DJ Duncan McBean, Acutek, launches new record label 'Flick' with a party at The Eagle Bar in home town of Forres
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A LOCAL DJ and electronic music artist is celebrating the launch of his new record label with a party.
Acutek, AKA Duncan McBean (29) of Forres High Street, has released 300 copies of his first self-produced vinyl on Flick, the new label with the same name as the club night he runs at The Eagle, set to lift the roof off again on Saturday, October 2 from 9pm.
He said: “The launch will feature a local line-up including JFRM (Joel Mckerrel), Aaron Grigor and myself. We’re going to raise the bar for the attendees with more of an audio/visual experience. There will be no advance tickets, just good tunes all night long!”
The waste management officer has been DJ-ing for 14 years and has appeared on the bill at well-known city stages including Ironworks, Inverness and The Tunnels, Aberdeen.
He has also released four self-produced EP’s on established labels including Gibbon Records, Unknown Territory, Biotech Recordings and Space City Recordings.
However, having more time to plan ahead while gigs dried up during Covid lockdowns made Duncan realise he is ready to go it alone.
He said: “It’s been great working with labels over the years, but I feel I’m at the point now in my journey to do it myself. I can keep creative control of my music and deliver my own vision.”
Duncan researched distributors and promotion companies, as well contract options to ensure he has the business model that works best.
Having had to reschedule the first release three times due to delays at pressing plants, his Onyx EP is the first product, pressed in the UK but manufactured in France.
He said: “The songs were written at the end of 2020 after my last EP release. I was enthused when that one charted and wanted to write something with dance floors opening back up in mind.”
Duncan wrote the tracks on Ableton software and tested them at a sold-out Ironworks on August 27, while warming up for Highland techno giant, Alan Fitzpatrick.
“It was good to see the reaction,” said Duncan. “The dance floor was packed!”
Duncan is preparing to release another three records then plans to learn more about the industry, with mentoring from established electronic artists Shadow Child and Reset Robot, as well as XL Recordings founder, Nick Halkes.
He said: “They’re going to help me with some advanced music production techniques and general A&R advice. That will keep me busy over the winter months, as well as fine tuning the music I’ve been writing.”
Duncan is currently focused on his own material on Flick... but he hopes to give other artists a foot up in the future.
He said: “I haven’t signed any other acts yet but I would love to down the line. I started the label as a way to get my own productions out but I’ll be bringing other people on board in the years to come!”
Acutek – Onyx EP is available to listen to and buy via https://music.acutek.co.uk/link/1p4uyp
Duncan is also running a limited edition pre-order campaign for Flick merchandise (T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies) from Everpress, he adds, who print everything to order so there is no waste.
Visit https://everpress.com/onyx-ep for more information.
