Astralwerks is an American electronic music label founded in July 1993 by Brian Long, now owned by Universal Music Group and distributed via Capitol Music Group in the United States. The label moved from New York City to Los Angeles in 2018 and is headed by Toby Andrews (who replaced Glenn Mendlinger as general manager). Astralwerks' roster includes Chris Lake, Duke Dumont, Fatboy Slim, Gorgon City, Hugel, Jax Jones, Jazzy, Kungs, Michael Brun, Sammy Virji, Steve Angello, Becky Hill, and Joy Anonymous. The label operates the Bluewerks sublabel. In its early years, the label featured prominent British acts like The Future Sound of London, Fatboy Slim, and The Chemical Brothers. In recent years, its roster has expanded to include acts like Halsey, Marshmello, Porter Robinson, Illenium, Zhu, and numerous others.
Astralwerks was founded in 1993 and was originally owned by Thorn EMI (1993 to 1996), then EMI (1996 to 2012), before Universal Music Group purchased EMI in 2012, bringing Astralwerks under UMG control where it remains today. As part of the corporate restructuring, Astralwerks became an imprint under the Capitol Music Group. In 2013, the label signed both Porter Robinson and Deadmau5 (along with his Mau5trap imprint). The following year, Astralwerks signed singer Halsey to a record deal. Robinson released his debut studio album Worlds and Deadmau5 also released his Astralwerks debut while(1<2). Halsey's debut studio album Badlands came in 2015 and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200. Her 2017 follow-up, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, would top the chart. In 2018, it was announced that Astralwerks would move from New York City to its current home base of Los Angeles.
Notable Artists and Releases
Astralwerks has released some of the most commercially successful electronic and dance-pop albums of the last 30 years. The label's catalog spans British big beat, French house, American EDM, and mainstream pop.
- The Chemical Brothers - Exit Planet Dust (1995, #14 US Billboard 200, 750,000 US copies sold). The album put Astralwerks on the map after head of A&R Peter Wohelski signed the duo.
- The Chemical Brothers - Dig Your Own Hole (1997, #1 UK Albums Chart, #14 US Billboard 200). The follow-up cemented the label's reputation in electronic music.
- The Chemical Brothers - Surrender (1999, #1 UK Albums Chart, #32 US Billboard 200).
- Fatboy Slim - You've Come a Long Way, Baby (1998, US release on Astralwerks). The album went platinum in the US and included "The Rockafeller Skank" and "Praise You."
- Basement Jaxx - Remedy (1999, US release on Astralwerks). The album included "Red Alert" and reached the UK top 5.
- Halsey - Badlands (2015, #2 Billboard 200, 115,000 first-week units). Halsey's debut album launched her career from the Astralwerks roster.
- Halsey - Hopeless Fountain Kingdom (2017, #1 Billboard 200, 106,000 first-week units). Halsey's first #1 album.
- Porter Robinson - Worlds (2014, #1 US Dance/Electronic Albums, #18 Billboard 200). Robinson's debut studio album after signing with Astralwerks in 2013.
- Deadmau5 -
while(1<2)(2014). Deadmau5's Astralwerks debut, released alongside his Mau5trap imprint deal. - Kungs - Layers (2016). The single "This Girl" (with Cookin' on 3 Burners) hit #1 in France and #2 in the UK. The music video has over 564 million views on YouTube.
Official Music Videos
How Astralwerks Operates
Astralwerks runs dedicated A&R under general manager Toby Andrews from its Los Angeles headquarters. It operates with distribution via Capitol Music Group in the United States, EMI in the United Kingdom, and Universal Music Group internationally. The label's strength is its 33-year history as one of the pioneering electronic music labels in the United States, combined with UMG and Capitol Music Group distribution. Its model combines a record label with major-label distribution, positioning it within the UMG structure while maintaining an electronic music identity. Its early signings of British electronic acts (The Future Sound of London, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers) and later signings of Porter Robinson, Deadmau5, Halsey, Marshmello, Illenium, and Zhu show its ability to develop artists across both electronic and pop contexts.
Deal Structures
Astralwerks offers several deal types depending on the artist's profile and leverage:
- Traditional recording deals: The standard arrangement. Astralwerks (via UMG) owns the masters and provides recording budget, marketing, and distribution. The artist receives a royalty rate, typically 12 to 18 percent of retail after recoupment.
- Joint venture / imprint deals: Astralwerks has done imprint deals where an artist brings their own label. Deadmau5's Mau5trap imprint is the most prominent example. The artist retains more creative control and a larger revenue share.
- 360 deals: For artists with crossover potential (like Halsey), Astralwerks may structure deals that include a cut of touring, merchandising, and publishing revenue in exchange for larger upfront investment.
- Distribution-only deals: For established artists or imprints that need UMG distribution without label services. These are rarer but available for acts with their own infrastructure.
How Artists Get Signed
Astralwerks does not accept unsolicited demos. The signing process works through several channels:
- A&R scouting at festivals and clubs: Astralwerks A&R reps attend major electronic festivals (EDC, Coachella, Ultra) and club nights to identify rising acts with live traction.
- Streaming data: The label monitors DSP data (Spotify, Apple Music) for electronic artists showing rapid growth in specific territories.
- Referrals from existing roster and industry contacts: Managers, agents, and existing Astralwerks artists refer new talent. Mike Mago signed after sending demos through his manager that reached Astralwerks A&R directly.
- Social media and online presence: Artists with strong YouTube, TikTok, or SoundCloud followings attract A&R attention. The label looks for acts who have built their own audience before approaching.
- Manager or agent representation: Nearly all signings come through a manager or booking agent. Artists without representation face long odds.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make electronic music, house, dance-pop, future bass, or techno, Astralwerks is a pioneering American electronic label with 33 years of history and UMG and Capitol Music Group distribution. Its track record of breaking artists like Porter Robinson, Deadmau5, Halsey, Marshmello, Illenium, and Zhu shows it can develop artists with long-term career potential across both electronic and pop contexts. Its major-label backing provides marketing and distribution resources that independent labels cannot match. Its current roster of established electronic acts (Chris Lake, Duke Dumont, Gorgon City, Steve Angello, Sammy Virji) shows its continued relevance in the modern electronic music scene.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Major-label structure: Astralwerks operates under UMG and Capitol Music Group, which means deals may be less artist-friendly than independent labels.
- Electronic focus: Astralwerks signs electronic music. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
- No unsolicited demos: Astralwerks does not accept cold submissions.
- Major-label bureaucracy: Major-label deals can involve more bureaucracy and less creative control than independent label deals.
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What an Astralwerks deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The major-label electronic imprint model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic profile
- Ultra Music - A related major-label electronic label
- Mau5trap - Deadmau5's imprint, distributed through Astralwerks
- Armada Music - Dutch electronic label with similar genre focus
- Defected Records - UK house and dance label
- Monstercat - Independent electronic label with digital-first approach
- Astralwerks Official Site - Roster and releases
