Music label launches at REM studio in Wood Green

Kate Daisy Grant is one of the acts signed to Telescopic Baby.

An eclectic record label with a unique approach to nurturing its bands has set up home in the same studio once used by rockers REM.

Telescopic Baby, based in the Livingston Recording Studios, in Brook Road, Wood Green, believes it is the perfect antidote to the X Factor age of manufactured bands - where hit success comes second to their talent.

And for label boss Ken Rose, a 48-year-old writer and producer originally from the US but who now lives in Crouch End, he hit upon the idea completely by chance.

He said: "It was really set up by accident. I have been working most of my life on major labels and it was only when I was speaking at a lecture and someone asked how I would go about setting up the perfect record label that I decided to do it for real.

"Music is art. There is no right or wrong and I choose all my artists by gut feeling. But it really takes time - it can take up to five records before they find success and a voice people want to stick with."

The seven acts currently signed to the label will play a launch gig at The Boogaloo, in Archway Road, Highgate, on Wednesday, March 23.

His acts, including Liverpudlian Andrew Parry and Brighton songstress Kate Daisy Grant, are a diverse mix of soul music, from heavy to acoustic rock.

Launching a label in Wood Green was a dream come true for Mr Rose, who said the 'energy' in Haringey is perfect for making music.

REM recorded their album Fables Of The Reconstruction in the Livingston Studios, and artists including Kanye West, Bjork and Manic Street Preachers have also made music in the legendary studio.

But despite Telescopic Baby standing in such good company, is it hard to start a business in these tough economic times?

"Because I’m doing this on a pretty reasonable budget I don’t need to have hit success to keep it going," he said. "The aim is to make really good records and ensure that all the artists have the creative freedom to do what they want."

(Original story from Tottenham Journal)