In Conversation with VTO Records: Behind Chapter 3’s Neurofunk Milestones

2024 was a defining year for VTO Records, a label that has cemented itself as a force in the Neurofunk drum and bass scene. With an impressive number of releases, the addition of three core artists to their team, and an overarching creative narrative tying everything together, Chapter 3 serves as both a celebration and a showcase of their progress. We sat down with the team at VTO Records to discuss the story behind this ambitious project, the challenges they’ve overcome, and what lies ahead as they embark on their fourth year.

Congratulations on Chapter 3! What does this milestone mean for VTO Records, and how does it reflect your journey over the past four years?

We release these compilation albums annually to kick off our schedule. Essentially, they serve as a 'best of' album for the previous year, and this one highlights 2024. Chapter 3 is particularly significant for us—it marks the year we achieved our highest number of releases. We collaborated with some prominent artists, hit our stride in maintaining the quality we envisioned for the label, and positioned ourselves to welcome three new artists to the team.

The album feels almost cinematic with its narrative energy—what inspired the overarching story behind this compilation?

I'm so glad you noticed that! Our label has a cohesive, overarching theme that Dan TRCD (co-owner of VTO) and I,  developed together. The artwork is deeply inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic, drawing heavily from futuristic visions from movies like Blade Runner and Tron.

We feel this style perfectly complements the edgy and futuristic vibe of Neurofunk drum and bass. We're both meticulous about the label's visual identity, and this year, we took a significant leap forward with more customised artwork for each release. In addition, I started writing press releases in a unique way: each one is a standalone cyberpunk story featuring the artist(s) involved in that release. These stories interconnect, creating an overarching narrative throughout the year.

So far, I've written about 10 of them, and we’re excited to continue this tradition with a fresh story this year. It’s been incredibly rewarding to bring this creative vision to life. From the music and artwork to the narrative, every element reflects the image we want our label to portray. We love adding these touches—even if some go unnoticed—because they enhance the experience, make us stand out from the pack and make our work feel truly cohesive.

With 28 tracks in the mix, how did you approach selecting the final line-up, and were there any tracks that surprised you during the process?

The process was mainly about perfecting the track order.

We already knew which tracks would be included since they were part of our releases throughout 2024. Choosing the opening and closing tracks is usually the easiest part. Stonx’s `Cemetarium`, created in the summer of 2024, stands out as a defining sound we’re striving for with VTO Records. The track features what I believe is the most epic intro and buildup of any Neurofunk DnB track I’ve ever heard—it’s almost as if Stonx collaborated with Pendulum on that section. It’s absolutely incredible.

The bigger challenge is ensuring the album feels cohesive from start to finish, creating a story or an experience rather than simply throwing a bunch of tracks together. The flow of the album needs to make sense, and the tracklist also visually. For instance, I wouldn’t want to stack five TRCD tracks in a row. Achieving this balance takes time and effort—I probably listened to the entire album about 15 times before finalising the order. We also included a continuous mix of the entire album, by Australian Neurofunk legend, Jane Doe. Growing up, I always loved albums that came with a full-length mix, and that influence drives me to ensure we include one with this album every year.

Jane Doe, The Fi5th, and Bad Ace are now core members of VTO Records. How did you decide to make them the faces of the label, and what makes them stand out?

The decision was an easy one, to be honest. These three artists truly embody what our label stands for. While they aren’t exclusive to us—and we didn’t want it that way—they are our go-to collaborators for remixes and events, including bookings and room takeovers.

We aim to work with them on at least one release per year. Beyond that, we fully support them in getting signed to high-profile labels or using our branding to elevate their profiles. We back them 100% in their artistic journey.

At VTO Records, it’s all about the artists—the people behind the music. Everyone who releases with us is the backbone of our label, they will get the flowers, attention and opportunities it garners and we’re committed to ensuring they receive every bit of recognition they deserve.

Beyond your core artists, you’ve introduced some fresh names to the roster. How do you discover and nurture new talent for VTO Records?

It’s quite a mixture really. Now that the label has become more established, we’re receiving a steady stream of tracks in our demo inbox. Over the past year, I’ve done a lot of networking, and 2025 is shaping up to feature a diverse range of artists—both newcomers making their debut and some highly established, well-known names. all of which have not yet appeared on the label until this year. The schedule is almost finished for 2025 too. so it's going to be a busy year.

We pride ourselves on the experience we provide to our artists. From nurturing their work and offering guidance on maximising the success of their releases to providing mixdown and production advice when needed, our efforts seem to have built a solid reputation.

What sets us apart is the personal touch we bring to our relationships with producers—something many labels overlook. Being transparent about the revenue their releases generate has also been a significant factor in fostering trust and loyalty.

Neurofunk has always been at the heart of the label. How do you see the genre evolving, and what role do you hope VTO Records will play in shaping its future?

As drum and bass continues to grow as a genre, so too will its sub-genres. Neurofunk has certainly gained more recognition among casual listeners, but unfortunately, this hasn’t translated into increased music sales or ticket sales for events. In fact, these areas are struggling more than ever. The genre is currently in a bubble that will inevitably burst, and like many trends, it will likely find its roots back in the underground.

