Switchflicker Records
Switchflicker Records is an independent British record label based in Manchester, England. The company was established in 2000 by Jayne Compton.[1] Performers signed to the label include Divine David, Chloe Poems, Magic Arm and formerly The Ting Tings, who launched their career at the label.[1]
Switchflicker Records has a long history which began out of the after-hours party scene in Hulme, Manchester, England. In 1999, Compton co-founded Club Brenda, with performance poet Gerry Potter at The Star and Garter, Manchester. A ‘genuinely uncompromising underground art happening’, which blended live music, art and performance in Manchester, Salford and Berlin.[2][3] Out of this synthesis of music, clubbing, theatre and performance acts Switchflicker Records emerged to capture these moments on 7” vinyl.
During the 2000s Compton worked in and around the city of Manchester and Salford, organising and promoting the music and performance scene and co-founding post-industrial DIY spaces. In 2006, Compton moved into the Islington Mill, a semi-derelict work space in Salford, England and shared a makeshift flat with mill owner and friend Bill Campbell, setting up the arts club in the basement the same year.[4]
Shortly afterwards Katie White, Jules de Martino and DJ Simon Templeman of the band Dear Eskiimo moved into the Engine House at Islington Mill. During their time at Islington Mill the Dear Eskiimo band members evolved into indie pop duo The Ting Tings. The new English pop band consisted of White (vocals, guitar, bass drums, bass guitar, cowbells) and De Martino (drums, lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, vocals). It was during this time at Islington Mill that they met Compton.
On the 28th May 2007, Switchflicker jointly released 1,000 copies of The Ting Tings’ first single, a vinyl limited edition double-A side That’s Not My Name / Great DJ. [5]
In 2008, members of The Ting Tings wrote critical comments on their blog about what they believe to be inflated prices charged by the label for their single, "That's Not My Name", asserting that the company was "cashing in" on the band's success at the expense of their fans. The label responded, “The Ting Tings signed a multi-option recording agreement with Columbia Records and publishing agreement with Sony-ATV Music Publishing. Both deals have reportedly provided the band with significant income,” they said. “Switchflicker is, by contrast, a small independent label which has made no profit in respect of releasing the single, which brought the band to everyone’s attention.”[6]
Following this dispute, The Ting Tings signed with Columbia Records, having received assurances from Columbia that they would retain sufficient artistic control over their music.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Biography on the Switchflicker website
- ^ Abigail Ward, 'Club Brenda Flyer', Manchester Digital Music Archive, October 2009
- ^ 'Club Brenda at Urbis', interview with Compton in the Aesthetica Magazine website, 1 December 2009
- ^ Interview with Compton on the Islington Mill is Queer podcast
- ^ Ting Tings biography on the Vogue website
- ^ 'The Ting Tings’ former label responds to ‘cash in’ claims', NME, 22 May 2008
- ^ McLean, Craig (5 October 2008). "Tings can only get better: Why sudden pop success has not been easy on the Ting Tings". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2009.
External links
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