Photo/Design by Isha Datar. Imprints brings you regular profiles of the most exciting record labels the world over, with input from the movers and shakers who contribute to their local electronic music communities.
Name: Good Timin'
Vibe: Melody and groove.
Founded: 2010 as a small club night and then 2013 as a label.
Location: Toronto
Upcoming releases: More Jex Opolis stuff and hopefully some related projects.With nods from internationally revered producers and labels like Andras Fox and Peoples Potential Unlimited (PPU), Good Timin' manifests itself in the world of crate-digging and eclectic dance parties, spreading far beyond the reaches of Canada. For those in search of authentic funk, boogie and disco, you have struck a gold mine. We were blessed to have label head and sole contributor, Jex Opolis, takes us through the ins-and-outs of Good Timin'.THUMP: What's the deal?
Jex Opolis: I needed an outlet for the music I'd been making. I pressed up 100 of my first release last year and they sold quickly, mostly thanks to Andrew Morgan at PPU who helped me distribute the tunes to the EU.Why did you decide to form the label?
I had worked with other labels in the past and didn't have great experiences. If you do your own thing, it can take a long time to get anywhere. There is a lot of risk and you spend your own money, but in the long run, I think you are better off…maybe.What's the vinyl scene like in Toronto?
Crazy. I feel there's a small arms race going on right now. There are some heavy, heavy collectors and DJs right now in this city. They're digging really hard all over the world, rinsing Discogs and showing up parties with insane music. Play De Record is the local shop with the new stuff and if you aren't in there early on Friday, you miss out. On the label side, Invisible City Editions have gone global now, but there are some other cats like Long Weekend, Lab.our and Amen Brother releasing interesting stuff.
Which release on your label would you recommend someone introduce a new listener with?
Probably the second release, Zither. It was a good stab at what I try to do: The A-side has a modern feel and is a bit more club-focused, while the B-side has the melodic, vibey aspect. I strive for balance. My unofficial motto is: "I'm in the bath, I'm in the bar, I'm in the club, I'm in the car."
I'm trying to release modern tunes, definitely. I use a computer and stuff, but I find that a lot of modern music is really boring melodically. There's a whole language in music that's not being used in both pop and underground music right now. A forgotten language. Imagine if our vocabulary as English speakers only had 20 words in it? You miss out on all the colourful words like "imbroglio" because people don't take the time to learn. So in a way, I'm influenced by the past, too, because the harmonic and melodic language of music was richer back then. Ironically, a lot of "modern" music is based on samples, too. "Bass" music kids are sampling soul records and that's considered new!? So in a way, my shit is ultra futuristic by comparison because it's all original!Do you plan on releasing 12-inches from other artists?
I would like to. A while ago a kid from Russia or something sent me some really good music but I passed on it. Now it's out on another label and I kind of wished I put it out!How far ahead do you plan your releases?
Probably six months or so. Depends on if I can get something cool to release. Frankly, 90 percent of the stuff I make and consider releasing ends up being crap.What challenges do you face running the label?
There are the usual small financial issues and the problems of dealing with pressing delays and flubs during production. But for me, it's separating the artist side from the business side. Since I release my own music, I have to be able to step back and say 'this is shit' or 'this is good.' Anyone can make a beat on a computer and anyone can get stuff pressed up. But how do you execute a vision and create something that is going to bring something cool to a very crowded market? It's tough. It can go sideways pretty easily. I released a piano jazz track called "DZE" and to some people, it probably sounds like elevator music! But whatever, fuck the lowest common denominator. I also have another rule: if my wife likes it, then it's probably cool.
Vibe: Melody and groove.
Founded: 2010 as a small club night and then 2013 as a label.
Location: Toronto
Upcoming releases: More Jex Opolis stuff and hopefully some related projects.With nods from internationally revered producers and labels like Andras Fox and Peoples Potential Unlimited (PPU), Good Timin' manifests itself in the world of crate-digging and eclectic dance parties, spreading far beyond the reaches of Canada. For those in search of authentic funk, boogie and disco, you have struck a gold mine. We were blessed to have label head and sole contributor, Jex Opolis, takes us through the ins-and-outs of Good Timin'.
Advertisement
Jex Opolis: I needed an outlet for the music I'd been making. I pressed up 100 of my first release last year and they sold quickly, mostly thanks to Andrew Morgan at PPU who helped me distribute the tunes to the EU.Why did you decide to form the label?
I had worked with other labels in the past and didn't have great experiences. If you do your own thing, it can take a long time to get anywhere. There is a lot of risk and you spend your own money, but in the long run, I think you are better off…maybe.What's the vinyl scene like in Toronto?
Crazy. I feel there's a small arms race going on right now. There are some heavy, heavy collectors and DJs right now in this city. They're digging really hard all over the world, rinsing Discogs and showing up parties with insane music. Play De Record is the local shop with the new stuff and if you aren't in there early on Friday, you miss out. On the label side, Invisible City Editions have gone global now, but there are some other cats like Long Weekend, Lab.our and Amen Brother releasing interesting stuff.
Probably the second release, Zither. It was a good stab at what I try to do: The A-side has a modern feel and is a bit more club-focused, while the B-side has the melodic, vibey aspect. I strive for balance. My unofficial motto is: "I'm in the bath, I'm in the bar, I'm in the club, I'm in the car."
Advertisement
Is Good Timin' influenced more from the past than the present?
I'm trying to release modern tunes, definitely. I use a computer and stuff, but I find that a lot of modern music is really boring melodically. There's a whole language in music that's not being used in both pop and underground music right now. A forgotten language. Imagine if our vocabulary as English speakers only had 20 words in it? You miss out on all the colourful words like "imbroglio" because people don't take the time to learn. So in a way, I'm influenced by the past, too, because the harmonic and melodic language of music was richer back then. Ironically, a lot of "modern" music is based on samples, too. "Bass" music kids are sampling soul records and that's considered new!? So in a way, my shit is ultra futuristic by comparison because it's all original!Do you plan on releasing 12-inches from other artists?
I would like to. A while ago a kid from Russia or something sent me some really good music but I passed on it. Now it's out on another label and I kind of wished I put it out!How far ahead do you plan your releases?
Probably six months or so. Depends on if I can get something cool to release. Frankly, 90 percent of the stuff I make and consider releasing ends up being crap.What challenges do you face running the label?
There are the usual small financial issues and the problems of dealing with pressing delays and flubs during production. But for me, it's separating the artist side from the business side. Since I release my own music, I have to be able to step back and say 'this is shit' or 'this is good.' Anyone can make a beat on a computer and anyone can get stuff pressed up. But how do you execute a vision and create something that is going to bring something cool to a very crowded market? It's tough. It can go sideways pretty easily. I released a piano jazz track called "DZE" and to some people, it probably sounds like elevator music! But whatever, fuck the lowest common denominator. I also have another rule: if my wife likes it, then it's probably cool.