What makes the genre of Electronic Dance Music so special is the number of independent record labels that have been founded. These record labels have given the opportunity to many up and coming artists as well as allowing the artist to manage and produce their own music under their own terms. Here is our list of 12 artist-owned labels to check out.
Source: Rukes.com
Anjunabeats Records
Above and Beyond’s record label was created in 2000. It has become well known for its trance and progressive trance releases. The Anjuna love has traveled across many stage takeovers, festivals, and Open-Air day events. Artists that have released songs and albums on this label include Lane 8, Jason Ross, Arty, Mat Zo, Audien, Eli & Fur, and Dirty South.
Black Book Records
Chris Lake announced the start of Black Book Records this year. This label features house and tech-house hits from Chris Lake, Eli Brown, Noizu, Walker & Royce.
DEADBEATS
DEADBEATS, owned by Zeds Dead, has become a staple label in bass music. They have hosted many stage takeovers, tour stops across the country and even headlined Red Rocks. Artists featured on the label include 1788-L, Blanke, Blunts & Blondes, Eprom, GG Magree, GriZ, Peekaboo, and Subtronics.
Source: Blisspop
Dirtybird Records
Another independent electronic music record label owned by Claude VonStroke and based in San Francisco. It was founded in 2005 and specializes in house music as Claude describes as “tech funk”. Artists from this label include FISHER, Walker & Royce, Will Clarke, Steve Darko, VNSSA, Justin Jay, and OMNOM. You can catch these artists spinning at Dirtybird BBQ city takeovers and Dirtybird Campout.
Foreign Family Collective
Foreign Family Collective is an outlet for musicians and visual artists alike curated by the duo behind ODESZA. Artists featured on this label include Big Wild, Jai Wolf, Kasbo, Rufus du Sol, Chet Porter and more. Odesza launched Sundara music festival last year that celebrated the coming together of the Foreign Family and fans.
Mau5trap Records
Mau5trap Records is an independent record label that started back in 2007. Founded by Deadmau5 this label encompasses electronic subgenres like progressive house, electro-house, techno, drum and bass, and trance. Artists releases under this label include i_o, Tinlicker, No Mana, Attlas, Feed Me, and Rezz.
Source: Relentless Beats
Night Bass Records
Started in 2014, AC Slater has made it his mission to drive the Night Bass brand to be the best in bass music. Night Bass Records ranges from diverse subgenres such as UK Garage, Bassline, Grime, House and more. Night Bass definitely has a knack for finding exciting and up and coming talent to keep the party going. Crowd favorite artists on this label include Taiki Nulight, Blossom, Phlegmatic Dogs, Kendoll, Jack Beats, and Wax Motif.
Never Say Die Records
Started by SKiSM and Nick Sadler in 2009, the releases on this label are very diverse, ranging from genres like dubstep, trap, and house. Heavy hitters in bass music live on this lineup like Habstrakt, Eptic, Badklaat, Kompany, Trampa, and Zomboy.
Bite This! Records
“Pushing boundaries, making magic happen, discovering new horizons and creating truly unique, fresh music and art on all platforms. We will create the trends, the sounds, the styles that people will take inspiration from, or in other words, bite.” - Jauz. Created in 2017, Bite This! challenges the status quo of how to produce and release EDM records. Holy Goof, Skepsis, Tony Romera, and Gerald Le Funk are artists on the roster of Bite This! records.
Ophelia Records
Seven Lions founded his own record label in 2018. The releases on the label mainly consist of melodic dubstep, although occasionally branches off into psytrance and heavier dubstep as well. Artists released on this label include Wooli, Trivecta, Dimibo, Blastoyz, Crystal Skies and Jason Ross.
This Never Happened Label
What started out as an event concept where artist Lane 8 instructed attendees to turn off their phones, has turned into a label to house the music and artists associated with Lane 8. Artists under this label include Dirty South, Enamour, Avoure, and Yotto.
Source: River Beats
Wakaan
Liquid Stranger began Wakaan records in 2015. This record label has become a staple in bass music and will host its first festival this year. Artists on this label include Lucii, LSDream, INZO, Champagne Drip, and Space Jesus.
Hopefully, this list gave you some more artists to discover and listen to, as well as other festivals and event/stage takeovers to checkout.
Headed to a record label takeover or show? Make sure to pack your Zound earplugs to protect your ears from all the wubs and dubs.
