Launching our brand new Label Spotlight feature, DMCWorld checks in with Vienna’s Mannix on his brilliant Dafia Records label.
When did you launch Dafia Records and what was your first release?
We launched in January 2021 with Mannix feat. Lee Wilson – Do It Right Now.
What’s the meaning behind the label name?
It’s Austrian dialect and means to be for something, pro!
Where are you based?
Vienna in Austria.
How did the label come about?
I’ve been thinking about launching and running a label for more than 25 years, so I finally did it.
What is your core musical style and ethos behind the label?
It’s all about House and Disco with live elements, sample free and all releases have a certain dose of SOUL in them.
Who does what at the label?
There’s only me running things, so I do everything.
Which artists are featured on the label?
The Reflex, D.C.LaRue, Terrence Parker, Birdee, Ashley Beedle, Mijangos, Opolopo, Lauer, Walter G, Drop Out Orchestra, K-Klass and many more.
Who else would you love to sign to Dafia?
I’m a big fan of Sister Pearl and I think there might be something coming soon on Dafia from them.
Which have been your 3 most successful releases to date?
Mannix – No No No (Mijangos Latin House Remix)
![Mannix - No No No (Mijangos Latin House Remix) [Dafia Records]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P4mPAd5J_go/0.jpg)
Mannix feat. Lisa Shaw – So Much Time Remixes
D.C.Larue – O Ba Ba (The Reflex Revision)
What’s your current release?
Rony Breaker feat Chinua Hawk – Solid Ground which includes a remix from DJ Meme and one from myself.
What’s your A&R process and how can producers get demos to you?
To be honest, most of the time I get in touch with producers I want to have on the label. About 80% of the signings have happened that way. But of course people can send me demos via email, or the socials. https://www.facebook.com/MannixVienna/
What’s the best thing about running a record label?
To have the freedom to release whatever I want .
And what difficulties as a label have you had to overcome? I don’t have a problem with my label. But I do have problems with some other labels who don’t pay their artists. Paying artists for me is the basic of any business. If you can’t pay your people, do something else.
Do you host label events or plan to?
To be honest, I don’t have the time to do it. Probably one day for one event, let’s see.
Where would you like to see the label in 5 years?
It will be established by then and home to the best artists around, who are all very happy.
What pearls of wisdom would you offer to those considering setting up their own label?
Don’t think too long on things, do it. And also, pay your artists and remixers properly.
What’s coming up on the label that you can tell us about?
I have music from the likes of The Reflex, DJ Meme, Narf Zayd, S.U.M.O., Hotmood, Walter G, Smoke Balls and of course myself, Mannix coming up! It’s going to be an exciting time for the label.
Rony Breaker feat Chinua Hawk ‘Solid Ground’ (DJ Meme and Mannix Remixes) is out now on Dafia Records.
https://fanlink.to/solidgroundremixes
