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redwingz
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,483 posts
Joined: Jan, 2005
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 Posted - 2009/05/07 : 12:16:08
Im not sure how many of you will actually read all of this but I wanted to share my discoveries and thoughts about hardcore since I have launched NSR as I feel I have learned a lot and I also wanted to give you an insight into NSR.
In August 2008 I announced the launch of NSR Records. I thought it was quite a unique idea to launch a record label and I invested time, money and effort into creating it. I started NSR because I noticed on hhc.com, ush and hp.org a lot of massively talented producers, giving tracks away for free and getting no recognition. I didnt plan to make these people millionaires, I just wanted to give them a platform and a voice. I did, and still do see NSR as a good small label that relatively unknown producers can be given a chance to have mp3 and CD releases and, if they wish, use us as a platform to build a bit of a discography and go onto bigger and better things.
I have tried to do everything professionally, I got a website made, I opened a business bank account to make everything above board, I got a mailing list of DJs to help promote our tracks, (some of which have since had their contracts torn up due to their reluctance to give feedback or even acknowledge the fact that they are receiving free music) I spoke to the IR about taxes and I drafted contracts for DJs and Producers. So next, I advertised to get the first tracks on the label and got a massive response! I picked up some great tracks from people like Deano and Disease and I will always have a lot of respect for these guys as they were the ones submitting tracks before we had even released anything and I hope they did it because they liked the ethos of NSR, because they could have released them themselves.
Releases have since come thick and fast, Bulby G gave us an immense track to give away for free to help lift us off the ground (I suspect hundreds of people have his version of 'Liquid Skies'). I was even shocked myself when Ben Haze agreed to sign over a track he made with Suae that featured on Ultimate Hardcore 3. I have approached a lot of quite established up coming names about tracks and Haze and Suae and Eufeion are the only ones who have sent anything over, so to them I have to say a massive thank you. People like this are great for hardcore, they have had releases on labels much much bigger than NSR, yet they were all more than happy for us to sign something from them. I also received invaluable advice from CDJay for which I am massively grateful and some very important advice and feedback from NuFoundation, Shanty, Entity and Joey Riot, so thank you to those guys as they really didnt have to talk to me but they did and they have helped me a lot and made me even more determined.
Sales have been good considering we have not yet got onto serious-sounds although they have slowed a little recently, which is unfortunate as our best material is now starting to come out. NSR always gets massive support from Ken Masters, Meathead, Ionosphere, Ravenatic, DJ Corruption, Bulby G, Fingaz MC and others, so I have to say thank you to the people who come on forums and compliment our tracks as it really is a massive help, even if you just leave a short comment as it shows us that you are listening to our stuff.
I have now learned that due to it being very easy to produce mediocre music and get these tracks on download sites that have no quality control, anyone can call themselves a 'label'. So how can anyone distinguish a professionally run label from a cheap rip off? I try to keep NSR professional by having a good relationship with the producers on our roster and by keeping everything legal and with contracts. I know a couple of people who have been involved with NSR that have since tried to start their own label, as I am quite open and people probably know a lot about how we are ran. These labels have either failed or are just launching. It really is a big job for little thanks :p I cant help but think that people like Protonic are doing it right, giving their material away for free until they are comfortable to charge people but this method does have its downsides.
There are a lot of greedy people who are in it for the money, if that is you then NSR is not interested in having you on board, we are a passionate label and love hardcore. I make no money from NSR, in fact, to date, I have lost money but I do it because I love hardcore, I love the people I have met from doing it, I love boring my girlfriend with it and because its good to have a passion. I love it when I post clips of new releases and we get feedback from someone like 'excellent track' or something else, because it makes me feel like I have done a good job by getting that track out there to people and that is why I do it. On some websites, we get no praise and no criticism. If all websites and people were like this, NSR would not exist anymore. The praise and the criticism helps to improve us and make us more determined. As far as I can see, NSR will be here forever because hardcore is everything to me and not a day goes by that I am not doing something with my label even if its just replying to emails and checking sales figures.
As a label owner Im quite open and no matter how big NSR gets I will always be open. If sales are bad, I will tell you, if we have plans in the pipeline, I will tell you, if you have questions, I will answer etc etc. So what do we have for the future? Well, a CD release will be out soon. The release date is June 1st but please understand that I am organising this with no help and have never done it before, so delays are possible, especially as I cant find anyone to do the artwork! Our CD releases will be a regular thing with each one bigger than the last.
