We Caught Up with the Team Behind Imprint On Me Ahead of Their Next Event
Imprint On Me describes itself as “intelligible electronic music.” What does that mean in practice, and how does it influence what makes it onto the label?
“Intelligible” to us just means the music has intention and purpose behind it, something you can actually feel and connect with. It’s not about genre or how accessible it is, it’s more about whether the track says something. That can come through the groove, the sound design, the progression, or just the feeling it leaves behind. If we hear something and it makes us pause for a second, like there’s something deeper there, that’s usually when it starts to feel like Imprint.
What has been the biggest challenge in building Imprint On Me so far, and what has it taught you about running a label?
Probably realising how much goes into doing it properly. It’s not just the music, it’s everything around it, artwork, distribution, promotion, events and consistency of releases, all the details people don’t see. We all have full time jobs and the label takes up a lot of time and dedication to make sure it’s run right. This would not be possible if there weren’t three of us. We all have our roles and lean on each other to ensure tasks are completed and the label keeps progressing. We’re still learning, but every release and every event sharpens things.
You have three different label heads. When you disagree on a release, what ultimately decides whether a record gets the green light?
It comes down to whether we all genuinely believe in it. We don’t need to hear things the same way, but if something belongs on the label, it should feel natural. We are not forcing anything. If it’s interesting, intentional and makes you want to move, it’s an Imprint track.
Your releases move through psy-techno, progressive, minimal and everything in between. Is that diversity intentional, or are you still discovering where the label’s sound can go?
It’s intentional. We never wanted to be locked into one sound. The consistency comes from the intention behind the music, not the genre or BPM. Different styles can exist under the same label if they carry the same kind of identity, that’s more important to us than being predictable. That said, we’ve found ourselves drawn to a darker, groovy sound centred around minimal and psy-tech.
When considering a record for release, what makes you hear a track and think, “this belongs on Imprint On Me”?
It’s mostly instinct. There just needs to be something that stands out, character, identity, a moment that stays with you. More than anything, it should feel like the artist actually had something to say. We’re not interested in releasing music just to stay active, every record needs to add something to the bigger picture.
Beyond simply releasing an artist’s music, what do you want them to gain from being part of Imprint On Me and its showcase events?
We want artists to feel like they’re part of something real, they’re joining the family. The music is one side of it, but the events are just as important. Bringing artists and listeners into the same space changes how everything is experienced. Ideally, they gain exposure and opportunities, but also relationships and a sense of community around what they’re doing.
The showcase this Friday brings in Dawie and Smiddie alongside the founders of Imprint On Me. What was the intention behind the line up?
The idea was to show different sides of the label while still keeping the night cohesive. Everyone brings their own identity, and that’s important. We’re not trying to make everything sound the same, we want progression throughout the night, different energies and textures, but all still feeling like one Imprint experience.
The showcase arrives alongside new music from the label. What can a night like this communicate about Imprint On Me that a release alone can’t?
A release gives you the music, the event gives you the full experience. Hearing a track on your own is one thing, but hearing it in a room full of people, where energy, great sound, artists and community combine, is completely different. It’s something you’re supposed to experience in person, not just at home.
For someone discovering Imprint On Me for the first time at Halo, what do you hope they hear or experience that makes them want to dig deeper into the label?
I’d want them to feel like they discovered something unexpected, not something they can immediately define, but something that makes them curious, something that makes them want to stop speaking and truly listen and feel. If they leave thinking there’s something here and want to explore further, then we’ve done what we set out to do.
Can you tell us about the new music being released on Friday?
We’re releasing an original called ‘Disconnected’ by Cade Nolan, this is his debut on Imprint On Me. It’s a strong psy-tech record with a clear identity, and it felt like a natural fit for where the label is heading. This includes a powerful remix by two of the label heads PSIDN & SYMO, bringing the signature Imprint energy with a peak-time dancefloor banger. We’re really excited for this one.
