LuckyMe (record label)

LuckyMe
Founded 7 July 2007
Founder Ross Birchard
Dominic Sum Flannigan
Martyn Flyn
Mike Slott
Genre Various
Country of origin Scotland
Location Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Official website thisisluckyme.com

LuckyMe is a United Kingdom-based record label and design studio specialising in the release of new electronic hip hop, pop, rock and underground dance music. Referred to as "one of the most innovative and prolific independent record labels of the decade" and acclaimed for “distinctive visual arts projects and collaborations”.[1][2][3][4][5]

History

2007-2008

The label was founded in Glasgow, Scotland, on 7 July 2007, by Mike Slott; Dominic Sum Flannigan; Martyn Flyn; and Ross Birchard, also known as Warp Records recording artist Hudson Mohawke.[6][7] LuckyMe incorporated producers, rappers and designers, reflecting Flannigan’s Art school training. ‘We’re essentially a record label… but we also function as a design consultancy too. Most of the work we do at the moment is self-originated, though, and that involves all of our record sleeves and flyers.’[4]

As well as operating as a design studio and label, LuckyMe began to co-run a series of music events in Glasgow called Ballers Social Club at which many of the label’s artists performed as residents, and the visual aspects of the night - identity, visual installations and flyer art - were undertaken by the design studio.[8] A short run of club nights - LuckyMe: Drums - were run in 2007 at Edinburgh’s Octopus Diamond, at the launch 100 CD-Rs were given out entitled Hudson Mohawke - Drums Vol. One. At these events Flannigan and Flyn first met Rustie, Tom Trago, Linkwood & Eclair Fifi.[9] The first LuckyMe Edinburgh Festival Party was launched in 2008.[10]

In 2008, LuckyMe's first record was pressed and released alongside Wireblock - a limited edition white label, Hudson Mohawke's first release Ooops!.[11][12]

2009-2011

The New Yorker praised LuckyMe as one of their favourite sites of 2009.[13] The 2nd Annual Edinburgh Festival Party was held at Electric Circus with a visual installation by Pageant.[14]

In June 2010, Sónar festival in Barcelona invited LuckyMe to curate 3 hours on stage at Sonar By Night, in which Hudson Mohawke, Eclair Fifi, Lunice, Machinedrum, The Blessings and AmericanMen performed live, hosted by Olivier Daysoul with visuals by Dominic Flannigan.[15][16] The label was also invited to New York to showcase the label’s music at a collaborative event with Goodpeoples in which Hudson Mohawke, Rustie, Mike Slott, The Blessings, Machinedrum, Eclair Fifi, Cubic Zirconia, Azealia Banks, Jacques Greene and Lunice played.[17]

As part of Edinburgh Festival Mike Slott performed a live film score at a screening of Andrei Zvyagintsev’s The Return.[18] LuckyMe released records by Jacques Greene, Lunice and Machinedrum and performed at an RBMA Culture Clash in Toronto.[19][20] In a late 2011 review of Ango’s Another City Now (released on LuckyMe in 2012) Boiler Room wrote 'if you can think of a label that's been quite as 'on point' musically and visually, as LuckyMe over the last few years, then you're a brilliant thinker. Seriously..'[21]

2012-2013

TNGHT, The collaborative project between Lunice and Hudson Mohawke released their official debut – TNGHT EP through LuckyMe with Warp. On 30th November 2012 TNGHT performed at Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg, which featured an appearance by rapper/producer Kanye West during a remix of West's Cold.[22] The duo co-produced Kanye West's song Blood on the Leaves from his critically acclaimed album Yeezus. The song samples TNGHT's track R U Ready. [23]

S-Type toured alongside AlunaGeorge and was given Best New Track by Pitchfork in October for the title song from the Billboard EP.[24][25] Machinedrum’s Van Vogue from the SXLND EP was used by Azealia Banks for her single 1991. Hudson Mohawke was commissioned for an official remix of Björk.[26] LuckyMe were in Fact’s 10 Best Label’s of 2012, the magazine complimented the ‘website, essential mix series and inspired giveaways’, referring to S-Type’s Billboard and Machinedrums SXLND as essential releases.[27] The mixtape series launched officially on iTunes as a podcast. Eclair Fifi began a residency on British national station BBC Radio 1. [28]

