Monstercat
| Monstercat | |
|---|---|
| File:Monstercat logo new.png | |
| Founded | July 2011 |
| Founder | Mike Darlington, CEO Ari Paunonen, COO |
| Genre | electronic dance music, dubstep, electro house, progressive house, deep house, happy hardcore, hardstyle, glitch hop, hard dance, moombahton, moombahcore, future bass, drum and bass, drumstep, breakbeat, freeform hardcore, trap, chillout, shallow house, Melbourne bounce, nu-disco, indie dance, big room house, complextro, trance |
Monstercat (previously known as Monstercat Media) is an electronic dance music record label based in Vancouver, Canada.[1] The label was founded in July 2011 by Mike Darlington, CEO,[2][3] and Ari Paunonen, COO.[1]
Monstercat signs artists for single releases only, rather than exclusivity deals, which lets its artists retain copyright control of their song and the ability to release tracks on other record labels.[4] The label follows a cycle, releasing three new tracks a week (usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) in addition to an hour-long podcast that is streamable every Tuesday at 1PM PST on Monstercat's Twitch Channel. About every thirty song releases, a new album is compiled containing these and two continuous mixes of the album. Releases are made available on Monstercat's site, iTunes, Xbox Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Google Play Music, and are featured on the Monstercat YouTube and Twitch channels.
History
In July 2011, Mike Darlington (CEO) and Ari Paunonen (COO) created Monstercat as a YouTube channel.[1] Monstercat served as a medium for Darlington and Paunonen's friends to share and promote their music.[1][2][5] Darlington and Paunonen created compilation albums to provide artists with a method of releasing their music and to lessen the competitiveness between them.[1][6] The first song on the label was Dubstep Killed Rock 'n' Roll by Ephixa. Monstercat's first album, "Launch Week", featured seven artists: Feint, Halo Nova (now Varien), Stephen Walking, Ephixa, Neilio, Arion, and Going Quantum. Recent albums now feature upwards of 30 artists with an even larger variety of genres.[6]
In December 2011 Monstercat signed Krewella,[1][2][5] an American electronic dance music group from Chicago, Illinois. "Killin' It" was Krewella's first original song released by a label.[2][7] Monstercat promoted Krewella with social media campaigns and partnered with EDM YouTube promotional channels for a larger platform.[1] Their second song on Monstercat was a collaboration with Pegboard Nerds titled 'This Is Not The End'. It was released in September 2013, but was only sold on Krewella's forthcoming album 'Get Wet' through Columbia Records.
In February 2014, Monstercat partnered with EDM lifestyle brand Electric Family to produce a collaboration bracelet for which 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Humane Society of Canada. The partnership has raised over $5k as of July 2014.
In June 2014, Monstercat reached one million record sales[4] in USA.
In July 2014, Monstercat announced its first official tour; "The Uncaged Tour", featuring Pegboard Nerds, Stephen Walking and Varien. The tour's locations were chosen by fan voting. 22,000 fan votes resulted in over 20 dates being booked for the tour.[8]
In September 2014, Monstercat celebrated its 3-year anniversary with a mix containing 78 of the top tracks from Monstercat's history. It was mixed by Didrick.
In December 2014, Monstercat became the 8th largest YouTube channel in Canada and has broken into the Top 250 in the world.[9]
In December 2014, Monstercat launched their 24 hour radio station, hosted and streamable on Twitch.tv [10]
Albums
Discography
| Producer | Album Title | Total Tracks | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monstercat | 001 - Launch Week | 7 | 7 July 2011 |
| Monstercat | 002 - Early Stage | 15 | 28 September 2011 |
| Monstercat | 003 - Momentum | 15 | 9 November 2011 |
| Monstercat | 004 - Identity | 15 | 18 December 2011 |
| Monstercat | Monstercat Christmas Album 2011 | 6 | 23 December 2011 |
