We at Tanzgemeinschaft decided to start a record label at the end of last year. We saw it as a challenge. Not really knowing where to begin, asked around quite a lot and then jumped. We did it with our vision in mind though: “We are looking for music and people who create memorable music that inspires and invokes emotion, rather than disposable chart-topping hits and mixes.”. So far we have been releasing 7 EP’s by fantastic artists.
With us, there are thousands of other record labels around. All with their own vision. We’d like to share some of them below. But first, something we’d like to share we came across on the interwebs recently.
Labels strive to establish trust between artists and listeners.
KOMPAKT records’ label head Michael Mayer recently gave a clear view of how he sees the role of a record label.
Labels still serve as a dearly needed filter mechanism in this tsunami of music we’re facing every day.
Labels still serve as a dearly needed filter mechanism in this tsunami of music we’re facing every day. Labels strive to establish trust between artists and listeners. They’re like your favourite restaurant around the corner. On the spur of the moment, you might find more excitement in that hip place that just opened somewhere else. But when the novelty fades, you’ll always return to your sanctuary. The safe place where they know your name and the last drink is on the house.
And actually, it is nothing more than that. But most of the people don’t know who’s behind an artist as nowadays it has become very easy to release music on a multitude of platforms like Soundcloud, Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and many many more. As an artist, you join a label because you believe in the values of that label and the people behind it. You become part of a family that collaborates and joins forces with one and another. Not every label has a marketing budget to make it to the top of the chain and that is just fine. This way we generate a whole lot of boutiques you can walk into and enjoy your favourite music.
Photo by Nick Hillier on Unsplach
Let us give you a selection of labels we believe should be on your radar.
Univack Records
Who runs the label
Integral Bread, Elio Kr & Pedro Muñoz
Genres
Progressive House / Melodic Techno / Deep
Mission/vision
There are not too many labels out there covering all the melodic spectre. There are pure prog-house labels, melodic-tech-house labels, trippy deep electronic labels…but not too many releasing all the flavours at the same time. Our main (and risky) purpose is printed on our claim: wide range melodic club music.
Future plans
We are investing and working harder than ever. So if you did not notice Univack before, that is going to change in the next months. Strong release alert! We can’t say too much yet, but some names that are 100% confirmed: Quivver, Petar Dundov, Antrim, Navar, Maksim Dark, Sezer Uysal, Alyne, Julian Wasserman, Kamilo Sanclemente…
Website & contacts
http://www.univack.com
Connect on Facebook | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Beatport | Youtube
Gents & Dandy’s Records
Who runs the label
The label is run by house music DJ & producer, Khillaudio.
Genres
Deep House, House, Garage House, Jackin House, Nudisco. Got that have that groove yo!
Mission/vision
I already wanted to run a label at the end of the 90s, but things were just a bit more complicated back then. I always have been a music addict, vinyl collector and DJ since ’92. I initially set up Gents & Dandy’s Records in 2014 after getting frustrated about sending around demo’s and hardly getting replies or even listens. By the time everything was ready to launch all the demos, I eventually got signed elsewhere but there was a sheer abundance of fresh unsigned music from unknowns to be found on Soundcloud. I always heve been a digger, looking for tracks to support on my radio shows. And those unsigned tracks really were up to my street. i contacted every one of them and proposed to put their records out. Before I knew I had 8 releases planned and the rest is history. I don’t follow trends or look at the numbers of followers. Music comes first, always. And if I like it, and it has that groove… I’ll want to put it out. The label is just a reflection/extension of my own personal taste. Never thought it would attract so many people. 🙂
Future plans
I’ll just continue releasing music for as long as I think it’s fun and doesn’t get boring. I’ve developed a steady routine handling the releases (from contracts to artwork, social & promotional asset creation etc…) and I’m now giving more attention to label events. Hoping to get that on track. Inviting label artists or doing label events elsewhere. It is not that easy, as the label is just me, a solo operation.
