Behind every label is a team, the artists, and a business. But which one is the priority for most? The people or the business? Hemi.Wav proudly puts the people first every time.
Artist empowerment and organic growth within the underground bass music scene is what many of us want to see. When it comes to hard-working artists pushing their music forward, a label release can oftentimes help spread their music across a wider audience. Unfortunately, it’s not always so black and white. More often than not, releasing with a label can mean contract obligations, giving up a portion of streaming revenue, or maybe even losing creative control of certain things.
The Label
Hemi.Wav doesn’t operate that way. Built by artists and made for artists has been the mission statement since the label’s 2019 foundation, and they continue to push the same principles today.
What started as a “home to share our friend’s art” is now becoming one of the better-known underground labels to turn to in the underground niche of bass music.
Hemi.Wav allows each artist to maintain complete control while providing a platform and a family. The unwavering support they show each release, to each artist, and to each other is extremely admirable. Where other labels fail to connect with the artist, Hemi.Wav succeeds and truly cares about every artist and team member involved with them.
Looking back at their release history is impressive to say the least. So many heavyweights have released, and continue to release with them, along with a slew of emerging talent as well. Since just the beginning of the new year they’ve hosted releases by Kenopsia, Stupid Fried, Fika, Mayple, label-founder Skinny Limbs & Big Nut Chuck, and most recently a single by hokey boi.
The Family Behind The Label
Recently, we were lucky enough to pick their brains a bit deeper regarding the label, what their goals are, and their plans. Here’s what they had to say:
Tell us a bit more background on Hemi.Wav, its name, and its inception in 2019.
“Hemi.Wav was created as a platform for our friends to come together and share their music. We wanted a “home” for our friends’ art. I figured why don’t we just make our own label without constraints or limitations? We started our first compilation back in 2020 featuring: Yoko, BackLeft, Knetica, JABBS, Manfish, and myself (Skinny Limbs). This group grew into a small community of mainly Colorado-based producers, like Ginseng, Yellgnatz, Muted Diagram, huck.jorris, and Subculture. Years later, we continue to grow our Hemi.Wav family with each new release.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“The name represents when both Hemispheres of the brain work together rather than independently. When both hemispheres of the brain work together, a wave of energy is released and duality is transcended. A new perception is unlocked, and you remember the interconnectedness of all things. That is what Hemi.Wav stands for.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
I know we talked a bit about the general mission statement of Hemi.Wav (by artists for artists, artist empowerment). Tell us more about that and the general vision you have.
“We are proud to be a producer-driven collective, built by artists for artists, prioritizing creative control, collaboration, and community above all else. Our mission is to provide a platform where producers can release music on their terms, embracing creative freedom without external pressures while supporting and elevating one another.” -Matt (Skinny Limbs) / Emi (Yoko)
What do you hope to change or accomplish as a label and collective?
“Our goal is to change how producers view working with labels. Sometimes, partnering with a label can feel distant or disconnected. Ultimately, we want to shift that perception. We aim to create a more collaborative experience where artists truly feel connected and involved in every step of the release.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“We never want to stray away from being a label by producers, for producers. We aim to inspire more communities of artists to carve out their own spaces, where artistic freedom thrives, collaboration is encouraged, and where passion takes precedence over industry expectations.” – Emi (Yoko)
How would you define the sound or style that your label represents?
“It’s important to us that we offer our listeners music that’s fresh and unique. Ultimately, we want our releases to “shape” the future of electronic music” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“More specifically in the realms of glitch hop, 140 bass, halftime, and so forth. That being said, we aren’t exclusive to one or two styles; at the end of the day, we welcome whatever stands out against the norm.” – Emi (Yoko)
What do you look for in a release?
“We look for originality, uniqueness, and creativity when it comes to our releases. We love to support artists who are pushing the boundaries of genres, especially underground artists that sonically inspire us daily.” – Emi (Yoko)
Any stand-out events or key people that you’d like to mention?
“When I think of key people, I think about our small but incredible team. I want to give a special shoutout to our label managers, Jeremy Franks and Morgan Jones, as well as our artist relations and release coordinator, Ali Mooney. Without their dedication and passion, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work they’ve put into Hemi.Wav, helping us keep the momentum going and reach new levels.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“An event that comes to mind is our last Hemi.Wav takeover at The Black Box on 8/24/24. It was an incredible success! Nearly selling out, It was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do and reaffirmed that the people are truly excited about what our label has to offer.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“Piggybacking off of Matt’s answer, our Black Box takeover was all around staffed in-house. We were able to feature two VJ’s that are Hemi.Wav family (JABBS & Kinetiphos), our own Hemi.Wav media crew (Authentik Vision & Optimal Cuts), with merch made by me (Yoko). It was a giant family affair in every aspect, and it’s very rewarding to know that Hemi.Wav, as a crew, can excel in every role when it comes to putting on a show.” – Emi (Yoko)
What are some plans you have for the near future in terms of releases?
“We have a TON of releases scheduled for this year. Coming up we’ve got April releases with Urban Essence & JUSH. We’ve got May releases with Slayde & Dizzy. June releases with JABBS & Muted Diagram, and a release with BackLeft in July. We’re also working on the Hemispheres Vol.2 compilation slated for release in August.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“The one thing that Hemi.Wav brings to the table is authenticity. This isn’t just a label, but also a collective that we want to grow organically. Every person involved in the collective’s growth wants to see the best in themselves and in those around them, and that’s what I think is so special. Matt and Emi are always getting people in the know of the label, and to see what it has become since its inception is something incredible to see.” – Jeremy Franks (Label Manager)
Follow Hemi.Wav:
Behind every label is a team, the artists, and a business. But which one is the priority for most? The people or the business? Hemi.Wav proudly puts the people first every time.
