Who are you?
We are Sofa Sound Bristol, a label for the underground, from the underground, from Bristol – founded by me, J “DLR.”
What’s your ethos?
The ethos of the label is to provide a platform for releasing fresh underground drum and bass that stays true to the core of the sound. That basically means music based around drums and bass with some wicked funk and added weirdness.
Tell us your origin story (was it a deep concept or a chat in the pub)?
Sofa Sound started as my decision to create a label as an outlet for my own music. I’d been inspired by being part of Dispatch Recordings and by what Ant TC1 did, and continues to do, with his label Dispatch Recordings. I wanted to see what it was all about and to have a platform of my own.
It began as an innocent creation, which developed quickly into something bigger. We started releasing other people’s music – things like Still Warm by Black Barrel, music from Dub Head, and tracks like Melt Down. These early releases really stood out to me; they had rolling, funky sounds.
It wasn’t just a moment down at the pub – it was something that developed slowly in my mind, and then it really took its own direction, especially with Adam Menzies’ artwork. I presented the idea to him, and he developed something with a punk ethos and aesthetic. He really went with it and brought the essential visual side that nailed home the distinct brand and feel of the label.
Where are you based? Tell us about your local scene…
As the name says, Sofa Sound Bristol is based in Bristol. The city directly inspires me to focus on the roots and core sounds of drums and bass.
Bristol is seminal in the drum and bass world for obvious reasons like Full Cycle. People like Die are still rolling out, Ronnie is still rolling out, Suv and co as well – all still in the area. Randall was in Bristol for a good 10–15 years alongside me. Now a more modern wave has emerged, like Born On Road, who are really flying.
It’s exciting to be here, though sometimes it’s hard for the underground to find space because the scene is so huge and vibrant these days. On top of that, clubs face challenges. Still, there are incredible venues and sounds in Bristol, and sometimes all you really need is to put a sound system on the street and roll out. That’s Bristol, and that’s Sofa Sound Bristol too.
Do you have a specific sound or vibe?
As I mentioned earlier, wicked driving funk with added weirdness is a good way to describe it quickly.
The label has grown organically, and the sound has grown with it through the efforts of the artists. Some artists have pushed more experimental approaches, like Thematic and M-zine. Others, like Molecular and now the unique sound of Genic, add their own character. Recently, new and emerging artists contributed to the Sofa King Six album series, giving fresh flavours to the label’s output.
We never want to turn artists down or stifle ideas. The music is for the sofa, the studio, and a good club – those are the spaces where it sounds best.
Do you have a regular artist roster – who can we see releasing with you?
We’re so lucky to have had incredible artists over the years who continue to reappear with really sick music for the label.
Kathryn Brenna has new material in the form of a 2 part release she’s been producing herself as well as working with Minor Forms, Kublai & Genic as well as the one she’s done with me. We’ve also got Business As Usual with Illaman coming up, and then a fully solid EP from T>I. Beyond that, more amazing music from both returning producers and fresh faces is on the way. The next few months will be wicked as we lead up to 2026!
Tell us about your A&R process…
I’m proud to have so many artists on the label, and I enjoy the challenge of how it all comes together. I try to guide them organically, give them confidence, and engage creatively on both a fun and technical level.
Sometimes I’ll suggest a direction, and artists stick to their guns – I always respect that. Other times we find a natural mid-ground. Either way, I enjoy being alongside their journey. My role is to embolden their confidence and help them see they’re absolutely sick at what they do.
What makes you different from other labels?
Several things set Sofa Sound apart.
I used to be part of the duo Octane & DLR – big up Octane! That project set the precedent for my sound: stripped-back, stepping, detailed. After Chris and I parted ways, I pushed forward with my own sound, working on details that gave identity to each track.
At the same time, artists like Ulterior Motive and Skeptical were exploring similar approaches, and we all shared a strong belief in what we were doing. The label naturally attracted artists with similar vibes, which gave it extra energy and cohesion.
But it’s the artists that really make Sofa Sound different. Each brings their own flavour, combined with Adam’s artwork, which set a distinct visual tone. It’s been a mad journey, but I’m proud of how the label stands apart.
What does it take to run a bass music label in 2025?
Running a drum and bass label in 2025 is tough. With the way streaming works now, it’s harder than ever for mid-sized labels like Sofa Sound to stay financially sustainable. The costs of running a label are high, and the money that comes back from streams often doesn’t balance things out.
That said, there’s still space for passionate projects. Some people keep it small and manageable with a close-knit team and a clear vision. Others go all-in and push for scale. Either way, it takes belief, resilience, and a lot of energy.
The challenge is that the industry feels more like an “industry” these days — and that can be worrying. At its heart, drum and bass has always been a scene and an art form, but the financial pressures are pulling it in different directions.
Looking ahead, the landscape in three or four years will probably be very different from what we see now. That’s just the way of the world. Running a label isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s incredibly rewarding to collaborate with an amazing team, work alongside talented artists, and share something special with the fans who support us.
What have you got coming up we should look out for?
We’ve got some really strong projects and themes on the way. Kathryn Brenna’s upcoming EP MODES will arrive in two parts — four tracks of pure fire. After that comes a heavy T>I release, followed by some ridiculously good new material from Business As Usual.
On the horizon we’ve also got Trakker’s fresh EP, plus a Molecular VIP rework of a track from his Heritage & Sound album. We’re also aiming to drop a Minor Forms & Kublai EP soon, just ironing out the last details. And there’s even the possibility of a sister label emerging, giving us the chance to showcase even more exciting new talent.
Everyone’s bringing their own style and direction, which makes this a very exciting time for Sofa Sound.
Thanks for taking the time to hear about Sofa Sound Bristol. We’d be nothing without the fans, the artists, the label team, and the wider scene we’re so lucky to be part of.
Art is a powerful thing — it gives us a break when life and the world feel heavy. Big love to everyone out there: keep seeking out real art and supporting real artists. Keep it real.
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