In Conversation with DreamBass Records: Three Years of Sound, Strength and Community
From a vision sparked by gritty drum and bass and a passion for purpose, DreamBass Records has grown into a powerful voice for mental health advocacy and grassroots artistry. Founded by DJ Zent in 2022, the label now celebrates three years with a heavyweight VA LP that captures everything it stands for—community, quality, and care. We caught up with the team to reflect on the journey so far, the challenges of curating a meaningful release, and how music and mental health can—and should—go hand in hand.
How would you sum up the past three years of DreamBass Records in a sentence or two?
It was very challenging at first to keep up with releases and maintain quality. It has now blossomed into a family unit with incredible artists on the roster. I'm very proud of everyone involved.
And how has DJ Zent’s original vision shaped what the label has become today?
The original vision was to focus on the grittier side of drum & bass, releasing top-quality music from top-quality artists. Three years on, we’re proud to be maintaining that standard. We've gained international exposure, with plays around the world and ongoing feedback from a wide range of DJs, radio shows, and music blogs
There’s a real sense of purpose driving this release. What sparked the idea to make mental health such a central focus for the label?
My wife Elinor (Exhale Counselling) has influenced and inspired me for many years. Over the past decade, I’ve seen firsthand how many artists struggle with mental health issues. I wanted to fuse drum & bass with mental health in a way that goes beyond just raising awareness. We're actively supporting our community and are currently producing a videocast series on relevant topics to help artists navigate the industry.
Has your approach to running the label changed over time, or do you feel you’ve stayed true to the original mission?
I’d like to say I’ve stayed true to my original vision. One important change, though, is this: while I may be at the forefront of Dreambass Records, I don’t go around flaunting it. Everyone who’s part of this label is Dreambass Records. We’re a communal, family-driven label—and we’ll continue to push that message.
Putting together a VA is no small feat—what was the process like behind curating this anniversary LP?
Wow, I need to condense this ha ha ha ha. The album has been curated for probably around a year. I am very particular with releases and want the best for the listener and DJ. The album itself started to take shape, and a few new artists came on board—Valmer (France) and Distan (Brazil)—and they just slotted into the vision for the album. I wanted a journey through the techy side of drum and bass. I spent a long time mixing and mastering the album myself and am very pleased with how it turned out. It was definitely a challenge to get cohesion between all of the tracks, and I am extremely proud of all the artists who contributed to our 3-Year VA.
Are there any artists on the release you feel particularly proud to be platforming right now?
I am proud of everyone on this album. Each track showcases a different style and highlights how talented all of the producers are. From Distan’s debut showcase track to Valmer’s punchy dance-floor roller, they’re all exactly where they need to be.
As a family-run label built around community values, was there a moment in the last three years that really reminded you why you do this?
Drum & bass is a huge rollercoaster ride—especially emotionally. I go through phases where I’m all in every second of the day, and I often take 1–2 week breaks to step back and evaluate what’s going on. In such a fast-paced world, this has been invaluable to me. It’s helped me maintain the quality, the love, and the passion. Every time we put out a release and I hear back from DJs and radio shows playing our music, I’m reminded exactly why I do this.
How do you think the D&B scene handles mental health currently, and where do you think more support is needed?
If I’m honest, I can’t really comment on how the scene handles that. There’s so much going on now, as the scene is beautifully large and ever-evolving. I tend to keep my focus on Dreambass and myself as an artist. We have some interesting projects coming up that will offer more support in key areas, which we believe will better equip artists at all stages to mentally prepare themselves for what’s in store.
Do you find that being transparent about mental health as a label encourages the same honesty in your artist community?
Yes, definitely. I mean, everyone’s different. Generationally, some are more open than others. I, myself, am very open, honest, and transparent. I don’t see any other way, to be honest—ha ha ha. I’m always available to help advise and guide anyone through any issues they’re having. I’ve gone through a number of dark forests myself and feel I have the vantage point to serve others. Our Discord also has a space for chat, and Elinor regularly shares her blog posts on all sorts of interesting topics.
This LP covers a lot of sonic ground. Were there any conscious decisions made in terms of sound, energy, or flow?
100%—yes to the sound, energy, and flow. The album had a few tracklists before this one finally stuck. Introducing an intro and some skits felt like a great way to bring some old-school flavours back to the album. For me, the flow is always so, so important. Whether it's a track, a mix, or an album, it’s got to be a journey that captivates the listener from start to finish.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about running a grassroots drum and bass label in 2025?
I think people may assume it’s easy. I’ve seen so many labels come and go because people don’t realise how much work is involved. It takes a lot of planning, curating, promoting, and producing to keep a label consistent.
What do you hope listeners take away from this release—not just musically, but emotionally as well?
Positive Unity. We want to push the message of positivity, strength, and empowerment through our sound.
And finally—what’s next for DreamBass Records beyond the anniversary drop? Where does the journey go from here?
Dreambass Records is ever-evolving, and the journey will take us where we need to be. With that cryptic answer, I can say that I’m building relationships overseas, which will hopefully lead to some international events. We also aim to host some modest festival stages in the UK.
Massive thanks to the DreamBass Records crew for taking the time to speak with us. Their 3-Year VA LP drops on 25th April 2025, and it’s more than a release—it’s a reflection of passion, purpose, and what makes this scene so special.
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