Label Profile: Celebrity Records (US)

Celebrity records are the combined project of Bryan Gerrard and David Drone. Based in Minneapolis, the guys started the label in 1999, originally to showcase their own music. Their philosophy; to put out music they believed in, and hoped other people would get off to.
Well it seems to be working. With seven releases already under their belt, including artists like Jay J and Chuck Love, Celebrity records are well on they’re way to joining those other house stars in the sky. The future sounds good, and it indeed it does. Recent releases from artists such as Audiowhores and Nymphonix provide audio therapy that is good for the body, mind and soul.

Manchester based Audiowhores, ‘House Music All Night Long’, does exactly what it says on the tin, making you want to listen to it all night! It’s an excellent track, complimenting all tastes, and definitely one for the dance floor.

Also to be anxiously awaited is the first of two Nymphonix records, ‘Off My Mind’. A delectable vocal over sultry strings with a deep funky bass and steady beat, just let it melt all over you! Nymphonix are the collaboration veteran producer Chuck Love and vocalist, Andra Suchy. This track has already been given the house music quality mark of approval, featuring a deluxe remix by Jay J, also on the record. The second release, ‘Arms Around You’ is due to hit the streets around now.
The label has a had a nice little start, with an Alexander East remix of Pearl’s ‘Strange Fruit’ and Celeb’s very own Bryan and David, titled ‘Moving Styles’.
Managing to sound neither East nor West coast sounding, the Minneapolis based label seems to encompass a variety of sounds and styles which is bound to fulfil a large range of tastes, while managing to maintain a strong underlying groove throughout.
This isn’t surprising, taking into consideration the diverse backgrounds both boys are coming from. David, also owns and runs Basement Records, the first all vinyl dance store in Minneapolis. He started DJing back in 1990, and has led a very diverse life in the industry. Chosen to be Prince’s resident at Paisley Park studios, he also opened for a David Bowie gig back in 1996 and has played the infamous Love Parade in Berlin.
He joined a live techno act, Auto Kinetic in 1996, and put on labels like Holspatten (Germany) and Hyperspace (NYC). An accomplished jungle DJ in Minneapolis for many years, he decided to redirect his focus towards house and techno.
Brain, also played a big part in shaping the house scene in Minneapolis and likes to call him self a ‘serious audiophile’. He maintains a revolving club residences at home and elsewhere as well as running Celebrity Records with his partner. His influences draw from a long-time passion of listening to soul, jazz, rock, funk, disco and house, of course!
With such an accomplished history and diversity of styles, the varied experience of both guys echoes in the overall sound of Celebrity. This is high quality music, that appeals to a wide range of musical palettes. The guys insist that Minneapolis has an underrated, extremely healthy music scene. And listening to some of Minneapolis’ very own, like Chuck Love, (aka Nymphonix), who also produces under the name of MonkeyBox (a more techno-based sound), we can look forward to a rich and varied sound coming from this northern city.
If you ever happen to be visit, you could always head into beatopopia @ 1st Avenue and let them show you some Minneapolis love. It seems to be a good thing, ‘cos anyone I meet from there has only one thing to say. And that’s ‘Spread the Love’!

Words: Aine G

www.celebrity-records.com
www.mpls-soul.com