LABEL SPECIAL: Firecracker Recordings: Vinyl Pyrotechnics
SF: Though digital is increasingly the format of choice for many DJs and producers, Firecracker Recordings offers a perfect example of vinyl's enduring appeal. The Skinny finds out more<br/><br/>PQ: ""A record needs to be collectable àit helps if it looks good, is in a strange format and the music's a bit odd"" - Lindsay Todd
| 06 Jan 2008
Coming about "through a mind of its own," as label founder Lindsay Todd puts it, the Edinburgh label Firecracker Recordings was set up in 2003. Now three EPs old it has featured the productions of Gav Sutherland (Fudge Fingas), Nick Moore (Linkwood) and Lindsay Todd, who records with Nick as Linkwood Family.
"Nick and I were working on a track for Joseph Malik's second album, but we had musical differences and ended up missing our deadline for submission," he explains. "We came back to it six months later and decided it was good enough to put out." Though a bit of struggle, they raised enough funds to press it up and Miles Away was the first of three tracks on what became the debut Firecracker EP. However, getting it released was only the first hurdle.
"We got knocked back from loads of distributors, so I decided to go London to see if I could sell it to record shops, direct. Vinyl Junkies was the first I approached and luckily enough, they bought all our stock." Though a good financial deal at the time, with hindsight Lindsay believes it didn't really help their international sales. "Aside from their London shop, the only other distribution channels were their two outlets in Japan and they ended up sitting on a lot of vinyl."
However, with all three eventually selling out, the record went on to become a bit of a cult release. They decided to repeat the same exercise for their follow-up EP, but broke away for their third. "We felt we needed a bit more exposure - I took over UK and European distribution and before they went bust, Goya covered Japan and other countries. We now use Rubadub's distribution arm, Blackhole."
Though the label's sound leans towards house, it merges a range of other elements - techno, jazz, soul, reggae, hip-hop and beyond, illustrating the various influences of the trio, as Todd explains: "Nick's into the Sheffield sound of early Warp, people like LFO, older Detroit techno, Sun-Ra and a lot of other free-jazz stuff. Gav and I are keen on a lot of 90s house; stuff on labels such as Strictly Rhythm in their heyday. I also appreciate a lot of what comes out of Detroit, regardless of musical style."
Indeed, tracks like Gettin' Togetha and Fate give a healthy nod to Motor City producer, Moodymann, but though all three are serious about their music, they also like to inject a bit of humour into proceedings. "We've always put a kind of tongue-in-cheek novelty track on each EP, and I think that's become part of their appeal."
Aside from the music, Firecracker has a definite 'look' - each release is on 10" vinyl and its distinctive artwork combines bold typography with collage and comic strip illustrations, courtesy of Nick's brother. Having previously worked at Underground Solu'shun, Lindsay's gathered inside knowledge on what attracts record buyers. "It needs to be collectable – it helps if it looks good, is in a strange format and the music's a bit odd. Nowadays, there's no point in putting out a white label... you could just download a track like that. You need to have a bit of vision, use creativity to help shift your product."
It's certainly helped their cause; the third EP is now on its second pressing and the previous two are set for re-release. They've also enjoyed support from Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, DJ Spinna and Osunlade, which Lindsay describes as "a pat on the back" for their efforts: "Getting positive feedback from guys who've been our heroes and having the opportunity to discuss future projects with them has been fantastic."
The future's looking bright too. A website selling their releases in both vinyl and digital format is planned, as is a retrospective compilation album. Collaborative efforts alongside Manchester artist Trus'me are already underway and they've approached artists they respect to remix some of their back catalogue. All this marks out Firecracker as one to watch in 2008.
"Nick and I were working on a track for Joseph Malik's second album, but we had musical differences and ended up missing our deadline for submission," he explains. "We came back to it six months later and decided it was good enough to put out." Though a bit of struggle, they raised enough funds to press it up and Miles Away was the first of three tracks on what became the debut Firecracker EP. However, getting it released was only the first hurdle.
"We got knocked back from loads of distributors, so I decided to go London to see if I could sell it to record shops, direct. Vinyl Junkies was the first I approached and luckily enough, they bought all our stock." Though a good financial deal at the time, with hindsight Lindsay believes it didn't really help their international sales. "Aside from their London shop, the only other distribution channels were their two outlets in Japan and they ended up sitting on a lot of vinyl."
However, with all three eventually selling out, the record went on to become a bit of a cult release. They decided to repeat the same exercise for their follow-up EP, but broke away for their third. "We felt we needed a bit more exposure - I took over UK and European distribution and before they went bust, Goya covered Japan and other countries. We now use Rubadub's distribution arm, Blackhole."
Though the label's sound leans towards house, it merges a range of other elements - techno, jazz, soul, reggae, hip-hop and beyond, illustrating the various influences of the trio, as Todd explains: "Nick's into the Sheffield sound of early Warp, people like LFO, older Detroit techno, Sun-Ra and a lot of other free-jazz stuff. Gav and I are keen on a lot of 90s house; stuff on labels such as Strictly Rhythm in their heyday. I also appreciate a lot of what comes out of Detroit, regardless of musical style."
Indeed, tracks like Gettin' Togetha and Fate give a healthy nod to Motor City producer, Moodymann, but though all three are serious about their music, they also like to inject a bit of humour into proceedings. "We've always put a kind of tongue-in-cheek novelty track on each EP, and I think that's become part of their appeal."
Aside from the music, Firecracker has a definite 'look' - each release is on 10" vinyl and its distinctive artwork combines bold typography with collage and comic strip illustrations, courtesy of Nick's brother. Having previously worked at Underground Solu'shun, Lindsay's gathered inside knowledge on what attracts record buyers. "It needs to be collectable – it helps if it looks good, is in a strange format and the music's a bit odd. Nowadays, there's no point in putting out a white label... you could just download a track like that. You need to have a bit of vision, use creativity to help shift your product."
It's certainly helped their cause; the third EP is now on its second pressing and the previous two are set for re-release. They've also enjoyed support from Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova, DJ Spinna and Osunlade, which Lindsay describes as "a pat on the back" for their efforts: "Getting positive feedback from guys who've been our heroes and having the opportunity to discuss future projects with them has been fantastic."
The future's looking bright too. A website selling their releases in both vinyl and digital format is planned, as is a retrospective compilation album. Collaborative efforts alongside Manchester artist Trus'me are already underway and they've approached artists they respect to remix some of their back catalogue. All this marks out Firecracker as one to watch in 2008.