Uncle Steve may be a new name on the label-owner front, but his vision has clearly been years in the making. Deeply rooted in UK underground club culture and shaped by countless hours spent digging, DJing, and dancing in intimate warehouses and sweat-soaked basements, Uncle Steve’s newly launched label Fluff Records arrives with a strong sense of identity from the very first release. Rather than chasing trends or formulas, Fluff Records focuses on what its founder describes as “moody, rolling, mysterious, chunky House cuts” — records built around atmosphere, groove, and the kind of understated dancefloor energy that reveals itself over long nights and powerful sound systems.
The label’s debut various artist EP brings together four of the UK’s most exciting contemporary producers — Wilba, Brennan, Lukey, and Joolmad — immediately establishing Fluff Records as a platform driven by quality rather than quantity. Behind the project stands a passionate digger whose love for late-’90s and early-2000s Tech House continues to shape both his musical outlook and his curatorial approach. With a clear vision, a carefully selected roster, and a deep appreciation for the culture surrounding underground dance music, Fluff Records already feels like a natural extension of Uncle Steve’s years spent immersed in the scene.
Following the launch of the label’s first release, Torture the Artist caught up with Uncle Steve to discuss record-digging, UK underground culture, sweaty warehouse dancefloors, the philosophy behind Fluff Records, and why some grooves simply never go out of style.
Fluff isn’t about sticking to a strict label formula; it’s more about chasing a certain feeling, something that’s stayed with me and shaped my taste through years of raving.
Torture the Artist: Hey Steve, tell us something about your day. Where are you answering us from right now — studio, record shop, post-rave recovery, or somewhere unexpected?
Uncle Steve: Well, hello there. I’m currently enjoying the sunshine in Dublin City after work — nothing too exciting. It’s not often the weather is this good here, so I’m taking it all in at the moment. <smiles>
Torture the Artist: The press text describes Fluff Records as “a tight selection of moody, rolling, mysterious chunky House cuts, flowing effortlessly as one.” That already sounds less like a label strategy and more like a very specific state of mind. How would you personally describe the sound and atmosphere behind Fluff Records?
Uncle Steve: Moody, rolling, mysterious, and chunky — that pretty much sums up everything I’m drawn to in dance music. Those are four qualities that instantly grab my attention and keep me locked in on a dancefloor. For me personally, Fluff isn’t about sticking to a strict label formula; it’s more about chasing a certain feeling, something that’s stayed with me and shaped my taste through years of raving. Tracks that pull you in and build atmosphere while still carrying enough weight and groove to move a room.
Torture the Artist: You’ve just launched Fluff Records with a various artist EP featuring Wilba, Brennan, Lukey, and Joolmad. At what point did you realize it was finally time to start your own label?
Uncle Steve: Starting a record label was always a goal of mine. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. For some reason, I kept holding myself back, but this year something just clicked and felt like the right time, so I went with my gut and stopped overthinking it. I’ve always believed that if I genuinely enjoy my own taste in something, there’s a good chance someone else will too. <laughs>
Torture the Artist: The debut release already feels deeply rooted in UK underground club culture — raw grooves, reduced pressure, and late-night warehouse energy. Was there a shared musical vision behind the VA, or did it come together naturally through the artists involved?
Uncle Steve: It came together pretty naturally, actually. The four artists on the release are all people whose tracks have been in heavy rotation in my sets over the last couple of years. Wilba and Lukey are also good pals of mine, so there was already that connection there. It was more about trusting the music each of them was already making and letting it speak for itself. When I put it all together, it just felt like it belonged on the same record.
Torture the Artist: Why did Wilba’s “Rinse, Repeat” feel like the right track to open not only the A-side, but the label itself?
Uncle Steve: First of all, I absolutely love all four tracks on this record. They all bring their own flavour to the table. For me, “Rinse, Repeat” just had that immediate identity to it. From the first time I played it out, it felt like it set the tone — stripped back but driving, confident without trying too hard. That’s exactly the kind of energy I wanted to introduce the label with.
Torture the Artist: A lot of the music surrounding Fluff Records feels connected to intimate dancefloors rather than huge festival moments. What is it about smaller spaces and sweaty warehouse sessions that still inspires you so much?
Uncle Steve: That’s a good question, actually. There’s just something about smaller spaces that feels more honest to me. <laughs> You’re right there with the music. You can really feel the soundsystem moving through your body, the room breathing, and the crowd reacting in real time — a feeling you can’t really beat if you ask me. There’s something very special about that. <smiles>
Torture the Artist: Your Instagram posts also show unreleased sketches and rough ideas from hard drives rather than overly polished branding. How important are rawness and spontaneity to your understanding of underground music culture?
Uncle Steve: I’ve always been drawn to things that feel raw and unfiltered — ideas in their early stages, you could say. I feel like underground music culture has always been rooted in that sense of discovery and imperfection. It’s not about everything being overly polished. For me personally, it’s about character. A lot of the music I love still carries that rough edge, and that’s what makes it feel real.
Digging means a lot more than just finding rare records, in my opinion. It’s always been about the journey — the time spent listening, stumbling across things you didn’t expect, and building a connection with music in a really organic way.
