars such as Coldplay and Florence and the Machine. Our mission will be to continue building on this success and push for even bigger things in 2012 with some exciting projects in store... Watch this space!
