Since it’s inception in 2012, Clue Records has worked hard to develop artists from across the UK, with a particular focus on Northern talent. In November 2022 they hit the ten year landmark, celebrating with a special expanded compilation release.
The compilation album created to mark the achievement will feature Clue artists past and present including The Wedding Present, Bored At My Grandmas House, YOWL, Nine Black Alps, Avalanche Party, Team Picture, Crushed Beaks and lots more. The main part of this release is a special edition gatefold double vinyl featuring a Zoetrope picture disc which, when played, comes to life by creating a moving picture as it spins. This is partnered with an environmentally friendly ecomix ‘lucky dip’ coloured variant. The album is available from November 4th.
The label began after Scott had finished a volunteer role for Oxjam Music Festival’s core team in Leeds, raising funds in aid of Oxfam. After finding some amazing new talent, Scott wanted an outlet to use his experience working with artists. He & childhood friend Ste got together to work out what the next thing would be. They’d toyed with the idea of setting up a record label but had no practical idea of what starting a label meant. With this open approach and a willingness to make mistakes, Clue was born. After seven years, and through Scott working closely with Come Play With Me’s Tony Eriera, Clue merged with Tony’s other label Hatch Records (ran by Tony Ereira and Paul Thomas).
Now a staple in the Leeds scene, Clue’s artists have achieved incredible things, touring internationally, playing festivals including Glastonbury, Leeds & Reading, Y Not, Download, Tramlines and being featured by NME, The Independent, Q Magazine, The Metro, Loud & Quiet, DIY, BBC Radio 1, 6Music, KEXP and more. Scott + Ste also host a monthly show on Amazing Radio, showcasing the best new music.
When asked about the landmark, Scott said “When I realised in 2021 that we were on the cusp of turning 10 it felt like a nice time to celebrate and get back in touch with all of our artists, see how they wanted to be involved. It wasn’t until the planning started & conversations with artists had begun that I started getting really excited about it. Everyone I spoke to was so enthusiastic and excited to be part of the celebrations, it made me reflect on just how much we’d managed to achieve in the last 10 years and the brilliant people and artists we’d build relationships with. The music industry has been a difficult place to exist recently so it’s nice to be able to have lasted as long as we have. And it’s not the end either, we’ve plenty more in us yet, bring on the next decade!”
Clue host two live shows in support of the release, the first of the planned live shows will take place at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on Saturday November 5th with a line up spanning the decade the label has been going. It will feature Bored At My Grandmas House, YOWL, Crushed Beaks, Nine Black Alps’ Sam Forrest, Van Houten, Avalanche Party, Pit Pony and Gawjuss. The second show takes place in Scott + Ste’s home region of Teesside with a show at Base Camp, Middlesbrough on Saturday November 26th. Artists to feature will include Bored At My Grandmas House, Gawjuss, PLAZA, Van Houten, Sarah Johsone, HAMER< and Wax Heart Sodality.
These live shows are not the only showcases for Clue. In collaboration with Meanwood Brewery, Clue launch 2 different beers. The first, named Give Us A Clue after the album release, is a stout with amaretto flavourings, a rich, warming stout with almond & cherry notes. The second is Stupid Cluepid, a light + hoppy pale ale, the perfect gig beer.

A longstanding and legendary Leeds label celebrates 10 years of music and good times. Featuring great tracks from Crushed Beaks and Team Picture in particular! Support your local independent label with this great package.

By Aidan