A Full Time Hobby Compilation - Not Doing It For The Quids

3 months ago 13th Aug 11:41

Released August 25

In a short four years of existence, Full Time Hobby has become one of Britain’s essential indie labels. This story-so-far compilation takes the label’s temperature at this moment in time, with ace contributions from white hot buzz band White Denim, cult White Stripes antidote Viva Voce and arch-lord of miserablism Malcolm Middleton. At £1.99,it is ridiculously cheap; but then, as the title says, they’re ‘Not Doing It For The Quids’.

Established in 2004 by Nigel Adams and Wez, Full Time Hobby’s name was and is a truism, a label conceived as a way of turning a passion for music into a permanent occupation. Elektra, Rough Trade and Domino provided the inspiration, as did Creation, whose ‘Doing It For The Kids’ comp was adapted for the title. "But Creation inspires us less and less as Alan McGee continues to make statements like, All record companies are fucking rubbish," says Nigel. "You've had your turn, now let us have a go."

Since the beginning, Full Time Hobby’s business plan was simple: to break down the barriers between artist and label. It’s an approach that’s resulted in the flowering of their entire roster, from Tunng’s career-best album ‘Good Arrows’ to Malcolm Middleton’s flurry of masterful albums and the formation of nu-folk supergroup The Accidental.

Full Time Hobby believes in the power of the visual alongside the audio and has worked closely with designer Supermundane (their William S. Harvey, if you will). He put together the artwork for the ‘Not Doing It For The Quids’ compilation, as well as a host of other record, poster, flyer and online art, and even the label’s logo.

The highlights of these past four years, says Nigel, have been many: from the seminal ‘Dream Brother’ album of contemporary Tim and Jeff Buckley covers to Tunng’s storming of Massive Attack’s Meltdown Festival, the signing of Fujiya and Miyagi after an 18-month courtship and Malcolm Middleton’s hilarious assault on 2007’s Christmas charts with bah humbug anthem ‘We’re All Going To Die’.

The future looks bright for Full Time Hobby, content to remain a small, personal label with a beloved line-up of acts. Like any other four year-old, Full Time Hobby is obsessive, wilful and still learning. But for now, it’s time to survey what they’ve achieved so far. "We looked back at what we'd released to date and had to admit that we were really pleased with how the label has grown," says Nigel of the compilation. "And we wanted to draw it all together, and celebrate."