Stay ahead of the game. Discover 25 ROminimal & micROhouse record labels to follow in 2023 (Part 1)
As electronic music enthusiasts, we know that staying up to date with the latest releases is key to discovering new and exciting sounds. At feeder.ro, we work daily with artists from the underground scene worldwide and we’re always on the lookout for record labels that consistently deliver top-quality music. With so many outlets out there, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 25 ROminimal & micROhouse record labels to follow in 2023, split into a few parts for your convenience. In this article, we present Part 1 of our list, featuring some of the most innovative and exciting vinyl and digital labels in the scene.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the electronic music scene or a newcomer looking to explore new sounds, these record labels are sure to have something that catches your ear. Keep an eye out for Part 2 of our list, coming soon, for even more exciting imprints to follow this year.
[a:rpia:r] – Rhadoo, Petre Inspirescu & Raresh
Definitely one of the most influential and innovative record labels in contemporary electronic music, [a:rpia:r] has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of techno and house with its distinctive sound and meticulous attention to detail. Founded by Rhadoo, Petre Inspirescu and Raresh, the label has become synonymous with hypnotic rhythms and textures that transport listeners to otherworldly realms every time.
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Acmé – Alex Font
One of the most exciting and forward-thinking record labels to emerge from Spain, Acmé has quickly established itself as a beacon of quality and creativity in the world of electronic music. Founded by Alex Font, the imprint’s roster features a diverse array of artists from around the world, all united by a shared commitment to pushing the standard boundaries and exploring new sonic frontiers.
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Amphia – Cristi Cons & Vlad Caia
Founded by Cristi Cons and Vlad Caia aka SIT, Amphia has been at the forefront of Romania’s underground dance music culture, showcasing some of the most talented producers and DJs in the scene. The imprint’s releases are characterized by intricate sound design, groovy rhythms and all the ingredients necessary for people to enjoy top-quality vibes.
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Atipic & AtipicLab – Priku
Headed by Priku, Atipic and its AtipicLab counterpart are widely known for releasing cutting-edge minimal techno that’s intellectually stimulating and dancefloor-friendly. With meticulous curation and a focus on quality over quantity, the label continues to deliver top-notch electronic music and surely inspires the new generation of artists.
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DisDat – Nektarios Ioannidis
With a catalogue focused on bringing forward timeless releases signed by artists like Petre Inspirescu and Andrew Weatherall as well as several Various Artists’ compilations which include works from the likes of Thomas Melchior, Barac, Federico Molinari and Lee Burton, DisDat stands out through its carefully picked selections and unique approach to modern electronic music.
Draganenii – Andrei Ciubuc & Rhadoo
Andrei Ciubuc and Rhadoo reveal the ultra-fresh sound of Draganenii, the freshly founded platform for showcasing their vision in the form of spiralling and experimental sounds flavoured with minimal, breaks and trance elements. Their project A_R has recently released “About Time” EP packing three solid dancefloor weapons exploring just that with a serious load of pure braindance.
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feeder sound – Cristina Popa & Andrei Racovițan
With five releases out there signed by Dragutesku, Piktor, Oana, Bucurie and Unisson, our platform continues to grow and explore electronic music and contemporary urban arts so better subscribe to our NEWSLETTER in order to stay updated with the latest news for the alternative generation.
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Hashplant – Enivrèz Vous
Italian record label Hashplant headed by Federico Mandelli and Albert Hipman aka Enivrèz Vous is known to deliver hot vinyl-only releases and enjoys massive support from many artists in the scene. Recently, they dropped their 12th pressing with Lizz in a limited edition package which was quickly sold out.
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Infrequent – Dubtil
The time has finally come for Dubtil to present his own record label Infrequent, something which minimal and microhouse fans have long been wanting. One of Romania’s most accomplished DJs and producers surely doesn’t disappoint, signing the first release with style.
Kontent – Vlad Arapașu
Founded in 2019 by Vlad Arapașu, Kontent has so far delivered four EPs by Macarie, Leanca, Vid and the label head himself, as well as one Various Artists compilation featuring Chrivu, Hippex, Kivva and Sonohat. The next vinyl release should arrive soon, no doubt. Until then, make sure to check out the digital side of the imprint as well.
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Leftback Records – Michael McLardy & Dudley Strangeways
Based in Nottingham, UK, Leftback Records was created back in 2014 by Michael McLardy and Dudley Strangeways, while its digital sub-label Leftback Intercities has been active on Bandcamp since 2020. The distinct sound of the imprint is powered by stripped-back rhythms, low-slung grooves and trippy atmospheres.
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Lescale Recordings – Ramona Yacef
Lescale Recordings is Ramona Yacef‘s own musical playground and exhibits an extended discography in both vinyl and digital formats. There’s a diverse mixture of styles and genres waiting to be discovered, from minimal and microhouse to tech house, breakbeat and experimental.
