FEATURE:
An Ocean of Potential
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 2005/PHOTO CREDIT: Trevor Leighton
Will We Ever See the Expansion of Kate Bush’s Fish People Label?
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BECAUSE there has been…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in a promotional photo for 2011’s Director’s Cut/PHOTO CREDIT: John Carder Bush
a slight redesign and fresh paint of coat added to Kate Bush’s official website, one sees the logo for her record label, Fish People, at the centre. I am not sure whether I have covered this before, but many artists set up their own record labels. There are a number of reasons for this. In many cases, they wants to have greater control of their career and the possibility of bringing other artists into their roster (and nurture their career). Many people may not realise that there is a Fish People record label that Bush runs and has released albums on. I will bring in an article from the Kate Bush Encyclopaedia, which provides some useful background:
“Record label run by Kate Bush since 2011. It is not known why she chose this name.
The label's first release was Director's Cut (FPCD001 and FPLP001 in the UK), quickly followed by re-releases of The Dreaming (FPCD002), Hounds Of Love (FPCD003), The Sensual World (FPCD004), The Red Shoes (FPCD005) and Aerial (FPCD006). Later in 2011, Fish People released 50 Words For Snow (FPCD007 and FPLP007).
In 2012, Fish People released a 10" vinyl picture disc of Lake Tahoe for Record Store Day. The next year, a 10" vinyl picture disc of Running Up That Hill 2012 Remix was released.
In 2016, Fish People released the live album Before The Dawn. In 2018, the box sets called Remastered followed.
Kate Bush about Fish People
Why not? I thought it was a bit of fun. What's great is the reaction from some people. When I first suggested it I think a lot of people weren't sure if I was being serious, which I think is exactly the sort of reaction you want, really, isn't it? (...) I just thought it was a bit of fun, rather than a very lofty or serious name. (Interview with Ken Bruce, BBC Radio 2, 9 May 2011)”
I am fascinated by artists who establish their own label and release music on it. For Bush, I think there was this need for more autonomy and say regarding her music. Even though EMI, by the time she set up Fish People, were used to gaps between albums and the way she worked, I can see why she would not want any pressure or timetable. The working relationship was good between Bush and EMI but, without a friend or a close ally at the label by 2011, there was no real reason Bush would stick around. By having her own label, she answers to herself and can take time when it comes to putting out a new album – even though it has been nearly a decade since 50 Words for Snow arrived. Bush put out the Remastered series through Fish People, and I think having her albums re-released and mastered/mixed to a more specific personal specification was important. I wonder whether she will put out another greatest hits package. It has been a while since we have seen a compilation. I think a twenty-or-so-song ‘best of’ would be very welcomed.
I do think we will get at least one more studio album from Bush before retirement, but I think wonder whether there was expectation from EMI for her to release older material or work in a way that was not fitting or appealing. Maybe the reverse was true: she wanted to put out older albums before embarking on any new projects. There are recordings from the past that many would love to see out there. From the performances tapped during 1979’s The Tour of Life – which would be magnificent in a boxset if they could get a clean recording -, to some of the studio outtakes and demos that have not seen the light of day, I feel fans would jump at the chance to buy them! I have talked before about what is left in her archives and why some new releases of The Kick Inside (1978), Lionheart (1978), Never for Ever (1980), and The Dreaming (1982) with any outtakes and rare snippets would introduce her to a new audience and give us a fonder insight into her working process. Not only would it be intriguing to see whether Bush releases any non-studio albums through Fish People or looks back in the vaults…I wonder whether we will see any other artists signed. There are a lot of new acts who hold Bush as an idol. Rather than sign artists who sound like her, I think there are musicians whose music she could feed to a larger audience were they were signed to Fish People.
IMAGE CREDIT: Fish People/Kate Bush
I am not suggesting that Bush would produce their albums because, whilst she is an exceptional producer, she has not really produced for other people. Maybe Bush does not listen to a lot of new music, though I think she has an exceptional ear and eclectic taste. A full cupboard of Fish People artists would be something special to see! I do think we will see a few more releases through Fish People. In addition to the odd studio album or two, I feel there will be some more remastering or retrospection. Bush has remained a little mysterious regarding her label and whether it would take on a bigger role. I feel we will see some movement and expansion in years to come which, invariable, brings us back to the long-asked question as to when, if at all, we will get another Kate Bush album. Maybe the pandemic and the restrictions inherent means Bush has not been able to record much – perhaps next year is more likely regarding the potential for new material. Almost a decade after Kate Bush’s official website relaunched and we saw the banner of ‘Fish People’ appear, I wonder whether the fish will grow legs and walk on the land…in the sense that it will be more than a vessel for Bush music. Perhaps we will get some news or movement from Bush through 2021 but, in a rough year, she will want to keep safe and low-key as possible. I am fascinated by Fish People: from the name and the logo, through to the hordes of artists who would kill to be in Bush’s stable, I am going to keep my eyes and ears peeled! Some might say that the label will stay modest and solely for the purposes of giving Bush more flexibility and control but, when it comes to her and what she might do next, you can…
PHOTO CREDIT: Fish People/Kate Bush
NEVER rule it out!