Label Focus – 20/20 Vision
We chat to 20/20 founder Ralph Lawson
Leeds-based stalwarts of the scene 20/20 Vision need no introduction, with something over 400 releases to their name and a roster that reads like a who’s who of house and techno. Founder and figurehead of the stable Ralph Lawson takes us through the details….
WHAT’S THE NAME OF YOUR LABEL, AND WHO RUNS IT?
20/20 Vision. We’re based in Leeds in the UK. It was founded in 1995 by me, Ralph Lawson, and the label manager is Ben Thompson.
WHY DID THE LABEL START?
The label started to release music coming out of a studio with Carl Finlow behind the mixing desk in the spirit of Acid House DIY. It was situated in a farmhouse inside The Rhubarb Triangle – strange but true.
GIVE US A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU’VE RELEASED SINCE THEN….
Wow, where to start? By the end of the year the label will be on our 330th EP release, not including albums and sub labels, so that must be over 400 in total. We have consistently sought to develop and nurture new talent over the years as it’s a real buzz to be there from the beginning of an artist’s journey.
A brief selection of artists includes; Crazy P, Paul Woolford, Stacey Pullen, Maya Jane Coles, Greg Wilson, Keith Tucker, Carl Finlow, The Hacker, Christian Loffler, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Versalife, Subb-an, Huxley, Joyce Muniz, Audiojack, Annie Hall, Kosh, James Shinra but there’s so many more…
WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE MUSIC YOU RELEASE?
In general we love music that stands out from the crowd as a bit different. We try not to get genre focused and always enjoy fresh perspectives and artistic states of mind.
WHAT KIND OF VISUAL IDENTITY DOES THE LABEL HAVE (ARTWORK, VIDEOS ETC)?
The label was originally done with DIY design ethics with very basic labels before The Designers Republic took over the label visual identity for many years, as did We Are Vapour based in Leeds. We have since moved to an artist led approach to design where we work closely with the artist on their creative vision for the visual identity. This has led to using a few different designers and choosing which suits on a project-by-project basis.
NAME ONE RELEASE THAT YOU THINK DESERVED TO GET MORE ATTENTION THAN IT DID
Debukas is an artist from Scotland who made a fantastic album on the label called ‘I am Machinery’ back in 2013.
It still sounds great but it’s all about being in the right place at the right time. Definitely recommend discovering it still if you missed it the first time…
IF YOU COULD SIGN ANY ARTIST, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
Aphex Twin, Richard D. James needs no introduction or explanation…
WHICH OTHER LABELS DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?
Central Processing Unit from Sheffield for their incredibly consistent output, design and integrity.
Electro Records from Madrid for the unbelievable handcrafted work they put into every single aspect of making a record.
Furthur Electronix also have superb taste in design and music.
WHAT CAN WE LOOK TO FROM YOUR LABEL NEXT?
20/20 Vision has been really productive in lockdown: We’re been working on a series called Exit Planet Earth focusing on electro, breaks and space funk which has been flying out of Juno on vinyl. The latest edition (EPE05) featuring; Carl Finlow, Plant43, Mr.Ho & Xiaolin and Alfred is out now with EPE06/07 available to pre-order on Juno.
Of course we’re also well known for house & techno as well and as clubs return we’ll have some killer tracks for DJs boxes coming on a new label curated by Luther Vine (Phonica) called Fragments of Reality so watch out for those…