The mighty tribal house label with an all star roster continues the excellence
2012 has been a year of achievement for the My Digital Enemy boys, who have seen their Zulu imprint become a resident in the Beatport top 100. When a label finds its true voice and identity, the complete package of the brand becomes recognisable both through the sound and image of the label’s activities. Zulu Records has become a go-to resource for quality House music and with a strong following, comes a strong roster. The Futuristic Polar Bears, Matteo DiMarr, Jason Chance, Prok & Fitch and many more quality House names have contributed to the output of one of this year’s fastest rising imprints. The future of House music relies on quality new labels and Zulu is setting the standard for emerging labels. We spoke to My Digital Enemy to get behind the scenes at Zulu Records…
Zulu seems to have found a winning formula this year, one of the toughest aspects of running a label. What is it about Zulu that ‘works’?
“When we started Zulu we decided we wanted to release tracks that had a memorable hook that would stick in your head. There are a lot of labels doing underground tech-house that sounds great in clubs, but isn’t very memorable when it comes down to it.”
You’ve had a great year for releases with a long line of successful tracks. Which are you standout tracks from the label this year?
“Our two biggest releases so far are My Digital Enemy ‘Reaper’ and My Digital Enemy & Jason Chance ‘Got To Be Strong’. We knew Reaper was going to be big when Mark Knight requested it as an exclusive for the Toolroom Ibiza compilation. We stuck to our guns and kept it for Zulu but still managed to license it non-exclusively to them. Since then we got a Matteo DiMarr remix, which was supported most notably by Axwell and it also reached #11 in the Beatport House Chart. ‘Got To Be Strong’ is our best charting release yet and currently sits at #4 in the Beatport House Chart. We are so happy at Zulu HQ!”
In such an overcrowded world of labels, what does it take to make it work?
“We think it is all about signing tracks you really believe in and giving them the attention they need. We release one track a month, as we believe it’s about quality not quantity.”
So the name Zulu, is there any story behind the name and logo?
“We chose the name Zulu as it relates to the tribal backbone that drives most house tracks. We wanted a logo that stands out and the Zulu mask does just that. We are getting some Zulu T-Shirts printed to give away on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/zulurecords
Zulu is currently swarming all-over the online charts, that must be a great feeling for any label boss?
“Yes! We’re really happy with the response we have had to Zulu. It’s so good to see some of our favourite DJs playing our tracks from our own label and also seeing them get up so high in the Beatport charts!”
How do you describe the Zulu sound?
“House music with a tribal edge.”
What’s coming next from the label?
“It’s looking like our big track of the summer ‘New Sensation’ will be our October release. With support from Mark Knight, Roger Sanchez & Prok & Fitch already, it’s looking like it could be our biggest track yet.”
Where do you want to see Zulu in the long-term future?
“Everywhere, worldwide! It would be great to grow the brand to be one of the top house labels.”
If you could snap up exclusive rights to any one producer for Zulu, who would it be?
“Carl Cox or Fatboy Slim as they were our DJ idols as we were growing up!”