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Metereze – Raresh
Since 2013, Romanian electronic music beacon Metereze brought forward 15 vinyl-only titles signed by carefully selected artists. Headed by Raresh, the catalogue features solid productions from Dubtil, Mihai Popescu, Melodie, VincentIulian, Sublee, John Dimas, TC Studio (Matei Tulbure & Traian Cherecheș), Arapu, Ion Ludwig and Noha, among others.
Microgarden Lab – Vladimir Marinkovic
Headed by Vladimir Marinkovic, Microgarden Lab is a new independent record label from Serbia focused on releasing deep and organic sounds. The extended catalogue includes a variety of minimal, microhouse, dub techno and breakbeat signed by artists from all over the world.
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Micronica Records – D I N & Ioan
Latvian imprint Micronica Records has recently launched its limited vinyl-only Various Artists series, showcasing amazing sounds from Costin Rp, Yansima, Venda, Silat Beksi, Lulla, userUNKNWN, Soyro and label heads D I N and Ioan. The digital catalogue is available on Bandcamp.
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Paulum – CVO
The freshly founded events and record label Paulum is managed by Casimir von Oettingen aka CVO and already delivered its first two releases with the third announced to arrive soon. Focused on bringing forward top-quality minimal, microhouse and breakbeat, the imprint gains momentum at a rapid pace while planning new showcase parties in Berlin.
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Personality Disorder Music – Guti & David Gtronic
The collaborative project between Guti and David Gtronic is entitled Personality Disorder Music and surely delivers the vibes on vinyl as well as in digital format. Among the artists present in the catalogue we find Figi & San Proper, Reboot and Chad Andrew.
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Ruere – Faster
Since it was founded in 2015, Ruere has delivered only 8 titles so far, focusing on quality rather than quantity. The EPs were signed by Costin Rp, Brind, Priku, Crihan (under his Discret Popescu moniker) and label head Faster.
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Skip Audio – Luciano Buscemi & Matteo Arienti
Luciano Buscemi & Matteo Arienti aka Dubtape established their record label Skip Audio in Barcelona, Spain, with the goal to promote top-notch modern electronic music signed by inspiring artists in the underground scene. Since 2020, the imprint dropped 4 steaming VAs and 3 EPs from Lulla, Direkt and the label heads themselves.
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Stamp Records – Petit Batou
Parisian vinyl and digital label Stamp Records was founded in 2015 by Petit Batou and enjoys a constant flow of releases from established artists as well as rising talents worldwide. Aside from numerous thematic VA compilations, the catalogue also offers memorable EPs, collaborations end edits.
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Subtil – Nils Weimann & Martin Glowacz
With a collection of 25 titles until now, Subtil stands out as one of the most forward-thinking underground labels in Germany. Founded in 2014 by Nils Weimann and Martin Glowacz, the label is well-known for its collaborations with Lumieux, Cosmjn, Vlad Arapasu, Piktor, Iuly.B, Traumer, Vendi and Leanca, to name a few.
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The Other Side – Maher Daniel
Founded in 2017 by Maher Daniel, The Other Side has seen a steady flow of top-quality releases from artists like SIT, Sammy Dee, Ricardo Villalobos, Faster, Guy From Downstairs, Dubfound, Pheek, Kike Mayor, Floog and the label head himself, among others.
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Tied – Max Jacobson & Christian Thomas
Chicago-based record label Tied is headed by DJs and producers Max Jacobson and Christian Thomas, well-known for their collaborative live act Ciphr. A beacon for top-quality underground music, the American imprint delivers sophisticated minimal sounds flavoured with all the necessary ingredients to make their releases stand out and be remembered for a long time.
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Pressure Traxx – Frank Frost & Einzelkind
Based in Offenbach am Main, Germany, Pressure Traxx was founded in 2012 by Frost and Einzelkind, driven by the roots of acid, house and techno. Enjoying a select and solid roster of dedicated producers and collaborators, the label constantly delivers amazing releases for collectors and selectors alike.
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Vivus Records – Tobias Laun & Daniel Broesecke
Vivus Records is an independent record label from South Germany, founded in 2016 by Tobias Laun and Daniel Broesecke. The imprint’s discography includes productions signed by artists like Josh Wicks, Rowlanz, Silat Beksi, Laboratori OTK, Direkt, Macarie, Camelia, Vlad Arapasu, Haokah and others. The sounds here are equally amazing as those promoted via the Particular sub-label.
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🎪 Festival season has started in Europe so here’s a list of 32 essential electronic music festivals that you definitely have to experience in 2023. Also, stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon…
Words by: AndreiB