For today’s Label Focus, we’re going to be taking a look at the London techno/bass/electronica label Svetlana Industries.
Definitely not one for the indie or folk fans this one, but if you’re interested in finding out a bit more about the darker, heavier and more interesting side of the London club scene then maybe this could be the one for you!
I had a bit of a chat with boss of the label Toby Brundin who formed the label…
So Mr. Toby headman of Svetlana Industries, welcome to the second Label Focus feature at The Descrier.
Thank you Anthony Chalmers
For those who might not have come across the label before at all. Tell us a bit about the label.
Svetlana Industries is a still born pony of a label that belongs in a fucking museum. It exists as a living tribute to an old Belgrade socialite who still totters around on ancient heels and whom we love very much
How would you describe the label musically?
Musically?
Oooh. Dubstep influenced originally, electronicky, occasionally hazy, sometimes dancy
Yes, so I was going to mention the label originally started in Serbia and now you’re here. Who was your first release? Who inspired you from over there?
Our first release was by a guy called Filter Cutter. It was a squelchy dubstep workout with a phat Ramadanman remix on the flip.
We followed that with the Teebs & Jackhigh record that went pretty big in an underground way.
I think it terms of inspiration it was definitely Svetlana herself, this aforementioned lady who basically “yes” or “no”s the repertoire – she’s the guiding light.
Glad to clear that up on the source of the labels Powers! How about Nightwave? Did you start working with her in Serbia and then you guys both relocated? I’m definitely a big fan…
Well, Maya’s from Slovenia, which is also former Yugoslavia but a separate country from Serbia. They’re closer to Italy, arguably a bit more Europeanised, and their language is a little different as well. She actually got in touch with us, I think it was quite near the start, and it went from there. She’s a model for us all really. She just said to herself, and the rest of the world, I’m going to become a good DJ and I’m going to make a decent go of this and here she is a year later touring the US and getting raved about at Sonar – it’s good taste and hard work.
What have you got on currently? A new Microburst record right?
We have got: the debut from Microburst just out; followed by a Kelpe EP about to drop; then an EP from or new signing Tropics with hopefully a DJ Rashad remix on which I’m stoked about; followed by possibly another Nightwave EP, which will be nice. Also, the first two releases on our Woetone sublabel should finally see the light of day in the next 6 weeks.
There’s also a debut from an artist called Lotide and a split from Ssaliva (Cupp Cave) and Wanda Group. Other stuff on Woetone is all quite weird and psych and organic and it’s going to be a quite different kind of sound. when God makes more time I’m going to buy some and more things are going to happen.
Anything else to report?
We’ve also got a new night starting in The Alibi this Thursday which is going to be lighthearted and sweaty. We’ve got a good line-up for the first one, a headliner who I can’t name for exclusivity reasons but it’s OUR NEW SIGNING (see above), plus Dynooo from Surf Kill, Brey and myself.
Thanks very much for having the chat!
Anthony Chalmers is a freelance music booker & runs independent record label Robot Elephant Records