| Monstercat | Best of 2011 | 20 | 30 December 2011 |
| Monstercat | 005 - Evolution | 20 | 20 February 2012 |
| Monstercat | 006 - Embrace | 20 | 13 April 2012 |
| Monstercat | 007 - Solace | 20 | 6 June 2012 |
| Monstercat | 008 - Anniversary | 20 | 27 July 2012 |
| Monstercat | 009 - Reunion | 20 | 12 September 2012 |
| Monstercat | 010 - Conquest | 20 | 31 October 2012 |
| Monstercat | Monstercat Christmas Album 2012 | 8 | 15 December 2012 |
| Monstercat | 011 - Revolution | 20 | 19 December 2012 |
| Monstercat | Best of 2012 | 30 | 4 February 2013 |
| Monstercat | 012 - Aftermath | 30 | 11 March 2013 |
| Monstercat | 013 - Awakening | 30 | 10 June 2013 |
| Monstercat | 014 - Discovery | 30 | 2 September 2013 |
| Monstercat | 015 - Outlook | 30 | 20 November 2013 |
| Monstercat | Best of 2013 | 30 | 20 December 2013 |
| Monstercat | 016 - Expedition | 30 | 26 February 2014 |
| Monstercat | 017 - Ascension | 30 | 21 May 2014 |
| Monstercat | 018 - Frontier | 30 | 6 August 2014 |
| Monstercat | 019 - Endeavour | 30 | 22 October 2014 |
| Monstercat | 020 - Altitude | 30 | 15 December 2014 |
Artist Albums/LPs
| Artist | Album Title | Total Tracks | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haywyre | Two Fold Pt. 1 | 8 | 31 March 2014 |
Artist EPs
| Artist(s) | EP Title | Total Tracks | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project 46 | Limitless | 3 | 14 November 2011 |
| Stephen Walking | Christian The Lion | 5 | 28 November 2011 |
| Mr. FijiWiji | Keeping It Surreal | 7 | 4 January 2012 |
| Tristam | Smashing Newbs | 6 | 11 January 2012 |
| Noisestorm | Renegade | 3 | 1 February 2012 |
| 1uP | Thundergun | 3 | 4 April 2012 |
| Going Quantum | Hello | 4 | 7 May 2012 |
| Tut Tut Child | Dance To It | 3 | 30 May 2012 |
| DotEXE | Hipster Cutthroat | 2 | 13 June 2012 |
| TVDS | Black Sky | 3 | 2 July 2012 |
| Droptek | Polygon | 4 | 11 July 2012 |
| Muzzy | Letz Rock | 2 | 8 October 2012 |
| TwoThirds | Waking Dreams | 5 | 26 October 2012 |
| Tut Tut Child | We're All Mad Here | 6 | 12 November 2012 |
| Rogue | Dreams | 4 | 26 November 2012 |
| TVDS | Another Day | 4 | 4 January 2013 |
| Pegboard Nerds | We Are One | 4 | 1 February 2013 |
| Stereotronique w/ Sebastian Ivarsson (feat. Danyka Nadeau) |
Tonight (The Remixes) |
5 | 8 April 2013 |
| 7 Minutes Dead | 7 Minutes Dead | 4 | 10 April 2013 |
| PIXL | Astrocat | 2 | 26 April 2013 |
| Vicetone | Heartbeat (The Remixes) |
7 | 24 May 2013 |
| Project 46 | Continuum | 3 | 11 June 2013 |
| Tristam | Truth (The Remixes) |
6 | 5 June 2013 |
| Falcon Funk | Falcon Funk | 4 | 14 June 2013 |
| Pegboard Nerds | Guilty Pleasures | 4 | 24 June 2013 |
| Tut Tut Child | Impossible Things Before Breakfast |
3 | 15 July 2013 |
| Au5 | Blossom | 2 | 7 August 2013 |
| PIXL | Sugar Rush | 3 | 14 August 2013 |
| Pegboard Nerds | The Lost Tracks | 6 | 30 August 2013 |
| Televisor | Old Skool (The Remixes) |
5 | 27 September 2013 |
| Protostar | Scorpion Pit (The Remixes) |
4 | 11 October 2013 |
| Mr. FijiWiji w/ various artists | Friends | 3 | 16 October 2013 |
| Rameses B | Timeless | 4 | 23 October 2013 |
| Muzzy | The Takeover | 4 | 28 October 2013 |
| Rogue | Earth | 4 | 4 November 2013 |
| Hellberg & Deutgen vs. Splitbreed |
Collide (The Remixes) |
7 | 11 November 2013 |
| Fractal | Elements | 2 | 15 November 2013 |
| Au5 & Fractal | Secret Weapon | 4 | 2 December 2013 |
| Astronaut | Destination: Apollo |
6 | 9 December 2013 |
| Astronaut | Quantum | 3 | 13 January 2014 |
| Fractal | Spection | 2 | 20 January 2014 |
| Rezonate | Prelude | 5 | 24 January 2014 |
| 7 Minutes Dead | Peacock | 2 | 27 January 2014 |
| Astronaut | Destination: Rain |
6 | 17 February 2014 |
| Pegboard Nerds | Bassline Kickin (The Remixes) |
3 | 19 February 2014 |
| Direct | Wanna Know You | 3 | 7 March 2014 |
| Noisestorm | Surge | 2 | 12 March 2014 |
| Astronaut | Destination: Quantum | 5 | 19 March 2014 |
| SCNDL | The Munsta (The Remixes) | 4 | 20 June 2014 |
| Au5 | Follow You (The Remixes) | 7 | 11 July 2014 |
| Falcon Funk | Pounce | 3 | 16 July 2014 |
