We speak to the lads behind one of the many labels currently representing Leeds' ever creative house scene.
It's no secret here at Spoonfed that we're vinyl whores. Yes digital music is great and convenient, but there's nothing like the feel you get from a record, and we champion record labels who choose to put their stuff on wax.
One such outfit is the Leeds based FINA Records. With its roots in Leeds house and techno staple 2020 Vision, their eclectic string of releases from the likes of MAM and Roberto Rodriguez have had our ears pricking up snce the outset. Head honchos Matt Long and Simon Morrell both have years of experience on the club circuit with their mono_cult and DDD nights respectively, and this weekend sees them behind the decks alongside Move D at one of Electric Minds' widely respected loft parties. Difficult to define the FINA sound or ethos, we thought it best to let the lads speak for themselves.
First up, when and why did you decide to start your own label?
Simon: It was about 2 years ago now, I'd just wrapped up DDD and wanted to do something different. Ralph was looking to do a new label which was a bit different from 2020 and suggested myself and Matt got together for a chat about a new label, and voila. FINA was born.
The emphasis seems to be on variety with FINA's releases, but is there something which threads the music together? A particular sound or feeling which you feel represents FINA?
Matt: Yeah its important for us to be different so I'm glad that comes across in the releases. End of the day it's house that threads the music together, it's just the various different guises of house we're into that are reflected in all our releases.
What motivates your decision to release on vinyl in a digital age?
Simon: From a personal view it's really important. I started out buying vinyl so it would just feel wrong if we didn't [release on vinyl]. There are a lot of digital only labels that just put stuff out that's pretty naff and just get lost on download sites. It's important for us as it reflects a certain quality and shows we are serious about the music we release.
What's your favourite label of all time?
Simon: Rush Hour
There's such a vibrant house scene in Leeds, what with yourselves, the 2020 family and Outcross. Are there any other names we should be looking out for?
Simon: Yeah there seems to be loads of good stuff coming out of the city which is great! I love E.A.R, Illusions and the Love Not Money boys are doing well too.
With a history of working for and with 2020, how do you make sure FINA stands on its own and isn't just another 2020?
Matt: You know what your getting with 2020, with us we like to experiment a bit more with styles and tempos. We might release a 100bpm track then the next release could be a more techno or deep house based track.
Simon – how's life after DDD? Can you see a return to running big events?
Simon: It's great. DDD had its lifetime and I had some amazing times but now I'm loving the label and was definitely the right choice for me after doing a night for 8 years. I also run the Defected events out in Ibiza so I'm still involved in running big events and we've also been really busy sorting more FINA parties out, so I guess I'm busier than ever!
How did you settle on the name FINA?
Simon: We bounced a few ideas around when we first set the label up, at that time Ralph's wife was expecting their first daughter and were thinking of the name Afina, which then got shorted to FINA. It just so happens to mean fine or pure in Spanish so it just kind of all fit.
What can we expect on Saturday? What's Move D like to DJ alongside?
Matt - I ve had him play for my mono_cult night a numerous times now and he's part of the family. With FINA its been very much the same, he joined us on FINA002 to remix the leif track and also played our recent Sonar party. As a DJ he's always impressed me, expect anything from garage, deep house techno, all vinyl and he loves to party when he's playing - a true spectacle to watch.
What's your track of the day?
Kolsch - All That Matters
Electric Minds w/ Move D & FINA Records takes place on Saturday 21st July at a secret Shoreditch location (if you've been before, you'll know the place).
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