Website & contacts
www.gentsndandysrecords.net
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube | Resident Advisor | Bandcamp
Chrom Recordings
Who runs the label
Mike Chrom & Pedro Mercado
Genres
Deep House, Progressive House, Afro House, Melodic House & Techno
Mission/vision
Mike Chrom from Austria (creator & owner of Planet Ibiza) and DJ/Producer Pedro Mercado from Belgium (known from his releases/remixes on Parquet, Kling Klong, Dear Deer, Proton, Natura Viva, Beatfreak,…) have together more than 40 years of experience in the global electronic music scene. During the Ibiza Summer of 2016, they thought it was the right time to work more closely together than they already did. So they decided to start their own label according to their common musical philosophy. And so Chrom Recordings was born. The goal was to build a quality platform & home base for new and like-minded passionate production talents from all over the world who fit the Ibiza Spirit of the label and share the same musical taste of the label founders. “Our goal is to build a personal relationship with our artists. We are also constantly actively seeking for new talents from all over the world, plus we are very open for demos. We listen to all demos we receive because we believe that there is so much undiscovered talent out there that deserves a real chance! Of course, established producers with the same musical taste are more than welcome on our label.”
Future plans
Chrom is a young but ambitious label, and in a short time, they have grown into a credible & successful quality label with many followers & important support. “In the future we hope to grow even more, together with our artists, into a very strong brand, representing & connecting each other worldwide. We also keep a very close eye on what is happening in the electronic music scene in general, not only in Ibiza but also in important cities such as Amsterdam & Berlin. We already had label showcases at the Amsterdam Dance Event, and in countries like Germany (Berlin), Belgium, Switzerland, Mexico and Belarus and we want to continue to spread our special sound by hosting Label Showcases also in other countries. We have a really strong talented core team of true artists consisting of DJ’s, Vocalists, Live Acts, Producers,… such as our own label manager Pedro Mercado from Belgium, Aves Volare from Australia, The Note V from Mexico, Fernando Lagreca from Barcelona, Acado from Berlin,… They are all Beatport TOP100 artists with releases on prolific labels like Stil Vor Talent, Einmusika, Parquet, Bar25, Katermukke, Dear Deer, BeatFreak, Sincopat, Motek, Frequenza, Proton,… And more concrete we will also launch a brand-new website very soon!”
Website & contacts
https://www.chromrecordings.com
demo@chromrecordings.com
office@chromrecordings.com
contact@chromrecordings.com
Connect on Facebook | Instagram | Soundcloud | Beatport
Sundries and Lisztomania Records
Who runs the label
The labels were founded by Igor Gonya.
Genres
The main genres of Lisztomania are house and deep house. Sundries is more nu-disco and disco-house.
Mission/vision
I launched my labels cause I love the music and I feel that I can share that music all around the world
Future plans
Future plans are more vinyl release, more showcases and parties.
Website & contacts
gonya_1986@mail.ru
Lisztomania:
Connect on Facebook | Instagram | Beatport
Sundries:
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Beatport
Strange Town Recordings
Who runs the label
Strange Town Recordings is a home for underground electronic music founded by Canadian artist, Bryan Wolf Ear.
Genres
The label focusses more on progressive & melodic techno. Most of the music they release have an emotive yet feel-good edge.
Mission/vision
I started Strange Town as a way to be more involved and give back to the underground music scene I love so much. Now that I’ve built it up my dream is to take the label on tour showcasing our artists around the world. Promoters if you love what we’re doing please get in touch 😉
Website & contacts
strangetownrecordings@hotmail.com
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook
Somatic Records
Who runs the label
Steve Pegram
Genres
The label focusses more on progressive & melodic techno.
Mission/vision
The label was created to support & find the best new talent in the scene. It was also created to bridge the gap between Progressive harmonies with Techno elements
Future plans
We are planning a series of events throughout Europe in the near future with our family of artists.
Website & contacts
demos@somaticrecords.co.uk
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Re:Sound Music
Who runs the label
Michael Hooker is the founder of the boutique record label – Re:Sound Music
Genres
The label releases predominantly Progressive House and Melodic House and techno.
Mission/vision
I decided to set up a label in 2010 as I wanted to give talented artists a platform to release their tracks. The ethos of the label has always been that the artists I sign all support each other and this has worked well. Cross-promotion and networking with each other is a big part of the label. I love the fact that I’m the catalyst in many different artists around the world becoming friends and working together in music.
We also host sporadic Re:Sound Music & Friends events in bespoke locations. This has been a great way of getting the label and the music known. The DJs are artists signed or artists affiliated with the label.
