Tevo Howard launches Tevo Howard Recordings

  • Published
    Wed, Jan 5, 2011, 10:00
  • Words
    Resident Advisor
  • Share
  • The Chicago DJ and producer has a second record label in the works.
  • Tevo Howard launches Tevo Howard Recordings image
  • Tevo Howard has announced plans for a new record label, simply titled Tevo Howard Recordings. Howard's profile has risen steadily over the past few years, thanks to a slew of acclaimed records, thorough tours of Europe and the US, and a no-frills house sound that struck a chord with punters and connoisseurs alike. The new imprint will be his second, after Beautiful Granville Records, which has so far mostly focused on music by Howard and his father, Rick. Tevo Howard Recordings intends to have a wider stable; releases from Kate Simko and classic house artist Robert Owens have already been confirmed. Fresh from his set at Galaktik's NYE bash in New York, Howard filled us in on the rest of the details via email this past weekend:
    How would you describe the overall sound of Tevo Howard Recordings? We are aiming to achieve and maintain a quality in sound that can be enjoyed from headphone set to the large club setting. While Beautiful Granville Records was more of a dusty heavier sound, Tevo Howard Recordings will stay away from the heavier side in bass frequency to enlighten more textures of highs and middles. It is not that the recordings will not be house stompers, but rather that the frequencies of the recordings will be more apt to be low system friendly. However, the underground quality in the content of the music will be fully retained. Are there any other labels that gave you inspiration or guidance? I envision the qualities of classic labels like Strictly Rhythm and Wax Trax! records, who were not afraid to do non-commercial work––from their artist selection to the selection of their physical items. One thing to note about those labels is that the structure of their companies were formal, while the music they presented maintained an underground quality and appeal. What do you mean when you say their structures were formal? Those labels were run like corporate larger companies, while their content and music remained underground and aside from what was popular at the time. Can we expect any artists on this imprint other than yourself? Do you have any other releases confirmed yet? So far, on the lineup, I will be presenting work with Robert Owens and Kate Simko. I do plan many remixes and work with other artists to be announced, and the expansion of signed artists is expected to be more extensive than that of The Beautiful Granville lineup. Will Tevo Howard Recordings be all 12-inches, or might there be some albums as well? I am planning album work on vinyl as well as on digital platforms like iTunes, but we will be largely a vinyl physical product label. What's next for you? I am very excited about a forthcoming release with Ben Watt and Buzzin' Fly Records, as well as many plans to work with other artists on my own label. I also have a small tour coming up in February called The Drum Machine Man Tour. Last, I am looking forward to pressing the record button for some great recordings in the coming year.
    The first release on Tevo Howard Recordings comes from the man himself, and it's called The Drum Machine Man. According to Howard, the title "came to mind from going through international security with drum machines in duffle bags." Tracklist A1 Arena A2 Systematic Journey B1 Mechanical Disco Heart B2 Global Communication Tevo Howard Recordings will release The Drum Machine Man in February 2011.
RA