Buzzin' Fly is to cease releasing new music, instead becoming an archive only label.
Founded by Ben Watt ten years ago, Buzzin' Fly established a reputation as one of the finest independent labels in the country. Focussing on left field beats and electronica, the imprint developed an idiosyncratic viewpoint in line with Watt's own sets.
Sadly, though, it seems that the label is now set to come to an end. In a short statement Ben Watt has outlined his intentions to turn Buzzin' Fly into an archive only label, retaining its current output but not releasing new material.
Sister imprint Strange Feeling will suffer a similar fate, although the label will be kept open to release Tracy Thorne's output. Sad times, although fans should take cheer from a proposed series of deluxe anthologies, beginning with 'Buzzin' Fly Anthology, Vol 1, 2003-2004' on April 22nd.
"I loved every minute," says label boss and founder Ben Watt, "but all good things come to an end. It simply feels like the right moment. Buzzin' Fly was born out of my commitment to the culture of DJing and helping young artists, but these days I am edging away from it towards other challenges – a new book I'm writing, research for another one, and a long-planned solo music project."
"At heart I have always been a creative person – whether as a writer or musician – as opposed to a business person, and after ten years in clubs and in the office I need time again to focus fully on my own stuff rather than other people's."
"It feels appropriate to stop now in our tenth year and leave the label with, I hope, a strong reputation for what it has managed to achieve, rather than to continue with a muted presence. Someone asked why I couldn't hand over the reins to someone else, but I don't think it would ever have been the same. In the meantime, I hope my ongoing show for BBC 6Music's 6Mix can still be a distilled showcase for some of the great music I come across. You never know, there might even be another imprint one day."
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Photo Credit: Vickie Parker
