Based out of Los Angeles, Time No Place works with forward-thinking artists who explore the sounds of tomorrow. They’re my favorite experimental electronic label on the West coast, and I feel very fortunate to have Tim Jones (aka Chat Room), who co-runs the label, contribute to our Substitute Teachers series. I asked Tim a few questions after listening to his mix.

Was there a particular artist or album that inspired you to create TNP?

I wouldn’t say that there was a particular artist inspiration but we wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Danny and Tiffany of Rainbow Arabia, who both co-run Time No Place with me. I think the idea of the label started partly as a way to release some of their own music on there, but more so as an outlet to give some shine to some of the insanely talented musicians, producers, DJs, both locally and friends RA had met while touring abroad. The first two acts we had our eyes on were Butchy Fuego (aka San Gabriel, who at the time was producing for RA) and Nguzunguzu (who have since moved up to bigger things). Our initial plan was to start more of an electronic leaning label, but we felt other labels in LA were already doing that quite well already. The decision to not only release LA artists or more niche experimental club records only, was the kick in the pants we needed to actually get the label rolling. Between us three, out tastes are quite varied and eclectic. We wanted to reflect that and make sure there was an element of “where do I place this?” running throughout.

I like the idea of not having to think whether something fits into our niche or not, because from the beginning we always wanted to be an element of surprise. If there’s a common thread to Time No Place releases is that each of them walks the lines of accessibility and experimentation, whether it be sophisticated sideways pop, shadowy dub, avant R&B, sideways house beats, tropical futurism, electronic drone pop…nothing is very straight forward. My hope is that we’re putting out something that people haven’t heard quite yet.

What’s been the biggest highlight of running the label so far?

We just had a record release party for both San Gabriel‘s VOLFE and FAY‘s DIN last week here in LA. That was amazing. Both are from our first batch of vinyl releases (along with Nguzunguzu‘s Mirage EP). I think holding these records in my hands for the first time the other day after months of waiting was pretty damn sweet highlight, haha. The show was FAY and San Gabriel along with our buddies High Places and noise-sculptor John Weise, along with Frosty from Dublab DJing. It was an incredible night. Everyone killed it, we felt like proud mamas and papas that night. Hoping to do more events in the near future…

I also have to say a lot of the press that’s come in on some of these releases has been quite exciting. Starting to see that FAY is getting some attention over in the UK, and that is great. It really validates how special we thought her album was.

How would you describe the scene in Los Angeles at the moment?

LA has so much to offer – it’s kind of overwhelming the further you dig into it. Whether it’s dance music, hip-hop, punk, drone, noise, pop, whatever…there are so many labels putting out really innovative artists and major shouts to all the promoters working hard to create reliable nights where you can go out and see some really exciting shit. I love that on Monday I could go see Nguzu/Total Freedom DJ at Mustache Mondays, Tuesday go see Secret Circuit/Suzanne Kraft and company freak psychedelic house at Thriftcoteque, vibe out to Dub Club or go to Low End Theory on Wednesdays to see the latest in bass music (maybe Thom Yorke will show up, lol), go see some next level noise-rock at The Smell or Pehrspace on Thursday, witness Kingdom take you to church at their Fade To Mind Friday events, see the best international techno/house/disco DJs at Rhonda on Saturday, and see whatever tipped indie-pop band is playing Part Time Punks…and that’s the just the kind of music that I like! There’s really so much, you’d be hard pressed to be bored if you liked going out and seeing music, dancing, etc.

In terms of specific labels, I really think Leaving Records is putting out some of the most interesting, brave music out there now. Friends of Friends‘ close-knit fam of innovative and different sounding producers seems primed to blow and each new release has been a surprise. 100% Silk is teaching the indie and noise kids how to dance, not mad at that at all. Really into this new label from LA called Germ that is home to the industrial/techno punk of Dreamers and the precise art-pop of Hecuba. Their whole aesthetic is great and the releases are also risk-taking. Respek!

If you want a snapshot of what’s happening in LA, just visit dublab.com as they tie together LA’s music community as a media outlet, creating original content, and organizing the best shows. They are the coolest and vital to the often fragmented scenes that exist in LA.

What’s in this mix?

I wanted to put together a mix that showcased some of our recent releases and artists on our roster in either original form or reworked/remixes. Not all of is Time No Place related, but a good deal of it is. I also included releases from artists that I really like (Jam City, Rhythm & Sound, Omar S) and see our releases fitting into/meshing with in some way. At least in mix form, ha.

I have a couple tracks from FAY and San Gabriel, both records that I think have different takes on experimental R&B/club minimalism/dance beats, including a killer remix from Chicago’s wunderboyz The-Drum of FAY‘s “Talk With My Body”. I also included tracks from Secret Circuit and Coyote Clean Up, who we have upcoming releases planned with but these tracks from their current releases which you should all look up and buy right now. There are also a couple remixes from strong>CHLLNGR‘s recent Datter EP that we put out and are stellar.

What releases do you have planned for the rest of the year?

Debut LP from Sydney based dark dream pop collective Castratii (this August)
New EP from Coyote Clean Up
New EP from Secret Circuit
New EP from The Urxed (Rob Barber of High Places)
Reissues of Rainbow Arabia‘s first two EPs: The Basta and Kabukimono

A lot!

FAY – What’s The Use (Time No Place)
Secret Circuit – White Wish (Emotional Response)
FAY – Talk With My Body (The-Drum Remix) (Time No Place)
Rainbow Arabia – Without You (Nguzunguzu Remix) (Kompakt)
San Gabriel – Z Trail (Time No Place)
Jam City – Hyatt Park Nights Pt. 1 (Night Slugs)
Omar S – Oasis One (FXHE)
Coyote Clean Up – At Home (Dub) (100% Silk)
Patrick Russell & Seth Troxler – Lovespray (Circus Company)
Secret Circuit – Oznom Maze (self-released)
CHLLNGR – Datter (Yalls Remix) (Time No Place)
Rhythm & Sound – What A Mistry (Burial Mix)
CHLLNGR – Datter (Bam Spacey Desert Air Remix) (Time No Place)
Theo Parrish – Ugly Edit 5