Hydrofunk Records started out in the early '90s as a local hip hop event in Brisbane, which focused pushing a more DIY approach.
Katch had a vision of creating a label that promoted Australian hip hop and beats in a market then dominated by rock & roll."Hydrofunk isn't your average label; we're still about making art and care about the art form of music and how it's made," Katch says.
"We also mentor and develop artists, and give them a space to be creative with the studio if they feel the need to record there.
"There has been a lot of highs and lows, from signing to major labels with distribution to gaining back our independence.
"We nearly lost our recording studio last year in the 2022 floods, but with the help of a loyal community we have bounced back.
"After 25 years the label is going stronger than ever negotiating the mainstream while creating their own lane representing the true art form of hip hop, soul and all things funky.
"Over the years Hydrofunk Records has released an array of artists locally and multiple international releases, even setting up shop in Japan and collaborating with artists and linking them with local producers and songwriters.
"We recently released our compilation '25 Years Of Hydrofunk Records' available on all digital platforms."
With the 25th anniversary concert quickly approaching – featuring Coma Chi from Japan, Calski with some special guests, 2Dogs doing a sound-system set featuring some guest artists and Dialectrix who'll also help launch the new Resin Dogs 7-inch vinyl they feature on – here Katch walks down memory lane, reflecting on 25 years of hard work, milestones, amazing connections-collabs and branching out internationally.
1: Throwing the first Hydrofunk party in mid '90s
Hydrofunk originally started out as hip hop nights that showcased local rappers and DJs. We also used to bring in stuff to sell like secondhand or doubles of records, even tapes we had at the time.2: First London Trip
Travelling to the UK with Dave Atkins to get three records cut and see some labels and distribution companies, we ended cutting out at Wembley as that's where Ninja Tune had done theirs. We were shown how to cut to the lacquer vinyl, which we had never experienced.
3: Major Label Signing
Getting the Hydrofunk Records signed to Virgin-EMI as well as the Dogs; this wasn't an ordinary deal, no hip hop, beats artist had ever gotten this and I believe it was the first.We wrote the deal so that the artist also received a label deal. It was the only way they could contain us as we were all indie artists individually, so they did it to keep us from going elsewhere. Sort of like how Wu-Tang did.
We were already doing 2Dogs shows and Blunted Stylus had his own thing going on too. So we did the deal. I got to mention Brian aka Smash, our management at the time, for going into bat for this one as he struck a pretty good deal.
We ended up doing some great work pushing local hip hop, beats and electronica. I don't think they were ready for Australian hip hop at the time, but doors were definitely opened up for people because of this deal.
The deal was signed backstage, 20 minutes before performing at Homebake Festival in Sydney. I think that was 1999. We were on the main stage that year.
4: Leaving Virgin-EMI 2004
After a few years we parted ways due to insolvable differences. We got all our artist masters back and regained out independence.It was a quick re-learning curve for independent distribution for ourselves on a national level. I did it all from home for about a year myself. I had to stock all indie record stores, but then having to deal with JB HiFi, Sanity, HMV and a few others.
We finally made the decision to go with MGM as we had seen a few labels, but nobody wanted to touch us for a while. We even became our own booking agents as well. Around this time, a business friend Zsolt aka the Big Hun came onboard to help us out and is still part of the team today.
5: Def Wish Cast's 'The Legacy Continues...' Album
When we released Def Wish Cast's 'The Legacy Continues...' record in 2006; to me this is the ultimate Australian hip hop record at the time and I still believe nobody can touch that record ever.Sonically it sounds amazing; they represented for the graffiti writers, the breakers, the DJs and the MCs. This record celebrated Australian hip hop culture and I'm really proud of these boys and what they still do for this scene/ culture.
Plus the album cover looks amazing on CD, but the vinyl cover is still one of the best packaged records we have put out.
Here's looking to the next 25 years.
25 Years Of Hydrofunk Records takes place a It's Still A Secret (Brisbane) 31 March. The line-up features 2Dogs, Coma Chi, Calski, Dialectrix, Kel On Earth, Triple Nip, and Quro hosted by DNO.
Resin Dogs also join Regurgitator's 25 Years Of UNIT festival at Eatons Hill Outdoors & Ballroom (Brisbane) 25 March joining DZ Deathrays, Custard, Butterfingers and much more. Resin Dogs then join Art Vs Science, Good Will Remedy, Jem Cassar-Daley and others at the free Stones Corner Festival (Brisbane) 30 April.
