Triple threat label Absys Records are celebrating a solid 15 years in business with the running of a massive event in Wigwam, Dublin this Friday 26th January with a stellar lineup of both Drum & Bass, and Techno. We were in conversation with co-founder Pavel Sho Szoka to find out about the background of the record store, the label, the studio, and the unforgettable line-up selection for this weekend.

We also have a preview of the upcoming Absys001 EP which is forthcming its release on vinyl with tracks from two of Ireland’s finest producers, Dylan Fogarty and Cult. Let’s get into it.

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Tell us about the background of Absys Records. Who was involved in the initial setup and what was the purpose of the brand to begin with? How has this grown over the years?

The Absys Records label was established in 2008 in cooperation with my friend Domel. The main idea was to promote artists and publish music from Eastern Europe and beyond. We wanted the names of lesser-known artists to be supported by our favorite artists. This is where remixes of famous figures from the drum & bass scene came from. In this time and the following years we focused on local artists who produce or play in our studio. Since its founding, the label has positively influenced our whole life and today our entire business involves: a vinyl store, a studio and a label. In the first few years of operation, there wasn’t much of plan, everything grew naturally.

Can you remember the store opening and the reaction from the city and local talent? How does it feel to still have support from your customers after all these years?

We first opened our location in 2017 in the place where our studio is located. At that time, vinyl was not as popular as it is today. I don't know why, but I had an inner feeling that it was a good idea to transform it into a store that operates under the same name. We usually received positive signals from friends or local artists about this idea.

7 years ago there was actually one store where you could buy techno or drum and bass music in t town. At the very beginning, in addition to customers who supported label online, we participated in many vinyl markets in Dublin and the surrounding areas, and this was probably the first factor in starting retail sales and advertising our place. I am very proud that I managed to create a bond of friendship and regular customers and charm them not only with good music, but also with my passion for life and people. I am very grateful to Ireland that I could live, develop and work here.

We have seen the likes of Abbey Discs on Abbey Street closing, alongside global giant HMV over recent years. How have you been able to remain steady in such a fragile market and continued success?

Stability in action and faith in what you do are probably the key to success. Many of these places were focused only on selling music on vinyl. Record labels were treated as money-making machines and when the technological breakthrough came: the digitalization of music, many projects and businesses simply went bankrupt. While others were going through a crisis, we noticed growth and great interest in the artists from Absys Records

What are some of the most memorable moments for you on your journey so far? Tell us about some of your ups and downs.

In fact, every single release, the story associated with it and the cooperation with people who are my idols are stuck in my memory the most. Every project and every person is special to me. The worst but also the best time that I remember was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which the store and studio were closed for practically two years. The best thing is that during this time I was able to verify many friendships, cut off many wrong directions and take care of my health seriously.

What are the key methods to keeping vinyl in perfect condition? What do you do to look after you collection?

It all depends on how you care for vinyl records. If we do not take care of the covers or the media itself, we cannot expect the recording to maintain good quality after many years. In my private collection I have many records that are over 50 years old and play like new.
In the last few years, we have observed a great increase in sales and production of vinyl. it's "prestige" to mix from records.

Can you tell us about the buying process for the selection of vinyls available in store?

This varies. Half of the records available in the store are music purchased straight from the distributor, who provides us with a lot of fresh titles from techno, drum & bass, and house genres. In the store we also sell used records, which we buy from private individuals or our clients. When it comes to Absys Records, we usually get 1/3 of the entire quantity we press. Some are sold in stationary stores and others in online stores.

What are your plans to continue grow the label in the near future? What criteria do you seek when recruiting new talent to represent?

The nearest plans are to close three vinyl themes and two digital EPs. The main development plan for the label is the Absys Techno project where we will focus on local artists, especially those who produce or play in our studio. Today, we are publishing listening sessions to the EP - ABST001 - Dylan Fogarty & Cult. Three excellent productions from each of the guys that will be released on vinyl in the first part of 2024. Be sure to check them out.

Recruitment at Absys Records usually takes place very naturally. As I mentioned, we are lucky to meet great artists in our studio, but we also receive a lot of material in e-mails.

Exclusive Preview of ABST001 EP featuring Dylan Fogarty and Cult.

Absys Records · ABST001 - Dylan Fogarty + Cult (Forth. Vinyl 2024)

Your anniversary event takes place this weekend in Wigwam. Tell us about the lineup for the night and how this was curated? There's a D'N'B room to celebrate the birthday and a techno room to launch your newest section of the label?

That's right, we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this Friday at Wigwam. The lineup consists of artists who were closest to Absys Records, who supported us for a long time, played in our studio, bought records in our store or released music on the label. When it comes to the drum & bass scene, Phill Fava, before he started his global adventure with the "big stage", released the song "Fading Memories" in cooperation with the excellent duo Synth Sense. This is one of his first releases on vinyl. After so many years, it turns out to be very sentimental to us..

SNIK from Poland released his last vinyl single in 2023 called "Absence" remixed by Hatti Vatti. The rest of the team are the people closest to us. The Techno scene is mainly made up of people we met in our studio. And that's where the idea of Absys Techno was born and the beginning of a new chapter in our structure.

What are your thoughts on the Irish production scene right now? As there’s a lot going on with new collectives forming and new artists arising.

I think that the whole scene in Ireland is developing very dynamically, the competition is very high, which has a very good impact on the quality of the songs being created. The clubs are usually full and have no problems with filling the dance floor, which further fuels the fire. We are very happy to be able to witness this. There has certainly been a generational breakthrough, which, in my opinion, began just after the pandemic.

Tell us about what your plans are for the year ahead? What's on the agenda?

As I mentioned before I want to close and release all signed vinyls and EPs this year. I'm going to start working with the Bodytonic crew and their new record shop from March 2024. I will be in three different locations during the week. Temple Bar, Phibsboro and the Fairview Studio. This will help me to move more stock around and work with a new potential group of customers. There is a plan for Absys 15th Anniversary tour in Poland in the 2nd part of 2024 too. We will be very busy...

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