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GETTING DIRTY

The 1975’s new single, “Give Yourself a Try” (Interscope), will premiere on BBC Radio 1 tomorrow. Before the All On Red/Dirty Hit-repped band's third album comes out this fall, we somehow coerced manager Jamie Oborne into a chat.


All On Red/Dirty Hit RecordsJamie Oborne likens the current music scape to the Wild West, where every door is open and anything is possible. Home to the likes of The 1975, Wolf Alice, Pale Waves and The Japanese House, among others, the label/management co. puts all its focus on under-the-radar acts with unique, raw talent and a global vision.

Oborne credits much to Dirty Hit GM Ed Blow, and All On Red’s Mark Hayton, who help lead a staff of just eight people. “Ed and Mark have been with me since day one and have both grown with the company into two of the smartest music industry executives I know. It’s rare for me to find such symmetry of vision and they’re central to the company’s culture. It made me so happy to reward Ed’s service to Dirty Hit with his Director status.”

Such a small staff puts a premium on work ethic, intuition and integrity. “We feel a real sense of duty towards our artists that I take very seriously, at the end of the day these are people’s lives, these kids’ hopes and dreams are on the line, I take my ethical responsibility to the artists who have trusted us very seriously, you have got to get it right.”

The team’s motivation is now more key than ever, as each act on the roster seems to be in the midst of a career-shifting year. Perhaps most notably, The 1975 is putting out their third album come fall, with the initial single, “Give Yourself a Try,” all set to premiere tomorrow (5/31) on BBC Radio 1.

Frontman Matt Healy and Oborne have been working closely and carefully on the Grammy-nominated band’s creative decisions. “It takes people time to catch on to the legends, like with Bowie or Prince, not everyone picks them up right away, and Matthew & The 1975’s creative legacy is going to be seen as legendary.” He’s ardent about the new album being the best they’ve made, calling it “music of the future.” The group’s first two albums are both RIAA-certified gold.

One of the label’s rising acts, Pale Waves, have scarcely taken a break since landing a coveted spot on the BBC’s Sound of 2018 shortlist, as well as the top spot on DIY’s Class of 2018. They wrapped a tour in the U.S., dropped an EP, have been building on their U.K. radio success and just released “Kiss” earlier this month. Meanwhile, stops all over the U.K., Europe and Australia through summer are solidifying their place in the indie scene.

The Japanese House—22-year-old Amber Bain’s moniker—was likewise honored on BBC’s Sound of 2017 longlist. She’s just completing her first LP, which is due out in 25 days if the artist’s Twitter is any indicator. Oborne calls it a “stunning” piece of work from someone he describes as “a raw and special talent.” I can personally attest to that; her “Saw You in a Dream” was my most-listened-to song of 2017, according to Spotify.

With a big year well underway, Oborne’s ambition to grow into a bigger industry presence—while retaining the open culture of its indie roots—remains keen. If this is the Wild West, All On Red/Dirty Hit is preparing to kick up some dust.

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