Filth Inc. (Mumbai, India)

Record Label & Promotional Channel based in Mumbai, India. Established in 2019 by Full Motion Disaster has been making waves in the electronic dance music scene since its inception. The label founded in 2019 & quickly gained a reputation for releasing cutting-edge tracks that push the boundaries of contemporary electronic music. One of the things that sets the label apart from other labels is their commitment to helping emerging artists get their music out into the world. They offer a variety of services to their artists, including production assistance, marketing, promotion & access to a network of industry professionals. This has allowed them to discover & nurture some of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in the modern music scene. If you’re a fan of bass-heavy electronic music, then Filth Inc. is a label that you need to have on your radar. Their releases are consistently innovative and exciting, and their commitment to supporting emerging artists is commendable. With their finger on the pulse of the ghetto house scene, Filth Inc. is a label that is poised to make an even bigger impact in the years to come.

Nü Kvlture (Belgrade, Serbia)

Nü Kvlture is a Record label & Brand based in Belgrade, Serbia established by Noizy Wilson. It started out as a decepticon bootleg clothing brand and grew into a platform dedicated to pushing underground artists from around the world. They host a mix series called 'Sounds Of The KVLT' on their page as well as 'Shadow Realm' on Komrad.net hosted by Noizy WIlson. Over the years they have built their own community supported by artists like Jamie XX, Jensen Interceptor, Om Unit, Polo Lilli and more. Their music is available for free on their Bandcamp page with the sole purpose of pushing the urban sound, bending genres and rules & creating legends from newcomers since 2021. Their unique & recognizable visual identity has been the courtesy of the young & talented artist Sofija Milosevic, known for creating their album artwork as well as other visuals for the record label.

Safar Collective (Bangalore, India)

Safar Collective, established in 2021, shines as the beacon of unrestrained experiments and a nurturing community focused on progressing and proliferating left-field electronic music. They believe in supporting artists to grow and learn through collaboration and peer learning, and via alternate channels like artist spotlights, and podcasts. Safar Collective aims to shine light on experimental art and bring due recognition to the artists by creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of like-minded artists, showcasing cutting-edge content from the Indian sub-continent and beyond. During the early stages, Safar had to navigate the path of self-discovery. Amidst various name options, including 'Tatva,' the collective settled on the name 'Safar,' which carries deep meaning. Derived from Arabic and Urdu, Safar represents both emptiness and voyage, symbolizing a journey towards infinity. The logo, meticulously crafted by Mythopoet, captures this essence, portraying a never-ending phenomenon illustrated by a void, representing infinite possibilities. The duality of black and white colors represents the principle of contrast.

𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙯𝙤𝙣𝙚 (Bogotá, Colombia)

Established in 2020 by SAIN, the capital movement of Colombia with the vision to reach the absolute Trance. They believe in free music for free souls and their catalogue features top notch releases, ranging from genres like Techno, Hard House, Neotrance & Raw Trance. They've been releasing  multiple compilations and also host a mix series on their page. They have built a community of dedicated artists and also premiere music on their page to support underground artists from around the world

Krunk Kulture (Mumbai, India)

Krunk Kulture was established in August, 2020, by the team behind India’s Krunk events during the pandemic and has since flourished into an essential multi-genre outlet for South Asia’s most cutting-edge artists, with the aim of putting Indian electronic music on the global map. ‘Kaala Khatta ’ , ‘Ganga Jamuna’ & ‘Thandai’ were their first 3 compilations under the series ‘Flavours of the East’ featuring over 50 of the best cutting edge electronic music talent from this part of the globe. The compilations have crossed 100,000+ organic streams across all platforms so far and has got a lot of love globally from Bandcamp, Resident Advisor, Mixmag, Mixmag Asia, Rolling Stone India, Wild City along with being listed with some amazing labels on DJ Mag’s ‘Labels to watch for in 2021’. 

Noneside (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Independent Record Label & Media Channel from Kyiv, Ukraine, established by Lostlojic, focusing on post-apocalyptic dance music. They have recieved support globally from Mixmag, XLR8R, Resident Advisor and their music has been on the top vinyl charts on Juno. Thier signature dark, brutal and minimalistic basement sound is distributed on wax by KMA60 - A worldwide vinyl distribution & music consultancy known to work with various labels, artists & brands.

4NC¥ (India)

4NC¥ founder, Pavan Mukhi, is a founding member of the London based hip-hop / electronic group Foreign Beggars, which disbanded in early 2020. Across almost 20 years of creating and performing all over the world, the band released a wide variety of music, and collaborated with artists such as Skrillex, Noisia, Rag’N’Bone Man. They were also affiliated with a number of labels, including Deadmau5’s Mau5trap, Ministry of Sound, Atlantic Records, Never Say Die Records and many more. Throughout the years of heavy touring & recording activities, Pavan has seen the inception of many new movements and is connected with leagues of groundbreaking talent the world over. 4NC¥ (pronounced ‘foreign currency’) is a platform to bring together amazing artists from all over the world who’d have otherwise never met each other reflecting PAV4N’s taste and vision. In its pretty short duration, the 4NC¥ label has had astounding releases across many genres including Footwork, Alternative R&B, Grime, and Hip Hop / Beats-oriented stuff paired with carefully curated artworks and videos. 

