What’s the first thing that pops in your head when you think of the Dim Mak record label? You probably picture Steve Aoki throwing a huge 20″ sheet cake in someone’s face just as the drop hits, or the wild crowds that line up to see him perform these crazy acts. However, Dim Mak Records is so much more than just it’s founding father, Steve Aoki.
With an impressive catalogue that has more than 30 amazing artists, including huge hit-makers like Deorro, Clockwork, The Chainsmokers and Keys N Krates, Dim Mak Records has grown to become one of the biggest dance music labels in the US. They also top supreme when it comes to putting on great live performances. It doesn’t matter which Dim Mak artist you’re seeing, expect to experience very wild crowds, hear music twice as crazy, and you’ll probably get some kind of champagne shower or food thrown in your face.
One thing we’ve learned: always expect a party from the Dim Mak Family.
Each artist on this label is unique, both in musical style and performance, and that is what makes this label one-of-a-kind. It is not only an electronic dance music label focused solely on releasing the bangers and the hits. It is a label that provides great music for all genres and people to enjoy.
We wanted to take a deeper look at what makes this company run so smoothly and how the artists felt Dim Mak presents itself to the rest of the world. We got first-hand answers from Botnek, The Chainsmokers, Keys N Krates, Garmiani, Dirtyphonics and Borgore on how it feels to be one of Dim Mak’s own, how they would describe the label to a stranger and how they felt they’ve contributed to the label’s diverse catalogue.
BOTNEK
How does it feel to be apart of the Dim Mak team?
Dim Mak was one of the first labels that we followed when we started making music, so it kinda feels like a high five with the force of 1000 EDMs.
How would you describe Dim Mak to someone who has never heard of the label before?
It’s a bunch of Steve Aoki’s friends (mostly Canadians) making party music that will make your Dad frown.
What do you feel you bring to the table at Dim Mak Records?
If Dim Mak was a math class we’d be the class clowns, probably making fart jokes and not taking the mathematics seriously, but somehow still passing the class.
What is a song of yours that we should show your fans?
Tell us something your fans don’t know about you.
Whales creep me out, they’re so big.
THE CHAINSMOKERS
How does it feel to be apart of the Dim Mak team?
We have both been huge fans of Dim Mak since before we even started taking all this seriously. Steve Aoki was like a party legend to us. Dude has Banana Split Sundays and was always at the cutting edge of it all and not to mention the few times we met him were super cool. So to be a part of such a progressive label, with so many other talented artists like Deorro, Autoerotique, Borgore, Felix Cartel, and so many more its just really cool. Not to mention its an American label and we gotta rep our hood!
How would you describe Dim Mak to someone who has never heard of the label before?
It’s an American label that continually pushes the boundaries of not just one genre, but many. They are family-oriented, extremely hands on (in a good way – shout out to Lee and Lorne!) and we feel very lucky to have the opportunity to release music with them.
What do you feel you bring to the table at Dim Mak Records?
Well, we brought them their first platinum record. Beyond that we probably are on the lesser side of the big room dance music side and a little more indie pop style-wise, compared to some of the other artists.
What is a song of yours that we should show your fans?
Tell us something your fans don’t know about you.
Last year Alex puked 10 times before taking the stage at TomorrowWorld because he was hungover from the night before. This year, we stayed sober…
KEYS N KRATES
How does it feel to be apart of the Dim Mak team?
[Flo:] Pretty good. We are definitely the odd artists out on the roster, but they’ve really let us just do our thing and been really supportive.
What do you feel you bring to the table at Dim Mak Records?
[Matisse:] Well considering that our music is less EDM than the rest of the roster, I think it helps to diversify their label a lot.
What is a song of yours that we should show to your fans?
Tell us something your fans don’t know about you.
[Flo:] Tune really likes Phil Collins.
GARMIANI
How does it feel to be apart of the Dim Mak team?