| Rameses B | Dream Catcher | 2 | 25 August 2014 |
| Varien & 7 Minutes Dead | Mirai Sekai | 5 | 1 September 2014 |
| Astronaut | Destination: Pinball | 7 | 8 September 2014 |
| Draper | Perspectives | 4 | 12 September 2014 |
| Tut Tut Child | Ask Your Friends First | 4 | 31 October 2014 |
| Favright | Taking Over (The Remixes) | 3 | 5 November 2014 |
| Pegboard Nerds | The Uncaged Remixes | 4 | 17 November 2014 |
| Puppet | Scribble | 2 | 10 December 2014 |
Christmas and Halloween EPs
| EP Title | Total Tracks | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Monstercat Christmas Album 2011 | 6 | 23 December 2011 |
| Trick or Treat EP | 4 | 20 October 2012 |
| Monstercat Christmas Album 2012 | 8 | 15 December 2012 |
Best of Genre Compilations
| Producer | Genre / Volume | Total Tracks | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monstercat | Dubstep Vol. 1 | 15 | 28 May 2012 |
| Monstercat | DnB/Drumstep Vol. 1 | 15 | 28 May 2012 |
| Monstercat | Electro Vol. 1 | 15 | 28 May 2012 |
| Monstercat | Dubstep Vol. 2 | 15 | 2 July 2013 |
| Monstercat | DnB/Drumstep Vol. 2 | 15 | 2 July 2013 |
| Monstercat | Electro Vol. 2 | 15 | 2 July 2013 |
| Monstercat | Electronic Vol. 1 | 15 | 2 July 2013 |
| Monstercat | House Vol. 1 | 15 | 2 July 2013 |
Artists
Current - 2014 Roster[11]
- Aero Chord
- Astronaut
- Au5
- Braken
- Bustre
- Case and Point
- Chris Ramos
- Direct
- DotEXE
- Draper
- Droptek
- Dzeko & Torres
- Eminence
- Falcon Funk
- Favright
- Feint
- F.O.O.L
- Fractal
- Going Quantum
- Grabbitz
- Grant Bowtie
- Haywyre
- Hellberg
- Insan3Lik3
- Kasbo
- Kevin Villecco
- Krewella
- Laszlo
- Lets Be Friends
- Mr FijiWiji
- Muzzy
- nanobii
- Nitro Fun
- Noisestorm
- Pegboard Nerds
- PIXL
- Project 46
- Puppet
- PYLOT
- Rameses B
- Razihel
- Rezonate
- Rich Edwards
- Rogue
- Rootkit
- SCNDL
- Soulero
- Stephen Walking
- Stonebank
- Sushi Killer
- Televisor
- Tristam
- Trivecta
- Tut Tut Child
- TwoThirds (Also known as LVTHER)
- Varien
- Vicetone
- WRLD
Former
- 23
- 1uP
- Archie
- Arion
- AZEDIA
- Chrisson
- Day One
- Ephixa
- Halo Nova (Is now Varien)
- I.Y.F.F.E
- Hot Date!
- Matduke
- Mitchell Claxton
- Neilio
- Obsidia
- OVERWERK
- Protostar
- Rundfunk
- Splitbreed
- Skifonix
- Stereotronique
- Teqq
- Throttle
- TVDS (Also known as Atmozfears)
- yh
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Line Abrahamian (February 2014). "Mike Darlington: Channeling his inner Monstercat". DJ Magazine Canada. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Monstercat CEO – Mike Darlington". The FrontLiner. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "Behind the Beat: Hellberg Interview". Only the Beat. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ a b Medved, Matt (8 July 2014). "The Monstercat Label Model: From YouTube Channel to One Million Record Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
- ^ a b Chelsea Perry (10 March 2014). "Monstercat CEO Mike Darlington". NoisePorn. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ a b Bob Vrbanac (17 September 2013). "Thinking of the possibilities". Waterloo Chronicle. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ Luis Gomez (12 November 2013). "Krewella returning home feeling 'Alive'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ Matthew Meadow (2 July 2014). "Monstercat Uncaged Tour, Chosen By You!". YourEDM. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- ^ "Top 500 Youtubers by Subscribed". Socialblade. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ^ Rodriguez, Krystal (18 Dec 2014). "Behind The Scenes of Monstercat the Label Born Out of YouTube". InTheMix. Retrieved 29 Dec 2014.
- ^ "Monstercat Artist Lineup". Monstercat.com.
External links
- Official Website
- YouTube Channel
- Q&A with Mike Darlington
- YourEDM Exclusive Interview with Mike Darlington
- Monstercat Records Wants to Change the Music Industry's Views on Copyright
- Monstercat: A New Breed of Record Label in the Digital Music Age
- Interview with Mike Darlington, CEO of Monstercat
- Behind the Scenes of the Label Born Out of YouTube