Verknipt Records

The story of Verknipt is one of defiance and audacity. From their humble beginnings as a festival brand delivering electrifying, underground events, they quickly gained a reputation for raw energy and hard-edged music that resonated with aglobal community. Over the years, Verknipt grew, becoming a beacon for fans of industrial techno and hard dance. But for co-owners Mer, and Reza, there was always a vision beyond just festivals. The idea of launching a record label had been on their minds for a while, and in 2024, together with industry friend Jørn Brands from Adapt Music Management, they founded Verknipt Records

For Mer, Reza, and Jørn, the leap from organizing festivals to running a label was not a departure—it was the next chapter in Verknipt’s evolution.

“It felt like the natural step forward,” Mer recalls.

With the ever-growing community surrounding their festivals, launching a label wasn’t just an ambition; it was an answer to a demand. Fans didn’t just want a fleeting festival experience— they wanted a piece of the music they could take home, something more permanent.

Verknipt’s events had always been about more than just music; they were immersive, rebellious, and fiercely authentic. And the founders realized they could extend that ethos beyond the walls of their festival venues, bringing it into homes, clubs, and headphones across the world. With the right partnerships—most notably with their label partner Be Yourself Music—the pieces finally fell into place.

“The demand for high-energy, hard-edged music is stronger than ever,” says Jørn.

“Verknipt is perfectly positioned to meet that demand, and now was the right time to act.”

Verknipt Records isn’t just a label; it’s an extension of the rebellious, underground spirit that defines Verknipt Festival. From the beginning, the team knew the label would channel the same intense, raw energy.

“We built our brand on being bold and authentic,” explains Reza. “That same spirit drives everything we do on the label.”

The music they release will reflect the gritty, industrial roots of hard techno, while also opening up room for experimentation. The goal is to become the number one name in hard dance, expanding beyond hard techno into other corners of the hard-edged electronic music spectrum.

Verknipt has always been about pushing boundaries, and the label will be no different.

But for the team, it’s not just about the music; it’s about the feeling. The aim is for Verknipt Records to capture the untamed, rebellious atmosphere that fans have come to expect from their events.

Whether it’s an artist dropping a pounding techno set at their festival or a track playing at home, that non-conformist energy will remain front and center.

As Verknipt Records sets its sights on taking the global stage, its core mission becomes clear: to foster talent. The label will act as a launchpad for both emerging artists and seasoned names.

“We want to nurture new artists who bring fresh energy,” says Mer.

“But we’re also giving established artists the space to experiment and evolve.”

The connection between Verknipt Records and Verknipt Festival is seamless. The artists who perform at their festivals will naturally have the opportunity to release music through the label, creating a synergy between live performances and recorded tracks. But the team is also keen on scouting new voices from beyond their existing network, always on the hunt for innovative sounds that challenge the norm.

“We’ve received an insane amount of demos,” Jørn reveals.

“It’s clear that there’s a lot of talent out there waiting to be discovered.”

For the artists signed to Verknipt Records, it’s not just about releasing music—it’s about becoming part of a community. The label and festival are deeply intertwined, providing artists with platforms to perform, develop, and connect with fans. As Reza puts it,

“There’s a real synergy between the festival and the label. Our artists will get to showcase their work at our events, and fans will get a deeper connection to the music through both mediums.”

While Verknipt is no stranger to the fast-paced world of event production, launching a record label presented its own set of challenges.

“The biggest shift has been moving from live events, which are all about creating an in-the-moment experience, to managing a label, where you need to think long-term,” says Mer.

Managing releases, developing artists, and over seeing distribution all require a different mindset. But their experience in cultivating relationships and building a strong, loyal community has given them an edge in the music business.

In today’s rapidly evolving music landscape, Verknipt Records has a distinct approach to how they’ll release music.

“We’re taking a hybrid approach,” explains Jørn.

“Streaming is crucial to reach a global audience, but we also recognize the importance of physical formats.”

For Verknipt, vinyl is more than just a medium— it’s a collectible, a keepsake for fans who want to hold onto a piece of the Verknipt experience.

“Our Verknipt Arena album was just released on vinyl, and the response has been insane,” says Reza.

The team knows that for their community, vinyl isn’t just about sound quality—it’s about having something tangible, a memory of the energy and memories created at Verknipt events.

As Verknipt Records embarks on this new journey, its vision is clear: to become a powerhouse in hard dance music, while nurturing artists and creating a deeper connection between fans and the music. By blending the raw, underground energy of their festivals with a carefully curated roster of forward-thinking artists, Verknipt Records is poised to shape the future of hard-edged electronic music.

And as the world of Verknipt continues to grow— from festival grounds to record store shelves—the team behind it all remains focused on one thing: pushing boundaries and staying true to their rebellious, authentic roots. For Mer, Reza, and Jørn, this is only the beginning.