It’s awesome to be apart of the Dim Mak team. When I started out I didn’t want to sign to any particular label I just wanted to release singles on different labels, because that’s the way to build a brand and I didn’t want to tie myself up to one label. When I started working with Dim Mak, I loved the way they were handling everything. It’s more of a family and a brand, like a really strong brand. It’s respected, and I love what everybody’s doing there. I understand them, they understand me. Most importantly, they let me do whatever I want. They’re just a great platform to do the music I want to do.
How would you describe Dim Mak to someone who has never heard of the label before?
I would describe it as a dance music label, but it’s more diverse if you compare it to other labels such as a regular Beatport EDM label. I’m saying that because Dim Mak has it’s roots in punk rock and stuff as well as the DIY movement, and they have a different approach than most other labels. Really, it’s just a group of weird kids just sitting behind laptops.
What do you feel you bring to the table at Dim Mak Records?
I definitely bring the bangers. They love what I do and I love what they do.
What is a song of yours that we should show to your fans?
Tell us something your fans don’t know about you.
Well I used to be a rapper! Not like a gangster rapper, but like a hardcore rapper that was a little bit conscious.
DIRTYPHONICS
How does it feel to be apart of the Dim Mak team?
[Charly] It’s awesome, we’ve been with them for about three years now. It’s been both a crazy adventure and a good one.
How would you describe Dim Mak to someone who has never heard of the label before?
[Pitchin] We’d tell them to listen to the whole catalogue.
[Charly] Yeah, there are so many releases and so much going on. Dim Mak is a family and that’s what’s great about it. Whether you meet people on the road or go to LA and go to the office, there’s really a strong family vibe. Obviously we work together, but it doesn’t ever feel like we’re working when were together. Making money and stuff, that’s cool like we’re all here for the love of the music and whatnot, and we party. Like we said though, Dim Mak has so many artists and so many different genres that it is definitely an electronic music label not just a pigeonholed label.
What do you feel you bring to the table at Dim Mak Records?
[Charly] Were the harder (or the bass-ier) side of Dim Mak. The good thing is, we don’t have to fit. It’s all about putting out quality music, and all of the artists are doing different things. We are a little bit harder than the other guys, but that works in our relationship with Dim Mak. They love all types of music and they can definitely relate to what we do and to the energy that we have and that’s why we’re apart of the family.
What is a song of yours that we should show to your fans?
Tell us something your fans don’t know about you?
[Charly] Pitchin used to play disco. He had a disco residency back in 2001.
BORGORE
How does it feel to be apart of the Dim Mak team?
I’m really honored, Steve Aoki has always been a big supporter and an awesome friend. So, helping him and having him help me has been a really great relationship.
How would you describe Dim Mak to someone who has never heard of the label before?
I think it’s hard to describe Dim Mak well because the label is pretty eclectic you know? There really isn’t one sound that identifies it. I think that this is the pro of it, that’s what makes it a cool, fun party label. It’s f*ckin’ Steve Aoki dude!
What do you feel you bring to the table at Dim Mak Records?
I bring the ratchets. I bring the rage, the tits, and no furry boots.
What is a song of yours that we should show to your fans?
Tell us something your fans don’t know about you.
I think my fans know everything about me, because I don’t save anything from coming up. You know, everything is there. Every single thing that I do is on video or on a tweet or a picture. I feel like I’m very personal with my fans and that is why they’re passionate with me and that’s why we have a strong connection.
Dim Mak Records, with their strong family vibe and incredible roster of talented artists, have proved time and again that they are here to stay and will continue to put out a wide variety of different electronic music. Fans of this label are passionate for a reason, and it’s because the artists involved truly put their heart and soul into every last release. Be sure to check out Dim Mak’s entire catalogue here, and be sure to follow them so you can stay up to date with all their new releases.
Connect with Dim Mak Records:
http://www.dimmak.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dimmakrecs
http://twitter.com/dimmakrecs
https://soundcloud.com/dimmakrecords