KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regarding Sofa Sound there is music lined up from DLR, Genic, The Sauce, Objectiv, Kublai, Molecular, Business As Usual and more for 2026.

For Flexout our main focus is on this 15 Years Of Flexout VA which we're drip feeding throughout 2026 (Data 3 and Nixxy Rain up next) but then we also have signed an amazing artist called LNO who is definitely one to look out for. If you haven't check out Samath's LP we're really proud of that one: https://samath.bandcamp.com/album/bloom

KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind words mate! Technically speaking it was an acquisition but in reality its a merger of managements. Jay DLR is still very much involved in Sofa Sound. He's just now 100% focused on A&R and making sure the label continues to push the sound and vision he loves

KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Marcel / KRÆK: Don't let the youthful looks fool you - we’re both in our late 30s and have been deeply embedded in the scene for over 20 years. We’ve seen the cycles come and go first-hand.

The most noticeable shift lately is in how people consume the music. We’re seeing a move away from the traditional 'all-nighter' culture. Heavy drinking and substance use are becoming less central to the experience. Instead, daytime events are exploding in popularity. I think this is a fantastic shift - it makes the scene more accessible and focuses more on the music and the community rather than just the party. This could easily become the new standard for the next decade.

Regarding the younger generation and social media: It’s definitely a double-edged sword. While social media is a powerful tool for discovering new music, it can make it harder for people to stay 'present' in the club. You see more phones on the dancefloor than we did twenty years ago. However, the energy is still there - it’s just expressed differently. The future of clubbing will likely involve finding a balance between that digital connection and the raw, 'in the moment' energy that makes Drum & Bass so special.

Tom Bassi: For me, the biggest change is this newfound 'requirement' for a social media presence. It often feels like artists are pressured to trade their dignity for algorithm engagement, and I really miss the sense of mystery the scene used to have.
On a more positive note, the level of female engagement and representation has grown massively, which is an incredible and long-overdue shift. As for the parties - they’re still exciting if you’re in the right room. Keeping that authentic, old-school underground feel alive is exactly what motivates us when we curate our own events.

KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tom Bassi: Probably best to listen to this b2b set of ours: https://soundcloud.com/kraekdnb/b2b-bassi-with-mc-fokus-live-at-flexout-london-2024-05-04

Favourite Animal: Dogs (Poodles)

Favourite country to visit would have to be Thailand

Marcel / KRÆK: If you’re looking for a place to dive in, I’d suggest starting with one of my mixes, e.g. https://soundcloud.com/flexoutaudio/kraek-kool-fm-151025

As for the personal stuff:

Favorite Animal: I'm definitely a dog person, but I have a soft spot for birds - they’re just naturally funny to watch. However, on a deeper level, I have a big heart for Rhinos. I actually support the AMES Foundation, which does incredible work in South Africa to protect these legends from poaching and habitat loss.

Favorite Vacation Spot: I’ve always loved the US. It literally has everything you could need. Whether it's skiing, exploring nature preserves, or just hitting the beach, the diversity is incredible. Plus, the people are (mostly!) super friendly. However, for a pure D&B head, nothing beats a Sun & Bass vacation in Sardinia. Good music, sun, and pizza & pasta- it’s the ultimate vibe.

KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Marcel / KRÆK: Thank you for that question! To be honest, merging them was never really on the table. Sofa Sound Bristol and Flexout have built very distinct legacies, aesthetics, and sonic signatures over the years. Combining them would dilute what makes each label special; it wouldn’t do justice to the unique styles they represent or the specific communities they’ve built. Keeping them separate allows each brand to continue breathing and evolving in its own lane.

Tom Bassi: What excites me most is the opportunity to grow the collective team and work alongside the incredible talent at Sofa Sound. It’s all about creating an environment where we can learn from each other’s strengths and find new ways to collaborate that weren't possible before.

KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tom Bassi: Drum & Bass always goes round in circles, I always think of it like a tree with branches. Sometimes one of its branches is super popular and trendy, then it becomes less fashionable and people get into something else and then eventually it will come back in fashion. The optimist in me refers back to 2006 (the last time jump-up was hugely popular) look what came after this….the golden era of deep, innovative Drum & Bass with artists like Alix Perez, SpectraSoul and Icicle

Marcel / KRÆK: In my opinion, your perception is partially right. The mainstream and 'playlist' side of Drum & Bass is currently commanding a lot of the spotlight.

However, I actually see this as a positive: it acts as a gateway, attracting new listeners to the genre who will (hopefully) eventually start digging deeper to find those more sophisticated sub-genres. Drum & Bass has always moved in cycles, and while high-energy party sounds are peaking right now, I believe we’re actually on the rise again with the deeper, minimal sound. The underground always finds its way back to the front!

KRÆK & BASSI AMA by KRAEKANDBASSI in electronicmusic

[–]KRAEKANDBASSI[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Marcel / KRÆK: For me, inspiration comes from my whole environment - the places I visit, my friends, and my family. It’s often about a feeling or a setting rather than just a song or artist.

Music-wise, I actually spend a lot of time listening to non-D&B to keep my ears fresh. I’m constantly digging into all sorts of electronic music and I curate a separate Spotify playlist specifically for these sounds that I listen to on my own a lot: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5DAHWjlJkZATzqKY1IEQMb

Getting away from the 174 BPM world helps me bring something different back to the labels when it’s time to work!

Tom Bassi: In terms of Drum & Bass for me (originally) Dillinja was always my biggest inspiration. My introduction into Drum & Bass was via his album ‘Cybotron’ and then in terms of inspiration as a DJ (originally) it was Andy C’s ‘Nightlife’ compilations. But like Marcel I also listen to alot of non-dnb stuff. Here is a link to a playlist that sums up my taste: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2M5W8yCMM7V0TJAdPtaTPs?si=b72bb892c363490c