Get to know: Albion Forever

Albion Forever is a London based producer fronting his own imprint, Albion Records, since launching five years ago as a vinyl-only label to support releases from himself and a network of close-knit producers and selectors. 

Aside from an extensive back catalogue covering minimal house right up to a more driving sound bordering on techno, the independent imprint stands out as a solid platform to support a host of electronic talent from the UK and beyond. 

Ahead of his return to the club on Saturday, August 4th for our Eastern Electrics Official Afterparty with Matador, Guti, Mella Dee, Spencer Parker, Brawther and more, we caught up with Albion Forever to hear about the latest news from the label, the ups and downs of running a vinyl only platform and what else is in store for both himself and the label over the next few months. 

We presume the moniker Albion Forever stems from your record label, Albion Records. What’s the sound of Albion Records? The imprint’s Facebook bio states it’s been ‘Going out of business since 2012…’ But it’s still here in 2018… 

Yeah, the name stems from the label, not sure if it’s very informative but it seemed more imaginative than sticking the DJ moniker in front of a random inanimate object as we see these days. We’ve been dipping in and out of business, we don’t tend to make much money from the records and like to spend our meagre profits on intoxicants - but somehow we’ve kept afloat in the sea of labels these days. It’s pretty hard to define the sound - a lot of our releases have been off-kilter, minimal but we’ve also had a lot of house over the years and some tunes teetering on techno. Basically, if we hear and it’s mustard we'll release it. 

Considering it’s a vinyl only label, what are the positives and negatives of running an independent, wax orientated imprint?

Negatives are definitely the costs and the time taken from hearing the tune to release. The shortest turnaround to being 12 weeks if you’re switched on and up to a year if you are unorganised pissheads like us. The positives are that you can brag about running a vinyl only label, which only 91% of the population in East London can boast.  

As Albion Forever, how have the last few months been? Any upcoming releases and events from yourself or the label which we should look out for? 

It’s been busy with our dates in London and at our residency in Leeds, we’ve had pretty much all our favourite DJs like Francesco Del Garda, Onur Ozer, Max Vaahs, Andrew James Gustav play and that list continues. 

Release-wise we’ve been working on our special tenth release which has the likes of Harry Mcanna, Christian Jay, Cedric Dekowski, Phil Evans, TC80, Christian Ab and our own Jordan Magee featuring amongst others. This is another one which has been in the works for months and I’ll be happy to get this one out finally! 

You’re playing alongside Mella Dee, Brawther and Spencer Parker in our Basement hosted by Ibiza Voice on August 4th, will it be your first time playing with these guys? 

Mella Dee is flourishing at the moment, he seems to be cropping up everywhere. I’ve known Brawther and Mella Dee for years and both are Yorkshire lads technically. 

I’ve had many parties in Leeds over the years with Brawther the Frenchman, who has adopted Yorkshire as his home away from home but it will be the first time playing together I think. Really looking forward to spinning with all the guys and Mella Dee is gigging like a man possessed at the moment!  

Leave us with three records from the label which are likely to make an appearance on August 4th and why? 

Not sure I will play so many on the label, I’m not sure I’m that narcissistic haha, but here goes...

Gab Jr. - Drunk & Disorderly [Albion Records ‎– ALB 009] 

One of the latest ones from Gab Jr, the whole EP is killer and rarely leaves the bag. 

Herki – Demarc

One of my favourite releases from Muanda and Cedric Dekowski who are both killing it at the moment. Played it loads over the years and is a great track to throw in to change gears whilst warming things up.   

3rd if there is one, will be an unreleased one from the forthcoming EP so no sharing I’m afraid, you’ll just have to follow us to hear in the coming weeks... - https://soundcloud.com/albionrecords