Lung delivers strong 'Afterlife' 12'' on Kokeshi label

Labels don't need to be 'old and established' to attract new talents; brand new labels can easily build a name around a complete newcomer as well. That is exactly what Alley Cat is doing with her Kokeshi label after having signed Lung. Lung is the 19 years old James Ellaway from Cardiff, Wales (UK). His first release, the 2-track "Afterlife"/""Time" is released on Kokeshi and is without any doubt some of the finest material we have heard in a long time coming from the dubstep scene which has always had a certain appeal to the more eclectic listeners from the electro scene. To get an idea what we are talking about, listen to "Afterlife" right below. If you like it, get it right here at iTunes together with the "Time" track.

Kokeshi is run by Alley Cat, now a UK resident but actually originating from San Francisco (USA). An active DJ since 1997, she has being doing work for other DnB labels in the past including A & R and promotion before launching her very own imprint Kokeshi. Alley Cat: "I came across Lung's music and that really helped push me to get the label going full-on. I do everything for the label including the logo design and record sleeve artwork. I also do the Kokeshi podcasts which have proven to be very popular. They are a mash up of deep dubstep and deep drum'n'bass with other ambient dreamy interludes in between. Just an aside, I love Depeche Mode, New Order and The Cure; they were a huge influence on my sound."

That the label is on to something promising can also be deduced from the fact "Afterlife" was featured in the massive dubstep compilation "This is Dubstep Vol 2" which has been dominating the UK dance charts since its release.

Cat's first drum'n'bass tune was released in 2000 and over the years others followed, including a collaboration with Native Minds on the legendary label Reinforced. Over the decade she DJed all over the globe, from Tel Aviv, to Hawaii, Reykjavik, Johannesburg, Moscow , her native San Francisco and back to London again, where she's been planted for over 10 years. Along the way there has been various mix CDs released including a cover CD for KMag, several releases, managing a couple of labels and working at the ESP Agency looking after artists such as dBridge , Instra:mental, Kryptic Minds, Youngsta, S.P.Y , Marcus Intalex, Klute, Black Sun Empire, Calibre and many more.

Alley Cat is back on production duties this time in the 140 bpm region for Kokeshi 003's release, with Kiat, "Purple Clouds" (iTunes). The 2-track offers some real Kraftwerk beats into a dubstep environment. Future plans for the label include introducing more artists and a high profile remix project that will be announced soon including a Kryptic Minds remix of Lung's "Afterlife". Kokeshi showcases have already taken place in London and Manchester with the aim to do more later in the year.

Below is a video interview with Alley Cat shot in Manchester for the UK magazine Examplemag. You'll learn how she started out in DnB, what's happening with her new label Kokeshi and also where she thinks the scene is heading. More info at www.iheartkokeshi.com. A label to follow closely.