Astralwerks

Astralwerks is an American record label established in New York City in 1993 as an electronic and dance imprint associated with Caroline Records. It was founded by Brian Long, who had previously helped curate the electronic compilation Excursions in Ambience. The label emerged during a period when electronic music was gaining greater visibility in the United States, and it became an important American home for influential British and European acts whose work crossed club, experimental, ambient, alternative, and pop boundaries. The label’s first release was Tales of Ephidrina by Amorphous Androgynous, an alias of The Future Sound of London. Early Astralwerks releases established a broad artistic identity rather than a narrowly defined dance-music formula. Its catalogue included experimental electronic projects such as Seefeel, Soul Oddity, μ-Ziq, Photek, and Motorbass, as well as more commercially successful artists including The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Air, Basement Jaxx, Cassius, Kraftwerk, and David Guetta. This combination of artist-led electronic music, club culture, and accessible crossover releases helped the imprint develop a distinctive reputation within the American market. Peter Wohelski became head of A&R in 1994 and is credited with helping bring The Chemical Brothers into the Astralwerks roster. Their 1995 debut album, Exit Planet Dust, became a significant United States success, while the 1997 follow-up Dig Your Own Hole reached the Billboard 200. Fatboy Slim’s 1998 album You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby and Basement Jaxx’s Remedy further connected the label with the international dance boom of the late 1990s. In the following decade Astralwerks continued to support both canonical electronic artists and new forms of electronic-pop collaboration, releasing projects by Air, Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, and others. Astralwerks became part of Universal Music Group after Universal acquired EMI in 2012. Following that transaction, the label was reorganized as an imprint within Capitol Music Group, with its United States releases distributed through that group. The change placed Astralwerks within a larger global infrastructure while preserving its identity as a specialist electronic label. During the 2010s, its roster expanded into festival-oriented dance music and electronic pop. Releases associated with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, Porter Robinson, deadmau5 and his Mau5trap imprint, Halsey, Marshmello, and other artists broadened the label’s commercial reach. Halsey’s Badlands and Hopeless Fountain Kingdom were particularly important mainstream releases, with the latter reaching number one on the Billboard 200. In 2018, Astralwerks relocated its headquarters from New York City to Los Angeles and announced a relaunch involving new staff and signings. Toby Andrews replaced Glenn Mendlinger as general manager, while the refreshed roster included artists such as Axwell & Ingrosso and Illenium. Marshmello’s collaboration with Bastille, Happier, became one of the label’s major pop successes of the period. Astralwerks also explored music connected with gaming culture through a 2018 partnership with streamer and gaming personality Ninja on a compilation featuring artists including Tycho, Alesso, and 3LAU. The label has continued to operate as an active Universal Music Group imprint, combining electronic dance music, alternative electronic projects, pop-oriented releases, and catalogue development. Its collaboration with Blue Note Records on the Bluewerks jazz-electronica series demonstrated an interest in genre hybrids, while its 2023 partnership with SIZE Records extended the label’s role into third-party distribution and catalogue handling. Astralwerks’ overall position is that of a globally connected specialist label able to develop electronic artists, license or distribute established catalogues, and bring dance-oriented music into the mainstream.

