What started as a way for two friends to release their own music without the frustration of approaching other labels has evolved into something much bigger.
Launched in 2022 by Dan and his friend Chris Coles, Prognosis Records began with a straightforward purpose: create an independent home where they could put out their own productions without having to deal with the process of getting them signed elsewhere. But once the demos started coming in, the plan quickly changed.
The quality of music being submitted was so strong that Prognosis ended up releasing surprisingly little of its founders’ own material. Chris eventually left the label after 18 months, but the friendship remained, while Dan continued developing Prognosis into a platform for artists across the progressive electronic music scene.
Presented by Latex Zebra, the label has established itself primarily around Progressive House and Breaks, while remaining open to organic, deeper and even techno-leaning sounds when they fit the label’s overall vibe.
One of Prognosis’ defining characteristics is its willingness to give artists an opportunity at the very beginning of their journey. The label has released several artists’ first-ever records, with some of those artists going on to build successful careers. At the same time, Prognosis has welcomed established names such as Lexicon Avenue, Framewerk, Mind Of Us, Lloyd Barwood and Ranj Kaler into its growing family.
With its 100th release approaching, Prognosis is entering another important chapter, but Dan’s ambitions remain refreshingly simple: keep releasing music he believes in, support emerging artists, host more label events and, above all, continue enjoying the journey.
We caught up with Dan to explore the story behind Prognosis, its sound, approach to artists, the challenges facing independent labels and why keeping music human still matters.
Please introduce your label and share the story behind how it started.
This is Prognosis Records and my name is Dan.
We launched in 2022 with my friend Chris Coles, who I was producing with at the time. It was mainly to enable us to release our own music without the aggro of having to get it signed by other labels.
We ended up getting sent such good stuff that we barely released any of our own music. Chris left the label after 18 months, but we remain good friends.
What inspired the name and identity of the label?
I was already doing a mix series called Prognosis. I had the artwork already done, so it seemed logical to use it as there was already some awareness of the name.
It also suits the vibe of the music being put out.
How would you describe the label’s sound? Which genres and subgenres does the label primarily focus on or represent?
Progressive House is the main focus, but I also like to have at least one breaks track or remix on each release, as there is a good market for progressive breaks all over the world.
Now and then I will get something more organic or closer to techno, but if it fits the vibe of what I will play, then I will take it.
What do you look for when signing or working with artists?
My first thought when listening to a demo is: would I buy it if I heard it while I was tune shopping?
If the answer is yes, then I will normally always take it.
Like most labels, I want to work with reliable and professional artists. I’m not looking for anyone with an ego needing to be stroked.
Prognosis has signed several artists for their very first release, and that is always something I am on the lookout for. Getting that first step can be so hard, so giving people a platform to get a tune out there is something important to me.
Can you mention some of the artists currently on your roster?
It’s huge.
One of the focuses from launch was to get artists signed back on for remixes and then have more originals from them down the line.
Among the more established names are Lexicon Avenue, Framewerk, Mind Of Us, Lloyd Barwood and Ranj Kaler. We also like to support a lot of underground artists.
It feels unfair to name only a few when they are all such a big part of what Prognosis does. Check out our Beatport page, they’re all on there.
How has the music industry, particularly with the rise of AI, changed since the label first launched?
I try to steer clear of anything remotely AI.
I appreciate it has a place in the world, but not with music production creating originals. There are useful AI tools within software that can be helpful for getting stems, but I’d never want anything 100% made with AI.
It’s very difficult to know when receiving demos if it is real or AI, so I always try to work with established artists or recommendations.
I think the real issue with the music industry is that music has no value these days. You can listen to music for free all over the place and people seem to think it should just be free to own, regardless of the costs of making it or getting it out there.
What challenges have you faced as an independent label, and how have you overcome them?
Getting people to actually buy it.
There is still an audience out there that will happily buy new music for their sets, and some people who receive promos will still buy a copy when the tune comes out, thanks guys.
If you release good music, and can get the right people to hear it, they will buy it.
Are there any upcoming releases, collaborations, or projects that fans should look out for?
Prognosis’ 100th release is coming at the end of September, and that sees Lexicon Avenue making their Prognosis debut.
We also have Ranj Kaler on the remix with a great progressive breaks version.
We also have our youngest ever artist releasing a track very soon. Ben Wooding, who has only just turned 16, has a great future ahead of him, so I was pleased to be able to sign him early.
What’s the long-term vision and goal for the label moving forward?
Just to keep on doing what I am doing.
It would be nice to continue to get some bigger artists on the label and also continue to support up-and-comers and the more underground names.
Host more parties under the label’s name and just generally keep enjoying what I’m doing.
Follow Prognosis:
Beatport – Instagram – Facebook – SoundCloud
