Hau5trap’s first release arrives Friday (March 4) with “Hiiigh”, a new single from Australian Tommy Trash and vocalist Daisy Guttridge. (This single follows its 2019 collaboration “Let Me Go” with artist mau5trap, i_o and serves to honor the producer, who passed away in November at the age of 30.)
Helping to oversee the project is Dean Wilson, longtime manager of Deadau5, who says that Hau5trap releases will come at a slower pace than at Mau5trap, so the team can go further with A&R and marketing for each launch.
“It’s a mindset about depth over width,” says Wilson. “The release schedule was developed until the summer, but we left space to find records that seem urgent and immediate.”
Here, Wilson discusses the label’s launch and why listeners should anticipate a progressive house revival.
Why is this the right time for a house sub-label, particularly with the revival of the house having been a phenomenon for years?
The moment at Hau5trap is really organic. At the end of last year, one of our artists presented a track that we absolutely loved – one of the best things they did – but we all agreed that it was out of Mau5trap’s sound. Between that, and the growing amount of house demos we heard daily, we decided that a sister label was the best way to continue and expand Mau5trap’s mandate to discover and develop the next generation of electronic talent.
What kind of house artist is hau5trap looking to work with? What makes someone’s sound right for the record label?
The sound we want is “fun and uplifting”. Obviously, it has to fit into the domestic world, but there are no strict limits on the criteria. We look for all types – from beginners to experienced producers, from all corners of the world. Looking at the line-up for the next few months, there is not a single American artist there.
Obviously, there are many styles of house music. Are there any in particular that the hau5trap can lean on?
Although the clubs are closed, we are inclined towards more playable music and conducted by the dance floor. There are already many great labels for each genre – let’s leave them what they do best. We are looking for timeless grooves, attractive production and great compositions.
Can you tell us more about which artists will be involved?
Our Australian friend Tommy Trash is the first release released, and behind it will be British producer Jay Robinson, who destroyed everything last year with his remix of “Pomegranate”. I don’t want to reveal much more yet, but you can expect familiar and new faces.
Should we expect releases aimed at deadmau5’s own house?
When it comes to something Deadmau5, you should always expect the unexpected.
Anything else you would like to say?
I would say it’s time for the progressive house to come back. 2012 was a great year, don’t you think?