Toast Hawaii

Toast Hawaii was a British record-label imprint established in 2002 by Andy Fletcher, a founding member of Depeche Mode. The imprint operated under Mute Records and was named after the toasted-ham-and-cheese dish commonly known as toast Hawaii. Rather than functioning as a broad catalog label, it served as a focused platform for the electronic pop group Client, whose members were associated with the London electronic music scene and whose sound fitted the wider synth-pop and electro orientation connected with Fletcher and Mute. Fletcher took an unusually hands-on role in the imprint. He coordinated the recording of Client's self-titled debut album, released in 2003, and the follow-up album City, released in 2004. He also produced extended remixes for a series of Client singles, including "Price of Love," "Rock and Roll Machine," "Here and Now," "In It for the Money," "Radio," and "Pornography." The latter featured Carl Barât of the Libertines. These activities placed Toast Hawaii between a conventional artist imprint and a personal creative vehicle: Fletcher used his position, industry experience, and interest in electronic music to support a single principal act while remaining active with Depeche Mode. The label's association with Fletcher also gave Client visibility beyond its recordings. Fletcher initially began DJing to support Client's live shows, later taking the act and his own sets into festivals and clubs when Depeche Mode commitments allowed. Toast Hawaii therefore encompassed not only record releases but also a small network of artist development, remix, performance, and promotional activity. Client remained with Toast Hawaii until 2006. After the group left the imprint, no further label activity was reported or announced. Toast Hawaii is consequently best understood as a short-lived early-2000s Mute imprint centered on one artist rather than as a continuing independent label with a large roster. Its historical importance rests primarily on Fletcher's transition from band member and music-business participant into label founder, producer, and artist advocate, as well as on the role it played in launching and developing Client's early recorded output.

Toast Hawaii emerged in 2002 from Andy Fletcher's long-standing involvement in Depeche Mode and the broader electronic music business. Fletcher had frequently handled business, legal, and organizational responsibilities for Depeche Mode, and he was known to take an active interest in the commercial and administrative side of music. Toast Hawaii gave him a formal vehicle for applying that experience to artist development and recorded-music production. The imprint was established as a Mute Records label and was named after the dish toast Hawaii. Its operation was deliberately concentrated. Fletcher signed Client, an electronic pop group, and made the act the central focus of the label. Client's music aligned with the synth-pop, electro, and club-oriented traditions associated with Mute's catalog and with Fletcher's own musical background. Instead of building a large multi-artist roster, Toast Hawaii primarily provided a home for Client's early work. Fletcher coordinated the recording of Client's eponymous debut album, released in 2003. He continued that involvement with the group's second album, City, released in 2004. He also produced extended remixes for Client singles such as "Price of Love," "Rock and Roll Machine," "Here and Now," "In It for the Money," "Radio," and "Pornography." The final title included a contribution from Carl Barât of the Libertines, broadening the imprint's connections beyond its core electronic-pop setting. Toast Hawaii's activities extended into live presentation. Fletcher initially began touring as a DJ to support Client's concerts. During periods when Depeche Mode was not touring or recording, he played festivals and club dates, sometimes incorporating exclusive Depeche Mode remixes into his sets. This helped connect the imprint's releases with the club and festival environments in which electronic music circulated, although the label remained small and closely tied to Client. Client stayed with Toast Hawaii until 2006. Once the group departed, there were no reported or announced subsequent releases or operations under the imprint. The label is therefore generally treated as inactive or defunct. Its short history nevertheless documents an important secondary strand of Fletcher's career: beyond performing with one of the most influential electronic bands, he acted as a label founder, recording coordinator, remixer, DJ, and advocate for a new electronic act. Toast Hawaii's legacy is consequently less a large catalog than a compact example of artist-led label entrepreneurship within the Mute Records network.

• 2006

  Client leaves the imprint

  [1]Andy Fletcher (musician)en.wikipedia.org

  Client departed Toast Hawaii, and no further label activity was reported.

• 2004

  City released

  [1]Andy Fletcher (musician)en.wikipedia.org

  Client's second album, City, was released through Toast Hawaii.

• 2003

  Client debut released

  [1]Andy Fletcher (musician)en.wikipedia.org

  The imprint coordinated the recording and release of Client's self-titled debut album.

• 2002

  Imprint founded

  [1]Andy Fletcher (musician)en.wikipedia.org

  Andy Fletcher launched Toast Hawaii as a Mute Records imprint and signed Client.

A focused electronic-pop imprint within the Mute Records ecosystem, built around the development and release of Client's early catalog.

• Album · 2003

  Client

  Client's self-titled debut album was the first major release associated with Toast Hawaii. The album established the imprint's focus on electronic pop and synth-pop and introduced the group's early recorded identity. Andy Fletcher coordinated the recording, linking his label role with his continuing work in electronic music.

• Album · 2004

  City

  City was Client's second album and followed the group's Toast Hawaii debut in 2004. Its release represented the imprint's continued investment in the same core artist rather than an expansion into a broad roster. Fletcher again coordinated the recording process.

• Singles and remixes

  Client extended remixes

  Fletcher produced extended remixes connected with Client singles including "Price of Love," "Rock and Roll Machine," "Here and Now," "In It for the Money," "Radio," and "Pornography." These releases reflected Toast Hawaii's connection to club-oriented electronic music and Fletcher's work as a DJ and producer.

• 2003

  Release Client's debut albumProduct launch

  Background

  After signing Client, Toast Hawaii needed a first major release to establish the group's recorded profile.

  Action taken

  Fletcher coordinated the recording and release of the self-titled Client album.

  Aftermath

  Client continued with a second Toast Hawaii album, City, in 2004.

  Source

• 2002

  Create a focused Mute imprint for ClientStrategy

  Background

  Andy Fletcher wanted a label platform connected to electronic music and used Toast Hawaii to develop Client within the Mute Records network.

  Action taken

  He launched Toast Hawaii as a Mute imprint and centered its activity on Client rather than announcing a broad multi-artist roster.

  Aftermath

  The imprint released Client's first two albums and related remixes before Client left in 2006.

  Source

1. 1Andy Fletcher (musician)en.wikipedia.org