Make Mine

Make Mine is a record label inspired by a record store worker from High Wycombe. 'we started a 7" label called Mustrard Records spurred on by a girl who worked in Scorpion Records' says Manish Arora. She'd told them how easy it was and decided to give it a go. 'Turns out it wasn't easy enough for us to do it well. Mustard records managed three releases, two plays on Radio 1 and a one letter from John Peel'. The current label was born from the ashes of Mustard, 10 years later. 'I guess Make Mine was born out of stubbornness, old dreams and an obsession with trying to spread the word on new artists regardless if anyone wants to listen' he says.

Some things haven't changed. Make Mine still releases 7", mirroring the designs of countless other little labels. There are downloads too, so is it just a vanity thing? 'maybe it is a fad' they laugh. 'I started buying 7" as they were cheap ana great way to sample new bands. I guess you don't need them these days but I still feel '7" attract a more adventurous and inquisitive music fan. That's my kind of fan'. But isn't it a bit elitist? 15 year olds "getting into" independent music aren't always going to have vinyl decks at hand. Doesn't it keep the music in a handful of obsessives? 'Well that's [the inquisitive music fan] how I romanticise it anyway, it's better than thinking there's a bunch of indie elite buying them to sell for a profit on ebay. There's also DIY aspect to 7's that appealed to me and may do to others, for instance each Make Mine comes with a wrap around cover with a fold down corner hand folded by me or my wife. Hopefully people appreciate that kinda attention to detail."

But Make Mine don't always do it themselves. They collaborate with other labels, releasing artists that may have released other records elsewhere or go on to do so. In the past they've put out The Books, Dent May and everyone's best friend, Gold Panda. The label doesn't subscribe to any one style or sound but do they find it difficult not having their 'own' artists? "It's never been a goal to own an artist or their recordings and have them soley associated with Make Mine" says Manish "What's the point? I'm not trying to make money of the artist, there's a billion other labels they can go to feel owned. I'd much rather work with, help or support another label than compete with them".


What have you got coming up?
Working on a few other collaborative projects, hopefully a ltd digital label with a friend at Rough Trade, but that might be taking on too much. I've still gotta a lot of work to do on Make Mine and making sure the artists we work with get noticed enough.

What other labels inspire you and why?
Simple Machines, Teenbeat, K, Kill Rock Stars, Merge records not simply for the music they put out but also for their community focused way and their inclusiveness. They would actively encourage people to do what they were doing, I think Simple Machines even put out a pamphlet on how to release records. Also likes of Domino, City Slang, Matador who all allowed me to do work experience when a kid and finally Moshi Moshi, Errr, 147 records for their support of Make Mine.

What's your next record?
O'spada in Nov
Spirit Spine in Jan ()

What are you listening to this week?

Hind Ear
Summer Camp
Dominant Legs
Ghostface Killah
Thalia Zedeck

Make Mine have been nice enough to give us a label sampler. Download it now....