As Mike Shannon’s standard-setting label steps up to celebrate one decade down, they look forward to the one ahead. Come join them as they mark their 10th year at fabric this Saturday. We had the massive privilege of chatting with the label chief, Mike Shannon, plus Adam Marshall, Deadbeat, Ernesto, Monoblock and Matt Thibideau…read on.
MIKE SHANNON
What have been some of your favourite releases?
It's a tough question but if I had to pick my favourite releases on the label would have to be Bucci and Pink Elln's ‘Badminton EP’, Mavis 350 was the track named after a type of badminton birdie and featured Raz Ohara on the vocals. What a killer track, with some slick remixes from The Mole and myself (cough). Monoblock's ‘Esas Cosas EP’ was one of the greats too and was one of the best selling 12 inches that we ever released. There are so many great records that have come out over the years it's really hard to mention a couple.
How did the label get started?
J.Hunsberger and I were members of an arts collective based in Kitchener, Ontario. It was a program set up to help train and assist working artists and musicians to function better in the working artistic world. One of the projects that we set to start was a recording label for the collective that would encompass the works of the artists and musicians involved. So we were rolling along with the project and when it came down to funding time the director of the project pulled the plug on us. Not so much love for techno over at Human Resources Canada. So at that point we couldn't turn back. We were completely broke, but with the help of some friends we scraped the money together and did our first compilation EP called ‘The Focal Point’. It featured a purely Canadian roster of Matt Thibideau, Bishop, DJ.Roo and myself. We just re-mastered and re-released Matt Thibideau's track ‘Archenar’ from that first compilation that came out last May on CYN034. Most definitely the label’s true classic. We did a Cynosure anniversary radio show on Fritz FM here in Berlin and the host of the show, Anja Schneider was amazed when we played that track. She almost couldn't believe it was ten years old.
What's up next for you and the label?
Personally I'm working on a few different musical projects here in Berlin. I am finishing up a new album that shies away from the dancefloor a little bit too. It's a project rich in musicality, much more than anything I've done before. Working with Takeshi Nishimoto (I'm not a Gun) on guitar and Fadila on vocals, plus a few other musical guests all based in Berlin. Should be ready for the summer, I hope. Plus I’m working on a few dancefloor EPs and remixes for a couple of labels. 2010 should be an interesting year for Cynosure. We're coming out of the gate strong with ‘Under the Radar’, the anthem of the label and 10 year anniversary special edition double ten inch. It includes remixes from Ricardo Villalobos, Deadbeat, Rozzo, Massimo Di Lena and Wasted Chicago Youth. Then we have a bomb EP from Andrea Fiorito and following that another killer EP from Brett Johnson lined up. So we’re cruising along at the same pace as always.
ADAM MARSHALL
How did you hook up with Cynosure?
I knew Mike in the beginning because we both worked at different branches of the same record store, Speed. I was in charge of ordering records in Toronto, and Mike was in charge of the Kitchener, ON store - so we got to know each other pretty well through that. We share a lot of the same friends, and it always nicer to work with people who are kind of family. Because Cynosure put out a wide variety of styles in the beginning, it never got pigeon-holed into a particular ‘sound’ which I have always appreciated in labels, so it seemed like a good fit for the tracks on my ‘Remote Culture EP’ (CYN016).
What are some of your favorite releases in the catalogue?
Hard to pick favourites, but I have always been drawn to Colin's remix of ‘Bucci / Pink Elln’ (CYN013). It sounds like a Prince song on acid. It seemed to bridge a number of styles together seamlessly and effortlessly. The ‘Exodo EP’ by Ernesto has not left my box for over a year, so that's a highlight for the clubs. I also always liked the Ido Oshkopun release (CYN028) because of the aesthetic and concept.
How did you first get the Techno bug?
A combination of Primal Scream's ‘Screamadelica’ and The Orb's ‘Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld’. Techno just seemed so free form compared to the regimented aesthetics of rock and hip hop. It kinda felt like the new jazz, and I still feel that way.
What do you see in the future for the label?
Ask Mike!
What changed for you since working with Cynosure?
Because most of my previous releases were on very underground labels it opened a whole new world of connections and friendships when I released on Cynosure. Not that Cynosure is a ‘big’ label, but it's been around for a while and people know it and respect it. I don't think my ‘North at Night EP’ would have done as well as it did, if it came out on any other label. When Mike likes a track, he really promotes it well and with an honesty that people really appreciate.
Stream: Adam Marshall’s ‘Vespers’ here:
MONOBLOCK
How did you hook up with Cynosure ?
