Tony Colman

Tony Colman

Tony Colman is a British musician, producer, label founder and politician known for co-founding the drum and bass act London Elektricity and the independent label Hospital Records. He rose to prominence in the 1990s through releases and club nights that influenced the drum and bass and jungle scenes, collaborating with prominent figures across electronic music such as Goldie, Roni Size and LTJ Bukem. In later years he balanced ongoing musical work with public service and business ventures, interfacing with institutions including BBC Radio 1, Ministry of Sound and local government bodies.

Early life and education

Colman grew up in Bristol and developed early musical interests influenced by the city's scene that produced artists like Tricky, Portishead and Massive Attack. He attended schools in Somerset and pursued informal music education through local venues and sound-system culture, drawing on influences from Reggae, Dub and the emerging UK Rave circuit. Moving to London in the late 1980s, he became part of networks that included members of Soul II Soul and participants in the Haçienda and Warehouse Project club cultures, which shaped his approach to production and performance.

Music career

Colman co-founded the project London Elektricity with a focus on live instrumentation within drum and bass; the act's early output appeared on compilations alongside releases by DJ Hype, Adam F and LTJ Bukem. In 1996 he and Chris Goss (aka Chris Goss/co-founder) established Hospital Records, which became a leading label for artists such as High Contrast, Calibre, Nu:Tone and Etherwood. Hospital Records promoted club nights and festivals in venues tied to Fabric, Ministry of Sound, and toured with acts associated with Boomtown Fair and Glastonbury Festival. Colman's production work and DJ sets drew support from broadcasters including John Peel, Annie Nightingale and Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1 and received play from tastemakers at Kiss FM and MTV. He spearheaded concept releases and LPs that blended live brass and string arrangements with electronic beats, collaborating with vocalists who had worked with Massive Attack and The Streets, while remixing tracks for artists linked to Warp Records and Ninja Tune. Colman also curated mix albums and compilations distributed through outlets such as PIAS Recordings and independent record shops like Rough Trade.

Political career

After establishing a reputation in music and arts industries, Colman became active in local politics and civic initiatives in London boroughs and regional constituencies. He stood for and held elected positions on local councils, engaging with municipal partners such as Greater London Authority and contributing to campaigns alongside entities like Arts Council England and Creative England. Colman's policy interests included cultural funding, urban regeneration projects modeled on schemes from European Union cultural programmes and local transport matters tied to Transport for London. He engaged with parliamentary processes and met with MPs from parties including Labour Party and officials from Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to advocate for independent music businesses and venue protection. Colman participated in cross-sector working groups with representatives from UK Music, PRS for Music and venue coalitions that have negotiated with local authorities, and he contributed to consultations impacting licensing regimes influenced by precedents set in cities such as Bristol, Manchester and Leeds.

Business and philanthropy

Beyond recording and politics, Colman developed commercial enterprises connected to live events, artist management and music publishing, collaborating with companies like Warner Music Group, PIAS, Believe Digital and independent retailers. He helped build a roster for Hospital Records that generated sync opportunities for film and television produced by studios related to BBC Studios, Channel 4 and independent production companies with ties to Netflix and Sky. Colman has supported charitable initiatives and music education programmes working with organisations including Prince's Trust, Help Musicians and local trusts linked to arts funding from National Lottery grants. He has been involved in mentorship schemes with institutions such as Royal College of Music affiliates and community projects in partnership with Arts Council England and regional development agencies, promoting pathways for emerging artists into festivals like Reading and Leeds Festivals and Latitude Festival.

Personal life

Colman maintains connections across the UK music community and lives between urban centres that include London and the south-west, participating in panels at conferences such as SXSW, IMS (International Music Summit) and Music Week events. His networks span collaborations with labels, broadcasters and cultural organisations and include friendships with contemporaries from the 1990s UK rave scene through to present-day producers active on platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp and streaming services operated by Spotify. Colman continues to balance studio projects, live performances and civic commitments while supporting initiatives that link independent music ecosystems with policy-makers and cultural funders.

Category:British record producers Category:British DJs Category:Hospital Records