“I was Dj’ing at Mad Decent events in Birmingham when I had this idea come to me...”, sounds like a line from the latest Windows advert. But instead of thinking of ways to complicate PC’s, Tom Short, aka Shorterz, was instead dreaming up his own record label. Eight years later, and Bigger Than Barry records was born, a spin-off from the hugely successful nights in the drained swimming pool of Birmingham’s notorious Custard Factory. 

Named after Barry Austin, a Brummie who was once the UK’S fattest man, it has also graced the cities of Leeds and Sheffield and travelled as far away as Ibiza.

Over the years, Barry has built up a cult status around the country. A night guaranteed to have you jumping, Shorterz describes the night as ‘Hype, Hype and even more Hype’.

They blend in all genres of music. From garage to dubstep. Two-step to hip-hop. They’ve even been known to sprinkle a little bit of indie into the night.  They have no reservations over what genre the tune is classed as, just as long as it makes you dance and, ultimately, have a good time.  That takes us back to Shorterz original idea...

“I wanted to remix two famous Speed Garage tracks into Dubstep,” he continues.  “So, I went to Enigma (a fellow Barry records artist) and we just made two bootlegs, just for fun, I sent it straight to Bigger Than Barry and they was like, “this is FAT!” 

“They sent it to some of their people and next thing we know, we was getting loads of plays!”

“From there, I had an idea of doing my own label. It made sense to hook up with Barry so it was kind of a joint decision from the Barry crew and myself. It’s a good hook up, working with people who are all into same vibe!”

Since then Barry has come on leaps and bounds. A few free releases have raised the profile, but where does the Barry crew see the label going?

“We just want to get the Barry records brand out there and showcase loads of fresh and new styles of music, as well as a sprinkle of the old stuff we all love.  It's hard being an independent label in this day and age with all big fish in the pond, but it makes us more determined to be a success, as we're the underdogs.”

Support for the label is already growing. Toddla T has been a fan of the event since it began, admitting he didn’t know ‘what the f*ck was going on’ when he first turned up and calling Barry ‘the best night in the country.’  He has backed this up by dropping some of Barry records biggest artists in his Radio 1 shows and DJ sets.

“Yeah, one DJ who has supported numerous releases from day one is Toddla T, so props to Toddla,” Shorterz tells us.  “It's a great feeling seeing big DJs playing our labels releases. But also, it's just as good seeing the fresh faces of today enjoying and playing our music.”

MistaJam is also a fan of the Barry crew. Just a few weeks back he played out Enigma’s ‘Are You Dizzy, Blud?’ on his Radio 1Xtra show.

“Enigma is making some serious moves", admits Shorterz. So who else should we be keeping an eye on from the label?

“Dub Melita too, they have a cross of twisted bass lines and also I cannot forget people like Tantrums & Scarlet Harlots who represent the 'Indie and Alternative' side to the label. 

“I’m also a big fan of CRST, they have had EP on Barry Records and they make some cool beats, man! Oh, and don’t miss Bobby Barnes MC’ing for sure!”

To further promote the label and their acts, Bigger Than Barry is set to tour Ibiza for the second year in a row. Playing in some of the biggest clubs of the party capital of the world, including places like Eden, the four-day tour is the perfect way to get their sounds out into the world. But it’s not just the DJ’s and Producers who will be enjoying the sunshine; Barry sets the event up as a holiday for all its fans. Anyone who wishes to go can purchase a package from the label and get a wristband that allows them into all the nights where the Barry crew will be playing. Last year’s trip was a roaring success, and this year, it looks set to follow suit

“Barry Ibiza 2009,” recalls Shorterz as we ask him for a highlight of the tour. “The Hotel we were all staying in was set on fire! No one was hurt but seeing half the girls outside with towels on and a certain DJ going nuts outside because he thought he was never going to see his passport again has to be a highlight! Not mentioning any names, Knicker Bocker Corey, Ha!”

Shorterz himself has been behind the decks since 2002, and has never committed himself to a solitary genre.

“I started off playing retro house and garage, never sticking to one style.

“I think in this day and age, we’re all children of the iPod generation. People are used to listening to lots of different tracks, rather than have a CD that revolves around house, or dubstep, or any other genre.”

Short released two Dubstep tracks at the back end of 2009, one that sampled the classic 1997 smash by Double 99 entitled Ripgroove and another, with Enigma, sampling Armand Van Helden’s ‘Spin Spin Sugar’. Both were available to download free and, as a result, both became massively popular.

After the success of the tracks, it would be easy for him to continue down the Dubstep route, but the easy route has never appealed to Shorterz.

“I don’t want to be tied down to one style of music.  I really enjoyed making the Dubstep tracks with Enigma, but I’m also a big fan of what Zinc would call the 'crack house' sound, which is basically underground House sub-genres mixed and mashed up. 

“So I’m going to try making some grizzly House bits as well. I also enjoy making some bootlegs as they're good fun, and having fun is what making music is all about.”

Not only is having fun what making music is about, it is also the Bigger Than Barry way of life. So, as long as the Barry label continues doing what they do best, it is hard to see anyone stopping the fat man from running riot. 

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