Werkdiscs announce partnership with Ninja Tune

This just in: Werkdiscs and Ninja Tune have just announced details of a partnership  – and you can get a free Actress track to celebrate.

The news comes as a surprise, but don’t worry you shouldn’t be seeing Mr Scruff on a Werkdiscs release anytime soon. The partnership seems to be similar to the role Ninja Tune play with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label, and essentially allows Werkdiscs to utilise the marketing and distribution muscle of a label with over twenty years of experience behind them. With Lukid working on his third studio LP, the amusingly titled Lonely At The Top, as well as Actress attempting to finalise a follow up to Hazyville, nominally entitled Ghettovile, such experience will undoubtedly help both artists and label reach a wider audience. A full press release circulated earlier today reads as follows:

“In 2012 Werkdiscs are proud to announce a working partnership with NINJA TUNE. It marks an important step in the evolution of the record label that started first releasing music in 2004. Werkdiscs was founded by Darren Cunningham (Actress) and Gavin Weale with Darren going on to independently direct the label up to now.

Werkdiscs began in 2004 with the idea of releasing bedroom material by up and coming artists that challenged the conventions of electronic music. The label initially achieved a modest following of electronic music enthusiasts but it was not until albums such as Actress’ Hazyville, Lukid’s Foma, Zomby’s 2008 release Where Were You In 92 and Lone’s Ecstasy and Friends that the label began to make international noise.  At that point to all it seemed the label had ceased production or release of artist’s material but after the release of Actress’ Splazsh on Honest Jon’s, in summer 2010, Darren saw it as the right time to refocus and consider future plans for Werkdiscs.

Now, with Lukid preparing to release his third studio album, Lonely At The Top, and with Actress finishing material for the sequel to Hazyville, to be entitled Ghettoville – that will be released as a double album encompassing both periods scheduled for early next year – the opportunity to work alongside one of the most respected independent UK record labels presents a strong foundation for the next steps in Werkdisc’s evolution.

This relationship also presents the label with an opportunity to further connect with up and coming artists who are operating today in further cultivating ideas on the conventions of electronic music.  Whilst Darren was touring and performing during the release of Splaszh, he has been fortunate enough to meet like minded artists and form connections with different sounds and cultures that has re-ignited a passion that started in 2004 to present music that contributes to today’s drive for new sounds.”

You can grip the three tracks playing at once poise of “Metamorphosis” by Actress here.