Cr2 Records, Mark Brown Interview

Cr2 Records
Mark Brown Interview

Cr2's head honcho Mark Brown takes time out of his busy schedule to give us an insight into his labels success as they reach their 50th release.


Q: You left Parlophone's dance imprint Credence 2 years ago to set up on your own. What was the hardest part of starting a new label?
Its an obvious one but clearly very important, and that is financing the label. Credence was financed by EMI, so when I set up CR2 I had to get the money together myself.

Q: Any funny stories from the early days?
Working from home, that was a joke. I did it for the first 6 months, and it was tough to get motivated, and draw the line between work and my own time.

Q: Who else makes up the Cr2 team?
Nick Liousias (Marketing & promotions Manager), Chris Rodwell (Label Manager), Spencer Parker (A&R), Damian Wilson (A&R Manager), Simon Durban (Accountant)

Q: Do you feel you have achieved what you set out to do with the label?
The aim of the label was always to release quality dance music, which had the potential to cross over if it gained the right support. Key releases this year have been The Egg - Walking Away & Fedde Le Grande - Put Your Hands Up For Detroit. So yes I suppose we have achieved some of what we had set out to do.

Q: What have been the highlights of the past 2 years?
The continues growth and success of the label, thanks to the amazing group of people that work here.

Q: What have been your favourite releases?
Eric Prydz & Steve Angello - Woz Not Woz

Q: what has been your most successful release?
So far The Egg - Walking Away which got to number 3 in the national chart, however Fedde Le Grande is out this month and we are hoping that it can reach the magic number 1 slot

Q: The label is now about to reach your 50th release, tell us about the track.
I thought it would be appropriate to release our new MYNC single as our 50th release, an underground electronic house record, which has given us the opportunity to showcase some amazingly talented CR2 artists on the remix package

Q: What other releases to you have lined up?
We have the massive techno monster `The Rendition' by two hot young talents Dave Robertson & Jon Gurd. Also a new act called Age Of Steam - Disco Maffia which are going to be massive. The new Eddie Thorneick record `Deeper Love' which is a remiake C & C Music Factory's classic. Then there is Dannyy Freakazoid's new single with remixes from, Luke Dzierzek & Dave Spoon.

Q: Will you be releasing any more compilations?
Yes, we are already planning the next issue of `United Nations Of House' and few other projects in the pipeline which we are really excited about, but cant mention anything just yet

Q: Where do you see the label in the next 5 years?
To continue to be at the forefront of dance music, pushing boundries, with the continued development of new artists

Q: You are also one half of the MYNC Project with Nick Correlli. How do you find time to DJ and run a label?
With great difficulty

Q: What do you enjoy more, djing or running the label?
Both, they both go hand in hand. My djing enables me to have access to a broad spectrum of music, which I receive on my travels around the world. It also gives me the opportunity to test out new tracks which I am thinking of signing.

Q: What has been your best gig of the year?
The opening party of Pacha in Ibiza this year

Q: Where can we see if in the forthcoming months?
Pure @ MOS London, South Africa, Australia & Brazil