A NEW record label has launched in Wirral.
471 Records is a Wirral-based artist-centred label that looks to “nurture local talent” across the borough.
The new label was launched as part of Wirral events management company Events 471 which specialises in promoting live music events of all genres.
In July last year, Birkenhead teacher and singer Mike Ryan came out of a contract with a record label and, while feeling down about it, knew there was only one person he could call.
Mike told the Globe: “I had just come out of a contract with a Liverpool-based label that I didn’t have a very good experience with. I spoke with other people who had been involved with them and when we compared stories, we realised that something wasn’t right.
Singer-songwriter Mike Ryan (Image: Mike Ryan)
“I had been quite down about it all and then one of my friends suggested that I should start my own label.
“The more we talked about it the more I thought yeah actually there’s nothing that these labels are doing that we couldn’t do ourselves. I know a lot of people from working on the circuit for a few years and I’ve made great connections, so I phoned my friend and the founder of Events 471 Carol Heatherington.
“When I spoke to her and said do you want to start a label, she told me she had been having the exact same thoughts over the last few days, so it was proper spooky universe talking type situation.
“Events 471 have been putting events on across the north west for the past 18 months and have been becoming more and more successful and building this reputation and becoming partners with Start Yard and Future Yard so it just felt like it was meant to be.”
After meeting up, Mike and Carol agreed that the labels ethos would be putting artists first.
Mike said: “We were both coming at it from the same perspective. We were doing it for the right reasons and we realised we could build this thing that could really help support local young artists who are just starting out and finding their feet and making sure they’re looked after and nurtured. It’s kind of the ethos really.
“It will be artist led and we will hopefully be able to guide them and protect them.
“It’s really exciting because none of us have ever done this before so we’re thinking on our feet and learning as we go but we’re generating really amazing ideas.”
471 Records consists of Events 471 founders Carol Hetherington and her son Carrick Moran, Ian Harwood, digital distribution, Simon Kilgallon, artist and musician AKA Loopfader and Nicola Hardman, who will help with the mental wellbeing of artists.
471 Records launch party will take place on February 22 (Image: Mike Ryan)
Mike said: “It’s been a ride the last six months but it’s happening and it’s happening now so it’s great.
“Funnily enough I remember going back 20 years when I was still in school and writing a note in one of my journals about how the coolest thing in the world would be starting your own label and making everything organic.
“I remember writing this little note back then as a young naïve lad and then the other day I found it being used as a bookmark of all things, so I hope that 15-year-old is happy
“None of this would have been possible this time last year so I'm taking each day as it comes.”
As well as Mike, the artists currently signed to the label are Liz Owen, a Wirral-born contemporary blues/folk artist with a touring history alongside Midge Ure and Joan Armatrading and Simon Kilgallon aka Loopfader, an experimental electronica project blending ambient soundscapes and retro-futurist visuals.
To celebrate the launch of 471 Records, a launch event showcasing the first signed records will take place at Start Yard in Birkenhead on Saturday, February 22 at 7.30pm.
Mike said: “I’m so excited for the launch event to happen.
“It’s one thing telling people that we’ve set this label up and to go on Spotify or Bandcamp and listen to the tracks but I think actually having this get together and getting everyone in one room who is involved with this and it being a pure celebration of all the work we’ve put in I think it will feel more real and be just joyous vibes.
“We’re not doing it for any other reason other than the passion we have for the local music scene.
“It’s very exciting in Birkenhead at the moment from a music perspective. There’s a lot going on.
“It’s only going to grow and I think we will rival whatever’s happening in Liverpool. There is definitely a buzz at the moment something’s happening.”
To buy tickets to the launch event click here.
