Label Focus – Shogun Audio
Two decades on and stronger than ever
It’s 20 years since Friction (pictured) and K-Tee set up the Shogun Audio stable, and in the two decades since it’s worked itself into the enviable position of being not only one of the drum & bass scene’s leading lights, but one of the most revered in the entire independent scene.
Shogun’s CEO K-Tee helps us celebrate the big two-oh by explaining a little more about this mighty warrior of a label.
WHO IS THE CORE TEAM BEHIND SHOGUN AUDIO?
Friction AKA Ed Keeley – Founder & Head Of A&R
K-Tee AKA Keir Tyrer – CEO
And a brilliant team of artists, creatives and label execs too many to mention.
WHEN & WHY DID THE LABEL START?
Launched by Friction in the summer of 2004 Shogun Audio came from a place of pure DIY passion. The first run of releases were all sourced, signed and released via Friction’s front room between DJ gigs and the actual bill-paying day jobs.
GIVE US A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU’VE RELEASED SINCE THEN….
Across our labels Shogun Audio and Elevate Records we have been responsible for breaking many of today’s drum & bass acts alongside a stellar list of collaborators including.
Friction, Noisia, Fatboy Slim, Alix Perez, Spectrasoul, Moby, Icicle, Rockwell, Technimatic, Freaks & Geeks, Emily Makis, Pola & Bryson, Basement Jaxx, Flowdan, Calibre, Break, Dimension, Lens, D-Bridge, Glxy, Monrroe, DJ Marky, Document One, DRS, Goddard, Kanine. Koven, Roni Size, Makus Intallex, Subsonic, Sota, Circadian, Macky Gee, Turno and many more.
WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE MUSIC YOU RELEASE?
The label ethos is ‘if its good music and we believe in it then we’ll back it to the upmost’
WHAT KIND OF VISUAL IDENTITY DOES THE LABEL HAVE (ARTWORK, VIDEOS ETC) ?
One of the strengths of Shogun Audio as a brand is the visual identity we have built for the brand over the last 20 years. Inspired by classic Japanese iconography this identity permeates everything we do from release artwork to music videos to digital marketing, events visuals, website etc
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SELLING RELEASE TO DATE? TELL US A BIT ABOUT IT AND THE REASONS BEHIND WHY IT WAS SO POPULAR.
Over the last 20 Years we have been fortunate to have many releases that have been very well received. However if we are to pick a recent track we have had some good success with a 2023 tune ‘Phoneline’ by Emily Makis and Pola & Bryson.
This song captivated the entire scene, cementing itself as their biggest release to date, picking up immense streaming and radio support, as well as being dubbed by many as 2023’s d&b anthem. It’s always difficult to be specific as to why one track is more ‘popular’ than the next but in this case, it’s a banging track with an incredible and relatable vocal performance from Emily, we knew from the moment we heard it that it was a special song.
NAME ONE RELEASE THAT YOU THINK DESERVED TO GET MORE ATTENTION THAN IT DID
There are so many tracks that deserve to get attention it’s impossible to say why some connect and some don’t however our job as a label is to support the music we love and give every release the best chance of success.
IF YOU COULD SIGN ANY ARTIST, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
We’ve always had a special place in our hearts for The Prodigy, in many ways they are part of the reason we do what we do.
WHICH OTHER LABELS DOES SHOGUN ADMIRE AND WHY?
We admire many of the indie labels who are out there making their mark but especially trailblazers like Defected, XL Records and Ninja Tune who are some of the best to consistently do it in the independent world.
WHAT CAN WE LOOK TO FROM SHOGUN NEXT?
We are just embarking on our 20 Years Of Shogun Audio campaign. You can expect music including ten original tracks and ten remixes of some of the classics from the extended Shogun Audio family. We’ll be doing an anniversary collectors box set, vinyl, coffee table book, clothing ranges, and a full UK, EU, Australia & New Zealand and USA tour.. keep on the lookout for details coming your way!