Emerging UK selector n_o adds another layer of heat to his Manual Smiles imprint next month, with the release of Rowant’s 4-track ‘Networks’ EP.
The label has previously played host to productions talents such as Kitsta, Nickon Faith, and Command Control – featuring everything from house and techno, to acid and bass.
We got the chance to ask n_o a few questions about the labels inception, how he’s found things up to now, and what’s to come in the near future. Read the full interview below…
You first launched Manual Smiles back in 2023, what brought you to start a record label of your own?
Has it already been since 2023? Time flies! I’ve said this in the past but my intention for the label was very different from what it ended up becoming two years on. What started out as a record label to release trippy, retro-tinged techno (mainly my own), has since taken on a life of its own with house, bass, trance, and even dubstep on offer from a range of fantastic artists & friends – and I’ve been slacking and not released any music of my own in over a year.
There’s always a hypnotic or acidic thread linking the releases together though, and I’ve come to really like showcasing the different forms acid and psychedelic sounds can take in lots of different genres, sort of like a portfolio of exploration.
What’s been incredibly special about running the label since its initial goals has been the collaborative process with everyone involved – I’ve worked with some great artists, and the process has been super fun each time. So I suppose the ethos differs now in more than one way, while it’s a given the music will always play the main role, an added aim is to continue platforming and growing the existing label roster we’ve built over the years and invite new artists and remixers along the way.
Since then, you’ve signed music from names like Kitsta, Nickon Faith, and Command Control – what’s your typical approach to finding and signing new music?
I’ve been really lucky in the sense that many of my peers have sought me out – it’s been a huge honour to have so many promising artists believe in what the label is doing and can offer them. I’ll never take it for granted to go through the release process together and join their music journey in both small and large capacities; it’s led to some great artist debuts and opportunities like spots at Glastonbury, BBC Radio, and more.
I have sought some releases out myself as well – if I like what someone is doing, I’ll want to engage with their work and see if we can get something going down the line if they’re up for it. But there’s never any pressure; there are quite a few artists I’ve not worked with yet, but we frequently exchange demos until something fits a vibe we’re both happy to build a release around. This workshopping process is a massive part of the fun.
The next release on Manual Smiles is a 4-track EP titled ‘Networks’, from London artist Rowant, what can people expect to hear across the four inclusions?
Rowant and I have been in touch for many years, all the way back to when I was still throwing parties at London venue The Cause with the La Bonne Musique collective I used to be a part of, where he played for me a couple of times under his old moniker, Parallel. He’s always been a wicked producer, and it’s been incredible to follow his progress to what he’s doing now with his Rowant alias and Fantasy Trax label and party.
For ‘Networks’, you can expect wild synth sequences and crisp drums, leaning into some of his indie roots, with a gorgeous after hours soundscape on ‘Collecting Thoughts’ – Kitsta’s come back to the label to remix this one, without her support Manual Smiles would have likely never been, so it’s absolutely wonderful to have her return for this one, super special.
And who else might we see on the label in the near future?
Lots planned! Without giving too much away, we’ll be joined by a fantastic act who’s part of a wave of Italian artists pushing ‘trance-a-lento’, or slow trance, he’s become a real genuine friend over the past year of working on this release and if all goes well, it shouldn’t come too far behind Rowant’s debut.
Plenty more coming after featuring the very first remixer on the label with a full EP, the return of a core label member who joined us last year, and the debut of one of the coolest Manchester-based up-and-comers in the sound we operate in. Already working on the 2026 schedule next which is something I never thought I’d say – send help!
What’s your favourite record label right now?
I’m obsessed with anything S.O.N.S’ Junction Forest puts out, and Lora Mipsum’s reissue label Slush has been mega too – two incredible artists in their own right we booked for our events in collaboration with psychedelic London party crew Foloi.
Massive shout-out to Manual Smiles remix veteran REES’ Magic Ritmo, Dominik André’s Subject To Restrictions Discs, and Oltrefuturo & A-Tweed’s new Atol Diskz – it’s too hard to choose one favourite, too many people doing cool sounding things.
What advice would you give to any aspiring label owners in 2025?
Where to start? It can be super daunting starting a label from scratch without inside knowledge, when resources are hard to find on your own – rules of thumb I swear by: respect your artists, offer them opportunities outside just releasing their music, slay your label management game to the best of your ability, try things out, connect with other label owners, ask for help, take risks, learn from it, have fun with it, and keep growing alongside your project to keep things fresh.
Is there anything else you want to mention before we finish?
All the love to everyone who continues to listen, share, or play our music all over the world, it’s been a strange but amazing trip so far – I can’t wait to share everything that’s in store over the next years. Thanks for having me!
Rowant – Networks EP is out March 7th on Manual Smiles.