We explore the world of electronic music through the experience of various artists and label owners to share their insights. Here is my interview with Josh Powelson, DJ/Producer, and owner of JourneyDeep Record Label. 

Can you give us some background about yourself, origin, years in the industry, what drives you to succeed in the music industry?

I was born and raised in Central Illinois and probably have a musical background longer than many kids in today’s scene have been alive. I just hit 20 years in the electronic music industry as I got my start in 1999 (attended my first underground warehouse rave in Chicago around this time). In the early-mid 90’s I spent a considerable amount of time in my father's (Denver) recording studio which led to my interest in music production.

I am driven by pure passion for house and techno music – giving up has never been an option. It’s not about being the next big thing, or capitalizing on our brand to make loads of money – it’s about presenting music that you love to an unsuspecting crowd and leaving their jaw dropped – that is the ultimate feeling. I also spend a lot of time developing young artists with a likeminded passion. It’s a great feeling to be able to give them their first big break in the industry and share what they love. 

Life and work, with the hours required, is it a challenge and how do you navigate to find your ideal balance?

It’s very challenging at times – I am raising a family, and work in the IT industry. I only gig on weekends and spend a lot of time traveling to my destination, where I usually only have a few hours to grab some food or a speed nap before hitting play. But it’s worth it. 

Where did the inspiration for your label come from?

The label is something that just kind of happened. JourneyDeep was a collective that I founded around 2005 in Florida. As a collective, we were managing artists and hosting music events, so it’s something that just fits. It was my publicist who reached out one day and suggested I have a meet with Peter from Symphonic Distribution and maybe consider forming the label. After that meet – it seemed only natural that we would evolve into a bigger entity – so JourneyDeep Records was born. 

Is there any development of talent in the Denver underground music scene and who are some of the new up and coming producers to watch out for?

Yes, absolutely. We are always searching for artists that fit our brand and vision. We are quickly becoming a global brand, but Denver has some amazing talent. We are currently working with Astronoize, Eli Spiral, Dynohunter, and Kareem Martin from Denver.

Tell us, for new and upcoming DJ/Producers what should they focus on most?

Focus on creating your own sound and be original.

What projects do you have in the pipeline for 2020?

We are kicking off the New Year with our first label compilation which will feature local Denver artists, as well as quite a few established industry names. Then we roll into 2020 with music from Julian Rodriguez, Francesco Cardenas, Sean McClellan, Hair Band Drop-Out and Rudiment.

How do you think Social media has impacted the future of brand awareness and distribution for music?

It’s definitely easier for feature placement and brand awareness, however, I would say that social media has made it easy to get drowned out in the mix of things. Everyone has artist/band/label pages which makes it tougher to break the surface.

Have you ever been to Amsterdam Music Conference aka ADE?

Unfortunately, I have not. There is a large group from Denver that attends ADE annually so it’s definitely on my bucket list.

Do you believe that Cryptocurrencies for artists as a means of payment with borderless transactions and lower fees, could be a positive move for the music industry?

I believe that cryptocurrency will completely reshape our industry. From ticket sales, collecting royalties, to paying artists, promoters, and more. Adopting a feasible ecosystem will not only cut out the middle-men but also reduce overhead operational costs and fees.

The "JourneyDeep Records 2020 Compilation" is out now. A full-throttle sonic experience feat. tracks from Astronoize, Buck David, Decoq, Feed Me Groove, Kareem Martin, Rudiment, Sidney Coelho, and many more!

https://www.beatport.com/release/journeydeep-2020-compilation/2807269