New label Protect Audio aims to focus on the deep and the dark in drum & bass. They are hooking up with some interesting, talented names and are giving them a push into the marketplace. We had a chat with Pete Callaghan, the man behind the label, to get the skinny on upcoming releases, and what the label wants to do next.

Tell us about the new label, and what its aims and hopes are...
Protect Audio is new imprint owned by Pete Callaghan. The idea for the label has been brewing for a good year now, but the planning, the backbone and which producers to include has taken its time. The idea of the label is to release drum & bass that has a distinct ‘old-skool’ feel to it, but featuring a modern neuro-esque twist. Suppose the main goals for the label are for people to appreciate the music that Protect Audio is releasing. Within the next year I hope Protect Audio will have a nice catalogue of non-disposable drum & bass that people can still enjoy. In the future it would be cool to get some events on the go as well.

What are some of the artists who are involved?
Marukomu is the main priority at the moment. I’ve been aware of Malc (Marukomu)’s productions for long time now and always wanted to release something of his. His productions sound amazing and have this organic raw sound to them, which people are really enjoying. He’s been very consistent with his music for the last couple of years and has many releases, but I wanted to push him one step further and get him the exposure that he needs. Protect have got a good PR team behind the label, so between us we can hopefully achieve some good publicity for him. Protect have also snapped up another tune from Marukomu, for our next release PA002.

Homemade Weapons is another producer that Protect are working with, his music technicality is ginormous and I’ve just signed 3 tunes by him. His tunes will be on our next release, so keep your peepers peeled.  

Another producer Protect Audio has been chatting to is Mono. His music quality is incredible and he really pushes himself on every track. His music will also appear PA’s next release, so look out for it!

Does the label have a 'sound'?
The sound Protect Audio is aiming for is something that you may have heard around 10-15 years ago but with a new modern twist. Ideally bass-heavy with lots of twisting synth-lines, oh and the steppy drums! This is why Protect wanted Marukomu on the first release as he achieves both of them features, and a lot more. Saying that, music does evolve pretty fast, so we’re not going to pigeonhole ourselves completely into one sub-genre. But, there will not be any dubstep on this label...

Tell us about the first couple of releases...
First up on the label we have Marukomu with the tracks Visions and Ganymede. Visions and Ganymede are both hard-hitting minimal tracks with massive twisting basslines. We’re all pretty excited for the release as all the tracks have been getting some amazing feedback from the public as well as top DJs. We got Eleven8 on the remix for ‘Visions’ as his approach to drum & bass is very unique and melodic. He has really pushed the boat out on this remix and has taken the original to a new direction. Mono has also delivered an impressive remix for Ganymede, and has added some new craziness to the track. So yeah, PA001 is sounding tasty!

As for the next release we’re planning a various artists LP, or it might be split into two EPs. The artists on the LP/EP are Marukomu, Mono, Homemade Weapons, Overlook, Congress and some others, which we’re still confirming. If you keep an eye out on the Facebook page we will announce more info nearer the time. We’re really looking forward to letting everyone hear what we have been up to! Hopefully it will not disappoint. Protect Audio have some other bits lined up, but you’ll have to wait to find out.

How does label's ethos fit within the current d&b scene?
Honestly, I hope it fits in very well. We know there is a lot of drum & bass about at the moment, so this is why we needed something that isn’t following the current commercial sound/crowd. Every release on PA will be carefully planned and promoted so it doesn’t get sucked into the blackhole of NI massive patches. In all seriousness, PA’s forthcoming music is wicked; you’d be bananas not to like it!  

 

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