“It wasn’t until the beginning of this year that I thought i’d really go for it,” says Havana Tapes founder Leo Gibbons-Plowright about his fledgling label. “I’d been toying the with the idea of starting a label for a while, having flitted around the UK DIY scene for some time. I’d seen the success of labels such as Art is Hard and Reeks of Effort close up and without these labels I’m sure I would ever had set it up.”
Having created the label to celebrate his love of the scene, Gibbons-Plowright was quickly overwhelmed with responses from some personal major players. “Getting the likes of Feature, Evans the Death and Healing Powers on the compilation was just amazing and something I thought would never happen,” he continues. “It’s been nicest thing that I’ve formed friendships with many of the bands on the release.”
Named ‘Foreshock’ to hint at the substantial seismic event still to come, as Gibbons-Plowright explains, the compilation is a result of true collaboration within the scene.
“I think the greatest thing about the DIY scene is that everyone is kind of looking out for each other,” he muses. “I have no doubt that this compilation wouldn’t have even made it if it weren’t for support I’ve got from people involved in DIY. Jake from Doe basically got the art work looking as good as it is and he’s just been a big help. Richard from Art is Hard has been really cool too, telling me obscure places to get cassette tapes made.”
“As a whole this record has been collaborative effort,” Gibbons-Plowright concludes. “Dean from Don’t Die designed the sleeve and has become a real part of this record label, even if he won’t admit it himself. Pet Cemetery has become my spirit guide in this whole endeavour. Havana Tapes is pretty dysfunctional; but at the moment it is working and i’m excited to see where we can go.”
Havana Tapes will launch officially on the 1st August 2015 with a free Evans the Death headline show at Birthdays in Dalston. Support will come from Charla Fantasma and Pet Cemetery. More details are available on the Facebook event page.