Label Spotlight With Techfui Founder Salah Sadeq
For several years now the Techfui label has been home to innovative sounds from an array of producers, never over indulging in one particular vibe and in the year ahead the label founder Salah Sadeq looks to continue this energy, not following trends, allowing the music and art to speak volumes. It is always intriguing for us to meet such labels, learning about the way they work and their views about music, so it is a pleasure to have Techfui join us for the latest label spotlight…
Hi Salah, thanks for making some time for the label spotlight series. When did you begin the Techfui journey? And where are you based?
So Techfui started in 1999 incidentally through the ethos for music that I was developing for my residency at LIKWID in Bahrain.
I also used to hand out these CD mixes every month. A good friend at the time at an afters at mine was expressing how he felt it was clear to see if it was me playing or my set based on the vibe of the music. He asked me to define it. I said to him it is not really a genre but a range of music selected to get under your skin and keep you grooving and holding on for the final release of the mind towards the end.
He said I have to give it a name and in that state of mind I came up witا TECHFUI. A combination of forward thinking music that sets the aura and atmosphere for the room and audience.
I am from Bahrain, Based in Dubai.
Can you describe Techfui in just 3 words for our readers?
I might have touched on it above, but I would say it is unique, organic and pure.
Your latest EP was a four track remix package of "Hibiki Awa", how did the release come about? How do you source, and discover remixers for the label?
Honestly a big part of why I am still in the scene or a driver for me is the social and network aspect, Meeting or discovering people through music, gigs or events. Im am big on culture and love to see how people do their thing and love connecting.
When I feel someone has something interesting to offer the release or the people involved I give it a go.
Do you like to stick with a consistent vibe and genre with the label, or are you open to a wide array of sounds?
Well I am from the school that good music is good and a good story line does not limit itself with a certain genre. So the same with the releases I am open to anything that catches our interest and keeps to the core ethos.
How important is vinyl culture to you? Do you think it is essential to keep this alive?
Yes I think it is very important. Not only for music on a production level, but also for performers / DJ. Growing up in the industry from 14 I realised how the performance is different when you came up learning this way. and how it also affects the mood.
A label or artist having to be more careful about curation and take their time is also important specially for the over saturated scene we are in now.
Think about the circulation of work and economy of the scene too. More people involved in the development of a record and moving money to hands. Last but not least the fact that a record is more memorable than a digital file.
If you could give our readers one piece of advice about starting a label, what would that be?
Think and be 10005 sure about why you are starting it strategically. Then do it with all your passion. Don’t start thinking you are going to make money as a starting point. Be honest and be patient.
What do you have planned for the next year?
We are waiting to get the next 2 releases and lining up (1 with Sasse and Doubting Thomas on Remixes and the other with Generali Minerali + some mixes. Not to forget a special release coming from Adam Rahman) more showcases around the world for the artists. Easier said than done. But we just want to enjoy every release and moment.
Last of all, leave our readers with one track from the label?
SURE!
Shipibo Konibo (Anton Kubikov Remix)
Discover more Techfui here...
