Possibly the finest UK indie to have grown up over the last 10 years Moshi Moshi is the baby of Michael McClatchey and Stephen Bass, purveyor of a particular delightful and uniquely warped musical palette.
Having proudly unearthed and gambled over the dawn of Hot Chip, Kate Nash, The Rakes and Bloc Party you couldn’t argue with their A+R. These acts have all but flown to majors but Moshi would never get bitter – they have far too many incredible acts to unleash into the wonky fields of musical glee.
Their 10 year celebrations look set to last all year. Starting on Feb 2nd they present PUSH at the Mean Fiddler with Hot Club de Paris, The Mae Shi, Slow Club, Moshi DJs.
Next up is PUSH on Feb 12th at the Royal Albert Hall as part of a new initiative/series of events where independent labels are to host nights to bring new music to the venue.
…they have far too many incredible acts to unleash into the wonky fields of musical glee
Asked what his secret is; Michael responded: “Release what we love in a professional and considered manner keeping things true to the bands’ vision and how they want to be presented but also hopefully pushing them as far in their careers as possible. We try not to compromise. Its hard sometimes.”
Later in 2008, with their own distinct events, they’ll hit The Camden Crawl, The Great Escape in Brighton and three night residency at the ICA in London.
On a celebratory release level their singles club will continue unabated after already ushering Kate Nash, Late of the Pier, Friendly Fires, Matt & Kim, Danananaykroyd, Slow club through the doors.
Label Head Q+A:
Clash: Cruel but Life: describe Moshi Moshi in three sentences?
Michael Moshi: Youngish independently-minded, forward-thinking music company. Powered by passion, blind optimism and a quest to find and develop the music and acts we love to their maximum potential. an ongoing experiment in blurring the boundaries between work and play.
Clash: How did you settle on the name Japanese name Moshi Moshi?
Michael Moshi: We wrangled long and hard about a name for the label. And at the time we were trying to track down a couple of Japanese DJs. So had to ring their parents in Tokyo and when they answered the phone they said “moshi moshi”. And that was our Eureka! moment. It just sounded right. And didn’t seem to have any obvious associations which we also liked. Because we don’t have any obvious associations.
Clash: What was the plan when you first decided to start?
Michael Moshi: We had no plan. It was just for fun. And in a way it all happened quite naturally. So that one day we took a step back and realised we’d built something good, in a fit of absent-mindedness.
Clash: Who are / have been your most successful artists over the last 10 years?
Michael Moshi: Hot Chip, Hot Club De Paris, Architecture In Helsinki, Tilly And The Wall. But we’ve also done singles with Kate Nash, Bloc Party, The Rakes who have all gone on to sell a lot of records (but for someone else unfortunately).
Clash: Most Renowned or Largest selling record on the label?
Michael Moshi: Album : Hot Chip – Coming On Strong. Single : Kate Nash – Caroline’s A Victim
Clash: What’s the biggest fish that got away?
Michael Moshi: Hot Chip.
Clash: What’s unique about Moshi?
Michael Moshi: I’m not sure if we’re unique. But if pushed – consistency, maybe?
Clash: You have a reputation for unearthing future legends … what’s your secret?
Michael Moshi: It’s all about truth and beauty!!!
Clash: What type of people comprise your audience?
Michael Moshi: Neerdowells and geeks. Sometimes I wonder if its mainly our friends. Its hard to say. I’d like to know. Music fans that don’t mind being challenged a little. I see it all as pop music though so I would like to think anyone can appreciate what we are doing. I mean if you take a little time to listen to it its really pretty easy. I get frustrated if people call what we release quirky. Or we get described as a hip label. Its completely missing the point. Its just good music that might occasionally sound a little different from the norm.
Clash: What’s the ethos behind the label?
Michael Moshi: Release what we love in a professional and considered manner keeping things true to the bands’ vision and how they want to be presented but also hopefully pushing them as far in their careers as possible. We try not to compromise. Its hard sometimes.
Clash: How would you describe the music which you release?
Michael Moshi: Secret pop music. Guilt-free pleasures.
Clash: What is the most challenging element facing your label?
Michael Moshi: Money, or the lack of it.
Clash: Do you work long term or short term with your artists?
Michael Moshi: As long as we can.
Clash: What is the most satisfying thing anyone has ever said to you about Moshi?
Michael Moshi: Last week on 6 music steve lamacq said the Moshi Singles club was the best record label in the UK over the last 18 months. That was nice.
Clash: How do you go about finding artists?
Michael Moshi: In the usual ways that anyone does these days, via mp3 blogs, myspace top friends, magazines. Also recommendations from friends and contacts. and increasingly we have a secret team of scouts operating around the country tipping us off about bands as and when they even think about getting together and writing their first song.
Clash: If you release any ones records – alive or dead who would it be and why?
Michael Moshi: ELO and Neil Diamond, Daft Punk and Lil Louis, The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine, Bob Dylan and Bill Callaghan, Pavement and the Flaming Lips, Dirty Projectors and the Hold Steady ‘cos we love them all and need them all.
Clash: What is the most important element to a successful label?
Michael Moshi: Knowing what you are doing, finding the right artists, attention to detail, belief and perseverance, treating people well, a level of honesty and discretion in what you do. Ultimately though, it has to be down to working with the right artists, as they are at the heart of what we do.
Clash: What have you coming up release wise?
Michael Moshi: New albums from The Mae Shi, The Wave Pictures, Hot Club De Paris. Singles club 7”s from Lykke Li and Dels, followed by a compilation of all the singles club release to date (including Kate Nash, Matt And Kim, Pacific!, Late Of The Pier, Slow Club, Friendly Fires…..)
Clash: What have you got planned for your birthday celebrations?
Michael Moshi: A whole year of special events. Starting with a Push Club hijack in January, then a special show at the Royal Albert Hall in Feb. Camden Crawl, The Great Escape, Moshi stages at some of the summer festivals, hopefully a special summer show in Iceland (our spiritual home) and finally three nights at the ICA in October featuring a selection of moshi bands past and present.
Clash: If could pick only three songs from your back catalogue for the rest of eternity which would they be?
Michael Moshi: That’s an evil question and impossible to answer but at the moment I would say ‘Now You Are Pregnant’ by the Wave Pictures, From ‘Drummer To Driver’ or maybe ‘Baby Said’ by Hot Chip and ‘Maybe You Can Owe Me’ by Architecture In Helsinki. or maybe ‘Fireworks’ by DNTEL. or ‘Nights Of The Living Dead’ by Tilly And The Wall. or ‘I Get (Almost) Everything I Want’ by the Mae Shi, or Alexi Taylor’s version of Au Revoir Simone’s ‘Sad Song’. Anything that has the all important combination of melancholy and joy wrapped up in something exciting sounding and different.
Clash: Who are the bright hopes for the next few years?
Michael Moshi: The Wave Pictures, The Mae Shi, Slow Club, Metronomy.
Clash: Why should people go out and support your label?
Michael Moshi: Because we care. And its tough out there running a label and you shouldn’t be bit torrenting as independent labels and also importantly our artists are suffering. Our work here isn’t yet done. So we need to keep going. Sadly we don’t have much in the way of financial buffers so it can get pretty hand to mouth at times but I hope people will support us because they love the music more than anything else!
Clash: Where would you like to be in 20 years time?
Michael Moshi: Living in a tower with an art gallery and recording studio as part of the sprawling complex with no worries and the ability to work with and help any musicians we want. And I want an electric car. And free apple products. We have nearly made it to ten years. If we are still going in 20 I will be overjoyed. We would love to have a Moshi Moshi festival at some point.
