Get Wired In - A Wireblock Records label special

Glasgow label Wireblock is the brainchild of brothers Neil and Calum Morton along with Jack Revill, and released its first single last year. A joint project with sister label, Point.One Recordings, the P-funk electro of Dutch duo Bumper's Everybody Fonki marked the realisation of a long-held ambition shared by the trio, which had grown from their early teen passion for music and DJing.

"I guess we wanted to be involved in the creation of records as well as playing them," explains Calum. "It seemed like a natural progression from working in record shops and listening to music all the time." However, getting the label off the ground took time, as he admits: "The process began about four years ago, when we actually got down to thinking of artists and music we could release."

All three are involved in the A&R process, so each has a say in its musical output and they also have equal input on its 'look'; Neil utilising his graphic design studio Remote Location and business partner Adam Rodgers' skills to help create Wireblock's artwork.

Jack's job for Rub-A-Dub's distribution arm, Black Hole, has meant he's best-placed to deal with sales, while Calum works on the online aspect of the label; website updating and promotion as well as organising its digital catalogue, thanks to his experience as Warp Records' Digital Manager. Neil's involved in the print and press promotion, release contracts and studio mastering. However, despite much work being split due to their individual skills, as long-standing friends they all work closely together on the label's development, as Neil confirms: "We all like to chip in ideas until the best one presents itself… we all know each other pretty well so there's a decent amount of trust and respect between us."

Two singles old, earlier this year they released a split 7", one side featuring Italian rave legend Lory D, the other German producer, Alex Cortex, which gained single of the week status from the Warpmart, Boomkat and Rub-A-Dub online shops. Aside from having their releases stocked by regular outlets, they form part of North South Divide (NSD), a collective of labels from Glasgow and London whose records are available via their own, independent website.

"The core members are us, Dress 2 Sweat, LuckyMe, Point.One, Stuffrecords and Werk Discs but Mighty Robot, MNX, Rottenrow and Subplate are involved too," says Neil. "NSD functions primarily as an online shop… by selling direct to the people, the artists and labels get more of the money from sales. We're all mates so the basic idea is to pool resources and help each other… we'll be re-launching the site with an MP3 shop, t-shirt range and an enhanced booking agency element, later this year."

Their next release, Hudson Mohawke's Ooops EP, sees them join forces with LuckyMe, "a collective of like-minded musicians, DJs, artists and designers with a burgeoning label department," as Neil describes it.

LuckyMe counts producer Rustie as a member and he's also due to release on Wireblock, highlighting the close relationship its members have with one another. "We first hooked up with him when we put on an electronic showcase at the Art School… we've been friends and worked with him ever since then… he's also had singles on Point.One and Stuffrecords… there's a lot of positive energy coming from the cross-pollination between Glasgow-based labels and now LuckyMe's a part of that."

Another aspect of Wireblock is their involvement in various club nights which helps them to showcase their artists' music. "We co-promote Numbers and Seismic, Numbers with Stuffrecords, Marcia Blaine, Dress 2 Sweat and two other mates, Rob and Nok; Seismic with Neil from Point.One Recordings," Neil explains.

The rest of 2008 will be very busy with a release schedule "fit to burst" as Jacks sums up: "We've got records by DJ Pierre, Tyree Cooper, Music at Nite, Ghosts On Tape and loads more… essentially our passion is to showcase new and undiscovered music but we'll also be releasing older, and in some cases overlooked tracks, updated with remixes by our favourite current producers."