DRUMAD (Portugal)

The right place for your dose of Drum & Bass music established in 2016, with the purpose of promoting underground music, producers and labels, they recently released a V/A Compilation titled - Tribute to Jabaru: A Call For Your Mental Health. Jabaru,  a true luminary in the world of Bass Music, particularly the revered realm of Drum & Bass, left an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of fans and fellow artists alike. His untimely passing in 2023 left us with a profound sense of loss, but within that darkness, we find solace in the vibrant and luminous sounds he gifted to the world. This upcoming album is a gathering of unparalleled talent, uniting various artists and producers from the Bass Music community. A testament to the undying spirit of camaraderie that Afonso (Jabaru) embodied, they have come together to create an auditory tapestry that celebrates the essence of his music and pays homage to his incomparable artistry.

Qilla Records (India)

Qilla is a record label and collective based out of India since 2011 established by Kohra. An anomaly, towering hundreds of feet above the surrounding flat land that stretches as far as the eye can see. In each cardinal direction stand bastions, with a vantage point to observe unfamiliar and new movements from miles away. The massive stone walls possess intricate art work, painstakingly constructed by skilled craftsmen. Inside the fort are chambers for every mood and every state of mind with sounds that are gentle and fierce, euphoric and dystopian. A single personality shaped at the hands of hundreds over time and space, resulting in an endless array of alternate realms. On rare but welcome occasions, the fort slowly opens its gates, the solid iron doors part to let people into a world defying imagination and beaming with resonant sounds of times gone by and times to come, drumming a rhythm, a melody, a soundscape where you can lose or find yourself.

ᴊ ᴀ ᴅ ᴇ  (Lyon, France)

An independent Record Label & Community based in Lyon, France known for their dark atmospheric electro sound. Over the years they have built a solid community to support a very niche genre, giving artists from the underground a platform to release theire music, as well as provide premieres for artists and labels from around the world that synchronize with their brand and vision. Established by S T R K T U R in 2022 we are excited to see what the future holds for the label.

boxout.fm Recordings (New Delhi, India)

boxout.fm Recordings’ mission statement is precise – “to build an infrastructure and provide the necessary facilities that will enable Indian artists’ music to reach a wider cross section of listeners and fans”. It’s less about selling a marketable product and more about extending support to artists that have little or no support. boxout.fm’s trajectory began with the official launch of its online radio arm in April of 2017. Crucially, and at a time where curation had almost universally ceded to the algorithm, boxout.fm offered up 24/7 radio programming curated and presented by passionate radio hosts, DJs, and diehards. A curious dive into its archives will reveal an authentic snapshot of India’s diverse and genre-be-damned musical landscape. Coinciding with the launch of the online radio, boxout.fm began slowly cementing its status as a living and breathing entity through regular event programming and partnerships.

Ovelha Trax (Portugal)

Ovelha Trax, the vanguard of sonic exploration, transcends conventional boundaries to forge a path less traveled. This audacious record label fearlessly embraces the uncharted territories of music, crafting a captivating sonic realm where genres collide and innovation reigns supreme. With an unwavering commitment to pushing sonic boundaries, Ovelha Trax curates a diverse roster of artists who dare to defy norms. From the mesmerizing intricacies of electro to the pulsating energy of breakbeat, their releases defy categorization, leaving a lasting imprint on the minds and souls of listeners. Fueling a community of sonic pioneers, Ovelha Trax fosters an environment where artistic expression thrives. They provide a platform for emerging talents and established visionaries alike, celebrating the diversity and ingenuity that electrifies the electronic music scene. Ovelha Trax's impact reaches far beyond their releases.

Hyperboloid Records (Riga, Latvia)

Hyperboloid records release blender-full, forward-thinking and phuture-yet-present music from all over the world, in flavors of current mutations of electronic club music, both deconstructed and newly found inverted and transcended music genres, generally arranged under bass and experimental sections in music stores. They host a show on Hong Kong Community Radio dedicated to pushing forward thinking artists.

RustedSound (Mumbai, India)

A purist underground movement by Chinmay & Yashaswi Parashar featuring unparalleled audio and visual pioneers. Largest Catalog of Complex music with monthly album releases and Mixes (Episodes) from primordial figures in the circuit and DJs. Asia's Largest Catalog for I.D.M / Ambient / GrimRap / Acid / Industrial / Detroit / BreakCore / Garage / Drum & Bass / SynthJams.

welofi (Saint Petersburg, Russia)

A strong, supportive community and record label established in 2016. It was a period when the so-called "lo-fi house / outsider house" - a new (as some people think) sub-genre of house music became quite a popular thing. at that time  it was quite a unique music culture indeed, originated from the previous tendecies. Their main focus is on raw, "lo-fi", outsider, leftfield and experimental sound but they're always open to something new, laying beyond the frames.