The label started a 6-part series of mix shows on Mista Jam’s Daily Dose Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra, Lunice hosted the first show followed by Ango, Eclair Fifi, The Blessings, Obey City and S-Type. Rinse FM invited LuckyMe to start a bi-weekly show, which featured The Blessings, Eclair Fifi, Obey City and Joseph Marinetti.[29] The Yolo Bear EP was released and launched over 3 cities on the same night with DJ Yolo Bear “performing” in New York, London and Edinburgh.[30][31]

2014

LuckyMe were referred to as defining the sound of 2014 along with other British labels ‘carrying the torch lit by legendary British independents such as Rough Trade, Warp and Domino.’ by The Guardian[32] The label’s producers formed a stronger relationship with pop music as new signing Cashmere Cat released music with Ariana Grande, Ludacris, Tinashe and Charli XCX amongst others. The label and studio were given creative freedom on the Boiler Room launch of Hudson Mohawke's Chimes in Los Angeles. Director Dominic Flannigan curated an indulgent set of performances which featured costume design by Tirsh Hunter (known for her work on Björk's Wunderlust video) and sets by Flying Lotus and Lunice.[33][34][35]

The label co-curated a SXSW event with Warp at which a number of its roster performed, as well as a showcase at Miami Winter Music Conference with performances by Cashmere Cat, Jacques Greene, Obey City and Joseph Marinetti. The label’s artists also performed at MoMA PS1 warm-up in New York and main stages at Field Day festival in London. Eclair Fifi starred in a campaign as an artist and model for H&M.[36][37]

LuckyMe released Claude Speeed's debut album My Skeleton.[38] The studio produced videos for new releases by Cashmere Cat, Lunice, Rustie and Joseph Marinetti, and the label released records by Jacques Greene, Tim Vocals, S-Type, Sevendeaths and Baauer.[19][39]

S-Type and Hudson Mohawke produced The Rap Monument - one of the longest rap songs of all time, wherein 36 rappers were recorded over a 42-minute composition by Nick Hook in studios across several different cities..[40][41][42]

Artist collective and design studio

In addition to releasing music, LuckyMe operates as a visual art studio staffed by former Glasgow School of Art students. As a studio, LuckyMe has undertaken design work in the fashion and music industries, completing print, film, public events, websites, and sculptural projects.[4]

In July 2011 LuckyMe launched an Augmented Reality project for Becks in several sites including Shoreditch in East London, where viewers could listen to LuckyMe’s artists’ music by walking round a green box, 2.5 metre 3D eyeballs appeared to float in the street, changing as the viewer moved, each eyeball visually represented different artists music.[43] Photographer Christina Kernohan exhibited her work in a solo exhibition Gammel Butikken in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh as part of Edinburgh Festival and has shot official press photography for Chvrches, Theophilus London and Optimo.[44][45]

The design studio received acclaim for the album artwork on Machinedrum’s Ninja Tune release Vapor City, directed and designed by Eclair Fifi and Dominic Flannigan, the design was featured as part of the Record Sleeves of the month piece in Creative Review.[46]

In 2014, LuckyMe studio’s in-house director and cinematographer Peter Marsden was praised across several press platforms for his work on videos for Rustie ft. Danny Brown Attak, Cashmere Cat Wedding Bells and Lunice Can’t Wait To.[47] [48] [49]

Discography

Releases

White label series

Digital compilations

Roster

Music

Art

  • Dominic Sum Flannigan
  • Christina Kernohan[53]
  • Ivor Williams
  • Edwin Pickstone
  • Colin Faulks
  • James Mousley[2]
  • Innes Maran
  • Konx-om-Pax
  • Peter Marsden
  • Eclair Fifi

