Dec 15, 2016
[Exclusive] Mikael Weermets Delivers
We are excited to present a true treat today with an Exclusive Mix and Story from Mikael Weermets. He sets the bar high for an Exclusive Mix with an ID filled mix full of fresh music, DJ tools, and acappellas that draw you in. In his story, he honestly and openly dives into his FMR music label: why he started it, what he looks for in the music they sign, the upcoming FMR podcast, and the future for the label! You’ll also find the announcement of a very special Christmas gift from Mikael and the FMR team to the listeners in the mix as one of the true legends of house music has crafted a special edit for the guys.
Who is the team behind the FMR label? What made you decide to launch the label?
The decision to start the label was made around a year and a half before I launched it. I always wanted to run my own solo label (I've been in label projects before), but this time I wanted to do something that was built on only my ideas. The first idea was just to release all these banging records my friends made in an easy and effortless way, but once the word got out that the label was launching, all these amazing records just started popping out from all different parts of the world. I wanted the structure to be perfect and at the same time be sure that I had the right music, and all of a sudden everything was in the right place and we started with “Open Your Mind,” which was around four months ago today.
The label is built on around ten people (also all from different parts of the world, funny enough). The whole team is a bunch of workaholics and perfectionists. Even though I’m the "boss," I get schooled by my 17 year old online marketing genius sometimes. We all push each other hard, but with a huge respect for the same cause; one big happy family kind of thing. It's the usual label setup in the working role sense, but sometimes I believe the guys on the team are from another planet.
Can you introduce the FMR podcast to us? What will the podcast be like?
The podcast is launching in January and will work as a showcase in relation to the releases for each artist. Every mix will be structured as if it were a current 60 minute festival set from the artist. I mean, we are somewhat the rave version of the groove labels, so we might as well showcase how the tracks will sound at the festival where they belong, right? :) And also, it's cool for the producer kids who haven't been able to score a festival set yet to be able to put a real one together and to be able to get it heard in front of the people who want to hear JUST that.
Can you highlight three tracks from the first episode and why you chose to include them?
Of course. I'd like to put three of the IDs in there, but we need to keep some of 'em a secret for just a little while longer, so here goes:
1. O.B – “House Music Is Back” [free download] – Our first “hit.” Signed this record from one of my own personal favourite producers, my dear friend O.B from Morocco. He has this insane way of making groovy uptempo records that all seem to fit perfectly into my sets, and this is my all time favourite from him. I got to be the one to carry it for him, so this is a special one for me.
2. Mikael Weermets & SoDeep – “Voices” (Party Killers & Funk Machine Remix) [free download] – Stunning remix courtesy of Swiss duo Party Killers & Russian duo Funk Machine. This track is the definition of what we are looking for. It has the atmosphere, the banging mix, the interesting sounds. It does the trick on any dance floor in the world, guaranteed.
3. Walden – “Orx” [free download] – Also a very special one. I've been a fan of this young Aussie since his “Airodime” a few years ago. That was a solid piece in my sets for a long time, and this will be too. Walden is a talent with no boundaries; whatever style of music pops up on Skype from him is jaw dropping.
What are you looking for in tracks to potentially release on FMR?
First and foremost we look for identity. As I mentioned before, it's a group of workaholics and perfectionists coming right behind so we don't let anything slip by us haha! Our filter is strong – we analyze every piece of the tracks to the bone and we make sure we get the best out of all of them.
Are there any upcoming FMR releases that you can tell us about?
As you will hear through announcement in the mix, we have a just crazy Christmas gift. It's a huge symbol of the hard work we’ve put in this year to make the label explode. To have someone of that stature stand behind what we are doing, let’s just call that a solid piece of motivation for 2017. Next year we are doing our first talent showcase, and trust me when I say we are going to show off some amazing records from some places you might never have even heard of. Apart from that, we have a huge O.B solo EP, some new stuff from David Fesser, Drop Department, Simon de Jano & Madwill, Divolly & Markward, Pink Panda, and of course myself and many more. We have no plans of slowing down. :)
short link 1001.tl/vs8f32