Juicebox Music (Bangalore, India)

Juicebox Music, founded by Praveen Achary, is a record label based in Bangalore, India geared towards releasing & promoting quality underground electronic music with an affinity towards Deep Progressive, Melodic Techno & Electronica. In tandem with the imprint, Juicebox Radio, a weekly podcast, brings you the finest mix shows from talented DJs from around the world. Established with the idea of delivering high quality 'fresh' music, the label will feature releases from well known international & national artists as well as nurture inspiring & upcoming talents. Catering to a wide variety of enthusiasts in & around house music, Juicebox Music is set to become an instant favourite from India.

Sound Transitions (Washington, USA)

Record label & bare mix series based out of the Pacific Northwest showcasing both producers and deejays. Established by DJ Sonny Transon, the label premieres music by underground artists and labels from around the world as well as their own catalogue of old school inspired house, techno & breakbeat music.

Milkman (India)

Milkman is a hybrid of ideas, emotions and sounds that come to life through live events and extraordinary experiences. Milkman offers live music and entertainment experiences for all of mankind.  Being music enthusiasts and experiencing live music events across the world, Milkman strongly believes in creating happy and dance friendly environments for essential music lovers. They also host a mix series on their channel and have also released music bby Azu Hoyvoy & Erika Leah.

Gun4hyre (Baltimore, Maryland)

This Moveltraxx sister label established by Baltimore based DJ team - Grifter160 & Scarlett Star features Ghetto House/Juke/Footwork  and is focused on black/latinx/LGBTQ artists. Currently home to Grifter160, Scarlett Star , GINA130 and Kill Team SCX. They host a monthly radio show at datafruits.fm and have compiled a respectable catalogue in a very short amount of time


Daytimers (United Kingdom)

Daytimers is a creative collective aimed at showcasing and celebrating South Asian artistry, chaing perceptions of South Asian communities across the UK. born in the long, introspective pause of the first Covid lockdown, the collective released compilations raising thousands of pounds for Covid relief in India. They host various events in the UK as well as radio shows on platforms like Reprezent Radio, Rinse.fm & more.

BASS WATER FREAK OUT (Sydney, Australia)

Imagine a Triangle. The 3 corners of the triangle are TECHNO, HIPHOP & BASS. Dive into the middle of that triangle and you shall be swimming with BASS WATER FREAK OUT. Keeping it Strictly Trippy & Wompy from the deep swampy. If it tastes like Mermaid Lemonade, they're about it. Underwater throbbers for the lobsters. The Ocean is like Space. Get in the Alien Liquid. Hosting a show on Orbital Radio & supporting the community by premiering music in sync with their unique brand, we're excited to see what's to come.

Observant (Bangalore, India)

To observe is no different from breathing or feeling the sensation of touch. An inherent trait that facilitates us to perceive and learn from what’s around. Observant is an electronic music label founded by DJ/Producer duo Audio Units, also known as Ashwin Baburao & Ashrith Baburao. At the core, Observant is a small but loving team of DJs, music producers and visual artists. Observant was founded primarily as a broadening to showcase exceptional musical talent that stride to relentlessly express their undying love for the arts from across the world.

Dialect Audio (Estonia)

Dialect Audio is a independent deep, rolling EDM movement. Dialect Audio brings you the freshest new talent and unique DJs to the scene so we can all be dialected. It is the home of underground revolution in estonia.

Soupherb Records (Berlin, Germany)

Soupherb Records an imprint of Ash Roy and Calm Chor, co-founders of the erstwhile Jalebee Cartel. Over the past 11 years, the label has proven to be an international platform for forward thinking and experimental music producers. Bringing together genres like Techno, Minimal, and their sub genres is what has led to Soupherb collaborations taking artists across the globe and hosting tours both within Asia and Europe.

Lambratech (Milan, Italy)

Made in LAMBRATE Their music is a mirror of the surrounding world and stays faithful, reflecting its moods and eras. The way human beings are in the world and in relation to each other was changed as a result of technical acceleration, revolutionizing the dominant ways of viewing it and heavily influencing the forms of subjectivity and society. They stay fast with the mission to pursue truth and actuality while it is unfolding in front of us.

EDITOR'S PICK

Backpocket Slammers (Melbourne, Australia)

Established in 2020 by artists XYSid and My Boyfriend, BPS' tone has shifted rapidly from a self-serving syndicate to a well-rounded, donation-focused label hellbent on showcasing the best electronic music they can find in a variety of genres. With a yearly compilation series as well as solo artist projects, BPS has started to build a strong back catalog with no plans of slowing down. Notable alumni include: Loïcc, Eastern Distributor, Georgia Bird (in2stellar), and Caitlin Medcalf. However, BPS prides itself just as much on developing and growing artists, such as Sleep Exchange, Rakhi, and Scalymoth, just to name a few.