It’s a difficult time for independent music.
What with the rise of illegal downloading, the problems facing the British high street and, y’know, rioters burning entire back catalogues simply getting by is mighty difficult.
Which is why it’s heartening to witness the progress of Memphis Industries. Founded by brothers Ollie and Matt Jacob, the Brighton based imprint has built up an eclectic roster which emphasises talent over hype.
Recently reaching the ripe old age of 13, Memphis Industries decided to host a one off show in London named Lucky Thirteen. Taking place on November 30th, the line up includes appearances from The Go! Team, Field Music, Dutch Uncles, Colourmusic and more.
Sitting down with Ollie and Matt Jacob, ClashMusic asked the sibling team to talk us through 13 years of supporting new music. In return, we got a rather lovely Spotify playlist and these words of wisdom.
Listen to the Spotify Playlist here.
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Blue States – Your Girl
This track, from I think our fourth 12” release back in 1999 took a Ye Ye Sample from an old Greek record, spun some honey and magic around it, and perhaps made us realise that it was time to grow up and get on with releasing an album.
The Go! Team – Ladyflash
This was the first track on the 13 track demo that Ian Go! Team sent through in 2002, and with very little being added to it before its release in 2004, was one of those tracks that just kept going. One of our fondest memories is the chaotic 10 minute version they did at Fuji Rock in 2005 with the entire field going nuts. Hurrah!
Dungen – Panda
So Dungen made one of the greatest albums ever, Ta Det Lungt. That’s just a fact. And we were lucky enough to release it and be close to its Swedish psychedelic majesty. Presaged by an awesome drum solo, it matters not a bit that you can’t understand Swedish, with a melody and movement that is untouchable. Did we mention we quite like this song?
Absentee – Something to Bang
Perhaps the closest long time Memphis associate Dan Michaelson has come to a hit. We shared a tremendous love of booze with Absentee and this song brings back memories of pub tables stacked high with empty pint glasses.
The Pipettes – Pull Shapes
Wogan played it. Wogan. Unbelievable. Now to be found advertising feminine hygiene products en France (the song, not Wogan). Pull Shapes was, no is, a truly pristine Brill building inspired pop moment. Mind you they should have taken our advice and entered it for Eurovision.
Tokyo Police Club – Your English Is Good
We picked up these Canucks on their inspired debut mini-album, A Lesson in Crime but this was our favourite 3 minutes from them. Initially released as a standalone 7” in the summer of 2007, it encapsulated the joyous clap along flagwaving chant alongs that were their early shows. Zesty.
Field Music – In Context
When we first heard In Context we didn’t appreciate just how good a song it was. But the genius lay in the ebb and flow, the juxtaposition of the Timbaland-esque beats with David Brewis’ sinewy guitar line and the surprise bass solo at the end. Brewis’ we salute you.
The Ruby Suns – Kenya Dig It?
As we await Ryan McPhun’s fourth album (and by the sound of what we’ve heard so far it’s a triumph), this poorly monikered but quite splendid track is a reminder of why we at Memphis remain so heavily under The Ruby Suns spell.
Dutch Uncles – The Ink
The track that hooked us on Dutch Uncles, it’s exhortation to “Think Tall”, its stuttering bass in the breakdown, and the way it piles back in at the end gets us every time. Currently working on the follow up to their Memphis debut album Cadenza whilst also becoming scarily great live, Duncles have only just got going.
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo
Our second Kiwi signings, and by god what a 2011 they’ve had over here in the UK, culminating in a Later… with Jools appearance. Lead by duel frontmen Samuel F Scott and Lucas Buda, they are a band that reminds us why it’s so great to be able to do what we do here at Memphis. Great music, great people, great times.
Hooray For Earth – True Loves
As we speak the album from which this is taken is a way off being released over here, but by god this track is a monster. The scary thing is everything off the album sounds like a hit, albeit one that’s been taken down a dark alley and beaten with a big stick. About to hit these shores for the first time at the end of November, we have a good feeling about these guys.
So that’s it. So many songs and artists we’ve left out, and we thank them one and all for the joy they’ve brought our way. After all, as far as we are concerned, there is nothing more self indulgent than running your own record label. And long may it continue.
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Fancy heading along to KOKO tomorrow night (November 30th) for Lucky Thirteen? Buy tickets HERE.
