Defected Records was forced to diversify after losing 80% of its recording revenue since 2006. The firm blames illegal file sharers for the majority of the losses, causing falling sales of CDs, vinyl and digital music files. But now the record label boasts an international following thanks in part to it presenting more than 200 live events each year, showcasing its artists in Asia, Europe, South America, and Australia.
Big names on the House music scene such as Junior Jack, Dennis Ferrer, and The Shapeshifters are among the acts that perform at Defected nights in 40 countries. The company employs 22 people at a time when many independent record labels have gone to the wall. It was set up 13 years ago by former EMI and Polygram executive Simon Dunmore, who has managed to navigate the label through tough times. The producer & DJ said at the height of its power, Defected would sell 50,000 copies of track that did not even make the charts. Now though, it relies on live club night events and festivals.
