Archaeologists are digging up relics from thousands of years ago – making references and drawing conclusions about those cultures. What would people think when they find items like the ones from your archive?
What a messy fucker! Erratic – good Blade runner collection and 2001, but yeah someone who had far too much time on his hands!
What have you got planned for the 21st Anniversary?
We’re doing book with Rizzoli (Urban Archaeology), and doing a series of events. Some re-releases of classic Mo’Wax Records, and doing new collaborations with many of people we have worked with over the years. Art Shows, gigs, clothing, sneakers, lots of projects.
Tell us about Kickstarter and the Mo’Wax film in planning?
We need money to be able to produce an amazing exhibition to tour around the World, so are asking for the support of Mo’Wax fans old and new to donate a little in order to get the project moving. Unfortunately after 20 years, I have walked out with very little, whilst I do have possessions, I need help to do this.
Have you got full control of Mo’Wax now, and if so what are the plans for the label?
I did a deal with AM, and then did a deal with XL. I hired Nick Huggett (Island Records) who signed Adele and MIA; they changed the face of British music. These connections all happened through Mo’Wax - Richard Russell from XL used to come to our office. In terms of Mo’Wax I have the name and am considering my options, taking one step at a time.
What were the highs and lows when running Mo’Wax?
Highs: Being able to make your dreams come true, working with some truly gifted people, and sharing that experience.
Lows: Since I was 18 years old I have always had people working for me – dealing with the politics of running a record label, and that was something I wasn’t very good at dealing with.
Did any tracks go unreleased, and will they see the light of day this year?
1000s, whether they get released, wait and see…
What are your favourite releases on Mo’Wax and why?
Entroducing (DJ Shadow) was arguably one of the best records of the last 20 years for what it stands for. Things on Headz, Richie Hawtin’s La Funk Mob remix (Motorbass), and Major Force was massive for me thing for me on a personal level.
How did the ‘Gonz Priest’ collaboration happen?
We had a relationship with Mark. I was sponsored by Slam City Skates and it sort of came out of that. Will Bankhead was one of the best skaters in the UK, and Giovanni Estevez was a great friend from Supreme, so a lot of connections.
I did the first ever Aaron Rose show outside of America too, so always had a relationship with the skate scene.
Any funny/crazy stories you can tell us about the Mo’Wax Years?
It’s all morphed into one! The things I liked were going to The Sound Factory in New York for the first time, or going to see Massive Attack DJ at Bagley’s (London). Going to see Carl Craig in Detroit, or going to The Cave for the first time to see Takagi-kan or Hiroshi DJ. And of course Fabric (London), it was the lunatics running the asylum, much more lawless and culturally free back then. Smoking a blunt in LA with Jules and Futura, things like that. Sorry, the most important gig I went to see was Soul II Soul versus Shock Soundsystem, when I was 14 which was Ashley Beedle’s crew.
What labels/music/designers, etc. are you excited about at the moment. Anyone young/new who is similar to the folks you worked with 20 years ago?
I think Will Bankhead’s (Palace Skateboards) doing some amazing things; he’s really come into his own. Other than that, I don’t really label watch anymore.