::..:::…..:..::….:::::..:::..:::::::……:::…::.:::….::::..:..:::…::…….:::::
This interview process was initiated on a sporadic thought I had to find out more about the excelling and intriguing n5MD label based in Oakland, California. With their release scheduled already prepared to zap peoples ears with direct and emotional electronics in the style of early 90’s Warp releases, Mike Cadoo has been label owner and founder since November 17th of 2000. Shedding light on mostly unrecognized artists, and complimenting those we already know, n5MD’s mission is to bring the “more emotional type of experimental electronica” to the front stage.
When asked why he decided to have n5MD be the first Mini-Disc only record label, his reply is quite genuine. “I started n5MD because of the love I have for this type of music and Mini-Disc. I bought a Mini-Disc Player –and the idea hit me. This type of music lends itself to the format very well. Up until the MD1 compilation was released, Gescom and (I think) Photek were the only people you could buy pre-recorded Mini-Disc’s from that were outside of the mainstream. I have since begun to release other formats but will still always release MD. I’m a fanatic I guess.”
With MD1 off the ground, and featuring artists such as Spark, Arovane, Eu, ML, Vcam, Neutral, Lilienthal and a host of others, n5MD’s mission is to put out quality electronic music. When asked the question of n5MD’s original intentions, Mike’s reply is very humble. “My intentions with the label are pretty simple. I try to put out quality music and not have it be too expensive. I’m a fan of the music first. I could get into the business side, but that should be totally transparent to people that purchase n5MD releases. If they order it from the site or buy it in a store and get it home and like it, then my intentions have been met.”
While Kato’s Pizza is Mike’s current favorite fast-food, other items on the platter for n5MD include a series of 7″ releases with the debut of Vesna’s Mone/Aesde. A quick glance at the n5MD website should bring you straight up to date with the current and upcoming roster of releases. Artists lined up include Tim Koch, Proem, Vcam, ML and several other experimental electricians whose aim is to cultivate emotional music with an abstract and organic element. n5MD are always focused on experiments in sound manipulation to keep your heart and ears warm.
A few of n5MD’s current Top 10 Favorites include a peculiar assortment of objects, artists and record labels with the Mini-Disc being at the top. Quench’s Exclude full-length is next along with Merck Records (FL), Safe Distro (NY), Toytronic Records (UK), Newcastle, and Proem (aka Richard Bailey). Quite an array of quality musical craftsmanship with those selections. I should also note that Mike Cadoo and Mike Wells are the collaborative duo known as Gridlock. A full length on the Possessive Blindfold label is now out now called Trace. (A limited edition live-CDR recording called Live Traces is also available from the n5MD on limited quantities)..
I had the opportunity to ask Mike Cadoo a few questions regarding the n5MD philosophy so I initiated our conversation (via email) with a question as to if more artists will be releasing exclusive material on the label.
Mike: Oh yes. n5MD has already released Proem’s Among Others which is a full-length MD and we’ll be releasing full-length’s from ML Everyone Looks Like Somebody Else (CD) and Tim Koch (MD) that will be out this Spring. Later in the year there will be a Spark full-length, a third compilation, and special surprises.
Igloo: Will the Vesna clear 7″ also be pressed on MD?
Mike: Oh, no. The Vesna 7″ is the first in a series of 7″s. So far the working title is the 7ransparen7 7s and/or Transparent 7s. I’m currently talking to other artist to see if they would like to be in the series.
Igloo: Sounds like N5MD focuses on abstract electronic arrangements in music with a solid lineup of artists. What was your process for the initial two compilations?
Mike: Well I wanted to push the MD format and get some exposure for some lesser-known artists at the same time. I compiled the first one pretty much myself with help from the guys in Eu (Ilya Baramiya and Alexander Zaitcev) as they put me in touch with ML. For the second compilation, I had lot of help. I’d ask one artist and he/they would put me in touch with other artists. It was very mutual. I’ve started to lay the groundwork for the third and I’ve been getting some help with that one too. It’s really great the way artists in this “community” help each other out.
Igloo: What does the “N5” in N5MD stand for?
Mike: Well I hate to say that it doesn’t stand for anything. One day I’ll have to make up a really cool story about what it means. How about this –n5MD is the name of one of the side companies that Enron filed money into –wait..don’t say that.. 5th amendment! 5th amendment!.
Igloo: I gather that being online helps to introduce you to the fine roster of artists already working with N5MD? (ie. Tim Koch, Eu, Vesna etc.)
Mike: Oh yes –for both me as the label head and for people that might be interested in this type of music or n5MD. I think that you have to have your “ear to the monitor”. It’s a necessity to find new artists. People send demos (as was the case with Vesna) but sometimes learning about new artists that you had no prior knowledge of is best done online. I not only have been introduced to some of the artists online (literally) –but also introduced to their music through a sample or download. There are two people that have been really helpful with this and that has been Richard Bailey (Proem) and Don Funcken (Funkstorung). They both have brought new artist to my attention. I “met” them both online. I guess i should just summarize it by saying.. “Hell yeah, that’s important!”
Igloo: Where would you like to see n5MD head? Do you feel that there are too many labels releasing similar electronic music, or do you feel that it’s about time the music got out to the masses?
Mike: I’d like to see n5MD just go on and do what it’s doing really. I’d like the releases to be more frequent. I’m trying out other formats this year and we’ll see where that takes the label. I really just want the label to be known for putting out music that people enjoy.
I’m not sure if there are a lot of labels but I do think that there’s room for who is out there. I think because we’re all small, the releases are staggered in such a way that it stays interesting.
Igloo: Do you have any other (musical) projects lined up you’d like to mention?
Mike: n5MD has an ML CD, a Vcam 12″ and the Tim Koch MD all scheduled for this Spring. In the fall there will be another 7″ –this one from Proem. The fall will also bring the Spark CD as well as a couple of other releases that are in negotiations. There is also another compilation in the works (MD8) for a possible fall/winter release.
End.
::..:::…..:..::….:::::..:::..:::::::……:::…::.:::….::::..:..:::…::…….:::::
Compilations MD1 and MD2 are out now as well as Proem’s Among Others the Vesna 7″, ML’s Everyone Looks like Someone Else, Vcam 12″ and an upcoming MD by Tim Koch called Mine is Yours. Check n5MD for upcoming news, info and release information!
