Colette Rooney, one of the founding members of electronica label 3rd Abstract Records, based in Glasgow.

 Founded in July 2010 by Stuart Gilmour, Ricky Wilson and Colette Rooney, all aged 22.

So how did it all begin?
July 2010, Stu was the first to set 3rd Abstract up, followed by me joining him the same month, after I finished my placement at SOMA, which Stu also took part in, in the previous month.

What made you and your fellow company founders give it a bash?
SOMA gave us both a taste of what running and working with a record label would be like. The idea of having a career which was based around something we love was just the most perfect situation.

How did you get started?
Stu got his business cap on and set up the accounts etc. The Soma guys were a great help and gave us priceless advice.

Background in music industry?
Everyone involved has an unfailing passion for all parts of the music industry from promotion to performing. Like I said I and Stu have both worked with SOMA. Stu has quite the talent for making and performing music, as he always has some sort of music project on the go. I have previously put on gigs, including an Oxjam event last year, where in fact Stu's old band played for me.

Background in entrepreneurship?
This is the first time either of us has ventured out on our own into the business world, but you've got to start somewhere. All you need is enthusiasm and drive.

Related Training/Education?
We are using a trial and error method of learning when it comes to the label. Stu is in his final year at Uni in Paisley doing music production, so any technical issues, he know his stuff, but overall it’s just about giving things a go, and if they don't work, we learn from them.

Direction?
Obviously we want the label to be a success and feel it’s all about planning for the future. We are in the process of sorting out our monthly club night which will hopefully be running officially as of February 2011.

We had a wee test run for the club night, named Our Appreciation Society, in October at the Art School Glasgow, which proved to be a success

However, we have decided to start a fresh in the New Year...new name, new venue etc. We are currently concentrating on our artists, their releases and promotion and our monthly podcast titled Young Adult Friction.

What role do you adopt within the team?
Although we all try to share the workload and make sure we are familiar with all areas of the label, I am in charge of the events side of things and in particular the club nights.

Where did the company name come from?
3rd Abstract gives our artists the opportunity of 3D Recording, which is a rare option in the UK. The name suggests something experimental, and as a young label that’s what we are all about, experimenting and learning.

Where do you find your artists?
How we find our artists varies, online research is a big asset, i.e. soundcloud etc. We still love going to gigs, so that helps and of course word of mouth. It is important for us to stay on top of the ever changing music scene...and of course we have to like our artists as well.

Where do you see yourself and the label in 5 years time?
We are an ambitious bunch, so we have high hopes for the future. 5 years time is a scary thought, we are aiming to have the club night in several major cities, across the world. However, we are enjoying going with the flow and looking after the artists that we have at the moment.

Who/What inspires you?
I think we all drive each other to a certain extent. We all share such a great enthusiasm for the label and want it to do well. We like to hear stories of people that we admire, like the Daft Punk boys who were two young Frenchman who randomly met the guys from SOMA at Disneyland and gave them their demo, which resulted in them being one of the biggest dance acts in the world. Its stories like this that keeps us going. All our artists are so talented and love what they do so I guess their love for it, drives us as well.

Does the club night act as a platform for your new artists?
Yeah, definitely, for some of them, this will be the first opportunity they will have to play in front of a crowd, and get their music heard and in turn develop their own fan base.

Do you think this is an important part of your strategy to promote your artists?
Yeah, I think so! Everyone loves to party and what better way is there to be heard than in a live, raw club environment, where everyone can get involved.

What the best thing about your job?
The best thing is probably who we get to work with, we all have such a great laugh with each other. The feedback we get about our artists is great to hear as well. It's nice that they are appreciated.

What’s the best music event you have ever attended?
Stu: the last Sunday Circus of Summer 2010, which took place in a secret location. It turned out to be a potato farm near Dunfermline, which had been transformed into a club. 500 people attended, and none left without having a thoroughly memorable event left on their minds.

Colette: For me, DEFINITELY, I don't even have to think about it would be Daft Punk, at Rockness, 2007. The best musical moment of my life. I love Daft Punk.

Who is your favourite electronic artist?
Well, as you may have guessed from my answer above, Daft Punk. I love and admire everything about them. They have such a presence when they perform which I think is so important. I love the mystery behind their shows. At the moment, more recently, I'm really enjoying, Nathan Fake and Four Tet.

I could go on forever, but I'll save you that. Oh, and of course, all our dear chaps that are signed to 3rd Abstract...we love you all!

What was the first single you bought?
I'm too embarrassed to say...I feel taste develops over time; you need to make mistakes at a young age.

Challenges in starting own label?
What I noticed was that it was difficult to get into a routine, and keep on top of all the work, which is constant but of course, not a bad thing. You get used to it though.

Top tips for budding record label entrepreneurs?
Make sure the enthusiasm is there, ask questions, try things and if it doesn't work try something else...basically just persevere.

Top tips for artists looking to be signed?
Just get yourself out there. Send your demo off to everyone, and anyone, someone will listen and someone will love you. If you don’t try, you don't get. You must be persistent! DO IT!

Hot picks emerging artists?
Feliz Plastico, has recently been signed to the label, his first release shall be in March; he is some kid.

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