First founded in 1992 by Steve Kinrade via Polydor Records as a release label for Kill Laura (headed by singer-songwriter and Psyche Queen Jane Weaver), the Klee Music label was resurrected in 2016 to issue Thomas Lang’s The German Alphabet. Since then, the label has grown to release, primarily on physical formats, with another sixteen eclectic musical statements. The label has also moved into publishing, owning the long term publishing rights for all original musical compositions. Steve Kinrade regularly contributes to Liverpool Noise, Pennyblack Music and Vents.
The Klee Music Manifesto is “Music As Art”, and the label believes and supports all the Artistes they work with. Klee Music’s statement is that it is Merseyside’s most eclectic music label and publisher. We recently caught up with Klee Music’ Steve Kinrade…
Liverpool Noise: From the label bio, a break of some 24 years from Klee 03 to Klee 04 which is Thomas Lang’s The German Alphabet. How come?
Steve Kinrade: Good question! I was quite active in the local music scene between 1989 and 1993 and had some success. I was working loosely for Adlib Audio as well as – along with Andy Redhead (now SJM Concerts) – the original booking team for the legendary Lomax Club. However, for personal reasons I was interested in a career in nursing, and subsequently after qualifying I got to be at the clinical coalface of HIV/AIDS nursing before the HAART treatment came in and saw our HIV cohort massively benefit. Fast forward to 2015, and an old musical chum Alan Currie (Come In Tokyo, Candy Opera) played me some instrumental tracks he had been working on, and with the added wizardry of producer / arranger Colin McKay plus the sublime vocals of Thomas Lang, The German Alphabet was born. After that, I had the bug again!
LN: Does the label have a particular philosophy?
SK: Only eclecticism! We are in the great position of not having to do this as our main job. We run the label out of a passion for music, not profit. I think we are the only label that actively wants the artistes we release to move onto a bigger label – with our very best wishes! Also physical releases were possible! And Klee is very much a team!
LN: In those 24 years, how has the music industry changed?
SK: How long have you got? Massively! Technology has changed things so much. You don’t need a record company to get something released. You don’t need a recording studio to create music. But these freedoms have led to a saturation in the music market. I suppose the major labels back in the day acted like “gatekeepers” or curators. They also monopolised the means of production and distribution. They could also write of an artistes career against tax though.
LN: That sounds a bit pessimistic. Anything positive?
SK: Absolutely! The talent in the region is utterly astonishing! I have met, worked with and written about so many fabulous artistes. We really are living in great times!
LN: Care to name check?
SK: Sure! There are loads of labels operating which are brilliant. My personal favourite is Mellowtone, such a cool label and headed by the lovely Dave McTague. The online media is strong. Apart from our own Liverpool Noise, Ian D Hall’s Liverpool Sound and Vision is the real Daddy. I love the way Ian writes. Matt Jacobson is not far behind in my estimation also. Local internet radio is also important. Chris Currie and Billy Kelly are brilliant as they have been musicians as well. Cliff Howarth and John Jenkins are so important, and from a Klee point of view, Gary Reddin has been superb.
Andy Dockerty and Adlib Audio are fantastic people, brilliant professionals and have done so much for the local economy. Joe Campbell of Culture City is massively impressive. He is a young Liverpool Lid and has a great future ahead of him. Jose Ibanez as a Producer / Engineer at 3rd Planet Recordings is astonishing also. Promoters such as Liverpool Acoustic and Nothingville are brilliant also. Graham at Cyclone is our go to person for vinyl manufacture.
From an artiste point of view, everyone we have released! Emilio Pinchi is a great songwriter, Christy Bellis oozes musical charisma and Mutant Vinyl (Edwin Pope) is such a great guy and so talented. Paul Iwan has delivered a superb album for April release, and the standard is kept high by the release of the majestic debut album by Dorothy Bird in June. Outside the immediate Klee family Ian M Bailey, April Moon, Motel Sundown, Seafoam Green, John Witherspoon, The New Icons, The Heavy North, Zen Baseball Bat, Evie Moran, Louie Berry, Cal Ruddy and Mike Ryan impress Klee massively.
LN: What’s The EdenHurst Session Programme about?
SK: This was the idea of my label partner Sean, who incidentally is a massive local music fan. We were talking about how great the old John Peel Sessions were and we decided to invite artistes to perform 5 songs live in the studio – under the watchful eye of Jose Ibanez, and filmed by Scott Healey. However, one song must be a cover of a song already published by Klee. And honestly, this was the most fun for us, but a real challenge for the artistes. All of these cover versions were brilliant, but the ones that personally stood out for me were Cal Ruddy’s cover of Visions of Albions You’re Not Alone, Christy Bellis’ take on Thomas Lang’s Sugar Don’t Work, and Mike Ryan’s rendition of Esme Bridie’s Only Lonely People. Each session download can be pre-ordered, but will be released just on one day, in WAV format. This is to acknowledge that Music is Art and is not a throw away commodity, and should be treated with respect.
LN: Any advice to musical artistes?
SK: From a label perspective, music is – and should be – a broad church. Have belief in yourself and don’t always consider events in the short term. You should look at your musical output as your creativity, and something that you will probably hopefully be doing for the rest of your life. If a major label comes in, well good. But nothing beats assembling a small label team around you who will work for the advancement of your Art because they believe in you, not just that they are being paid to do so. It’s very rare to gain major success on your own. Work hard. Be nice. Have integrity. Communicate, and enjoy! But back yourself!
LN: What does 2022 hold for Klee Music?
SK: Well, the other ten EdenHurst Sessions, plus the releases by Paul Iwan and Dorothy Bird. Both are being release primarily on 12” vinyl, and the superb packaging matches the superb music. It is an honour to release both of these Artistes on the label. And there may be others! We are really looking forward to 2022!
Head to https://kmpuk.co.uk/ to find out more about Klee Music.
