Canoe dig it?

WHAT’S THE NAME OF YOUR LABEL, AND WHO RUNS IT?

My label Is called Canoe and it’s run by me, Nyra.

WHEN & WHY DID THE LABEL START?

I started the label in 2017, as I wanted to have full control over every aspect from start to finish, and to release music as and when I wanted to.

GIVE US A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU’VE RELEASED SINCE THEN….

This week will be my 20th release on Canoe with each record containing anything from two to four tracks. So Canoe 001 to 020, every release I’d say is different, and what comes on the next release is really what I’m feeling at the time. I don’t like to sit on music for too long as I run the risk of never releasing it at all. The releases up to now are a wide variety of electronic styles, and  you could probably play the whole back catalogue in a set without anyone knowing they were from the same label ????

WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE MUSIC YOU RELEASE?

It’s really based on a feeling. I like the idea of not knowing what I will release next, which keeps things exciting and fresh for me, and everyone else.

Nyra

WHAT KIND OF VISUAL IDENTITY DOES THE LABEL HAVE (ARTWORK, VIDEOS ETC) ?

Up to now we have used the Canoe logo for the artwork around each new release, though, from Canoe 15 to 20, we also created bespoke video content that reflects the theme of each track. Now that we’ve reached 20 releases, we do have a few conceptual plans in the works to start spicing things up.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SELLING RELEASE TO DATE?  TELL US A BIT ABOUT IT AND WHY YOU THINK IT WAS SO POPULAR.

I’d have to say the track ‘Both Of Us Knowing’. It’s had the most streams, plays and downloads, and received really positive DJ feedback over the years. It’s a sort of in-between track of 80s electronic styles, which fits in to pretty much every set, it’s also a great closing track, so a liquorice all sorts type vibe.

NAME ONE RELEASE THAT YOU THINK DESERVED TO GET MORE ATTENTION THAN IT DID           

The track ‘Globe Gazer’ from Canoe 009 in 2015, it reminds me of Eric Prydz whose music I’ve always admired. It’s a peak time trancey euphoric number.

IF YOU COULD SIGN ANY ARTIST, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

It would have to be Madonna, as she is my all time favourite and I think we would make some great music together.

WHICH OTHER LABELS DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?

There are quite a few but these have to be some of my faves – Warp Records – as it’s a Sheffield Label and one of the first I discovered, Dekmantel – every release is different and exciting, and Ostgut Ton – the the music is always high quality, and there’s always a nice surprise.

WHAT CAN WE LOOK TO FROM YOUR LABEL NEXT?

With the 20th release just around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot of what the next steps are for the label. I’m toying with the idea of opening Canoe up to a few close friends and releasing music from other people, but it’s tbc for now.

Ben Willmott