One concern is that sub-genres are further splintering into even smaller niches. History shows that this kind of separation can be detrimental, as it fragments the community and shrinks the overall following. To counter this, we remain committed to a purist sound. While we’ve had a few experimental releases, our focus for 2025 and beyond will be on curating a selective roster of music and artists who bring the essence of the genre back to its roots while pushing its boundaries in meaningful ways.

I want to see the VTO Records brand grow in terms of output. I love creating content for it and organising events myself personally, but these endeavours require both time and money. That’s why my priority this year is building a solid team and collaborating with like-minded individuals to support and elevate one another. It takes a team to achieve this, and that’s where our focus needs to be moving forward."

2024 was described as your most exceptional year yet. What do you think drove this success, and how do you plan to sustain the momentum into 2025?

The artists—and the incredible music they’ve shared with us—mean the world to me. Their trust in us to handle their music and bring their vision to life is something I’m endlessly grateful for. I deeply appreciate their willingness to entrust us with their hard work and allow us to release it to the community.

In 2025, our focus remains unchanged: artists will continue to be at the heart of everything we do. We’ll ensure they receive the recognition they deserve, acknowledge those who help and support us, and push forward with fresh, exciting ideas to elevate and showcase the talent.

The Neurofunk community is known for its passionate following. How has the feedback and support from fans influenced the direction of VTO Records?

Fans vote with their downloads and streams, so as a label owner, it’s natural to pay attention to which tracks perform well. That said, we never push our artists to create anything other than what they want to make.

We’re very meticulous, as mentioned, when deciding what goes on the label. When we approach an artist, it’s because we know their style aligns with our vision. The same standard applies to demo submissions—everything we sign has to fit the label’s identity. If the production is at least close to being ready, we’re happy to work with the artist to polish it and deliver the best possible product.

One of the joys of running a label is having the freedom to release the music you’re passionate about. Fortunately, Dan and I share a very similar vision for VTO Records, which makes discussions about potential tracks straightforward. Personally, I like to give Dan the final say on the music we sign since he’s the head of A&R for the label. His ear for quality is unmatched.

Dan has an incredible ability to identify what will work and what won’t. He knows exactly which tracks to turn down, which ones to sign immediately, and which ones to collaborate on with the artist to get them just right. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but his impeccable judgment is an invaluable asset to our brand.

As VTO Records grows, what challenges have you faced in maintaining your artistic vision while expanding your reach?

Ooh, great question. Two things come to mind.

The first is social media. It used to be a fun space where you could post an image or video and have genuine discussions with your friends. Now, it feels like you need to watch 50 YouTube tutorials a month just to figure out what the algorithm wants to promote. Suddenly, you’re expected to become an award-winning content creator and master video editor just to get any views. It’s a frustrating time for anyone trying to grow a brand, especially if you’re new or relatively unknown.

Why can’t I simply share our hard work, like a podcast, and let people listen? No, the algorithm demands a heavily produced video between 60-90 seconds, with no copyrighted music—even if it’s your own. On top of that, you can’t use certain words that suggest promotion, or your reach will be restricted. Social media has made it incredibly difficult for independent creators and has, in many ways, harmed the music industry in irreversible ways that are not positive at all.

The second challenge is DSPs (digital streaming platforms). Many of these platforms only support and promote well-known artists or labels with massive followings. This creates a barrier for smaller labels, even if they have a stellar reputation for supporting and nurturing their artists. Some artists won’t even consider working with you because of the perception that DSPs won’t prioritise their releases.

What’s even more frustrating is knowing that Spotify might ignore our music for its internal playlists simply because we don’t have a TikTok post with a million views promoting the track. There needs to be significant change behind the scenes to make it a fairer playing field for labels and artists alike.

Looking ahead, what’s next for VTO Records, and what can fans expect in the coming year to build on the Chapter 3 celebration?

Once Chapter 3 is complete, we’ll officially close the book on 2024, and move full steam ahead into February with our first release of the year from a major DnB artist. This release sets the tone for what’s to come, as we have some heavy hitters lined up for 2025, including several must-have artists joining the roster.

We’ve just wrapped up our March release as well, the latest installment in the Cells Interlinked series. This project brings in brand-new artists to the label, giving them a chance to prove themselves and potentially earn their own solo release in the future.

It’s a packed schedule—our busiest and most exciting yet—with the next 12 months already planned out.

But right now, Chapter 3 is all about celebration. It’s a moment to reflect on our best year yet and enjoy the journey sonically. Whether you’re a DJ looking to grab a bundle of incredible tracks at a discount or simply a listener, Jane Doe’s exclusive mix of the album has you covered.

It’s a win-win for everyone.

Thank you to the team at VTO Records for taking the time to share their insights. Chapter 3 is available now—don’t miss this stunning showcase of Neurofunk creativity. Here’s to an even bigger 2025!

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