Driving Techno is a high-energy subgenre of techno music characterized by relentless, powerful beats, fast tempos, and pulsating rhythms that create an immersive and forward-moving experience on the dancefloor. It often features minimalistic melodies, deep basslines, and hypnotic soundscapes, designed to maintain intensity throughout a DJ set or track.
Record labels play a crucial role in shaping the driving techno scene. They not only discover and nurture talented artists but also curate a distinct sound and aesthetic for the genre. Renowned labels act as trendsetters, influencing the direction of driving techno by releasing cutting-edge tracks, organizing events, and fostering communities of listeners and producers.
This guide delves into some up and coming record labels, as well as a handful of well-established ones. With a brief background and overview of notable artists, there is also a demo submission email or portal link included for each one.
Additionally, we’ll provide some tips for preparing and submitting your music, as well as good practices for interactions with labels and A&R representatives. By mastering these elements, you’ll be better positioned to make a powerful impression and harness the full potential of your music within a dynamic and competitive melodic techno scene.
UP AND COMING LABELS:
Arcane Music is a record label founded by British DJ and producer Eli Brown. Launched as a platform for Eli to explore the darker and more intense side of techno and house music, the label reflects his signature sound—raw, driving, and full of energy. Arcane Music is dedicated to pushing boundaries within the underground electronic scene, releasing tracks that embody a fusion of dark, hypnotic techno and infectious grooves. With a focus on high-quality production and cutting-edge releases, the label has quickly gained recognition for its contribution to the techno and house landscapes.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via email to [email protected].
Filth on Acid is the record label founded by Dutch techno producer and live act Reinier Zonneveld in 2017. The label was created as an outlet for Zonneveld’s distinctive, high-energy style, blending acid techno with hard-hitting beats and melodic elements. Known for its forward-thinking approach, Filth on Acid has quickly become a leading force in the techno scene, releasing tracks that span from driving, peak-time techno to deeper, acid-infused sounds.
With a focus on creative freedom, the label has attracted a diverse roster of international artists, as well as serving as a platform for Zonneveld’s own productions. Filth on Acid has garnered a reputation for delivering relentless, club-ready anthems that resonate with both underground and mainstream techno audiences.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via email to [email protected].
Hilomatik is a record label founded by Dutch DJ and producer Oliver Heldens, known for pioneering the future house genre. Launched as an extension of his artistic evolution, Hilomatik focuses on the darker, more underground side of electronic music, particularly techno and house. The label allows Heldens to explore deeper, more experimental sounds, distinct from his mainstream hits.
Hilomatik aims to be a forward-thinking platform for emerging and established artists who share a passion for innovative and groove-heavy music. By blending elements of techno, house, and minimal, the label represents Heldens’ desire to push musical boundaries while maintaining dancefloor energy.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via Oliver Heldens’s demo drop HERE.
Truesoul is a record label founded by Swedish techno icon Adam Beyer. Launched in 2002 as a sister label to his more intense and well-known imprint Drumcode, Truesoul offers a more melodic, groovy, and house-influenced side of Beyer’s sound. The label was created to explore the deeper and more soulful aspects of electronic music, while still maintaining strong ties to the underground techno scene. The label has released more hard-hitting, club-ready tracks in recent years.
Truesoul has become a platform for a wide range of artists who produce music that balances between house, techno, and progressive sounds, fostering creativity and innovation. It’s recognized for its high-quality productions and its ability to blend emotional depth with dancefloor energy, making it a staple in both intimate clubs and larger venues.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via Drumcode’s portal HERE.
Extatic Records is a record label founded by Dutch DJ and producer Maddix, known for his hard-hitting big room and techno fusion. Launched to serve as a platform for his evolving sound, Extatic Records focuses on high-energy, festival-ready tracks that combine elements of techno, electro, and mainstage EDM. The label allows Maddix to push boundaries with his signature style, characterized by powerful drops, driving basslines, and infectious melodies. Extatic Records is also dedicated to supporting emerging talent, giving a platform to artists who share a passion for high-octane, club-ready music.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via their website HERE.
Terminal M is a record label founded by German techno DJ and producer Monika Kruse. Originally created for Kruse’s own productions, the label has grown into one of the most respected imprints in the techno and tech-house scene. Terminal M is known for its diverse range of releases, from deep, melodic tracks to hard-hitting peak-time techno, reflecting Kruse’s broad musical influences.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via email to [email protected].