We are also hoping to sign 3-4 artists exclusively to NSR this summer. I have approached one producer already about this who rejected the opportunity which is fine as we do not want to stand in the way of anyones dreams, but we will be approching Chris Ross, X-Cyte and Luminate about being exclusive to NSR. We will also (depending on how the CD sells) be investing in having 2 NSR tracks remixed by bigger names in the scene. Quotes for remixes have been received from names such as NuFoundation, Michael Mansion, Injured Rezz and Chwhynny, but we will also be gathering more quotes, so watch out for those. The remixes will probably be of tracks made by exclusive NSR artists :)
Finally (at last haha) we have submitted tracks for Crush on Hardcore 4 so I am praying that we can get a track or two on there as that will really give us confidence to go and get future releases on compilations such as Hardcore Underground and really move NSR forward.
So thanks for your support so far and keep listening to the tracks and if you dont think we are a good label.....give us time as we will only get better and better.
http://www.happyhardcore.com/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=44912
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Audioshift
http://www.trackitdown.net/recordlabel/111477/nsr-records.html
http://www.nsrrecords.co.uk
http://www.imodownload.com/NSR-Records
http://www.junodownload.com/labels/NSR
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Edited by - redwingz on 2009/05/07 12:29:20 |
Sweet As
Junior Member
Australia
87 posts
Joined: Feb, 2009
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Posted - 2009/05/07 : 12:24:18
Anyone who supports up and comming talent I take my hat off too!!! Well done. Any vinyl releases in the pipeline?
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redwingz
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,483 posts
Joined: Jan, 2005
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Posted - 2009/05/07 : 12:28:17
quote:
Originally posted by Sweet As:
Anyone who supports up and comming talent I take my hat off too!!! Well done. Any vinyl releases in the pipeline?
Due to the high cost of manufacturing and the low profit margins involved with vinyl there are no solid plans as of yet. We are concentrating on a CD release first. But vinyl is definitely something we would love to do once we are a bit bigger! :)
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Audioshift
http://www.trackitdown.net/recordlabel/111477/nsr-records.html
http://www.nsrrecords.co.uk
http://www.imodownload.com/NSR-Records
http://www.junodownload.com/labels/NSR
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SPOOX
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,644 posts
Joined: Jul, 2006
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Posted - 2009/05/07 : 23:10:02
You got a nice label there. The releases have been good. I hope that NSR will continue to grow & i will support as much as i can. Looking forward to the next batch of releases.
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Meathead
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
4,217 posts
Joined: Sep, 2006
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 01:39:12
Massive respect to you pal is all i can say. I hope things pick up and keep progressing, as long as the quality doesnt drop that's what will set you apart from the twats on Imodownload lol. The big name remixes will be great for exposure so make sure youve got some raelly good release under your belt that people can look back to and just stick at it mate (although it doesnt seem like you have any intention of doing owt but that lol). Youre passion will hopefully pay off, whether that be in profit or just the satisfaction of knowing what youre doing is making a difference. Ill continue to support NSR in anyway i can, which reminds me i must do some shopping :)
Good luck mate and again - massive respect!
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"Music creates order out of chaos; for rhythm imposes unanimity upon the divergent, melody imposes continuity upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the incongruous." -Sir Yehudi Menuhin
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Audio Warfare
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,053 posts
Joined: Mar, 2009
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 09:43:12
Fair play mate, keep at it. Seems you put a lot of effort into the label. Things are definitely progressing and by the sounds of things that is going to continue.
Looking forward to the CD release. :)
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Listen to released and forthcoming Audio Warfare/Audio Weaponry tunes here:-
http://soundcloud.com/audio-warfare
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redwingz
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,483 posts
Joined: Jan, 2005
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 12:16:56
Spoox, Meathead an Audio Warfare - Thanks guys, it does mean alot when people who know their stuff when it comes to hardcore, give us praise. We have some great tracks coming out so I hope you keep listening. I must admit, that respect is just as, if not more, important than profit. IMO you have to earn respect before you can expect any business to turn a profit and with loyal and supportive guys like you, then Im sure we will do just fine :)
I guess my main aim at the moment is, when someone is asked, what are the best new labels out there releasing good underground music, for NSR to be on their list :)
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Audioshift
http://www.trackitdown.net/recordlabel/111477/nsr-records.html
http://www.nsrrecords.co.uk
http://www.imodownload.com/NSR-Records
http://www.junodownload.com/labels/NSR
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Edited by - redwingz on 2009/05/08 12:19:49 |
djdaveyuk
New Member
United Kingdom
59 posts
Joined: Jan, 2009
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 13:19:39
Well said mate. I love your passion. I'm hoping to work with you more in the future. I love your ethos on everything. You've got a really positive attitude which can't be said for some people in the industry. What I do in my day job might be of some use to you. I'll send you email.
