Page 42 - Zone Magazine Issue 008

label spotlight - uk
Yin Yang is one of the world's 'premier' TECHNO and TECH HOUSE record label's and home to some of the world's biggest and best producers. Formed in 2014 and already punchin' above the more well established labels of the gendre.
You will find the biggest DJ's from all scene's have the black and white Yin Yang's in their collections. Zone's Alan Lumley talks to Pete.
So Pete, Yin Yang records have been one of the major forces in the techno and hard techno scene for the last couple years and really do release top hits consistently. But before we get into the here and now, tell us the history of Yin Yang and how it all began?
Yin Yang began in 2002. I had just won the ‘UK’s Best Independent Record Shop’ at the Muzik Magazine Awards. The record shop was one of the best shops in the world for Techno and I wanted to start my own techno label. I already owned and was running Tune Inn Records and a Hard house label called Neuro Communications.
My Pedro Delgardo name was blowing up and I needed a home for the name. Yin Yang was born.
You have had some excellent releases featuring Cristian Varela, Lisa Lashes, and Phutek to name a few. But thats is just some of the cream, you have a mass of top releases from some of the best in the business. What makes you tick as a label, to keep the label fresh and in demand?
I don’t follow any trends, I listen to the music and if I like it, I take it. I does not matter if they are a big name or not. Only what I like makes the label. I think that makes me an innovator.
So keeping fresh and in demand is down to me as an individual, so as long as I am looking to listen and play the fresh sounds I am likely to be signing the right stuff for the label. Which in turn keeps the label fresh and the sound in demand.
What tips would you give to aspiring producers wanting to get a track or EP signed by Yin Yang?
Most of all make sure the quality is high and the you sent it mastered. If its not mastered, you are sending me it unfinished. I don’t follow any particular style, just what I like, If I would play it out, then its good for the label. If I turn the track down, keep on submitting the tracks to the Yin Yang Demo Box. And
above all the biggest thing for the new producers is to remember and not rush to send out, make sure you are 100% happy that you have mixed down properly and the tracks are fully complete before submitting a demo.
http://yinyangrecords.co.uk/yin-
yang-demo-box/
How do you see music production changing in the future, in regards to formats and distribution. Of course in the last two decades we seen a shift from vinyl to CD to digital?
I used to be an advocate for Vinyl only. I would not make that change, then one day, I was like to keep being fresh and an innovator I need to make the change. We now only release in digital format as its the future. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I will be there to embrace it.
With so many artists and submissions coming though in a weekly basis, how do you keep up to date with the mass amount of work coming, how do you manage to juggle all this with releases, schedules, and your own work?
It is really hard, I just have to keep at it. Its a matter of trying to keep systems. I have to make to do lists and constantly update it and keep it fresh. Its about getting up early and basically getting shit done, everyday. Get it done, tick it off.
But at the end of the day I don’t complain as nothing comes for free or easy, and hard work pays off.
How important would you say it is to look at the current trends in music and try stay a step ahead by being experimental?
I don’t follow trends. Maybe we are trend makers.
Of course you are an artist yourself, walk us through your production process, and how your studio is set- up for your own productions?
My studio is Logic X. the most important thing is to have some good monitors positioned correctly. The sound
had to be right. I would start a track by throwing some loops together then adding a bassline, percussion and some synths.
Once I got the whole thing going I would then stretch it out into a track, progress from there. Think of it like building a house, once I have the foundations in place, its time to put all the bricks in the right place to finish of the project.
With so many releases yourself, what keeps you motivated, and in an ideal world who would you really like to collaborate with?
Just lately not had time to be in the studio so much. Motivation comes from the love of the music. Not really interested in collaborating, although Dualitik and Lorenzo D’ainni have been great.
With a wealth of experience over the years what have been some of your favourite moments/highlights?
Definitely playing at the Mexico Loveparade both times. Once in Mexico City (to half a million people, yeah I know) and Loveparade in Acapulco. Was fantastic playing on the floats across the golden beaches.
What exciting things can we expect from Yin Yang, and Pedro Delgardo over the next year?
Bombs, watch this space we have a mass amount of great artists signed to the label and I can only guarantee that we already have the next 6 months bangers lined up for release.
This includes some people that have already released on the label as well as some new fresh faces added to the Yin Yang family.
Connect:
http://yinyangrecords.co.uk/
Words By Alan Lumley
Pic By RD1 Photography
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