Set About Music is a record label co-founded by Bulgarian techno artists Metodi Hristov and Gallya in 2015. It began as a platform to express their unique take on techno and house; the label focuses on delivering dark, driving beats combined with experimental sound design and groovy, dancefloor-ready rhythms.
Set About Music is known for its forward-thinking approach, attracting both emerging and established talent from the global techno scene. The label’s releases often feature a blend of melodic and industrial influences, emphasizing cutting-edge production techniques. Through Set About Music, Hristov and Gallya have created a space that fosters creativity and innovation, pushing the boundaries of modern techno.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via email to [email protected]. Demos must be a private Soundcloud link.
Factory 93 Records is a record label launched by Insomniac Events, a prominent name in the electronic music scene, as an extension of their underground-focused brand, Factory 93. Dedicated to dark, driving techno and house, the label was created to capture the raw, immersive energy of the Factory 93 events, known for their industrial and warehouse-inspired aesthetics.
Factory 93 Records aims to showcase forward-thinking music from both established techno heavyweights and rising underground talents. The label focuses on releasing tracks that blend intensity, hypnotic rhythms, and deep, atmospheric sounds, reflecting the spirit of underground rave culture. It has quickly become a respected platform within the global techno community, offering a fresh take on underground electronic music.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via their website HERE.
Legend is a record label founded by French techno duo Cosmic Boys. Known for their high-energy, futuristic sound, the label was created as a platform to release their own productions and to support like-minded artists who share their passion for driving, melodic techno. Legend emphasizes powerful, peak-time tracks with heavy basslines, uplifting melodies, and a focus on the dancefloor. The label has become a key player in the modern techno scene, pushing boundaries and building a community around its distinctive, high-octane sound.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via email to [email protected]. Demo must be techno, and must be a private Soundcloud link.
Senso Sounds is a record label founded by German techno producer and DJ Oliver Huntemann. Established to explore and showcase his distinctive style of techno, Senso Sounds is known for its focus on deep, atmospheric, and high-quality techno productions.
The label emphasizes a sophisticated sound palette, blending driving rhythms with intricate sound design and a touch of melodic elements. Senso Sounds serves as a platform for Huntemann’s own releases as well as those of artists who align with its refined and forward-thinking aesthetic. Since its inception, the label has gained recognition for its commitment to producing immersive and impactful techno music.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via email to [email protected]. Specific submission instructions can be found on Senso Sounds’ Soundcloud.
ESTABLISHED LABELS:
Founded in 1996 by the influential Swedish DJ and producer Adam Beyer, Drumcode Records has established itself as one of the most prominent labels in the techno scene. Renowned for its dedication to driving, high-energy techno, Drumcode has played a pivotal role in shaping the genre’s modern sound. The label is celebrated for its signature style, which combines powerful beats with intricate, rhythmic textures and deep, resonant basslines. Drumcode’s releases consistently feature a blend of established techno luminaries and emerging talents, making it a go-to platform for high-quality, forward-thinking electronic music.
Over the years, Drumcode Records has built a reputation for its meticulously curated catalog and its influential role in the techno community. Its regular releases, artist showcases, and iconic events have cemented the label’s status as a key player in the global techno movement.
Notable artists include:
Demos can be submitted via their portal HERE.
Armada Music is a renowned record label founded by Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren. While the label is best known for its focus on trance and progressive house, it also has a significant presence in the techno scene, particularly through its sub-labels and various artist releases.
Armada Music has expanded its musical scope over the years, including a growing catalog of techno and tech-house tracks. Through its sub-labels and collaborations, the label has provided a platform for techno artists to reach a wider audience, contributing to the genre’s evolution and popularity. Armada’s commitment to high-quality production and innovative soundscapes has helped bridge the gap between mainstream electronic music and the underground techno scene.
Notable artists include:
Armada has very in-depth and specific instructions on how to submit your demo, which can be found HERE.
Afterlife Records was started in 2016 by duo Tale Of Us. It very quickly became a mainstay in the techno genre, and remains one of the largest and most popular labels not only in the genre, but in all of electronic music. Afterlife has been dedicated to curating a distinctive sonic journey, characterized by its deep, atmospheric soundscapes and intricate rhythmic textures. The label’s commitment to quality and creativity has not only shaped the careers of numerous talented artists but has also set a new standard within the genre.
Notable artists:
Demos can be submitted via email at [email protected].
TIPS & TRICKS
When preparing your music for release and submission to a record label, having a thorough checklist can ensure you present your work in the best possible light. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get ready:
