WARM Agency
In conversation with Micky Browne and Ali Tillett of WARM agency in Poole.
Hi Micky and Ali. Can you give us an introduction to WARM and RE:WARM record label?
WARM was first conceived by Ali Tillett whilst at university here in Bournemouth, where he started a well attended student night on Old Christchurch Road. WARM then went on to become a very successful club night; taking in venues such as Plastic People, Fabric & The End in London. WARM has since gone on to work with a host of well-established artists such as Gerd Janson, Henrik Schwarz, Luke Una, Hot Chip and the now ubiquitous Horse Meat Disco to name a few.
Building on a long period of collaboration and co-operation with other entities in the music industry, we have now returned to our core values as an independent artist booking agency, with 20 years of experience in artist care and development, alongside a focus on forging strong industry relationships with venues, promoters and bookers.
Alongside the booking agency, WARM has now expanded to include the record label RE:WARM. RE:WARM hosts an online record shop and pop up shop. You can find us on the first Saturday of every month with our good friends at The Way Outback Brewing Co, with live acts and DJs.
We are now based in our permanent home in Ashley Cross with an expanding team of dedicated individuals which now includes 'The Two Rachels', Jack, Ali and Micky.
Can you tell us a bit about your reason for starting your own record label?
Ali had run a label for many years with different artists under the name WARM Records, but also worked collaboratively on Cin Cin Records. During the lockdown periods of 2020, Ali and Micky embarked on setting up the new label, RE:WARM Records. Here they began to reissue some of the music they had discovered within their collections, that they felt needed a second chance at being heard.
During the pandemic, this quickly became part of the daily business whilst shows and gigs had slowed down. The label has since developed, and now has 14 releases to date with many more exciting projects in the pipeline. The highlights from the label so far include the well-received Home Compilation, bringing together a collection of music we felt reflected our current surroundings here on the south coast. The record also incorporates field recordings from the local area. Wildlife, birds, boats, and the harbour all brought to us by Gary Moore (of Spring Watch fame). Not forgetting the artwork, an illustrated map of Bournemouth stretching out to Swanage and Old Harry Rocks. This was a massive selling point locally and was designed and drawn by the wonderful artist Gareth Fuller.
Lastly, what would you like to see more and less of in the music industry?
This one caused quite a discussion in the office. We all unanimously decided that we would like to see more safe local spaces for people to enjoy live music and DJs. We would also like to see a shift in attitudes towards more inclusive clubs and event spaces, where people feel safe no matter how they identify themselves. We work closely within the LGBTQI+ communities supporting artists and ensuring their safety is paramount in the organising of these kinds of events. The agency takes their responsibility to artists very seriously to ensure that they are safely ferried between venues, hotels and travel hubs.
Website → warmagency.com
Instagram → @warmagency
Instagram → @rewarm2
