Always Read the Label: Wichita Recordings

Rising from the ashes of Creation Records' demise in 2000, Wichita was the brainchild of Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Both had been at Alan McGee's side since day dot. “To me the crucial thing about Creation was that almost without exception, all the artists made multiple records for the label," reflects Bowen of his apprenticeship. In a lot of cases, those bands are still going.” He cites the longevity of Primal Scream, Oasis and the Super Furry Animals as proof that working with bands is about building a future, not short term glories. It's an ethos that has proved to be equally successful for Wichita.

Eight years after the label's inception, the imprint still only has four staff, quite a feat given their relative ubiquity. With the likes of Bloc Party, Saul Williams and Los Campesinos! on their roster, Bowen admits to previously punching above their weight, but is sure Wichita can capably compete at the top level of their specialist fields. “I don't think any band ever outgrows us. I think sometimes bands choose to take more money up front,” he explains, crediting the departures of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Bright Eyes to pastures newer, but not always greener, with being his two personal nadirs of the label's lifespan so far. “That's the hardest bit because it gives you a very rude awakening as to your place in the music business.”

But rather than cry over spilt milk, Bowen assures that the soaring highs have dominated his time at the helm. “For four people sitting in an office to see this band sell millions of records has been amazing,” he says of Bloc Party's success around the world. “Seeing The Cribs sell out Brixton Academy, and have crowds sing every word of the songs we played to people long before and they told us they were rubbish was very, very satisfying too!”

The Cribs story is one Bowen tells with immense pride, unsurprising given their own underdog status. “Ironically, they're the only act that nobody wanted anything to do with initially. Everybody thought we were wrong, but they've gone on to be our second biggest band. I think that's taught us not to listen too much to what people say straight off and to trust our instincts.”

Gut instinct makes good A&R and for Wichita, it's rarely led them astray. As such, Bowen's enthusiasm about his current crop of youngsters is unflinching. He predicts Sky Larkin will take us by storm with a debut album in February (“I didn't think they had this record in them”). He's just signed two young Swedish girls called First Aid Kit (“it's very reminiscent of the Everly Brothers, had they been girls”) and like everyone, is amazed that Lovvers have managed to write and record something that resembles a full length LP (“I see them and think, 'there's something so pure about them!'”). But what tips would he offer to a band looking to put themselves in the shop window?

“Don't go looking for record label interest. Excite yourselves and if you've got that skill people will come naturally to you.”