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Igloo: When did Benbecula start, and who’s involved with the
label?
Steven: Benbecula started in 1999. The first few releases were CDR’s of local artist Phase 6 and the debut vinyl was a compilation called Music Volume One in August 2000. The label was a result of increasing dissatisfaction within the area of our peers (club owners, labels) who did not reflect and/or understand the needs of the artists.
Igloo: How would you define the Benbecula formula? Is there a particular style/groove you’re interested in promoting?
Steven: Although the label has featured international artists to date, the intention is to develop and promote local talent (Scotland). There is a huge undercurrent of cutting edge electronic music here, featuring many styles, but all with a common thread: producing music that is against the grain. The Scots have a deep sense of freedom of expression. Over the last year I have discovered many artists who have not thought once about releasing their music because they do not feel it has an audience – its my job to tell them they do and to promote that music, and tell the listeners that this is the music they want to hear. I am not confortable with the term “idm”, although it can be handy reference point. It seems to be a bracket that electronic music is thrown into if it doesn’t fit any of the others (house. techno etc.), I suppose thats okay. I do not buy music, I only listen to demos, I know very little about the so called “idm” champions like Black Dog, I have truelly never heard a Black Dog record (knowingly) and dont plan to, I get enough enjoyment from the Benbcula artists and the music people send me. I use demos as a unique window into what is currently happening, its an interesting way to see the musical world.
Igloo: What is the general direction for Benbecula Records?
Steven: Promotion of new electronic talent – very simple. The artists guide the label, not the other way around, some labels forget this. I suppose that each release must a have a mixture of raw quality and my own personal taste. All releases have sold out within weeks so I must be going right somewhere.
Igloo: Does your location give you any advantage as to what (electronic) music you are exposed to?
Steven: Not particularly, although many Scottish people are completely unaware of any sort of electronic(a) sub culture, and aren’t “affected” by it, which is good, they are just doing their own thing. There are too many interchangeable artists doing each other styles at the moment.
Igloo: Most of the Benbecula catalog relies on subtle elegant electronics to propel it forward. Is this a key component for the Benbecula roster?
Steven: Again, the music that is given to Benbecula is what guides it, and many local and European artists are composing a lof of lo-fi material, sampling real instruments and messing things up digitally. Not a new concept but there is a big push towards the “pop” format which augres well for the genre. I’m not really that interested in raw noise, more melodic or hypnotic, but then again I like anything that takes the piss too. I love good cover versions.
Igloo: What does Benbecula mean?
Steven: It is the English form of “Beinn a’ bhfhaodhla” which means “mountain of the fords”.
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A new follow-up compilation entitled Music Volume 2 contains the following tracks.. (full review coming soon!)
- 01 Christ :: Moxley Moy
- 02 Joni :: Too Stupid
- 03 Mr. Projectile :: Absorption
- 04 Clubbed to Death :: Junk
- 05 Frog Pocket :: Tony Blair
- 06 East of Insanity :: Retrospect
- 07 Marcia Blaine School for Girls :: Ned Rites
- 08 _ – :: London has let me Down Again::..:::…..:..::….:::::..:::..:::::::……:::…::.:::….::::..:..:::…::…….:::::
- Benbecula
