Like many good things in the music business, the London-incepted label Scenic Route started as a party. Since those early days in South East London, they have put out a grip of genre-spanning releases from everyone from the idiosyncratic R&B artist Nourished By Time to the composer Vanessa Bedoret. As a label, Scenic Route seems to be focused less on a specific sound and more on finding unique creative voices and nurturing their artistic development. Their mix for Nina spans all four years of the label’s existence; there are plenty of highlights, but we always love hearing E-Prime’s smooth electro-funk cover of the band Big Country’s eponymous hit single. Read our interview with Scenic Route founders Jon Phonics and Theo Fabunmi Stone and listen to their mix below. 

Where are you based? 

Scenic Route: We're both from London originally but Jon has lived out in Brooklyn for the last 18 months or so. 

Can you describe your label mix? 

A journey through the catalogue from 2020—2024. It was fun looking back through the releases, acknowledging how our sound has evolved over time and getting excited about what’s coming next. 

 

What inspired you to start a label? 

We used to work in an office together and connected over our music taste and seeing one another out at shows. We initially started a club night and then releasing music from our friends was the natural next step. 

Does your label have a sound or a mission? 

Our mission is always changing but we are about discovering committed artists with a strong voice of their own and helping them pave a way to success, whatever that might look like. 

Tell us about your scene(s). 

It's scen(ic). 

 

What's your A&R process? 

The first couple of records came from friends. Over time, we've built community through our club/live nights and naturally that's widened the network. Meeting artists with similar interests and taste. A lot of the records have come through the process of hanging and sharing music.  It feels like an inspiring ecosystem of talented people around us who trust us with their art. 

What labels do you look up to? 

Sonically, labels that are inspiring for cultivating their own sound - Stroom, Escho, RVNG Intl, Numero, and 5 Gate Temple. On a “bigger” level there are labels that have helped launch essential careers, imprints like Warp, 4AD, Mute, XL and PAN are inspiring.