References

  1. ↑ "Martyn Flyn of LuckyMe". The Reference Council. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Homepage". ThisIsLuckyMe.com. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  3. ↑ Rutledge, Bryant. "Podcast 39: LuckyMe". XLR8R. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Pollock, David. "The Rise of LuckyMe". The List. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "GSFF Opening Night: LuckyMe Part". Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow.
  6. ↑ C, Scott (8 October 2008). "Evolutions per minute". Montreal Mirror. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  7. ↑ Birchard, Ross (2 March 2009). "Interview: Hudson Mohawke". Guardian.co.uk (London). Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  8. ↑ McKean, Colin (4 January 2008). "Introducing… Ballers Social Club". The List. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "2. Hudson Mohawke – Drums Vol One". podbay.fm=2012. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  10. ↑ Fallon, Patric (4 August 2010). "FACT, LuckyMe, Numbers, Warp, and More Join the Edinburgh Fringe Festival". Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "Hud Mo (Hudson Mohawke) Ooops!". Boomkat.com. March 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "Hud Mo* – Ooops!". johhny.swift. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  13. ↑ Frere-Jones, Sasha (14 December 2009). "The Best Internets of 2009". The New Yorker. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Great Minds Party Alike". pagaent. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  15. ↑ Duncan, Chris (7 April 2010). "Sonar 2010: LuckyThem". The Skinny. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "LuckyMe Records Showcase: Sonar Festival". LuckyMe. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "NYC LuckyMe x Goodpeopleswork=LuckyMe". 11 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  18. ↑ "MIKE SLOTT :: LIVE SOUNDTRACK for THE RETURN - Andrei Zvyagintsev (2003)". Brown Paper Tickets. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "LuckyMe". Discogs. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  20. ↑ "LuckyMe at RBMA Culture Clash 2011". LuckyMe Studio. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "New LuckyMe Release From ANGO!". Boiler Room. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  22. ↑ Minsker, Evan. Kanye West makes surprise appearance at TNGHT show in Brooklyn Pitchfork, December 1, 2012
  23. ↑ Minsker, Evan. Review: Kanye West ‘Yeezus’ deathandtaxes, June 15, 2013
  24. ↑ Sachdev, Nigel (24 October 2012). "AlunaGeorge Announce London XOYO Date". Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  25. ↑ Ashurst, Hari (16 October 2012). "S-Type "Billboard"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  26. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (7 May 2012). "Björk "Virus" (Hudson Mohawke Peaches and Guacamol Rework)". Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  27. ↑ "The 10 Best Record Labels of 2012". Fact. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  28. ↑ Turner, David (6 June 2013). "ÉCLAIR FIFI JOINS RADIO 1'S 'IN NEW DJS WE TRUST'". Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  29. ↑ "Rinse FM". LuckyMe. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  30. ↑ McDonald (16 July 2013). "Who is Yolo Bear?". Thump first=Matt. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  31. ↑ "DJ Yolo Bear at Plastic People". Resident Advisor. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  32. ↑ Muggs, Joe (19 April 2014). "The 10 British record label defining the sound of 2014". Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  33. ↑ "Hudson Mohawke Chimes". HudsonMohawkeVevo. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  34. ↑ "Making of Chimes". Boiler Room. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "Ray Ban 005: Hudson Mohawke Presents Chimes". Boiler Room. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  36. ↑ Gardner, Constant (14 April 2014). "Scotland’s Electronic Music Scene: 10 Acts You Need to Know". Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  37. ↑ "Press". Eclair Fifi. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  38. ↑ "Claude Speeed on Matthew Barney". Tate Etc. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  39. ↑ "RUSTIE FT DANNY BROWN ATTAK". Peter Marsden. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  40. ↑ "Listen to 36-rapper posse cut ‘The Rap Monument’ featuring Killer Mike, Young Thug, Danny Brown, Raekwon and more". Fact Mag. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  41. ↑ Butch, Brandon (26 November 2014). "Hudson Mohawke to Release New Song Featuring 30 Artists". Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  42. ↑ "CHIMES RMX". Hudson Mohawke. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  43. ↑ "LuckyMe @ Beck's Green Box Project". It’s Nice That first=Rob last=Alderson. July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  44. ↑ "Gammel Butikken". Christina Kernohan. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  45. ↑ "Gammel Butikken". Christina Kernohan. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  46. ↑ Steven, Rachael (27 November 2013). "Record sleeves of the month". Creative Review. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  47. ↑ Olbrich, Suze. "Music videos of the month". Dazed Digital. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  48. ↑ Dombal, Ryan. "The 20 Best Music videos of 2014". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  49. ↑ Gottlieb, Steven (31 August 2013). "Best Music Videos of August 2014". VideoStatic. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  50. ↑ Jones, Alice (19 June 2009). "Revealed: The 15 people who will define the future of arts in Britain". The Independent (London). Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  51. ↑ "Red Bull Music Academy: Claude Speed". Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  52. ↑ Pollock, David (3 January 2011). "Rustie to follow-up Sunburst EP with full length release on Warp". The List. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  53. ↑ "Christina Kernohan: Gammel Butikken". Dazed Digital. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

External links