Heard It Here First

Independent promoters and touring artists alike are struggling. Hydra Records, based in Reno and Detroit, aims to shift our scene’s sustainability paradigm. Coming off of a sold-out Illanthropy headline show in Reno, Hydra is running it back with Illanthropy on February 16th in Detroit and Distinct Motive in Reno on March 1st. The imprint’s goal with this run of shows is to invest in artists first, most notably paying out artists, both musical and visual, before paying out the bar.

The Vision

Unlike many contemporary promoters, Hydra is democratizing pay wherever possible, paying artists upfront, and offering bonuses for artists when an event sells well. Hydra also makes a concerted effort to recognize everyone involved in their events, from artists to front-of-house and back-of-house staff.

The Shows

Illanthropy rocks the stage at The High Dive in Hamtramk, Michigan, on February 16th, just outside downtown Detroit. Hydra curated an elite group of support talent, including Stimpack and Spaceship Earth. Stimpack is releasing multiple EPs in early 2024, showcasing powerful basslines and lush textures. Spaceship Earth garnered a significant following with his psychedelic rock-infused bass sounds. DooPlex (Omniplex x Voodoo) and Todor x Venus Vibes round out this stellar lineup that’ll have the system rocking the entire night, with visuals by Devin Sutton.

Dubstep icon Distinct Motive is a can’t-miss act and arguably had the most sought-after ID in 2023 with “Mellow Man.” He returns to Reno on March 1st with support from Hydra’s own Todor, making his Reno debut. LB & Konfusion, fuschia, and Peej round out this bill. Distinct Motive in an intimate setting with huge sound is a recipe for a perfect evening.

We just dropped our exclusive interview with Distinct Motive, you can learn more about him here.

Hydra Records hosted Illanthropy‘s Reno debut this past Saturday, February 3rd, with support from Machete, Duality, fuchsia, jooney tunes, Maso, and Resonant. Snake Farm was on visual duty, and the venue came to life with numerous talented live painters and artists. This carefully curated audio and visual lineup made for a perfect evening, with Magnus Sound System delivering a premium audio experience.

Will you attend any Hydra Records events in Michigan or Nevada? Let us know in the comments or on social media!

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