Loot Recordings was born out of a profound love for the music and organically developed from an idea to an actual label. Let’s rewind. In 2014, Kered founded Loot Recordings, a label dedicated to showcasing new talent combined with more established artists. Over the past decade, Loot Recordings has become known for its diverse roster and commitment to high-quality music. The label features music from artists such as Silence Path, Viktop, Ebrahimi, Death On The Balcony, Luca Bacchetti, Valdovinos, Ale Russo, Newman (I Love), and many others.

As Loot Recordings celebrates its 10th anniversary, we spoke with Kered to discuss the label’s journey, its impact on the electronic music community, and what the future holds. Join us as Kered shares insights into the label’s evolution and the vision that continues to drive him and its success.

WWD: Congratulations on Loot Recordings’ 10 year anniversary. That’s quite the milestone. How does it feel? 

Thank you. It’s incredible to realize that we’ve reached this milestone—10 years and counting! It’s a remarkable feeling to see how far we’ve come. In an industry where labels come and go so quick, our 10 year run feels like a significant achievement. Sometimes I don’t realize how long we’ve been at this, but when I pause and reflect, it’s a really nice feeling. My enthusiasm and passion for the label remains as strong today as it did when it was all just an idea. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished. More importantly, I’m thrilled to collaborate with a dedicated group of talented artists that I genuinely believe in. That feels really good.

WWD: What inspired you to start Loot Recordings? 

I don’t think there was ever a true “a-ha” moment for an idea to start a label. It really was a gradual, natural progression of my never-ending love and quest for great dance music combined with a desire to give it my all for the artists I work with. I had released music on several labels over the years and some experiences were great, others were not. I took the not-so-great experiences and said to myself “there has to be a different and better way to do this… and if I ever had a label, here’s what I would do…” And there it was, that was the motivation to start a label.

The idea started to take shape in 2013, but it wasn’t until early 2014 that I started to put things into motion and on paper. I literally developed a business plan and concept that helped keep things focused. The label officially launched in November 2014 with a track I produced called “Find My Way Back” that had remixes by Stefano Testa and Cactus Twisters. I also wanted to work with new and upcoming artists that I followed or liked. I’ve been DJing a very long time and I am constantly searching for new music. I dig for music in all kinds of places. Watching DJ sets online, scrolling endlessly through Soundcloud, chasing down tracks, shopping multiple genres on Beatport, Traxsource, Bandcamp and so on. This, combined with wanting to do things my way, was the main motivation to start a label. 

WWD: How has the label evolved over time?

Our sound has definitely evolved over the years where some of the earlier releases were a bit more melodic house and tech house focused. That’s certainly changed and today we’ve become more organic and melodic sounding. The sound of the label is also reflective of the different types of artists we work with, and over the years, the artists themselves evolve their sound. It’s exciting to think about because if you go back and listen to the releases from day one to now you can definitely hear the progression and evolution of our sound.

WWD: You’re celebrating 10 years with two special releases. Tell us about the inspiration behind ‘Loot Recordings: 10’ and what listeners can expect from it?

This project started as a wild idea, evolving from concept to completion with limitless possibilities. We started brainstorming last year, initially considering asking our artists to contribute new tracks to commemorate our 10-year anniversary. But that approach felt a bit too common, as did the notion of trading remixes with other artists.

What really captured our imagination was the thought of revisiting some of our most iconic releases and inviting the original artists to remix their own work. We gave them the freedom to remix, reimagine, or revisit their tracks in any way they wished.

When we shared this idea with the artists, their curiosity and excitement was contagious. Many found the prospect of remixing their own music intriguing. The outcome is a two-part compilation: ‘Loot Recordings: 10, Pt. 1’ and ‘Loot Recordings 10, Pt. 2,’ showcasing reinvented tracks from our early catalog alongside some more recent favorites.

While I often feel strongly about each release, this one holds a special place in my heart. It was uniquely challenging and immensely enjoyable, making it a standout project to celebrate 10 years of the label.

