Ahead of their launch on Thursday, we caught up with Finn Merry from Collective Mind Records. They are a Brighton-based label exploring how to make ‘music with a message’.
Lara: What inspired you to start up Collective Mind?
Finn: I felt like there was a bit missing in the hip-hop scene with people actually talking about something that matters and conveying their own life message and what they’ve been through. A lot of hip-hop is just the same and I noticed that there were a lot of political rappers in Brighton. I feel like people need a platform and there’s just so much talent in Brighton - it’s impossible to avoid.
What sort of message do you want to portray?
Whatever the artist wants to say really. Just having the creative freedom to cover topics that you wouldn’t usually go for. If you’re an artist that usually talks about a certain thing and you want to believe something that’s different to that with a more political take, then we’re the place to come to. It’s the place to release music that actually means something to them and look after them, look after their music for them.
What’s it been like running the label?
It’s been busy! I’m producing as well for most of the projects on the label plus the event as well. But it’s all worth it in the end, there’s just a lot to it.
How do you go about choosing the artists?
In terms of choosing artists, it's usually based on the content of their songs first and then there has to be mutual respect.I like to work with artists who's message I personally relate to.
Collective Mind Is developmental and experimental. Taking inspiration from the likes of Wu-Tang, High Focus and Global Faction, we tend to work with disenfranchised talent that focus on important topics.Our label understands that our planet is in a state of emergency and that musicians/poets are able to capture the thoughts and opinions of many citizens.
How do you think music and the arts can open the conversation for change?
All the arts can be used as a kind of therapy to get something off your chest. A lot of musicians are channelling that through their music or whatever they’re doing.
What can we expect to see from Thursday's show?
You can expect a showcase of all the incredible talent we have found since starting the label. We will also be performing some unreleased music set to be released on Collective Mind in the future. Youth Strike 4 Climate will be there to spread their message as well.
We’re really excited to launch the label and show you all what we have been working on in the past few months. Set to be a big night, hope to see you all there!
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