Label Talk with SATO Records
Breakbeat, melodic house and electronica… Say no more!
Melodic Diggers has been supporting new & rising talents and brands from its very first days, which is why we are very happy to introduce you today to a new label from Belgium: SATO Records. We were lucky to listen to the first releases in avant-première, and thought they were very fresh and promising. Our curiosity brought us to interview the label owner and hear a bit more about this project.
HEY Thomas, THANKS FOR CHATTING WITH US TODAY. FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE CURIOUS ABOUT THIS NEW LABEL. WHO IS BEHIND IT, HOW DID THE CREATION HAPPEN AND WHAT WAS THE IDEA FOR THIS PROJECT?
Hello everyone, and thank you for this interview! Behind SATO is me, Lumoon, an electronic music producer. As a big fan of electronic music, I initially launched the Clair de Lune Records label with my two friends, Robin and David in 2013. This label was more oriented towards deep house, funk, and disco. We were students at the time and were very active in Belgium and abroad for a few years. Once our respective careers took off, it became challenging for us to keep up the pace, and CDL gradually faded out. However, even though I found fulfillment in my daily career as an architect, I missed music enormously. Today, I've decided to come back as a solo artist. I've evolved, and so has my musical style. I'm now a big fan of electronica, breakbeat, and melodic house - eclectic styles, just like the label, which isn't trying to define itself by a single style but rather to open up to several different worlds, all with the same aim: to convey a strong emotion to the public.
WHY THE NAME ‘SATO RECORDS’?
Unfortunately, I don't really have an original story to tell you. I was looking for a label name that was minimalist and easy to remember. After brainstorming many possibilities, SATO popped into my head. I thought it sounded great and fit in perfectly with my stage name, Lumoon.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC ARE YOU AIMING TO RELEASE?
Electronica, breakbeat, melodic house
IF YOU SHOULD DESCRIBE THE SOUND OF THE LABEL IN 3 WORDS
Emotional - Club - Culture
COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PRODUCERS YOU ALREADY SIGNED & THE FIRST RELEASES ON YOUR IMPRINT?
The SATO family now includes several artists from different backgrounds: Martin Herrs, Tayak, Ignatia, Phunkadelica, Senses of Mind, Solemn Eye, Guillöme, Vernon Bara, Martin Sao Pedro, Mokhsah, and many more to be announced.
They are all emerging artists in the electronic music world. The idea is that we can evolve together within SATO and in the world of nightlife. Although it may sound utopian, I would really like SATO to be a family in which we can exchange ideas and grow together. I'm not looking for big names. My aim is to find artists who have enormous potential. I believe in them and their talent.
We currently have 7 releases signed. The seventh will be out before the summer, and it will be our first various artists' album, entitled Emotional Club Culture - Vol. 1.
YOU JUST RELEASED TAYAK'S "DELIRIUM TREMENS", A SAVANT BREAKBEAT EP, THAT WE PREMIERED ON MELODIC DIGGERS. COULD YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THIS RELEASE?
I met Tayak during my studies. We weren't in the same faculty, but we had several friends in common.
After losing touch for a while, I found him again recently when I learned that he was venturing into electronic music himself. We had extensive conversations, and he expressed a desire to join the SATO family by creating a track that embodies the label's essence. The result is 'Delirium Tremens,' a breakbeat electronica single. Although the title may sound to many Belgians like the name of a famous beer, it's actually the name of the illness that Tayak wanted to draw attention to. Tayak is a doctor and, in that capacity, had to assist a fellow surgeon in overcoming addiction. It was with this story in mind that he came up with the idea for 'Delirium Tremens.'
This single will then be accompanied by three remixes, offering totally different perspectives, just as our eclectic label intends to. Tayak wanted a remix by Senses of Mind. Even if SATO doesn't intend to expand into melodic techno, it was important to listen to the wishes of the artist who contributed such a significant single to the label. As I mentioned earlier, the most important thing is to encourage collaboration. 'Delirium Tremens' has just been released and has already made its mark on the charts in a very short time.
We're very proud of it!
A QUESTION ABOUT THE SCHEDULE OF A NEW LABEL: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO PREPARE THE FIRST EPS BEFORE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING THE LABEL, AND HOW MANY RELEASES PER YEAR ARE YOU PLANNING TO PUT OUT?
Firstly, I had to create my new musical identity, and it took me over 3 years to find the direction that suited me. Then, I had to take the plunge because I believe I'll continue to explore my musical identity throughout my career. It took an enormous amount of time because I was accustomed to composing with Rob!n for all our creations, and we each had our own roles. Thus, it was challenging for me to compose on my own. After much discussion with Rob!n and David, I decided to go solo, and SATO Records was born one year later. I planned to produce between 6 and 12 releases a year. I don't intend on releasing more because I want to take the time to promote them properly, which requires a lot of work. We'll see how things evolve in the future, of course.
WITH SO MANY LABELS AND RELEASES OUT THERE, WHAT MORE DO YOU AIM TO BRING TO THE SCENE THANKS TO SATO RECORDS?
At the moment, I don't know how the label is going to develop, but I have no doubt about the SATO artists. All of us put our heart and soul into the label, and I hope that we'll manage to communicate strong emotions to the public, to touch them. We're fully committed because we're passionate about what we do, and we hope that all the releases and upcoming events will be able to convey all these ambitions to you. SATO Records is, first and foremost, a family label with a focus on community.
WOULD YOU AGREE THAT IT’S EASY TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT MUSIC LABEL NOWADAYS?
Yes, I agree that it's not complicated to set up an independent label these days. But the hardest part is making it last over the years. I'm going to put all my energy into ensuring that SATO Records achieves the goals I've set for it.
WE WERE CURIOUS ABOUT HOW YOU SELECT THE DEMOS THAT YOU RECEIVE. DO YOU ALSO ASK PRODUCERS TO SEND YOU SOME?
At the moment, I contact artists whose music world suits the SATO spirit. I listen to all the demos and send a message back to the artists to give them my opinion, even if the demo isn't what I'm looking for. If you're an artist and would like to send a demo, don't hesitate to do so at info@satorecords.com.
ABOUT ARTWORKS: WE’RE CURIOUS ABOUT WHO IS MAKING THE COVERS OF THE EPS, AND WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK WITH THEM. ARE YOU GOING TO WORK WITH A DIFFERENT ARTIST EVERY YEAR LIKE A LOT OF LABELS DO?
I'm currently working with Tommy Onraedt, a very talented motion designer. I discovered him thanks to the artworks he created for the Soul City concept, which is held at the Mirano in Brussels and across Belgium. I love the psychedelic feel of his covers and the colors he uses. For now, there are no plans to collaborate with other artists.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN 2024?
As I mentioned, we currently have 7 releases planned for 2024. Six of these are EPs, and the seventh will be our first various artists release entitled 'Emotional Club Culture - Vol. 1,' set to be released just before the summer. It will feature superb artists from a variety of backgrounds.
No releases are planned for this summer, so we'll be organizing a variety of shows to generate excitement around the sound of SATO. You'll be able to catch us at several new concepts and parties, including Les Hérésies d'Egmont near Mons (Belgium), Wide Open Air in Tarifa (Spain), and many other dates that are currently being arranged across Europe. We can't wait!
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