I have had the pleasure of booking and working with over 3000 artists in my 14 years at the helm of The Big Chill, including debut appearances for many formative artists.
I compose, produce and remix under the name of Chilled By Nature. The album 'Under One Sun' was released in 2006.
Cooking Vinyl
I founded the independent label Cooking Vinyl in May 1986 as my first self-employed business, with help from the government's Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
Through the mid 80s my focus was around folk and world music, more as a respected tastemaker with an unconventional flair after a synchronistic experience on my first US trip (1986) when I 'discovered' and spontaneously recorded US folk singer Michelle Shocked on a walkman around a Texas campfire for my fledgling Cooking Vinyl label. The resulting album ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes’, with its £1 ‘field recording’ budget, went on to top the independent album charts in 1987 and establish the label at the forefront of the world and roots music scenes.
Cooking Vinyl also worked with recordings from many roots acts during my years there until 1990, including The Oyster Band, The Cowboy Junkies, The Four Brothers, Rory McLeod, Edward II, Flaco Jimenez, Bruce Cockburn, Davy Spillane, S.E. Rogie, Andy White, The Barely Works, Boiled in Lead, The Happy End and Ewen Macoll.
Subsequently, I became a writer, radio DJ and journalist / publisher. Through the 90s I penned regular columns for Top, Update and Jockey Slut as well as founding, editing and publishing On magazine. I made my BBC Radio 2 debut on August Bank Holiday 2006 with a two hour chill out show.
I have enjoyed compiling many albums since The Cutting Edge at Cooking Vinyl in 1987...
I was first invited to DJ by Vince Power at The Mean Fiddler in 1985 and haven’t stopped enjoying playing my music to an audience.
I have been a radio presenter for BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, Chill and other stations...
Big Chill compilation quotes
'An eclectic and diverse set that has all the qualities necessary to calm the soul and make you want to pack your towels and sun cream and head for the nearest island that isn't Guernsey.' DJ
'A tour around the world in 80 minutes, all without buying a plane ticket. Now that's what we call value.' Mixmag
'A sensual selection of deep chill-out tracks for an all-star audio therapy extraganza.' Time Out
'Pete Lawrence has opted for smooth mood manipulation, removing you far from urban chaos... a cool, street-smart chillout number.' iDJ
"From outdoor festivals to club nights worldwide, The Big Chill set-up has won a lot of friends. All manner of soul, folk and jazz have been brought into creative play.....About as uplifting as downtempo gets." Q magazine
‘This is the sound of the underground as it sprawls across a field and gets a suntan.’ i-D