History

Izhitsa Records was founded in 1996 against the backdrop of Russia’s turbulent post-Soviet years. The atmosphere was chaotic, and that chaos bled into the sound and culture of the time. Clubs were improvised in basements, abandoned factories, and forgotten cultural halls; electricity was unreliable, and sound systems often cobbled together. But the energy was undeniable. Izhitsa’s earliest events were not just parties — they were experiments in survival and connection, moments where young people could carve out an identity outside of politics and instability.

The label’s first releases were made in tiny runs, dubbed on tapes or pressed in small quantities of vinyl. Word spread through hand-to-hand distribution and underground networks that stretched far beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg. These years gave Izhitsa its uncompromising character: independent, raw, and committed to the underground. What began as gatherings of friends and collaborators quickly became the foundation of a community, one that would endure and grow for decades.

By the end of the 2000s, Izhitsa’s reputation had extended far beyond its origins. Artists signed to the label began appearing on international lineups, and releases found their way into the crates of DJs across Europe. The label’s name became synonymous with a kind of authenticity: music that was never polished for mass appeal, but always rich in character and intent. Reviews in international press started to surface, signaling that Izhitsa’s once-local experiments were resonating on a global level.

Archival material from the 1990s was revisited, reissued, or incorporated into new works, positioning Izhitsa as both forward-looking and historically rooted. These years marked a period of expansion and consolidation, where the label balanced growth with loyalty to its underground origins.

After twenty years of constant activity, Izhitsa entered a reflective stage. Fewer releases came out, but those that did were carefully curated, reinforcing the label’s reputation for quality over quantity. Archival work became increasingly important, with old recordings and footage restored to highlight the label’s foundational role in shaping Russia’s underground. Far from nostalgia, this archival work was positioned as living history — proof that the energy of the 1990s still resonated in the present.

Today, Izhitsa is relaunching on an international scale. Nearly three decades after its beginnings, the label is channeling its history into a new phase: one defined by expansion, collaboration, and global ambition. With a dedicated club in Serbia as its base, Izhitsa is building a hub for underground culture, hosting regular events, curating festivals, and developing partnerships that stretch across Europe and Turkey. This new chapter blends the label’s legacy of uncompromising independence with a forward-facing vision of inclusivity and community.

The mission remains unchanged: to champion underground sound, support progressive artists, and create spaces where creativity thrives. But the scope has widened. Izhitsa is no longer only about music releases — it is about cultural exchange, art-driven collaboration, and building a sustainable future for underground movements. The label’s archives serve as proof of what it has already achieved, while its present points toward a future where Izhitsa is not just a participant but a leader in shaping underground culture worldwide.