If there's any label to be in the house, it's definitely – as they say – Defected ! A label that has achieved to merge artistic aesthetics with sales. In other words, the continuation to what Defected CEO, Simon Dunmore was doing when he was in charge of AM:PM back in the days… Judging by their impressive artist roaster – Sandy Rivera, Martin Solveig, Dimitri from Paris, Copyright, Bob Sinclar, ta name but a (very) few the compilations they're putting out, their current position and their strategy to increase their exposure, needless to say that they stand as a true exemple for a house scene in search for names and faces.

Some opportunity to be more intimately connected to… Defected with Dunmore's answers thereafter…

A first interrogation then if you don't mind : why Defected ? I mean, the definition or the sense of this word...
This is simple... We simply Defected from Polygram (at the time) to start out new label.

Could be cool to have a short overview of what made you who you are.
Simply a love of music over making money. I have stayed true to my love of soul music and soul in house music... I simply sign records that I love and work with people that I like.

What you was listening as a teenager ?
Things of the moment.... I loved Madness and the Specials, which led me into ska and reggae. I liked rockabilly for a while and finally got into disco via clubs like the Wag and bands like Animal Nightlife and Blue Rondo A La Turk in the early 80's.

What has led you to dance music or shall I say a mixture of things from R&B to pumping house. Your heroes at the time ?

My roots... I love Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield, Loletta (pre Salsoul) and Aretha.... I have a extensive soul collection which I treasure.

I loved the better elements of what Strictly did... Ultimately, I dream of being PIR, Salsoul or Prelude.... These were amazing labels

You was already around at the early days of house. How do you see its evolution since day one ?

In the early days you had to at least understand music...Be some sort of musician... Now any fool can make music and I think that in a lot of instances the magic has been lost

 

Your departure from AM:PM and your motivations to start this new adventure…
To be master of my own destiny... At the majors you are subject to policies and decisions that affect your position... It is beyond your control. The same as any corporate company really.. I wanted to get out of that.

How do you see the label's position today ?
We know ourselves and our market. We have a great team with a love for house and disco.. I think we are in a good place.

What's or (what have) been the key(s) to such an achievement ?
To be flourishing in the market today is our biggest success.

What could be the Defected motto ?

Be true to yourself !

 

The new names to watch out ?
Rasmus Faber, Martin Solveig, Sandy Rivera and Liquid People !

 

Looks like you're very much into the french scene...

I like the influences that french producers use... I think that the producers also spend time making their productions sonically excellent... You can hear the attention to detail.

What do you expect from Internet ? Have you suffered losses of sales because of the free downloads ?

Everybody has suffered but we have also gained from being able to get to our audience far more quickly and cheaply... The net is not all bad.

Miami... Its signification today on the house scene ?

Its signification for a label like Defected ? Less than it used to be.. It is more about networking, seeing your friends and listening to new music. It still has huge promotional value.