WWD: In an industry where longevity can be challenging, what do you attribute to Loot Recordings’ ability to thrive and remain relevant for a decade?

Passion and a positive attitude. The music industry can beat you down some days and you have to persevere and keep going. Along the way I’ve made some mistakes and have learned from them to become better.

Another big part of the longevity has been not biting off more than I can chew. In other words, don’t take on more than you can handle. I don’t have a team of 10 people and most of the work falls on me. I have a great support network and get help and counsel where I need it, but I’m conscious of how much I take on. This sometimes means saying no or learning how to pace yourself not to rush things. This is a big reason why we don’t have a massive output of say 30 to 40 releases a year. Our output is 6 – 8 releases a year and we really like to focus on the promotion before, during and after a release to maximize awareness and let it breathe. I feel very strongly that the artist deserves this kind of care and attention with their music. They’re pouring their heart and soul into it, and so should we as a label.

WWD: Looking back, what have been some of the most significant achievements or moments for the label during this time?

Over the past 10 years, there have been so many special moments – it’s hard to highlight just one. Some of the most unforgettable include the first time our label was played on BBC Radio 1 during B.Traits’ show—an incredibly proud moment. Hosting an “unofficial” label showcase at Kater Blau in Berlin with our artists was another highlight that stands out. That was my first time playing in Berlin and it was magic. A very special night into the morning!

Receiving demos from artists who express their admiration for the label and their desire to release music with us is always touching and reinforces why we do this. It’s equally thrilling to watch videos of DJs that I admire such as Nick Warren, Hernan Cattaneo, Lee Burridge, and Joris Voorn play our tracks at their gigs. Hearing John Digweed feature our music on his Transitions radio show, especially when he started his Circoloco mix with two tracks from Silence Path, was a remarkable moment.

In the end, knowing that our music resonates with others and is being played around the world is profoundly rewarding. I am extremely grateful. That alone makes every moment memorable for me!

WWD: As you commemorate the label’s anniversary, are there any particular lessons or insights you’ve gained about running a label that you’d like to share with others in the industry?

Absolutely. First, have a vision for what you want to do and plan it out, but be flexible and spontaneous. You never know when an incredible demo is going to land in your email that you weren’t expecting. Make sure you plan ahead. There’s nothing worse than not having a release schedule and you’re scratching your head wondering what’s next. It’s also unfair to the artists if you’re rushing their music or not working with them to plan things out. For example, you don’t want a release to come out the same day or week as another one of their releases. It’s very important to be constantly communicating with the artists.

Another lesson I’ve learned is that collaboration with artists and their teams is really important. I involve artists in the release every step of the way. Sometimes we collaborate on the artwork, plan the track order together, select remixers and more. I think this is important. The artist has invested so much time into their art and craft and I want to make sure I put in every resource I have to help make that release even more special.

Another important point is to work closely with your distributor and over communicate with them. Plan your release schedule and make sure they know what’s in the pipeline. The lead up to release date is very important as well. Be sure you’re making them aware of DJ feedback, any media interviews, DJ support, radio play and so on. This helps them to pitch your release to places like Beatport, Spotify and so on. They can’t work miracles if you aren’t helping them.

Lastly, love what you do! If you’re not passionate about running a label, there’s no point.

WWD: How do you discover new talent for Loot Recordings? What criteria do you look for when signing an artist or track?

I am on a never ending quest to discover new artists and music! I am constantly shopping for new music on stores like Beatport, Traxsource, Bandcamp and others. I listen to a LOT of music! If I find an artists I’ve never heard of, I’ll go down the rabbit hole. I’ll listen to the music they’ve released, check out their SoundCloud and a lot of the time strike up a conversation with them on Facebook, Instagram or email. If there’s a connection, we ultimately start working together.