Website & contacts
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram
Jaw Dropping Records
Who runs the label
Rachel Raw
Genres
Minimal Grooves/ Techno with a progressive touch.
Mission/vision
It’s the small sister brand of Jannowitz Records to support extraordinary artists and we also offer young or talented artists a new playground to release their stuff, with a professional distribution.
The idea behind this: is to mix the releases with established and new artists in a way that each of them gets attention and shows a new wave of up to date quality music.
Future plans
We starting to get slowly darker and rougher with the releases in a minimal and techno mood. And a bit far from the melodic stuff we signed back in the days.
Website & contacts
jannowitz.com/jaw-dropping-rec
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram
Alpha Black
Who runs the label
Enrique y David ( EKDK )
Genres
Melodic & progressive techno
Mission/vision
Alpha Black takes the alpha male behaviour from the wolfpacks and makes it it’s own: empathetic and respectful, far from the stereotype created, possessing discrete confidence and security in himself. Knowing what he has to do, knowing what is fitting for the pack, giving an adequate example and calming down the rest of partners. Clinical interventions to end the hunt, but retiring to the back so that the whole pack can feed on the prey. No need for a spotlight, gaining further respect.
From the Alpha Black project, we want to create a wolfpack that gives shelter and help through music, our passion, to a vulnerable but very strong collective, those who fight against Child cancer.
Consequently, we have decided to collaborate with a Spanish Association Against Child Cancer. We are developing a comic that will narrate the adventures of two small superheroes that, alongside the Alpha Black wolfpack, will fight against the villain: cancer. Every release from the label will include a page from the comic, which will then be compiled into an end-of-year compilation with the best tracks. The proceedings from this end-of-release and the proceedings of our Youtube channel will be donated in their integrity to a Spanish Association Against Child Cancer, “Fundación Aladina” https://aladina.org/
Share the music, share the love.
Future plans
We will try to take the label as far as possible. we will try to discover new talents while bringing out top artists We will try to make showcase and contribute to the Spanish scene
Website & contacts
Alphalabel.info@gmail.com
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube| Spotify
Wood
Who runs the label
Luca Ranaldo a.k.a. Main Leaf
Genres
Melodic House & Techno, Techno, Deep Techno, Progressive House, Electronica
Mission/vision
WOOD was born in the year 2015 with the purpose of promoting music of artists that are characterized by a deep emotional touch in the world of electronic music. We create this fantasy story of a forest because we believe in a strong connection with our Earth and to populate our beautiful world with awesome trees and plants. We believe in one unique “Being” that balances our human nature with the rest of the universe. All the tracks we release, are curated through a unique and selected process in order to become part of this beautiful piece of abstract artwork that slowly grows.
Future Plans
Our plan for the future is to release more and more quality music. We have few Ep’s and VA ready to see the light soon and we are really proud of them. We are also planning a few events featuring our music and we also have a future debut Showcase at ADE 2019 with our friends of Melodic Deep and we can’t wait to attend it. This is a special year for us, as we connect more with each other and we expect to grow even more in this beautiful forest.
Website & contacts
woodlabel.contact@gmail.com
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp| Beatport
Subtempo
Who runs the label
Rocco Tyndale with creative input from Benjamin Westenburg.
Genres
Electronic, Downtempo, Ambient, Experimental, Modern Classical, Techno
Mission/vision
Subtempo is a record label, an artist collective and a platform for contemporary culture founded in 2016 by Rocco Tyndale. We focus on forward thinking music, left-field, electronic and genre blurring projects. Everything we do aims to offer you a carefully curated visual and sonic environment to immerse your senses in. We host a bi-monthly radio show / podcast, and one guest mix every month. We also act as a visual art platform. The label was started from a 30-year-old friendship between Alejandro Bento aka Axel Toben and Rocco Tyndale. We needed to put this music out and we decided to do it ourselves.
Future Plans
We plan on releasing on vinyl fairly soon, physical is important to us and so far we’ve only done CDs. The plan is to develop further the visual side of things, with merch, art and more. Stay tuned. And of course, lots of new and exciting music.
Website & contacts
https://www.subtempo.com/contact/
Connect on Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Twitter | Youtube
