A label is much more than simply a business - it's a community, a place to share and exchange ideas.
Such is the case with Middle Of Nowhere Recordings. Set up as a means to get a one off release from Scottish songwriter Rachel Sermanni out there into the watching world, it has grown to build a roster which includes artists from across the UK and beyond.
As part of our celebration of music from the Highlands and Islands, Clash had a quick chat with founders Rachel Sermanni and Robert Hicks.
Robert Hicks:
"When we couldn’t find the right label for Rachel Sermanni's first proper release, Rachel said: "why don’t we do it ourselves?" Having only experienced producing Rachel's 'The Bothy Session' EP, we set about building a team which resulted in the 'Blackcurrants' EP - which debuted at No. 1 in the Indie Breakers chart. When Rachel's critically-acclaimed debut album came along, it was very much in the vein of "'well, we did it before" so 'Under Mountains' was released and subsequently debuted at No. 2 in the Indie Breakers chart."
"Middle Of Nowhere Recordings was officially born when Londoner, and regular Laura Marling band member, Pete Roe approached us to put his album out. Three years on, we've in excess of 25 releases under our belts and achieved a number of significant milestones with many many more still to obtain. All from a little office in the 'middle of nowhere' here in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland."
Rachel Sermanni:
"Middle Of Nowhere Recordings began with the production of my first EP, 'The Bothy Sessions'. The songs were recorded in the spirit of spontaneity, one night in a bothy (shack), three miles into a forest in the Scottish Highlands. It made sense to give the label a name that fit."
"Since then, it has gathered a collection of artists that feel like family. Sorren MacLean and Colin MacLeod fit the bill, being from two remote islands off the west coast. Roddy Hart and Pete Roe are city boys, but there's a sense of space to their music and words. Mo Kenney is from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and everywhere in Canada is basically in the middle of nowhere. I'll be releasing my new album with them in July. I look forward to see who they support next. I'm glad to have such a family."
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