Astralwerks was created in New York City in July 1993 by Brian Long as an electronic and dance imprint connected to Caroline Records. Long’s earlier involvement with the compilation Excursions in Ambience helped establish the label’s initial creative direction. Caroline’s parent company, Virgin Records, was subsequently sold to Thorn EMI, placing Astralwerks within the EMI corporate structure soon after its launch. The label’s first album was Tales of Ephidrina by Amorphous Androgynous, an identity associated with The Future Sound of London. In 1994, Peter Wohelski joined as head of A&R. He is widely associated with the signing of The Chemical Brothers, whose 1995 debut Exit Planet Dust sold strongly in the United States and whose 1997 album Dig Your Own Hole reached the Billboard 200. These releases helped establish Astralwerks as a major American outlet for British electronic music. During its first five years, Astralwerks developed a catalogue spanning experimental electronica, IDM, ambient music, house, techno, and big-beat dance. Releases included Seefeel’s Quique, Soul Oddity, μ-Ziq’s Lunatic Harness, Photek’s Modus Operandi, and Fatboy Slim’s You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby. The late-1990s catalogue also included Basement Jaxx’s Remedy and Cassius’ 1999. Wohelski later left the general-manager role and was replaced by Errol Kolosine. In the early 2000s, Astralwerks released material by Air, including 10 000 Hz Legend, as well as a reissue of Motorbass’s Pansoul. The label also issued Kraftwerk’s live album Minimum-Maximum and a Brian Eno film-music compilation. These releases reflected the label’s continuing interest in influential electronic artists rather than a reliance on a single commercial genre. EMI reorganized its distribution operations in the mid-2000s, and Glenn Mendlinger succeeded Kolosine as general manager in 2007. Astralwerks then moved further into internationally successful dance-pop. David Guetta’s One Love was released by the label in 2009, and its single When Love Takes Over won a Grammy Award. Swedish House Mafia’s Until Now followed in 2012 and performed strongly on the Billboard charts. Universal Music Group acquired EMI in 2012. Astralwerks consequently became part of UMG and was reorganized as an imprint of Capitol Music Group, which handles its United States distribution. The label’s 2010s roster combined established dance acts with emerging electronic and pop artists. It signed Porter Robinson and deadmau5, including deadmau5’s Mau5trap imprint, in 2013, and signed Halsey in 2014. Robinson’s Worlds and deadmau5’s While(1<2) were among the resulting releases. Halsey’s Badlands reached number two on the Billboard 200 in 2015, while Hopeless Fountain Kingdom topped the chart in 2017. A new phase began in 2018, when Astralwerks moved from New York to Los Angeles. Toby Andrews replaced Mendlinger as general manager, and the label publicly described the change as a relaunch supported by new personnel and signings. Axwell & Ingrosso and Illenium joined the refreshed roster, while Marshmello’s Happier, featuring Bastille, became a significant mainstream success. The same year, the label worked with gaming personality Ninja on a compilation that connected electronic music with online gaming culture. Astralwerks has remained active under Universal Music Group. The Bluewerks project, developed with Blue Note Records from 2021, joined jazz and electronic aesthetics. In 2023, Astralwerks announced a partnership with SIZE Records covering distribution of new recordings and handling of specified catalogue material. The label’s history therefore combines specialist electronic curation, major-label resources, artist development, cross-genre collaboration, and catalogue distribution.

1. 2023SIZE Records partnership announced

   Astralwerks agrees to distribute SIZE Records’ future recordings and handle covered back-catalogue material.

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2. 2021Bluewerks series begins

   Astralwerks and Blue Note Records collaborate on jazz-electronica releases.

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3. 2018Headquarters move to Los Angeles

   Astralwerks relocates from New York City and announces a relaunch with new leadership and signings.

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4. 2014Halsey joins the label

   Astralwerks signs Halsey, whose subsequent albums become major chart successes.

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5. 2012Astralwerks enters Universal Music Group ownership

   Universal Music Group’s acquisition of EMI brings Astralwerks into the UMG portfolio and the Capitol Music Group structure.

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6. 2009David Guetta’s One Love is released

   The album’s single When Love Takes Over later wins a Grammy Award.

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7. 1998Fatboy Slim releases You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby

   The release reinforces Astralwerks’ connection to the international big-beat and dance movement.

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8. 1997Dig Your Own Hole reaches the Billboard 200

   The Chemical Brothers’ second album reaches number 14 on the Billboard 200.

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9. 1995The Chemical Brothers release Exit Planet Dust

   The duo’s debut album becomes an important United States success for Astralwerks.

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10. 1994Peter Wohelski joins as head of A&R

    Wohelski begins an A&R period associated with the discovery and signing of The Chemical Brothers.

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11. 1993Astralwerks is founded in New York City

    Brian Long establishes Astralwerks as an electronic and dance imprint associated with Caroline Records.

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12. 1993First album release

    The label releases Tales of Ephidrina by Amorphous Androgynous, an alias of The Future Sound of London.