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http://www.myspace.com/davidheslop
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redwingz
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,483 posts
Joined: Jan, 2005
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 14:31:06
Id definitely like to work with you more in the future, of course we already have one very good track signed from you and Id love to hear anything else you make.
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Audioshift
http://www.trackitdown.net/recordlabel/111477/nsr-records.html
http://www.nsrrecords.co.uk
http://www.imodownload.com/NSR-Records
http://www.junodownload.com/labels/NSR
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Ionosphere
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,750 posts
Joined: Dec, 2004
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 17:34:03
It's a pleasure working with NSR.
Straight as a die and decent as you like.
Keep it going. 
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This- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ionosphere
THIS - http://soundcloud.com/ionosphere
VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYWkHCkaho
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Jester MC
Senior Member
Canada
284 posts
Joined: May, 2008
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 18:10:07
sounds great, keep it up!keeping things leagal and your passion will take you far for sure.
will be on the lookout for stuff from you guys in the future
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=47884818876&ref=ts
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djDMS
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
10,304 posts
Joined: Feb, 2003
572 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 19:57:22
Nice read that.
And well done mate for doing it all for the right reasons, we need more like you around at times like these.
Massive respect to you and i wish you every success.
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Taking my time to perfect the beat
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Charco
Advanced Member
Ireland
1,979 posts
Joined: Nov, 2001
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Posted - 2009/05/08 : 20:19:56
Great to read.
I once worked for a great friend who ran a nightclub with same more or less the same ethos as yourself. Over time, it grew, people appreciated it and now it's a huge club with endless amounts of gigs, djs, and covers all big name artists to all unknowns. Like that - I can see you going far...Though i'm no psychic (sp?).
In otherwords, it's great to see people like you working in something you believe in for the right reasons. And that attitude will always get people far. I do have to say that i've not heard much (if anything) from you guys but that's mainly due to me not being that 'into' the more recent hardcore. Though in future I think I'll have to pay more attention to you guys 
Aside from that, and going by the people highlighted in your thread, you seem to have a lot of solid people supporting you (sadly some knobs that can't be avoided).
So the very best of luck with everything mate and long may your dream grow.
Ciaran.
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26 and 6 = 1.
Unity and Peace
Go Here: http://www.ionosphere.co.uk or here: http://www.sbthq.net . Happy? You should be!! And of course: My tunes: http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=230636&T=6580
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Edited by - Charco on 2009/05/08 20:22:53 |
redwingz
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,483 posts
Joined: Jan, 2005
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Posted - 2009/05/10 : 01:59:41
Jester, DMS, Charco - Thanks guys, really nice words. Im glad you enjoyed my 'mission statement' If you have not heard much or any of our stuff. Check us out on IMO or myspace or something and listen to a few clips :) That will give you a better idea.
Ionosphere - Its a pleasure working with you too mate, you always help me even with stupid production questions lol.
I am a bit shocked that this post has had such a positive response, but it really makes me happy to see that it has :)
Hopefully NSR can put smiles on your faces in return (wow that was cheesy)
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Audioshift
http://www.trackitdown.net/recordlabel/111477/nsr-records.html
http://www.nsrrecords.co.uk
http://www.imodownload.com/NSR-Records
http://www.junodownload.com/labels/NSR
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Craigavon raver
Advanced Member
Ireland
2,245 posts
Joined: Sep, 2007
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Posted - 2009/05/12 : 20:13:23
have never heard any of your releases,but then again i haven,t heard any new hardcore tracks this year
and as already mentioned your doing it for the right reasons,and if there ever is a cd release i can state right now that i will buy it,as i would like 2 give my money 2 a small company who deserve it 2 help them out,no matter how small the amount
and well done lad i wish i could do what your doing!
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h.t.i.d
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glitzandglowz
Junior Member
Australia
95 posts
Joined: Aug, 2002
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 Posted - 2009/05/13 : 05:03:53
The layout of the NSR website is easy to navigate but i think the releases should be listed with the most recent at the top. When you're shopping for tunes you want the latest stuff first - Just look at HHC.com for example, as soon as you open the page, the newest news is up the top. No scrolling down necessary.
Just a some fine tuning for an otherwise nice looking site.
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