Vampire Records: Reviving a Drum & Bass Institution for the Modern Era
Owen Grosvenor
Published
Phil Source is not someone who needs to prove his credibility in drum & bass. As one half of Source Direct, he helped shape the sound of the genre. He’s been running Vampire Records for years, building a label with genuine heritage in the scene.
The Problem
Vampire Records had a brand built for a different time. The logo was detailed and intricate in a way that worked on vinyl sleeves and flyers. On a phone, on social media, on a website thumbnail, those details collapsed into noise. It couldn’t scale down. It wasn’t legible at small sizes.
The website had a similar problem. It wasn’t just dated. It wasn’t functioning properly. For a label that runs events and releases music, the website is the front door. If that front door is broken, people walk past.
The people who already know Vampire Records don’t need convincing. But every new listener, every potential collaborator, every promoter considering a partnership is making a snap judgement based on what they see online. And what they were seeing didn’t match the quality of what Vampire Records actually is.
The Solution
We worked with Phil over two months to rebuild the brand from the ground up. Respect the heritage, but make everything work for how people actually experience music brands today.
We redesigned the identity with modern application as the starting point. It needed to hold up at every size, from a billboard to an Instagram avatar. Instantly recognisable in a social feed, legible on mobile, and still carrying the weight a label with this history demands.
We built a new website from scratch. The old site was neglected and non-functional. The new site gives Vampire Records a proper platform for events, releases, and the label’s story, built to work across devices.
We designed posters and event collateral to stand out in crowded listings and social feeds while staying true to the identity. Every piece is consistent with the new brand, giving events a professional, cohesive look matching the calibre of the artists on the lineup.
The Impact
Five successful events since relaunch. The new brand and collateral system gave each event a cohesive visual presence. Phil now has a design framework he can apply to every event without starting from scratch.
Industry collaborations on the horizon. Since the rebrand, Vampire Records has lined up collaborations with major names in the scene. When the brand looks credible, doors open that were previously closed.
A brand that finally works where it needs to. On phones, in social feeds, on event listings, on the website. Consistent, modern presence across every touchpoint.
“Quick turnarounds, high-quality designs, genuinely understands brand vision. We’ve successfully run 5 events since the rebrand and lined up collaborations with major industry leaders.”
Phil Source, Founder, Vampire Records