There’s no denying that the sound of House music has creeped back into the dancefloors over the past year, and Andy Butler is more than happy to keep it coming. Hercules and Love Affair mainman Andy, has set up a new label Mr. INTL to express his love for early 90′s house music and to remind us what clubs should really sound like.
PlanetNotion: Why did you set up Mr. INTL?
Andy Butler: It allows me to only think about the dance floor, whereas with Hercules I want total freedom aesthetically. I also figured it would be a fun way to serve as a conduit for other artists who get the “classic house vibe”, and produce deep and substantial music.
PN: What’s the ethos behind the label – I hear it’s all focused on music between ’85 and ’94?
A: There was a spirit in the “golden” days of house music, that I feel is totally missing from contemporary “house”. There was at first a roughness, a sort of discovery for these young men in chicago and in other places where the house aesthetic was developing (i.e. belgium, london) upon finding these outmoded peices of roland gear and other equipment. And very quickly with producers like Pierre, Duke, Murk, Lil Louie Vega, Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles, David Morlales, an elegance and sophistication emerged. I try to pursue the depth and maintain it on each release on Mr. INTL.
PN: What are the tracks/sounds that bookend that period for you?
A: The early DJ International, Playhouse, and Fourth Floor Records to things like Lil Mo Yin Yang- When you ain’t got no love, or some of the Louie Vega stuff.
PN: Why specialise in classic house and techno? Do you feel like it’s an area that’s lacking in the marketplace?
A: I just feel people have forgotten what its about.
PN: How many artists do you have on the label at the moment? Do you have a favourite?
A: Worked with about ten so far. Kim Ann is probably my favorite.
PN: Can you draw parallels from being in a band and running a label? Is there anything you’ve learned from being in HALA that you were able to transpose and use when setting up your label?
A: Quality control is key. As is efficiency.
PN: What’s best: being in HALA or running the label?
A: Listening to death metal.
PN: Has setting up Mr INTL been easier or harder than you thought it would be?
A: Easier.
PN: Hercules and the Love Affair are signed to Moshi; has your experience of being signed to that label aided your setup of your own?
A: Not really, its been an interesting experience at Moshi, I may have learned a thing or two.
PN: What’s the plan for Mr INTL in the future?
A: Just more putting the clowns on their heads and turning out the c**ty tracks that make you feel like you are at the right party. OK?
Today see’s the release of veteran producer Mark Pistel’s collaboration with Jack Dangers and Ben Stokes. The single ‘Solus’ is a clear indication of what the label is all about. That classic house feel infused with more recent electronica sounds, ‘Solus’ is what the dancefloor needs.
