Tian Karl has already released music on top shelf house labels such as Defected and Nervous in the past, and he’s now aiming to close out 2024 with the launch of his own imprint, TRUST ISSUES.
The first release on the new label comes from Tian himself, titled ‘Flint’, and sets the standard for what we might expect to hear on the label going forward.
We spoke to the London-based DJ, producer, and now label owner to talk about his reasons for wanting to have his own imprint, what he’s working on for 2025, and more.
Hi Tian, how are things for you in London right now?
Pretty good. I moved to London exactly 10 years ago and it’s definitely the place I feel most at home. And I don’t know how to put it into words, but the city does play a big role in shaping my sound and ideas. Summer is over, so I’m looking forward to studio season. It feels good to create and release music again.
You recently announced the inception of your TRUST ISSUES imprint, what made you want to start your own label?
I really enjoy the freedom my label gives me to just make the creative decisions I would naturally make without any interference. I don’t have to worry about release schedules, artwork, trends, mastering, or even genre. I’m aware that starting a label is usually a commercial decision, some type of branding and career choice. For me it’s the complete opposite.
It’s super inspiring to just be able to experiment and not having to convince anyone. But I hope to gain peoples trust through consistent quality output. And ideally, also as a long term goal, without any of the nonsensical platforms like Instagram, etc. People in other domains have done that very successfully. So against popular opinion: it is possible. Let’s see. Issue002 is already scheduled for October.
And the first release on the label is your new single ‘Flint’ – talk us through the track in your own words?
‘Flint’ is a groove driven track with a heavy kick, too heavy to be minimal but other rhythmic elements could be considered minimal. It’s a fun track and club oriented, but with soulful vocal fragments and chords spread all over.
I couldn’t tell you what genre it is but it was a vibe making it and I thought it was good way to kick off the label because it’s got a lot of elements in it that remind me of past releases – just with a bit more weight in the low end. It’s 90% jamming in the studio and then capturing the moment.
There’s rumours that you’re also releasing an album in 2025, what can you tell us about that?
Yes! ‘THINGS TO SAY ABOUT WORDS’ will be my debut album and the title and concept of the album is not only a subtle reference to loop based music, it’s also a very personal story-telling concept.
So, how do you tell a story without lyrics. Working on it also helped me get back on track after my forced (health related) hiatus. Roughly speaking it’s about being stuck in a situation where nothing helps but accepting. But there are more angles to it and I wanted to make it an emotional and personal record. Not a functional one. There are lots of breadcrumbs hidden in the tracks that cross reference each other. But I don’t want to give away too much. Takes away the point of listening to an album. At least for me I want to dive in and figure it out for myself.
Getting away from creating music for just clubs was also a huge factor for this record and particularly arranging samples in a DAW. The focus wasn’t only on the concept and telling a story but also from the sound perspective: on recording. I’m a trained recording engineer and often when you produce you’re tempted to just drag a sample around, slap some effects on it and you’re done. But I wanted to take advantage of all the colours and decisions that recording through gear gives you. It’s more work but it’s also infinitely more rewarding.
In the past you’ve worked with labels like Defected and Nervous, what can aspiring producers do to get on these kinds of imprints?
I’m not sure I’m in the position to give anyone advice. But what never worked for me was following trends, Beatport or management platitudes. Yes, social media can help you blow up quickly, become a brand and all that formulaic nonsense you hear daily.
I’d say, ironically also in reference to the title of my next single called ‘Don’t Lie’, just be honest. Work hard on your craft and create the stuff that 100% fulfills you creatively. I’m not oblivious to how naive this can sound in today’s industry climate, but if you’re not appreciated for your music but for your memes or activity on socials, to a large extent you’re dependent on algorithms. And not the creative identity you should be coming up with. Just love what you do and do it well. And make it YOUR version.
And where else might we see you release in the near future?
I can’t say yet but demos have been sent and there has been some really good feedback, so fingers crossed. But there are quite a few releases schedule on my own label, TRUST ISSUES.
Anything else you want to say before we go?
I guess just a thank you to everyone who is still invested in all this, although it’s getting harder and harder with clubs dying, Spotify being Spotify and the constant devaluing of music through meaningless social media. It’s a weird world out there at the moment. But more of a reason to just focus on the essence: the music. Thanks for having me.
Tian Karl – Flint is out now on TRUST ISSUES.