Artist empowerment and organic growth within the underground bass music scene is what many of us want to see. When it comes to hard-working artists pushing their music forward, a label release can oftentimes help spread their music across a wider audience. Unfortunately, it’s not always so black and white. More often than not, releasing with a label can mean contract obligations, giving up a portion of streaming revenue, or maybe even losing creative control of certain things.
The Label
Hemi.Wav doesn’t operate that way. Built by artists and made for artists has been the mission statement since the label’s 2019 foundation, and they continue to push the same principles today.
What started as a “home to share our friend’s art” is now becoming one of the better-known underground labels to turn to in the underground niche of bass music.
Hemi.Wav allows each artist to maintain complete control while providing a platform and a family. The unwavering support they show each release, to each artist, and to each other is extremely admirable. Where other labels fail to connect with the artist, Hemi.Wav succeeds and truly cares about every artist and team member involved with them.
Looking back at their release history is impressive to say the least. So many heavyweights have released, and continue to release with them, along with a slew of emerging talent as well. Since just the beginning of the new year they’ve hosted releases by Kenopsia, Stupid Fried, Fika, Mayple, label-founder Skinny Limbs & Big Nut Chuck, and most recently a single by hokey boi.
The Family Behind The Label
Recently, we were lucky enough to pick their brains a bit deeper regarding the label, what their goals are, and their plans. Here’s what they had to say:
Tell us a bit more background on Hemi.Wav, its name, and its inception in 2019.
“Hemi.Wav was created as a platform for our friends to come together and share their music. We wanted a “home” for our friends’ art. I figured why don’t we just make our own label without constraints or limitations? We started our first compilation back in 2020 featuring: Yoko, BackLeft, Knetica, JABBS, Manfish, and myself (Skinny Limbs). This group grew into a small community of mainly Colorado-based producers, like Ginseng, Yellgnatz, Muted Diagram, huck.jorris, and Subculture. Years later, we continue to grow our Hemi.Wav family with each new release.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“The name represents when both Hemispheres of the brain work together rather than independently. When both hemispheres of the brain work together, a wave of energy is released and duality is transcended. A new perception is unlocked, and you remember the interconnectedness of all things. That is what Hemi.Wav stands for.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
I know we talked a bit about the general mission statement of Hemi.Wav (by artists for artists, artist empowerment). Tell us more about that and the general vision you have.
“We are proud to be a producer-driven collective, built by artists for artists, prioritizing creative control, collaboration, and community above all else. Our mission is to provide a platform where producers can release music on their terms, embracing creative freedom without external pressures while supporting and elevating one another.” -Matt (Skinny Limbs) / Emi (Yoko)
What do you hope to change or accomplish as a label and collective?
“Our goal is to change how producers view working with labels. Sometimes, partnering with a label can feel distant or disconnected. Ultimately, we want to shift that perception. We aim to create a more collaborative experience where artists truly feel connected and involved in every step of the release.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“We never want to stray away from being a label by producers, for producers. We aim to inspire more communities of artists to carve out their own spaces, where artistic freedom thrives, collaboration is encouraged, and where passion takes precedence over industry expectations.” – Emi (Yoko)
How would you define the sound or style that your label represents?
“It’s important to us that we offer our listeners music that’s fresh and unique. Ultimately, we want our releases to “shape” the future of electronic music” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“More specifically in the realms of glitch hop, 140 bass, halftime, and so forth. That being said, we aren’t exclusive to one or two styles; at the end of the day, we welcome whatever stands out against the norm.” – Emi (Yoko)
What do you look for in a release?
“We look for originality, uniqueness, and creativity when it comes to our releases. We love to support artists who are pushing the boundaries of genres, especially underground artists that sonically inspire us daily.” – Emi (Yoko)
Any stand-out events or key people that you’d like to mention?
“When I think of key people, I think about our small but incredible team. I want to give a special shoutout to our label managers, Jeremy Franks and Morgan Jones, as well as our artist relations and release coordinator, Ali Mooney. Without their dedication and passion, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work they’ve put into Hemi.Wav, helping us keep the momentum going and reach new levels.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“An event that comes to mind is our last Hemi.Wav takeover at The Black Box on 8/24/24. It was an incredible success! Nearly selling out, It was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do and reaffirmed that the people are truly excited about what our label has to offer.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
“Piggybacking off of Matt’s answer, our Black Box takeover was all around staffed in-house. We were able to feature two VJ’s that are Hemi.Wav family (JABBS & Kinetiphos), our own Hemi.Wav media crew (Authentik Vision & Optimal Cuts), with merch made by me (Yoko). It was a giant family affair in every aspect, and it’s very rewarding to know that Hemi.Wav, as a crew, can excel in every role when it comes to putting on a show.” – Emi (Yoko)
What are some plans you have for the near future in terms of releases?
“We have a TON of releases scheduled for this year. Coming up we’ve got April releases with Urban Essence & JUSH. We’ve got May releases with Slayde & Dizzy. June releases with JABBS & Muted Diagram, and a release with BackLeft in July. We’re also working on the Hemispheres Vol.2 compilation slated for release in August.” – Matt (Skinny Limbs)
Follow Hemi.Wav:
Instagram | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter
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