Above all else, I have to love the track. When I hear a demo, I just know if it’s right or not. I get some demos from time to time that are really special, some that just aren’t a fit. Silence Path and a few other artists on the label sent demos and we’ve been working together ever since.  I also want to work with artists that are committed to what they do and have a vision for their own future. I have worked with some incredible artists over the years and a few just threw in the towel and stopped, others broke up, and so on. I completely understand it, but some artists don’t have the patience for building a repertoire of original music, remixes, and so on. It’s a slow game. Very few artists “make it” with a single track – that’s super rare.

WWD: Building a strong brand identity is crucial for any label’s success. What strategies have you employed to cultivate and maintain the brand image of Loot Recordings, both within the industry and among fans?

Hmm… Our logo is simple and clean, so there certainly is a visual identity. The same goes for our artwork. It’s consistent with certain brand markers, such as the diagonal line. The sound of Loot Recordings is consistently as well, generally falling into the melodic and organic house genres. We also host a monthly podcast that features artists and friends of the label. All of these things combined are important to the brand image of Loot Recordings. 

WWD: The music industry has seen significant shifts due to technological advancements. How do you envision the future of independent labels like Loot Recordings, particularly in terms of adapting to emerging technologies and consumer behaviors?

This is an interesting and sometimes controversial question because of the whole discussion of streaming payouts and so on. There’s no going back, streaming is here to stay. I personally have Spotify and love that for one low monthly price I have access to pretty much the history of recorded music. People are listening to music on streaming platforms, so as a label we have to be there.

Loot Recordings’ music is for DJs and dance floors. Sure, you can stream it on Spotify or Apple Music, but the music is meant to be heard on the dance floor and played by a DJ. So in terms of technology, the download stores are very important for Loot Recordings. 

I don’t have the answer here, but I think there may be some kind of evolution to streaming that maybe makes it more of an interactive experience for the listener. I think back to the days of buying vinyl where we read the lyrics on the sleeve, held the album cover and so on. I don’t know what the next big technological advancement is, but I’m sure in 10 or 20 years there will be some kind of new element to streaming. 

In terms of the future of Loot Recordings and adapting to emerging technologies, we have to adapt. If we’re still doing this, we’ll adapt just like labels before us had to when it all went from vinyl to digital. 

WWD: Looking ahead to the future, what’s next for Loot Recordings for this year and the next 10 years?

Great question! This year it’s all about the 10 year anniversary with the two part compilation ‘Loot Recordings: 10.’ We also have some free downloads coming that we’ll share on our socials, so look out for those. In terms of new music we have some incredible new music coming from Viktop, DJ Zombi, Death On The Balcony, Silence Path and more.

I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do see the label’s sound continuing to evolve over time. If you compare our earliest releases to what we’re putting out today, you’ll notice a significant progression. Yet, the essence of our mission has remained the same: delivering exceptional music and supporting talented artists.

Our vision encompasses both short-term and long-term goals. At the core, we’ll keep focusing on releasing music we believe in and collaborating with passionate, gifted artists. Looking ahead, I hope to see the label expand into hosting events, giving our artists a larger platform to showcase their sounds. Everyone loves a great party!

Overall, I envision the label to continue growing. We’ve experienced consistent organic growth with no sudden declines, and that’s great. This balance works perfect for us. As a DJ and label owner, my true north has always been to discover and promote new music and artists. Now, instead of doing that from the DJ booth, I’m also doing it with a label. This passion has been our guiding principle from day one and it will continue.

WWD: Let’s do some quick hit, short answer questions here. First, who is your favorite DJ?

If I had to narrow it down to one, it would be Laurent Garnier. He takes you on a trip, up, down and all around!

WWD: Favorite club you’ve DJ’ed at?

There are so many because every gig is special in its own way. Two standouts for me are Kater Blau in Berlin and Do Not Sit On The Furniture in Miami.

WWD: Lastly, who would you like to see on Loot Recordings?

Facundo Moohr and Kamilo Sanclemente. I really enjoy their sound!

WWD: Thanks for your time Kered, appreciate it!

Thanks so much for having me!

‘Loot Recordings: 10, Pt. 1’ is available here 

‘Loot Recordings: 10, Pt. 2’ is out July 26, 2024. Pre order here