Emerging from the underground with clear intent, Observatory Records is quickly carving out space in the bass music landscape. Since launching in late 2023, the imprint has built early momentum through a stream of forward-leaning releases and a roster that already includes names like Detox Unit, Crawdad Sniper, Villain Era, Dehm, and Sortof Vague. But beyond its catalog, the label stands for something deeper: championing experimentation and giving artists a platform to explore beyond their established sound. Observatory Records isn’t just another imprint on the rise. They are defining where underground music is heading next!
Electric Hawk caught up with Observatory Records founder Sam Whittingham for an exclusive interview. Exploring the label’s origins, its guiding vision, and what’s on the horizon, including their upcoming Meow Wolf showcase. Dive in below to learn more about one of the underground’s fastest-rising imprints.
In Conversation with Observatory Records
seradopa: Can you walk us through the early days of the label? How did the idea evolve from concept into what Observatory Records is today?
Sam Whittingham, Observatory Records: With Observatory, we wanted to create an outlet for electronic music that explores the boundary between club music and bass music. A label that celebrates artists who are influenced by modern sound design but also pays homage to the classic sounds of dance music. This is a fairly open-ended concept, but it aligns well with the current state of electronic music, with many artists and producers drawing inspiration from multiple genres to create their signature sound. Music (and art) as a whole has always been about referencing what came before while trying to expand upon those ideas. This is why our motto is Future Sound.
We launched the label in late 2023, so in many ways it feels like we’re just getting started. There’s plenty of room to grow and define our role in the evolving electronic music landscape.
seradopa: Was there a particular moment, project, or community influence that made you realize it was time to start the label?
Sam Whittingham: Not a particular moment necessarily, but it felt like the right time because of the music that artists were releasing and playing in their sets. Well-known DJs and artists playing multi-genre sets, combined with audiences becoming more receptive to this, helped set the stage for labels like Observatory to feature an eclectic mix of music from both the club and bass realms. Part of launching the label was also having the time and resources to do so, along with a network of artists whose music we felt fit our sonic direction.
seradopa: Why the name Observatory Records? What does it represent conceptually for the brand?
Sam Whittingham: For our first two releases, the cover art was done in-house and was heavily inspired by classic rave flyers and handbills from the late 90s and early 2000s. The overall aesthetic is meant to evoke a kind of retro-futurism where old school rave meets cutting-edge contemporary design. If you look back at breaks, techno, and drum & bass album covers from that same time period, you’ll find a lot of the same influence.
Toward the end of 2024, we started working with a very talented visual artist, Apricour. He has helped shape our visual identity quite a bit, and he’s been creating the cover art and promotional materials since then. His love of rave culture and dance music, combined with his background in graffiti and 3D digital art, slots into our sonic world in a way that feels completely natural. Working with him has been great because his vision gives the music a world to exist in.
seradopa: Did you feel there was something missing in the scene that motivated you to start the label?
Sam Whittingham: Partly, yes. We wanted to provide an outlet for artists to release music that was perhaps different from what they normally put out, to create an avenue for more experimentation and genre-defying work to be released. Sometimes artists have ideas that don’t quite belong anywhere, and we wanted Observatory to be the place those ideas could live.
But honestly, it’s also just deeply fun. There’s something energizing about collaborating with people you find genuinely inspiring. Running a label is one of the more direct ways you can actively participate in fostering creativity in the scene by not just appreciating it from the outside but contributing to it.
seradopa: Observatory Records is hosting a takeover at Meow Wolf. What made Meow Wolf the right environment for an Observatory Records event?
Sam Whittingham: Meow Wolf has a quality that’s hard to manufacture; it’s already an immersive world before the music even starts. The scale of the room, the visual environment, and the energy that the space carries on its own all create a foundation that we can build on rather than fight against. Denver’s music scene genuinely gets what we’re doing, which matters enormously when you’re trying to create something that goes beyond a standard club night.
What really excites us about the venue is the creative freedom it offers. We’re bringing in a custom sound system, working with VJs and visual artists on projections, and collaborating with Max to make the visuals as much a part of the experience as the music. And of course, Meow Wolf itself is a destination. There’s a whole world to explore beyond the show floor, which makes the whole night feel like an event in the fullest sense of the word.
seradopa: What can attendees expect from the takeover in terms of sound, visuals, and overall experience?
Sam Whittingham: Denver-based Lost Horizons will be deploying a custom Funktion-One system for the night, and they’ve worked in the Perplexiplex at Meow Wolf before, so they’re quite familiar with the space. The sound will be immersive, physical, and precise in all the right ways.
Visually, we’re collaborating with mega.pixel and Apricour to create a projection-mapped environment that feels like a genuine extension of the music that contributes atmosphere, not just a backdrop. Layered on top of everything is Meow Wolf itself, which brings its own sense of wonder and exploration to the night. We want people to feel like they’re stepping into a novel experience, not just attending a show.
seradopa: What can listeners and artists expect next from Observatory Records? And are there upcoming projects, collaborations, or releases that you’re especially excited about?
Sam Whittingham: We have a full release calendar lined up that will be bringing new music to listeners through the rest of 2026. Beyond that, we’re really excited about some events in the pipeline that we’ll announce soon. We’re at a point where the label feels like it’s hitting its stride, and we can’t wait to share what’s coming. Keep an eye out for what’s next!
Watch their vision come to life at Meow Wolf!
Observatory Records now brings its vision to life in Denver with a showcase that delivers something truly distinct. Set to take over Meow Wolf on April 18th, the label will present a carefully curated lineup featuring Charles Nimbus, Ferrofluid, Headnod, and label head Sortof Vague. Each delivering their own take on forward-thinking bass music. Beyond the music, the experience extends into full sensory immersion: a Funktion-One system will anchor the night for devoted sound system enthusiasts, while in-house creative Apricour teams up with mega.pixel to craft a striking visual environment. For those looking to catch a glimpse of where the underground is headed, don’t miss this showcase!
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