Around the world in 80 labels: Maceo Plex – Ellum

From one of the most established and longest-serving house imprints in Chicago we move on to a brand-spanking new organisation fronted by a familiar face. After all, Eric Esternol should be no stranger to most, what with releases on the likes of Cocoon, Crosstown Rebels, and Dumb Unit.

He’s probably better known under the pseudonym Maceo Plex though, and last month saw him launch the brand new label, Ellum. So then, with such a brief label history to focus on let’s ignore any further introductions, and learn a little about what the big idea is, and where exactly we can expect things to start heading. Over to the questions then.

Ellum – USA – Maceo Plex

Describe your imprint’s output. 

Dark, sexy, futuristic, post-disco house, new wave house.  

What would you say makes it different?  

The way it can be played in a deep house set, disco set, or techno set.  The darkness in the tracks appeals to many, while the funk and sensual overtones appeal to women and not just bros.  

What is it that makes you keep looking for new talent to expose? 

Standing out from the rest.  If we pull talent from our family of labels it can be great, but is it something helping us stand apart?  I’d like to bring something new to our family of labels, while still working along side each other seamlessly.  The best way to do that is to find new, fresh music and make our mark.  

What’s the label’s pinnacle achievement so far? 

Just getting launched has been a big achievement.  My schedule is crazy these days, and with the help of some amazing people we’ve been able to get it launched, and prepare some really special music for the listeners.  

If people were going to hear one release from your camp, what would you prefer it to be? 

001, which is my own EP.  I released this as the first release on purpose; to set the tone for the label.  

All being well, skip forward five years, where would you like things to be?

I’ll be happy to have something new and unique to offer to the listeners, and have a good enough following of fans to have regular Ellum showcases around the world.  Also I see Ellum with a strong family of artists and a strong musical connection that keeps us all working together and pushing the music foward.  

 

Recent stops 

USA – Large Music – Jeff Craven

USA – Culprit – Droog

 

 

 

 

 

 


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