Torture the Artist: Digging culture seems deeply connected to your identity. What does record-digging mean to you personally beyond simply searching for rare records, and how do you connect your digging with Fluff Records? Is it a label for the diggers?
Uncle Steve: Digging means a lot more than just finding rare records, in my opinion. It’s always been about the journey — the time spent listening, stumbling across things you didn’t expect, and building a connection with music in a really organic way. It teaches you patience and shapes your taste without you even realizing it. With the label, it’s a similar mindset. It’s not about chasing hype or obvious choices; it’s about sticking to the sounds you’ve always loved and trusting your own ears. <laughs>
Torture the Artist: Are you someone who spends hours searching for forgotten records and obscure grooves, or do you find inspiration equally through newer underground producers?
Uncle Steve: I guess you could say that, yeah. I enjoy both old and new music, but there’s nothing better than coming across an oldie that you’ve either never heard before or completely forgotten about. <winks>
Torture the Artist: What’s the last record you found that genuinely gave you that feeling of “this is why I still dig”?
Uncle Steve: Oooh, that’s a tough one. I’m going to say “A Four Track Vinyl Volume 1” on Loco Records. It was released in 2011. Playful and positive, with really nice deep Tech-House vibes featuring tracks from Karol XVII & MB Valence and remixes from Gorge and Maya Jane Coles — two artists I loved growing up. This record definitely brought back some nostalgic feelings for sure.
Torture the Artist: The first Fluff release balances House, Minimal, and Tech-driven grooves without sounding overly clean or overproduced. Do you think modern dance music sometimes loses character by trying to sound too perfect?
Uncle Steve: Yes, for sure. I think that can happen sometimes depending on the artist and the direction they’re taking in their career. Some tracks are made for the music heads, and some tracks are made for the more commercial side of things, I guess. <laughs> With Fluff, I’m more interested in records that feel alive rather than over-controlled. If something has a bit of grit or unpredictability to it, that usually makes it more interesting to me than something that’s been polished to perfection. That’s what I’ve always been drawn to in House, Minimal, and Tech-driven music.
Torture the Artist: Starting a label today feels very different compared to ten or twenty years ago. Was there a specific gap in the current scene that made you feel like Fluff Records needed to exist?
Uncle Steve: Not exactly. Personally, I just want to push music and artists that deserve more recognition in my eyes, whether they’re friends of mine or artists I’ve loved over the years. There’s so much good music out there that ends up getting lost or overlooked because things move so fast these days.
It’s that initial reaction when a track just pulls you in without you really thinking about why. Of course, I listen to all the details, but if that overall feeling isn’t there, it probably won’t stick with me.
Torture the Artist: As someone curating a label, what usually catches your attention first in a track — drums, groove, atmosphere, tension, or simply a feeling you can’t fully explain?
Uncle Steve: It’s usually a feeling more than anything specific. It’s that initial reaction when a track just pulls you in without you really thinking about why. Of course, I listen to all the details, but if that overall feeling isn’t there, it probably won’t stick with me.
Torture the Artist: The UK underground feels especially exciting again right now, with a new generation blending House, Tech House, UK Garage, Electro, and Minimal influences very naturally. What currently excites you most about the scene?
Uncle Steve: Something that really excites me right now is the resurgence of late-’90s and early-2000s Tech House. It’s a timeless sound that’s been with me throughout my entire journey of DJing and raving. Seeing artists like Terry Francis, Rob Pearson, Eddie Richards, and Grant Dell — to name just a few — being booked regularly at events and festivals is amazing. These guys are true pioneers, and it feels really well deserved. What a time to be alive. <laughs>
I’m not interested in anything forced or image-driven. It’s more about people who are into the music for the right reasons — no nonsense.
Torture the Artist: Beyond the music itself, what kind of community are you hoping to build around Fluff Records?
Uncle Steve: I think it’s really about building a community that feels genuine and connected through a shared love of this sound. I’m not interested in anything forced or image-driven. It’s more about people who are into the music for the right reasons — no nonsense. <laughs> I want to build a family around the label, somewhere artists feel supported and listeners feel like they’re part of something a bit more personal and underground. Whether that’s through the music, parties, or simply the connection around it, it’s about keeping that sense of passion and authenticity at the centre of it all. <smiles>
Torture the Artist: Running a label often means balancing creativity with logistics, pressure, and expectations. What part of the process have you enjoyed the most so far — and what has surprised you the most?
Uncle Steve: I think the most enjoyable part has definitely been working with the artists and hearing everything come together as a finished record. There’s something rewarding about putting tracks that complement each other well on the same release and seeing it all take shape as a cohesive project.
Torture the Artist: Looking ahead, do you already have a long-term vision for Fluff Records, or are you intentionally letting things evolve organically release by release?
Uncle Steve: Oh, for sure. There are some plans in place. I’m just taking things step by step and letting it grow naturally. All will be revealed in time.
Torture the Artist: Finally — when someone drops a Fluff Records release at 5AM in a packed little warehouse somewhere, what do you hope people feel in that moment?
Uncle Steve: Pure love, energy, and happiness.
Words by Holger Breuer
Torture the Artist 