Record labels are a dime a dozen these days. As more up and coming artists are embracing the use of home studios and laptop productions, they need the support of major labels and their millions of dollars less and less. Most of these artists do indeed strive for a major label deal one day, but because they have developed their skills in a restriction free environment, the prospect of running a label has become more and more attractive.
What does it really take to start a label? In reality, not much. A catchy name, Some PR. A couple solid releases. Some startup money. What really makes the label work though is the dedication of the people involved. The drive to both create and find new great music that truly speaks to the vision for the label.
This is a time where labels do so much more than put out music. Dirtybird just held its first festival, the Dirtybird Campout. The Mad Decent Block Party has grown from a free day party in Philadelphia to national tour. None of that would be possible without the A&R people slaving through hundreds of demos to find next release. That’s what makes a label really stand out.
Eclypse Records may not have been around for a while, but they’re already standing out. Started a little over 8 months ago by Jason Forte and the Grammy nominated duo Feenixpawl, Eclypse has already seen significant chart success. Two of their new singles have found their way onto the Mediabase Dance Charts. Feenixpawl’s “Ghosts” feat. Melissa Ramsay is at number 10 with “Blue Sky” by Feenixpawl and Jason Forte coming in at number 28. Ghosts has also made waves on the Billboard Dance charts coming in at number 17.
EDM Chicago caught up with Feenixpawl and Jason Forte to get an inside look at their successful new effort together.
What do you love about music?
Everything. The emotions it evokes. How it has the ability to create memories that last forever. That’s why we do what we do, to connect with people and to create moments.
How do you feel about the current state of the music industry and what is your place in it?
It’s an interesting time. It’s certainly the digital age in full force. Our place is difficult to say. I never ever consider as having “made it”. In the dance music scene I feel we’ve built a solid name, but we always want bigger and better things. We have a lot of new music in the works, so hopefully we can take that next step.
How long have you guys been making music together?
Roughly 10 years. It’s been a fun ride!
What is the goal of this new label you’ve started?
There were two main goals, the first was to be able to creatively control our own projects. The art, the delivery, the promotion. Working with labels is tough, and we’ve had some bad experiences, as I’m sure every artist has. So at the end of the day, if we’re controlling our own releases, we only have ourselves to blame if things don’t go the way we plan. The second goal was a give opportunities to upcoming artists. We didn’t sign a record deal for about 4 years of trying, and it wasn’t a great deal that ended up hurting us. We are trying to work WITH the artists to help them in the future as well as deliver a product that they feel they contributed to.
How do you manage the time between running the label and making your own music?
It helps that there’s two of us! It’s tough but it’s our job and we absolutely love it, so we don’t see it as work.
How did your Grammy nomination effect your attitude towards your career?
I suppose it validated what we were doing. After struggling in the Melbourne nightclub scene, finding it hard to get records signed, it definitely gave us the feeling that finally we were moving in the right direction.
What plans do you have for the near/distant future?
Just to get bigger and better. We have so much new music we’ve been working on and we’re excited to get it out there!
For more on Eclypse Records follow the links below
