In 1993, Hisa Ishioka founde BPM King Street Sounds to continue the ten year tradition of soulful-spiritual house music that the great Paradise Garage club helped give birth and lend an ear to in the '80's. A musical harvest that has yielded some of the sweetest dance records ever, King Street has established itself as one of the finest and most respected labels releasing dance music today. King Street is on the cusp of dance music bringing such sounds as future soul, Nu jazz, Deep progressive house, and Afro-absract excursions to the forefront. We caught up with him to find out what being in the business for more than 15 years means to him...
Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about what you do...
Hisa Ishioka; founder and owner of King Street and sister labels Nite Grooves and Street King. We do what any self-respecting indie dance label does - bring emerging electronic artists to the forefront and hope the music we release will make people shake it just a little bit longer on the dancefloor.
King Street, like Defected, is known for championing the more soulful side of house music. Do you think this is something that’s lacking in a lot of the newer labels?
A lot of the newer labels yes, but everyone's doing their own thing and releasing the music they think will make the biggest impact. Tougher tunes keep selling though which is why we're pushing the limits a bit more with Street King.
What is the A&R policy at the label?
Know who we are, what we do and submit good quality music. Oh, and DO NOT EMAIL DEMOS DIRECTLY! That's just presumptuous and rude. Send links or cds.
Who are some of the artists you’re currently working with?
Osunlade did the most recent Mix the Vibe, currently a full length artist album by Kimara Lovelace, Johnny Dangerous debut album which has just been released and a highly anticipated debut solo album by former Ananda Project lead singer Heather Johnson. We've leaked a few singles already with remixes by DJ Spen, Tomo Inoue, Ezel, Rasmus Faber and Frankie Feliciano that are sublime.
You’ve been in business for more than 15 years now…do you think you’ll be around in another 15?
King Street's actually going on its 17th year in 2010. Been a great journey - but we're not done yet and certainly hope so!
You must have some personal favourite releases from that time...
“Cascades of Colour,” “Show Me,” “Only You” and “Touched the Sky” have been personal faves.
What has been your proudest moment at the label?
Between 1997 and 1998, the releases “Show “Me” by Urban Soul, “Circles” by Kimara Lovelace and “That Sound” by Pump Friction went to #1 on the Billboard Club Play Chart. And of course more recently when we partnered with Defected on “Most Precious Love,” it became a worldwide anthem in 2006.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about...?
Just thank everyone (all the DJs, retailers, label partners, journalists, etc) and all who've supported us for helping us continue to release the great music we love. We'd also like to thank all the artists, producers and remixers for having the faith to release their music with us. Here's to you! Check us out at www.kingstreetsounds.com
