Local Action launches with T. Williams

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    Thu, Apr 15, 2010, 12:20
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  • The new London-based label, founded in part by Phonica, will release its first 12-inch later this month.
  • Local Action launches with T. Williams image
  • This month will see the first release from Local Action, a London-based label that specializes in emotionally-tinged UK dance music. The imprint's first release will be an EP by T. Williams, better known as one-half of the duo Deep Teknologi. Ambitiously titled Anthem, the A-side track has already seen support from dubstep heavyweights like Kode9, Ikonika and 2562, as well as Sinden and Brackles among others. The label is run in part by Phonica, one of London's most distinguished record shops, but the driving force behind Local Action is Tom Lea, bass music connoisseur and one of FACT's contributing editors. We caught up with Tom via email this week to get the rest of the scoop on his new label:
    Why did you choose the name Local Action? Sitting in my house with Andy Musgrave, who does the artwork for the label, with him thinking of really interesting conceptual names and me flicking through a housemate's science book looking for dumb phrases I thought sounded cool. Obviously I went with the latter, and it kind of makes sense because my day job means I share a building with Phonica, so running a label with them is pretty local. They think the name's a bit stupid, because it obviously is. I don't really know why my housemate still owns a science book. How would you describe the label's sound? It's something I've been thinking a lot about. The first three releases are provisionally agreed, and I know what I have in mind for the fourth. And the fifth actually. And the one thing that binds them is this kind of twilight aesthetic; music that's first and foremost danceable, but also has a slight longing to it, even if it's buried quite deep under the surface. That doesn't apply so much to LOC001, but it's something that will crop up more and more in the future. I love subtly heart-wrenching dance music: Ruff Sqwad, Actress, Deadboy, Ikonika. UK garage remixes of '90s R&B is pretty much my favourite music ever. T. Williams' vocal house stuff that most people haven't heard is incredible, and LOC003 is hopefully going to be from a really special artist from New York, who you'll know more about soon, and his music suits this to a tee. So yeah, I guess first and foremost it's gonna be music for the dance floor, but equally suited to the lonely corners of it. Having said that, if someone like MMM wanted to put out some amazing day-glo rave tune via Local Action I probably wouldn't think twice.
    To get a taste of what T. Williams sounds like solo, check out his track "People's Choice," available for free on SoundCloud. You can also hear Anthem streamed in its entirety on Local Action's MySpace page.
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