The Story!

The minimal techno movement, strongly influenced by the emergent sound of Cologne (Germany) became more and more popular here in Montreal starting in the late 90s. We were part of the scene and followed its traces as listeners. Since the beginning, we supported the progression of the scene by attending various events... "Locals" will probably have the "Old" SAT or "Le Laika" in mind...

Already being DJs and electronic music producers by hobby, we decided to contribute, in our way, more actively to that scene. In response to this yearning, we decided to co-found Often Gruven recordings, a label that we officially launched in the spring of 2005. Our first plan was to put in one's two cents in the sound we esteemed by promoting the result of our influence through a pure minimal techno style.

From the early idea through the first release, being greatly immersed in techno music and consuming a cluster of tracks, we had the chance to refine our tastes and officially find our way... the way that converges towards the Often Gruven sound!... A progressive house music that mixes house and techno with a touch of german-style minimal. Due to the groove specific to the two first influences... and the concern about "good-quality-recordings", a typical feature of the minimal sound! ... we found in PROG, the foundations of our own sound. We officially recognize that PROG got to us, but keeping in mind that progressive music offers many possibilities.

From there, we fixed our own colors, presented our identity and decided to look ahead instead of just supporting something that reminds us of our past. We then started to work actively to promote OU!

Let's see what the future holds for us!

Martin Paradis (mParadis)
Steeve Montminy (Sternreise)


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Often Gruven recordings is a Montreal based label that aims to release hi quality progressive techno-house music from different producers from all over the world. The label was created in 2005 by Martin Paradis (aka mParadis) and Steeve Montminy (aka Sternreise). The label exists to promote progressive house and progressive techno music on the local scene and all around the world.

Since 2006, Often Gruven recordings is exclusively managed and distributed by the UK label management group Critical Rhythm, owned by Keith McDonnell. A special thanks for the chance he gave us and his trust. This affiliation allows Often Gruven's releases to be more visible abroad and thus, be more accessible to worldwide DJs, producers, clubbers and electronic music lovers. We are proud to be part of this family which include many key-members of the electronic scene such as Baroque, Method, Plastik Park, Boz Boz, Arctic Wave, Aurium, Babylon and many more.

Often Gruven recordings release both on 12" vinyl and digital format and the music is available at many electronic music online stores (for ex. beatport.com, juno.co.uk, audiojelly.com, etc.) as well as in many record shops (international and local).

Often Gruven has a monthly show called OU sessions on di.fm (progressive channel) and the label organises launch events where affiliated producers and DJs are invited to represent the label and the sound Often Gruven cherishes.