Nottingham electronic music label Zealous Records looks to future US expansion while staying rooted in the city’s underground scene

Nottingham, UK – An independent electronic music label founded in Nottingham is gaining international recognition while continuing to build its identity through the city’s underground music culture.

Zealous Records, founded by Nottingham-based DJ and producer Josh Dean, has grown from a local grassroots project into an internationally distributed house and tech-house label, with music streamed in more than 200 countries and supported by leading figures in the global electronic music scene.

Over the past three years, Zealous Records has played an active role in Nottingham’s nightlife, promoting and hosting more than 20 ticketed events across the city and London, attracting over 5,000 paid attendees. Events have taken place at established venues including Nottingham Secret Garden and The Brickworks, contributing to the city’s late-night cultural landscape.

While the label’s audience continues to grow internationally, its creative direction remains closely tied to Nottingham.

Josh Dean, founder and creative director of Zealous Records, said: “Nottingham has a strong underground culture. The crowds are knowledgeable, the venues are intimate, and there’s a real respect for the music. That’s shaped how Zealous sounds and how we approach events and releases.”

Looking ahead, Zealous Records has set its sights on potential future activity in the United States, particularly in Miami, a city known for its electronic music scene. Any future expansion would be about building on the culture and approach developed in Nottingham, rather than shifting focus away from the city.

“If and when we take Zealous further afield, it’ll be by applying the same principles we’ve developed here — community, consistency, and putting the music first.”

Zealous Records releases have received professional support from internationally recognised DJs including Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Franky Rizardo, Paco Osuna, and Joseph Capriati, and have been featured in respected electronic music publications such as Data Transmission, Your EDM, and iHouseU.

The label continues to plan new releases and local events, with Nottingham remaining central to its identity.

About The Author

Jaci Soukhathivong

An Atlanta gal chasing her love for electronic dance music. I’ve been with Exron since 2018 and have the privilege of contributing to the culture alongside other badass women whom I now call my friends. My introduction to the scene was first influenced by trap music, but my discography has since expanded to touch a bit of everything. Some of my favorite artists are Zeds Dead, Cloonee, Nghtmre, Flume, Infekt, Sosa, Bleu Clair, Subtronics, but the list goes on forever.

See author's posts