Formed by drummer André Drage (Draken, Tip the Scales), Norway’s Drage Records will take flight in 2025 and focus on a unique range of prog-rock, jazz-fusion, world music, and ambient-electronica.

This week sees the launch of Drage Records, an innovative new label founded by acclaimed drummer and composer André Drage, perhaps best known in the European metal underground for his work with the Norwegian trio Draken.

Drage, who has traversed various musical landscapes across Africa, Asia, Japan, and Europe—including rock, metal, jazz, fusion, and world music—embarks on this new venture as a culmination of his artistic journey. With a commitment to showcasing a diverse range of musical styles, the label is set to redefine genre boundaries and inspire listeners worldwide. Fans of ’60s and ’70s outliers like Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Soft Machine, and Gong will find plenty to love in the label’s inaugural releases, which will debut in the New Year. The first, ‘Journeyman,’ will be released on 7th March 2025; a progressive album infused with elements of Norwegian folk and world music, featuring a rich tapestry of instruments including vibraphone, marimba, and cello. Following that, ‘Wolves’ will be released on 4th April and will present a fusion of heavy metal and jazz-rock influences.

We spoke with André as he reflects on the challenges of launching a new label and the importance of connecting with audiences who appreciate artistry and depth.

“Genres to me are a foundation of ingredients, but there are many ways to put them together and different spices you can use.”

Most people will know you primarily as the drummer for the Norwegian metal trio Draken. But your new venture, Drage Records, and most of the music behind it showcase another side of your talents. What can you tell us about that side of you as a musician?

André Drage: Sure. As a musician, I’ve been through many phases and have played everything from rock and heavy metal to jazz music, fusion, world music, funk, prog, and extreme noise music. I started composing music for my own projects in Oslo back in 2014 after studying music in London for a few years. I was really inspired by the Norwegian jazz-rock and prog scene in Norway at the time, and I wanted to be able to play drums in bands with that type of music. The solution for me was to write more music myself so that I could do more gigs with the music I really loved. After I did a tour in Zimbabwe and Malawi in 2016, world music got my attention, and I started to write music for vibraphone, marimba, saxophone, cello, synths, bass, drums, and a lot of different percussion instruments for my own project, Tip the Scales. Drage Records is a continuation of these experiences and a way for me to push myself and express myself even more through three of my own projects.

Why start a label in 2024/25? Is there a reason why you’ve chosen to do this now and not before? What are you looking forward to doing most in the role of record label owner?

After the pandemic, I found myself sitting on a lot of recordings, albums, and some ideas that were not fully developed. After a two-week tour in Japan with a noise band (Kennel), I was inspired to do more myself and claim creative control over my own work that had been piling up for a bit too long. I realized that I had pretty good knowledge about my favorite studio engineers, artwork designers, and a clear vision about what kind of music I want to keep making myself and where to improve. After gaining a bit more confidence in my producing skills, this seemed to be a natural step forward in my musical venture. As a record label owner, I am looking forward to being able to present my music to the world without any creative limitations. I am looking forward to engaging with fans who like different kinds of music and can get to know and enjoy the catalogue of records over time. I also really enjoy working closely with artwork designers and all the wonderful musicians I am super lucky to work with.

What do you think are the biggest challenges in starting a new label from scratch?

To be able to compete with the jungle of “short attention span” content online. Getting the music out to the right audience that will enjoy and appreciate this music and artwork the most, and the increasing cost of vinyl production.

There was a time in the late ’60s and ’70s when jazz and experimental music seemed to go hand in hand with heavy psych, prog rock, and metal, with labels like Vertigo, Deram, and Harvest. How do you see Drage Records fitting in with other genres in 2024?

Yes. The music I write and release has elements of both prog rock, fusion, and jazz, with a lot of references to the ’60s and ’70s. Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Soft Machine, and Gong are big inspirations of mine. I was born in 1987, so I am colored (hopefully) by the time we live in now. Genres, to me, are a foundation of ingredients, but there are many ways to put them together and different spices you can use. The most important thing is that it smells and tastes good.

What inaugural releases can we expect to see and hear on Drage Records when it launches in the New Year?

The first release from Drage Records (7th of March) will be ‘Journeyman,’ which is a part of my life’s work and an ever-evolving inner musical voice. This is a prog album, with inspiration from Norwegian folk music, world music, electronic music, and music from Malawi. There’s also a fair bit of inspiration from Frank Zappa in there. The instrumentation includes vibraphone, marimba, saxophone, cello, synths, bass, drums, and percussion. The second release is ‘Wolves’ by the André Drage Group (4th of April). This is a fusion record inspired by both newer heavy metal music, jazz-rock bands from around the world, and there’s some inspiration from Mahavishnu Orchestra, Soft Machine, and King Crimson going on. The instrumentation includes drums, bass, electric guitar, Fender Rhodes, and amplified violin.

How do you hope to win over new followers to the label and its music?

I strive hard for excellent sound quality with every step of the production and have a particular sound I want to achieve with every release. The artwork and layout design are also important to me, so I work closely with artwork designers who will give every record a pristine look. My hope is that the music released can appeal to music lovers in different camps who want something fresh but strangely familiar at the same time.

What are your biggest hopes and dreams for the label?

To get the ball rolling enough to be able to do grandiose and over-the-top recordings is a dream goal. I dream about making my own label festival and inviting my favorite musicians, artwork designers, friends, and favorite musicians to one big hangout of joy and music.

What formats—vinyl, CD, digital—can music fans look forward to purchasing from Drage Records when it launches next year?

There will be special care and attention dedicated toward high-quality vinyl records, but it will also be released on streaming platforms and Bandcamp.

Can you explain the logo design to us? It’s very reminiscent of ’50s and ’60s independent jazz labels like Blue Cat, Peter Pan Records, and Red Bird.

The logo came from my friend who makes cover art for a Norwegian prog band called Actionfredag. They really have that Canterbury sound of the ’60s! I wanted the logo to stand out, be easy to spot, and have some references to the ’60s and ’70s. Also, I wanted it to have some humor and joy in it. It’s a reminder for me that music is joy and a blessing, and not to take oneself too seriously, despite all the passion, dedication, and hard work! The logo designer (Emil Ellefsen) did his take on what it would look like if a Norwegian troll working in a music studio would look like. And for some reason, it looks a bit like me!

What’s the one thing you hope people who encounter the label take away from the experience of dealing with Drage Records?

Genuine curiosity!

Drage Records will offer music in multiple formats, including high-quality vinyl, CDs, as well as digital releases, ensuring accessibility for all fans. For more information about Drage Records and its upcoming releases, visit dragerecords.com and sign up for updates now to get two free downloads from André Drage’s ‘Journeyman’ and ‘Wolves’ albums.

Headline photo: Frida Roland

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