Mike listened us playing in a Spanish festival, and later we got in touch with him in Valencia. We showed him some tracks, he loved them and released our first Cynosure EP, "Esas Cosas.”
What are some of your favourite releases in the catalogue?
Deadbeat - Take Me Back To London Town EP CYN037
John Shananigans - Jimmy´s lunch EP CYN018
How did you first get the Techno bug?
Martin - Eleven years ago I was more into rock music, until a friend took me to a very underground club of my city. That is when i got into electronic music and started producing, experimenting with different styles from dub, and Drum & Bass until I focused on producing techno as Monoblock.
Guille - I used to play in several bands, from hip hop to hardcore - and the truth is that I wasn’t too much into dance music, but after ending a relationship of 5 years…I started going to clubs more often, and don’t know how I finished with techno beats in my head.
What do you see in the future for the label?
We hope we can release another EP this year with Cynosure. Mike and company have been supporting us since the very beginning so we are happy to belong to the crew.
What changed for you since working with Cynosure?
We gain a lot of experience as producers and they introduced us to very nice people from the techno scene.
Download: Monoblock’s ‘Soul Whispers’
DEADBEAT
How it came that you worked with Cynosure?
Well, Mike and I have known each other for close to 15 years at this point. I had already moved to Montreal when he started the label back in Kitchener, but he soon followed and the incredible creative energy that was going through the whole scene in Montreal at that time eventually lead to a record for Cynosure with my name on it. It really was quite a magically inspiring time. People often put a lot of emphasis on the influence that Mutek and Force Inc moving their offices to Montreal had on the Montreal scene at that time. I think what Mike's done with the label over the last 10 years has had an equal massive impact on the Canadian techno scene as a whole.
How did you first get the Techno bug?
Nothing too out of the ordinary I don't think, drugs begat, begat raves, begat techno, begat a happy dancing me he never wanted to do much else.
What do you see in the future for the label?
I'm very excited about the double under the radar 10” that's coming out (or may already be, depending on how large a lead time this interview has!). I have complete faith in ol'Shannigans, love him to bits. I'm sure whatever he decides to do will be great.
What changed for you since working with Cynosure?
Everything man, everything. Life would just not be same....
ERNESTO
What are some of your favorite releases in the catalogue?
John Shananigans- Mamajuana EP - Cynosure 009
Bucci, Pink Elln - Baminton EP- Cynosure 013
Sieg Uber die Sonne- Sovjet Supreme EP- Cynosure 017
Adam Marshall- North At Night EP- Cynosure 32
What do you see in the future for the label?
That it shall continue to grow following the mission of bringing us the most refined, refreshing and futuristic house and techno music.
What changed for you since working with Cynosure?
Many things and all good ones! I’ve shared lots of great moments with the rest of the artists of the label, many laughs and memorable parties, but also it’s also given me one of my first chances to share my music with a major audience as a producer and as DJ as well. Thanks Cynosure!!!
MATT THIBIDEAU
How did you hook up with Cynosure ?
Around 10 years ago or so, I was already releasing some of my first techno records on Blue Recordings in Canada. Mike Shannon was familiar with these records, and we were attending most of the same parties. He told me that he wanted to release a compilation to start the label and that my sound fit with Cynosure.
What are some of your favorite releases in the catalogue?
-The Box EP
-Tactile Green EP
-Sunaj Assassins Pt. 1 & 2
-Velvet Bleu
-Random Brown
-The Focal Point Volume 3
How did you first get the Techno bug?
Since I was a kid, I always loved music made with synthesizers. So I listened to lots of new wave, ambient and industrial music. I think techno goes along well with that. It was like a natural addition. As far as producing it, I love the repetitive nature of it. I love working with old synthesizers and how you can change their sound in real time. That interaction with the equipment is really what got me into producing it.
What do you see in the future for the label?
A broad pallet of quality electronic music in the catalogue. The chance to get the music out to a larger audience through digital means.
What changed for you since working with Cynosure?
I have watched a lot of producers move from using hardware to all software. That has completely changed the way people listen to techno. I have kind of stayed the same with my techniques to produce. It has always given me a good result. Where things have changed for me is how I arrange my music, making things a bit more elaborate. As far as the scene in Canada goes...it has gotten much smaller. A lot of producers have moved to Europe.
As another bonus - as if you really needed it after all the above generosity - we've got a track from The Mole, who'll be appearing alongside Mike Shannon, Monoblock and Adam Marshall this Saturday in Room One, for your downloadable delectation.
Download: The Mole’s ‘Dirtnap Revist’
