Interview with Echodub

Echodub, collective, label which is it?
Haha, an interesting question. Most people presume that it's a label. We do things that labels do; put out releases and compilations, promote artists music and so forth. However technically Echodub was started as a collective. I like to think of the artists on the label as a unit. The idea that they can all work together on projects appeals to me - and the ability for them to interact through our online hub, share tracks - remix one another and generally benefit from the power we have as a collective, is something that I think makes us more than just a label.

Is there a deeper purpose behind Echodub or is it just about making music?
For me, Echodub is about making sure that all the producers and artists involved get the exposure they deserve. Nothing more really. It would make me incredibly proud if the artists on Echodub all felt that they had been in some way encouraged, helped or promoted because of their involvement.

What kind of music would you say you make?
We generally call it dubstep - but very much the more chilled-out experimental end, and there's a bit of dub-techno in there for good measure. I feel the two genres meet at a point where the whole thing can get very experimental - and there's alot of good music to be heard that doesn't necessarily lend its self ideally to the general dubstep dancefloors as such. It's still something where I think there's a great deal of beauty to be heard though - and I've always tended towards what Hybrid once termed "Headphone Electronica" as opposed to straight up dancefloor bangers.

How does it all work? you see the word collective but somebody has to give it direction and make decisions
Well as the owner and original member, I tend to push things forward and deal with things like promotion, collecting tracks for releases and running things generally. I try however to open as much of what I do to the rest of the members as possible, so that nobody's left feeling that they didn't have the opportunity to get involved. There's alot to be said for keeping things as transparent and honest as possible.

What artists are involved and at what level?
Currently we have 20 members including myself, and although not all of them are active all of the time - there's a good number of us who are constantly making tracks, pushing sounds, working on releases and ideas and much more. I wouldn't have chosen people to get involved, had they not been interested in getting involved with the collective, and all involved have been very receptive to the general ethos we have. I also encourage people to do their own thing outside of the collective, so as not to restrict them creatively.

What has been released so far? and what planned?
Right now we've put out 7 EPs and a free compilation. We have another 9 EPs sitting waiting to be released, and they'll be appearing 2 at a time, every 4 or 5 weeks if all goes to plan. As well as that we have a remixed version of Anechoic Chamber, and a few more things up our collective sleeve!

Anechoic Chamber, great album why did you do it as a free download?
Well it was going to be a little EP - like, 4 or 5 tracks as a promotional tool for Echodub. Something we could use as a statement of intent, and something that would get the name out. I got so much enthusiasm from everyone involved that the small EP turned in to a 20-track compilation, and we just decided that it would be great to put out something with such a diverse range of work on it.

Are you getting any support from radio/websites/music press?
Currently we get alot of support from radio stations all over. We've had guest mixes on Myrkur's show on SubFM, the label was featured on Radio Magnetic's Ionise show, and we've had a couple of our releases played on Mary Ann Hobbs (BBC Radio 1). Our second release was featured in Mixmag, and there have been plenty supporters through forums and blogs - which is always promising. The music press as such have yet to really pick us up - but it's only recently we've started putting out to the big online stores, so these things can take a while to progress.

What would you say the greatest achievement is so far?
Well Anechoic Chamber got us a good bit of attention, and with 4000 odd downloads and still counting - it seems to have got our sound out to a fair audience. Not huge in the grand scheme of things - but it's 4000 more people than I'd have been able to get my tracks to alone. So far that compilation has been a highlight for me.

Where do you see things going with Echodub?
Well we have 2 options as I see it this year. If we see the releases do well, and the EPs and artists involved still enjoy it - then we might look at taking things to the next level and trying some vinyl releases. There may already be something in the pipeline on this front. If we end up going the other way, and things don't really take off, or we see the interest dwindle - then I might shift direction slightly and look in to putting out only free releases, as more of a net-label, meaning I can still push the music I really enjoy.

Who do you see as making it within echodub and then generally within the scene?
I'd like to think we've all got a good chance at making a name for ourselves individually. I know that all of us have our own little projects and are very much conquering our own scenes (hopefully with the added backing of Echodub!) - Right now Indigo is doing loads of production and DJ work with Synkro, and both of them seem to have a pretty bright future. The likes of HxdB, Sines and a couple of others actually have a hand in running other labels too, and then all of us seem to have really seen a boost in interest for our output. I'd hate to think that anyone involved has seen no return from their involvement.

In terms of the scene - it's so hard to tell who will succeed. I often wonder why some people are getting hype, when I find so many talented producers who are not getting the attention they deserve. It's anybody's guess really. Everyone loves to hedge their bets on one producer or another - all I care about is being able to hear the good music, whether it's from a big DJ in a club environment, or from the shelves of HMV, or a small-time producer's MySpace profile.


Anechoic Chamber
Echodub