Tuesday 24 September 2013

RWD Magazine: Happy 15th Birthday, Defected!


Defected’s Simon Dunmore talks longevity and the future of house with Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson.

"The strength of what we do lies in the talent that we work with," says Defected's head honcho, Simon Dunmore. The London-based house and techno label was initially funded by Ministry Of Sound in 1999, however, after two years of working in a different creative mind-space to his backer, Dunmore decided to cut ties and began living out his Defected dream with five freelance staff. Now in their 15th year of business, boasting a team of twenty-plus full-timers, his vision of unearthing new talent – and putting on memorable raving experiences to showcase said talent – has exceeded all expectations.

"We constantly monitor the landscape, both musically and from a business standpoint, and then react quickly upon what lies before us," explains Dunmore, who's been working in the dance music industry for almost three decades. "People have tried to downplay the value of music, but it still remains an art and true creatives deserve appreciation. If we promote and fulfill our promises to the artists we work with, we benefit in many ways and, ultimately, it’s all about the talent we associate ourselves with." Defected's taken some big knocks over the years but, as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Simon Dunmore is secure in his empire's future, and he and his team's continual aim is to "invest all our energies on our artists, our community, and being creative." 

This also appeared in RWD Magazine Issue 140