BRCast #51 - Transensations Records Label Showcase
I am pleased to welcome you to the BRC Label showcase interview, your participation is greatly appreciated. We thank you for the mix and the time you have invested in preparing for everything that BRC requested. Let's begin the interview with an introduction of the key people of the label.
Hi BRC team and audience, it’s a pleasure participate on this BRC Label Showcase, we are the Transensations Records team , let me introduce us :
Diego Silva aka GORKIZ - A&R and label Sound Engineer.
Fabricio - Planning , financial and Promotion .
Pedro aka Pedräda - Art Director and A&R.
Rodrigo - Promotion and Artists Support.
What made you create this label? Why? What is the idea and inspiration behind it?
Transensations were created as an open air Rave Party in 2002, sharing the principles of Peace, Love, Union and Respect. At the end of 2016 Gorkiz invited Fabricio to create a music label using the brand that was completing 15 years that year, and sharing the same principles. As GORKIZ was a well known producer and artist in the Brazilian Electronic music scene, he brought the know-how to create the label. Pedro and Rodrigo were invited to join the team at the end of 2017.
How long had the idea of a label been on your minds before its official launch? What were the challenges running up to its launch?
As mentioned before, the idea to create a label comes from GORKIZ, since he was involved on the music industry and has the knowledge. From the idea until the first release were 3 months, but when we realized that to have a structured and attractive label for great artists a dedicated and organized structure with more investment would be necessary. So Pedro and Rodrigo were invited to join the team and start this new phase of the label, with the release of TRS005.
What is the inspiration behind the log and artwork?
The logo was created with the first promo flyers of the parties in 2003, the idea was to create a connection between music, nature and the sensations that the Trance melodies create in us - Trance Sensations. The actual Artwork of the Label releases were created by Pedro, matching the Sphere that represents the Label and World, with a main art that changes according to the release theme. Actually it is Pedro's inspiration, nowadays he is working more with mother nature themes, last year were something more abstract. Our cover arts are something really special and important for each release, we don’t use a general cover art, the cover art has a creation and inspiration process that connect music and art.
What genre of music the label hosts and what do you look for specifically in a track that gives you that sense of belonging in a track to release it on your platform?
We work with Progressive and Melodic music. It goes from Progressive House to the more serious mood of Melodic Techno, but the groove and melodies are an essential part of our label. Our A&R team comprising GORKIZ with the more Progressive orientation and Pedrada with more techno orientation, listen and look for music that fits it and of course a good level of production. As part of our evolution we are more selective on this music selection, and we check other aspects of the artist.
In terms of demos, how do you accept, review and reject from all the thousands you receive? What are the challenges in sifting through the boatload of demos you receive for releases and the communication you maintain with aspirants?
As we know the difficulties of a producer to start a career, we try to listen to all the demos we receive, specially the ones that come with a small artist presentation, and give feedback even if the track doesn't fit our taste. We try to work with the customer experience process, where each way of contact that our customers and partners have with us, we try to create a better experience, to maintain a good image of the label and relationship with our customers. Treat others as we like to be treated, are the key words. We work for a constant evolution in our releases, so the tracks and artists to release are more selective, but we never forget who believed in our work in the beginning. For new aspirants we have our compilations, where we try to give a chance for the new talents that are working to conquer his space in the industry. We really like to help and develop new talents, that is part of our DNA, it’s very satisfying to see a producer that released with us, conquering his space and growing in the industry.
How many VA and compilations do you release in a year and what kind of tracks you choose? What kind of artists do you select for the VA? Basically what purpose does a VA serve to a label?
We have the Transenses series, our annual compilation as the main VA , and some other small derivations, like Miami edition and the Remixed. We have plans for other compilations for next year. For the VA we look for talented producers , and don't mind whether he/she is an experienced or new talent. We want to create a compilation with quality music that shows the label sound. The VA is an opportunity to incorporate new producers to our label family, develop new talents and give a try to the best demos we receive, witch due the lack of slots we can’t release it as an EP.
Which one has been a highlight release and why?
This year we already had some great releases until now, conquering top 100 sales chart on Beatport, but I highlight VegaZ - Endometriosis with a powerful NOIYSE PROJECT remix, a beautiful EP from this very talented producers from Sri Lanka, a country that after Argentina has the biggest quantity of good Progressive House producers in my opinion.
What do you expect from new talent when you sign them? What makes you reject them from releasing on your label?
We look for artists that have focus on the genre that they produce, a person who knows that to achieve success, he/she needs necessary work on marketing and promotion, and of course have talent and his/her own sound signature is expected. What don’t attract us are producers that don’t have an original style, are not focused on a music genre, as part of our evolution. We are trying to work with artists that have focus on developing their careers and growing in the music business.
From your country, which other label is pushing the same music as you are and how do you think everyone is helping push the local producers?
In Brazil the Progressive House is under development, runs on the underground scene but we notice that it is growing and conquering space with some great artists coming for shows in our country. About labels, Brazil has great labels such as Timeless Moment, Warung Recordings , Terasonic Records, that supports some local producers, and are working on the development of a local Progressive and Melodic scene with more parties and producers.
What kind of support do you look for from artists and other parties in promoting your music worldwide? What are the challenges in promoting music to corners of the world where you may not be as popular as in your home country.
We look for a way to reach the people that really love the Progressive and Melodic music, because this is a music genre that is not commercial. Those who love it knows how to appreciate good music not only at parties, but listen at the gym, on the car, and other life situations. Our challenge is to make our releases and artists reach people that will support listening, buying and attending shows, making possible for these artists to make money with their music, and by this way we can create a stronger Progressive scene in Brazil, since nowadays the biggest part of support that we receive comes from other countries. We would like to thank you BRC for the continuous support to our music and artists, it’s really part of our growing and success.
Thank you for this space and opportunity.
Best Regards.
Fabricio - Transensations and For Senses Records Team.