Introducing: Shaun Soomro

We love the boisterous attitude that overcomes us when we tell music heads to 'Lick My Deck.' Outrageously confident in its message, UK label boss Shaun Soomro has been shouting the words from the rooftop since 2007 and has worked up an impressive catalogue of releases from artists such as, [a]pendics Shuffle & Akiko Kiyama and Melchior Productions, with heavy-duty remixes from the likes of Adultnapper & Brothers Vibe. Not to forget the unmissable, sweltering atmosphere of the legendary Lick My Decks raves previously graced by Thomas Melchior Akiko Kiyama and Daze Maxim. Releasing intelligent and provocative electronic music that swells & sways between dark, driving techno, the warm elements of house and the dizzying heights of disco, Shaun Soomro fits Room One’s bill perfectly this Saturday alongside techno luminaries, Stacey Pullen and Levon Vincent. We caught up with the LMD boss to talk about some very exciting upcoming releases on sister label LMD SkunkWorks, as well as future LMD remixes by Ricardo Villalobos and Baby Ford and the intriguing influences of Prince, Funkadelic and Goldie on him as an artist. Hey Shaun what are you up to right now? Just putting the finishing touches to the Artwork on our next release on Lick My Deck plus preparing another two releases on our sister label LMD SkunkWorks, juggling that with gigs is keeping me pretty busy. Tell us 5 tracks, that have been an influence on you as an artist with a few words to explain why these are special to you? Funkadelic – Maggot Brain My dad played this to me when I was quite young and listening to it for the first time I was hypnotized, I think it was the first time I understood the power of music and the control it can have over you. Lil Louis - French Kiss I heard this track when I was 7 years old on the radio and it blew my mind. It was definitely the first track that got me hooked on dance music and it was also the first track I bought on Vinyl. Goldie – Inner City Life This track defined a period of time and sound for me growing up in the 90’s in London. Prince – Gett Off I love Prince, I love the way he implemented different styles of music into his own music, he was the first Artist to make me realize that a visual expression to music, whether it be the clothes the artwork or the video is so important. Naz – NY State of my Mind. Naz is one of the greatest lyricist’s in Hip Hop the way he tells his stories in his music is incredible. I suppose playing music is like a story it’s all about the way you tell it. How are you looking forward to this Saturdays Room One takeover with Detroit techno legend Stacey Pullen & Levon Vincent? Pretty excited to hear both of them playing, really like Levon’s productions so will be a pleasure to hear him play plus not forgetting Bruno who is always a treat to hear Live. 
How do you still seek to surprise, engage and provide an unforgettable experience for the crowd and yourself in your DJ sets? As a DJ I am always hunting and searching for music and not just new music but music from the past so that it keeps things interesting for the listener and for me plus I like to play across the board in techno and house and not stick to a specific style. If I can thread a flow with the past the present and play across different styles the sets sound fresh and original. 
Your label Lick My Deck has established itself over its relatively few years in existence, What would you say is the label’s manifesto? We don’t really have a manifesto as such but if I had to put it into words it’s all about quality. Quality of the music, quality of the mastering, quality of the vinyl cut, quality of the artwork and most important of all doing it for the love! 
What would you say is Lick My Deck’s proudest moment to date?
 I think our proudest achievement is to be releasing music on vinyl in a digital age and to be a part of a movement of labels that are still keeping the vinyl market alive. What do you have coming up on the label next? We have a remix EP by Thomas Melchior called Apariciones Reworked with remixes by Ricardo Villalobos and Baby Ford that will be out in September. Plus we have some new releases lined up on our sister label LMD SkunkWorks that will be released later in the year...