Brighton has always been known for its bubbling night life and a walk through the city on any given day will reveal walls covered in kaleidoscopic club posters and boutique shops brimming with flyers for all types of parties. The place buzzes with sound and is home to some of the nicest venues in the country, so it’s only right that one of the UK’s best independent dance labels is based there.

Well Rounded records is the work of DJ/producer Donga, a vinyl purist who spends his days behind the counter at a record store and his nights playing gigs across Brighton. When he’s not chatting at length about tunes or selecting cuts for a set, he’s busy signing and releasing artists for an imprint that is becoming ever more crucial with each release.

Well Rounded’s rise began when a hotly tipped artist by the name of Deadboy released ‘YouCheated‘ as the labels first release in 2009. The record became an instant classic, and the label is credited with establishing scene defining artists such as Julio Bashmore, Hackman, CRST, Graphics and James Fox (his release ‘New Jack Swing’ on the label was arguably one of the most popular records of 2011).

The future looks bright for the label, and eyes are firmly fixed on its latest crop of new artists, with Gongon & Leon Vynehall already receiving plaudits and plays from the scenes elite. The three are also embarking on a string of UK & international label showcases, the first being their room 2 takeover at Chew The Fat! on Feb 10th at XOYO, London.

We caught up with the man himself for a quick chat, and nabbed a Fat! Club guestmix. Hear & download it HERE. Enjoy!

So what would be the best way to describe the labels output?

Anything that arouses that feeling in me of  ’hang on, hang on, this is a bit bloody good!’ regardless of it’s genre. So across the labels that ranges from 160 bpm Juke down through r’n'b influenced garage, and a fair few other styles of garage actually, onto house of varying kinds.

Its fair to say Well Rounded has launched the careers of a handful of scene defining artists. Is breaking new talent a motivation for you?

It’s nice if you think you may be among the first to have recognised potential in certain artists that go on to more success but i’m really just focused on the tracks, assembling an interesting vinyl release with the producers and creating something tangible to put out there.

You also produce, I heard somewhere that your release on the label ‘grown ups’ was one of Roska’s favorite tracks?

Haha. I’ll admit Roska was very vocal in his support of that tune which is a bit of an honour. I definitely respect what he has done within UK Funky. I produce under various aliases and within multiple collaborations. But, like the label, i can’t claim to have the consistency of style that a lot of artists seem to perfect, i always fancy making something different from the last track to stop the experience of creating from feeling routine. Therefore things come out sporadically in different places. Maybe when a few more tunes drop people will make connections and see a body of good work emerging. We’re putting out a bunch of stuff this year.

Whats in store for the label this year?

I have a lot of scheduled releases to work through, plus the first Well Rounded club tour and some merchandise coming soon. There’s no big game plan though. I personally just want to develop my passionate love affair with vinyl however unhealthy that may be

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