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A globally connected electronic-music label balancing influential club and experimental releases with commercially successful electronic pop, dance, and crossover projects.

• Electronic and dance albumsRecorded music1993

  Astralwerks’ core catalogue consists of full-length electronic and dance albums, ranging from experimental and ambient works to house, techno, big beat, trance, and electronic pop. The label has released albums by both influential underground artists and high-profile mainstream performers, using its specialist identity to connect club-oriented music with the broader international album market.

• Singles and digital releasesRecorded music1993

  The label releases digital singles and other short-form recordings designed for streaming, radio, clubs, and playlist ecosystems. Its single catalogue includes electronic productions, vocal collaborations, remixes, and dance-pop records, allowing artists to reach audiences beyond the traditional album cycle.

• Compilations and cross-genre projectsCompilations1993

  Astralwerks has issued curated compilations and collaborative projects that frame electronic music alongside adjacent styles. Examples include the gaming-oriented compilation developed with Ninja and the Bluewerks series made with Blue Note Records, which explores the intersection of jazz and electronic production.

• Third-party label distributionDistribution2023

  In addition to releasing music by its own artists, Astralwerks participates in label distribution arrangements. Its partnership with SIZE Records covers future recordings and specified catalogue material, extending the imprint’s role into back-catalogue administration and international market access.

• 2021Bluewerks

  United States · International digital markets

  Astralwerks and Blue Note Records collaborated on a continuing series built around jazz and electronic music.

  Outcome. The series created a formal cross-label platform for genre hybridization.

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• 2018Astralwerks relaunch

  United States · International

  Following its move to Los Angeles, Astralwerks introduced new staff and a series of signings, presenting the change as a renewed push in electronic and dance music.

  Outcome. The relaunch refreshed the label’s identity and expanded its roster with artists including Axwell & Ingrosso and Illenium.

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• 2018Ninja compilation partnership

  United States · International digital markets

  Astralwerks collaborated with gaming personality Ninja on a compilation of original electronic music, linking the label with gaming, livestreaming, and internet creator culture.

  Outcome. The project broadened the label’s promotional and audience-development activity beyond conventional music channels.

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• 2023Distribution partnership with SIZE RecordsStrategy

  Astralwerks expanded beyond its own artist roster into third-party label distribution.

  What changed. The label agreed to distribute SIZE Records’ future releases and handle catalogue material covered by the arrangement.

  Aftermath. The partnership broadened Astralwerks’ role in electronic-music catalogue and release administration.

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• 2018Move headquarters and relaunch the labelStrategy

  Astralwerks sought to establish a new operating base and refresh its roster and staff.

  What changed. The label moved from New York City to Los Angeles, appointed Toby Andrews as general manager, and announced new signings.

  Aftermath. The Los Angeles operation became the label’s reported home base and supported its renewed focus on electronic, dance, and crossover artists.

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• 2012Astralwerks becomes part of Universal Music GroupM&A

  Universal Music Group acquired EMI, Astralwerks’ corporate parent at the time.

  What changed. Astralwerks was brought into UMG and subsequently positioned as an imprint within Capitol Music Group.

  Aftermath. The label retained its specialist identity while gaining access to UMG and Capitol Music Group’s international infrastructure.

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• 2023Astralwerks enters a distribution partnership with SIZE Records

  Astralwerks announced a partnership to distribute SIZE Records’ future recordings and handle catalogue material covered by the agreement.

  M&A
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• 2021Astralwerks and Blue Note launch the Bluewerks series

  The two Universal-affiliated labels collaborated on a series combining jazz and electronic music.

  Product launchCampaign
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• 2018Astralwerks relocates from New York to Los Angeles and announces a relaunch

  The label moved its headquarters to Los Angeles, appointed new leadership, and announced new signings as part of a broader relaunch.

  Leadership change
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• 2018Astralwerks partners with Ninja on a gaming-oriented compilation

  Astralwerks partnered with gaming personality Ninja on a compilation of original music involving artists such as Tycho, Alesso, and 3LAU.

  CampaignProduct launch
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1. Astralwerks