Music
Glasgow's best record labels
A city at electronic music's cutting edge, Glasgow's record labels are thriving. Here are 8 local imprints you should know about.
Glasgow continues to defy expectation through its creative output, and thanks to the work of the city's iconic artists and imprints, it is firmly at the forefront of the UK's electronic scene. From genre-bending collectives to long-running techno stalwarts, these eight independent record labels are pushing Glasgow's music to dizzying new heights.
1. 12th Isle
The enigmatic 12th Isle crew operate an effective policy of quietly marking their own distinct territory in the Glaswegian music scene, favouring quality over quantity with their releases and parties. Each record is as immersive as the next, from a stunning RAMZi LP to a playful EP from Danish duo Palta Og Ti På Den Tolvte Ø. Last year, co-founder FergusClark also teamed up with JD Twitch (of Optimo) to curate Miracle Steps (Music From The Fourth World 1983–2017) – a compilation devoted to innovative electronic sounds from across the globe.
2. Dixon Avenue Basement Jams
As the name suggests, DABJ started out from humble beginnings in a basement on Glasgow’s Dixon Avenue. In recent years they have nurtured countess local talents on the label, including man of the moment Denis Sulta, as well as building an impressive reputation as DJs themselves and touring worldwide. Current poster boy Big Miz sent shockwaves through the scene last year with his debut full length Build/Destroy – a refreshing marriage of classic jacking house and hard hitting percussive basslines that not only breathed new life into the Glaswegian scene, but also made the global community sit up and take note.
3. LuckyMe
Not just a record label, Glasgow’s LuckyMe is the epitome of what it means to be a creative collective. In just over a decade, LuckyMe has grown to be a global force in music and art and represents a jewel in Scotland’s thriving creative industry, with key players on the roster including the beat maker’s beat maker Hudson Mohawke and esteemed DJ and designer Eclair Fifi. One prime example of the the LuckyMe creative ethos is Jacques Greene who, alongside releasing a slew of supple and melodic dance floor anthems last year, has also collaborated on projects with fashion designer Rad Hourani and London's Tate Modern.
4. Numbers
Starting out as a series of parties across the city in 2003, Numbers the label was formed in 2010 after the merger of three local imprints: Wireblock, Dress 2 Sweat and Stuff. In the years since, Numbers have given light to a wide spectrum of electronic music tastes, with past artists including SOPHIE, Jamie xx, even Ghetto House pioneer DJ Deeon. The parties haven't stopped though; they continue to host events everywhere from Sub Club to Berlin's Panorama Bar, and recently marked their return to Glasgow's Art School with a stellar line-up of Helena Hauff, Batu, Giant Swan and more.
Optimo at the Pequño Espacio
© Steve Stills
5. Optimo Music
A fair reflection of the evergreen and encyclopaedic musical tastes of JD Twitch and JG Wilkes, their decision to translate the openminded approach – embodied in their past Optimo (Espacio) parties – into a label has been fruitful to say the least. Like every good Optimo event, there’s a bit of everything here, including early releases from Scottish synth pop duo Free Love under their Happy Meals moniker, and the Split EP from the late Muslimgauze that had Gerd Janson on remixing duties. Also incorporated into Optimo Music is So Low, a subsidiary label and semi regular party run with the help of another local favourite Becky Marshall, aka Ribeka, among others.
6. Soma
While it may be said that Glasgow’s underground scene has grown to encompass vastly varied interpretations of electronic music, it would be a supreme disservice to forgo mentioning techno stalwarts Soma. Founded by local legends Slam and Dave Clarke, Soma has grown to become the well oiled machine that it is today, churning out quality techno revered by the masses. Their recent Soma Track Series saw seven Slam releases from the likes of Richie Hawtin and Green Velvet, while the label’s Return to Mono nights at Sub Club champion global big hitters with no holds barred energy.
7. Stereotone
The brainchild of much loved hero of the Glaswegian scene Jonathan Fernandez, aka Wheelman, Stereotone is a label and club night that champions fun above all else. Its wonderfully varied debut EP in 2016 brought together an ensemble dream team consisting of Bleaker (who also recently put out a release on Numbers under his new project name, Perko), Big Miz (credited as Miz), modular aficionado The Burrell Connection, and Wheelman himself. Ending their long running residency at La Cheetah last year, recent parties have been at the Art School, with past guests including NTS Radio royalty in Peach and Moxie.
8. FUSE
Though not strictly a record label in the traditional sense, FUSE have made a considerable impact in Glasgow both through their events and their weekly mix series. A relatively new enterprise in itself, created by Holly McGowan and Sofya Staune of VAJ.Power, FUSE is a thriving network of audiovisual workshops and parties thrown for and curated by, in their words, "those who identify as queer, trans*, POC, BAME, womxn and femme”. Their mix series provides an invaluable platform to countless creative forces, and kicked off last September with a high-energy release from 2centavos. They've been gathering serious momentum ever since.
NEXT: Read about Glasgow's best record shops
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