Features
SCENE SELECTION: CULPRIT
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Culprit is the record label cultivating sophisticated dance floor sounds from the sunny climes of Los Angeles. The work of Droog, the DJ collective made up of Andrei Osyka, Brett Griffin and Justin Sloe, the label was founded in 2009 as a way of getting the best sounds revolving around LA out into the wider world.
With a back catalogue that counts Lee Foss, Subb-an, Seth Troxler and Matthew Tolfrey, Culprit is on-point when it comes to releasing the finest, most stylish deep house and techno going.
Culprit's ear for a killer groove was proven by recent label compilation 'Above The City', which showcases Niko Gibbler, Nico Lahs and Anthony Collins, among others, and epitomised the label's sound perfectly. That is, gorgeous four-to-the-floor workouts perfect for sunset or sunrise.
Mixmag caught up with Andrei to get the low down on Culprit and to get an exclusive mix of tunes spun by Droog themselves, consisting of tunes by Culprit artists and friends.
Scene Selection: Droog's Culprit mix for Mixmag by Mixmag
1. jozif feat. Terry Walker - Twilight (Terrace Dub)
2. Nathan G. - Cosmic String [Large Music]
3. Gavin Herlihy - Endless Feeling (Larse remix) [Culprit]
4. Cozzy D & Dexter Kane - Bruiser [Lower East]
5. DJ Dealer - Temptation (Cevin Fisher's Club Temptation) [Subliminal]
6. M A N I K - She Watches Me (The Revenge's remix) [Culprit]
7. DJ Wild feat. Kris B. - Lost on 14 [Adult Only]
8. Behling & Simpson - Left Behind [Futureboogie]
The Culprit biography says that the label aims to provide a new context for dance music. How has it achieved that so far?
Just by sticking to our principles when it comes to selecting and releasing the music, the main aim of which is to allow space only for something fresh and creatively forward thinking to come out, via Culprit. It's dance music with some depth and, hopefully, a bit of intellect behind it. Also, Culprit is firmly rooted in its home base city of Los Angeles and the music we release is always meant to evoke and reflect that.
How has the city influenced the label and what's the scene like over there?
We are very LA conscious. This city means something to us creatively, emotionally even. There is a real attachment to its culture and the way it feels to be here. Also the mythology of the city is very important and inspiring to us. All the generations of artists – in film, music, whatever – who have worked and lived here have an effect. The label is meant to be a vehicle in carrying that "vibe" of the city through the music. Some of the music has been made here, some was made elsewhere but hugely inspired by being in LA. Some of the artists we've released might not have a direct link to the city, but their music does, at least to us. There isn't any one sound or a combination of sounds that are of LA, it's an overall aesthetic.
What makes for the perfect Culprit release and how do you find your artists?
We haven't had a perfect release yet, and don't think a perfect one can exist. But, it won't stop us from trying to find one. We approach every release the same: it has to be music that works on dance floors, at least discerning ones, but also can be a proper listening experience. We're not interested in functional dance music, it has to work on different levels and have some depth.
Artists are found in different ways, some have been DJs we've hosted at our parties and become part of our extended clan of friends, others have sought the label out because they connect with our ethos in some way, or because the label has built up some heat and they want to be part of that. Whatever is the reason, if the music is genuine and good, we'll support it. And sometimes, there are artists we just have to have involved and we go out and pursue them ourselves.
If there was one thing that could define Culprit, what would it be?
Hopefully the quality of our output. We basically agonize over every track or remix that gets released, so the quality control is the most important thing. But it's not always that serious, the label we started is meant to be fun and hedonistic, it's pure dance music after all. It's just that it can be that and also stand for some sophistication, too. Oh, and we throw great parties, I think a lot of people find out about us that way first.
What's next for Culprit?
World domination and nothing less.
