Anton Borin, Montw and Yonsh have been nurturing the idea of creating a label for a long time, and now it's finally happening with Wuzz! All three artists have long developed their own unique sound and that is the main concept in their philosophy with Wuzz!. With an aim to release music without restrictions within the progressive spectrum, from powerful and underground styles to deeper sensibilities, but with an emphasis on the development of style. Progressive without compromise: music born in the studio, not in a hype factory. Unmindful of trends, music exactly as they want to hear and feel it. Through vivid visuals and an emphasis on an explosive philosophy, the label will be remembered as a bold voice of underground progressive house. To visualize their concept, they have engaged an artist Sandra Sheveleva, who draws unique pictures, faces with angular shapes, evocative in their visualization. A focus on exclusivity, art and community where every fan becomes part of the art movement. Sound and Visual Lab is a space where the artist's music becomes part of a multidisciplinary art. The imprint is analog soul in the digital age. Paintings that can be heard. The audience is not just a mass dance floor, but also connoisseurs of music for mind and body.
This week marks the much-anticipated launch of Wuzz! with a two-track showcase 'Haze / Void' from Montw.
Progressive Astronaut caught up with Anton Borin, Montw and Yonsh to learn more about the birth of Wuzz! and their inaugural release. Enjoy!
Hi, guys, thank you for talking with us today. How has the start of the year been for you?
Anton: The start of the year has been quite eventful. A lot of performances and work on our new label, Wuzz!, have kept us busy.
Montw: Hey everyone! The start of the year has been really busy and inspiring for us. We’ve been actively working on new releases and experimenting with sounds. Overall, the beginning of the year has set a great pace, and we’re full of energy for what’s ahead!
Yonsh: The beginning of the year slipped away in a flash (hahahaha). Because there were parties and a lot of work, and now there’s still a lot of work—all for the sake of the big project WUZZ!
Which track released this year has impressed you the most, and why?
Anton: Cornucopia - Early Morning. First of all, it’s been a while since Cornucopia released anything, and secondly, this is the kind of music that’s missing right now—positive, lyrical, and perfect for spring.
Montw: This year, the track that impressed us the most is Guy J - Silver Lake. Its deep atmosphere and masterful blend of melodies and rhythms are truly captivating.
Yonsh: Stranger In A Strange World (Original Mix) - Guy J
I love music made for vast spaces, and I adore imagining a track playing on a big stage.
I’m captivated by his melodies—they always energize my soul in such a powerful way. That’s the kind of feeling this track evokes in me.
Let’s briefly look at your history and how you got into electronic music in Russia. How did your childhood and life in Russia influence your passion for electronic music?
Anton: I started listening to electronic music in the 90s. Back then, it was something very new, and electronic music left a lasting impression on me.
Montw: Russia has always been a place with a unique musical culture, where traditions and modernity intertwine. Our passion for electronic music began with the club scene, which, despite all the challenges, has always been full of energy and experimentation. We were inspired by both local and international artists, and that helped us find our own sound. Growing up in Russia taught us to appreciate contrasts—from harsh winters to bright summer nights—and this is reflected in our music.
Yonsh: The story begins in childhood. My parents used to listen to 90s techno, and I would join them in the mornings. When everyone was getting ready for work, I’d get ready for kindergarten with my parents—hahahaha!
Music has always been a part of my life, and I’ve always loved dancing. As I got older, I started going to raves in the 2000s.
I specifically fell in love with progressive music in 2005. When I heard it, I knew it was forever!
Who among Russians inspired you from the very beginning, and why did they become a source of inspiration for you?
Anton: For me, the benchmarks among Russian DJs were Mike Spirit, Serge Que, Cosmonaut, and Sergey Sanchez.
Montw: It was the legendary Moscow DJ Vladimir Fonarev, as well as figures like Anton Kubikov, Ivan Rudyk, and many residents of that time.
Let’s talk about your new label, Wuzz!. It was founded by the three of you. How did you all meet and eventually decide to launch the label together?
Anton: Music brought us together. When I started making music, there were no production courses, and finding information about music production was very difficult. I saw that there was a Russian producer named Montw, found his contact, and suggested we meet. That’s how we became friends. As for Yonsh, we met when we performed at the same party. Now, we’re not just colleagues but friends in real life.
Montw: We met over five years ago, and since then, our friendship and collaboration have only grown stronger. We’ve always supported each other both in real life and in the world of music—sharing new discoveries, production tips, and inspiration. Our connection began when we started releasing our music on various labels, and that’s how we noticed each other. Over time, we realized we shared a common vision and passion for music, which led us to create Wuzz!.
Yonsh: I met the guys in the same year. Anton and I got to know each other a few years ago at the birthday party of our friend SisterSweet, where we immediately started talking as if we had known each other for ages. That meeting marked the beginning of our friendship. After a series of encounters, Anton invited me to the studio, where I met Stas Montw. Back then, I watched the guys working on a remix for one of the tracks released on Mango Alley. It was fascinating, and I was glad to have met such wonderful people.
The idea of creating a label had been discussed by the guys even before I met them. I found out about it later, after I suggested at some point that we create something of our own—a platform for our music where we could show the world more of what we’re capable of.
This became another factor that united us: the desire to create our own label. And, as if by fate, the universe brought us together)))
Where did the name Wuzz! come from? And why did you ultimately choose this name for the label? By the way, I think it’s great.
Anton: We wanted the name to be memorable and unique. It had to be easy to pronounce for Russian-speaking audiences and easy to remember. At the same time, we wanted it to be free from associations so that new associations could form based on the music and visuals. I think we’ve succeeded in creating a new brand.
Montw: The name Wuzz! is something we made up, but it’s bright and memorable. We wanted something that would catch attention and reflect our energy and love for experimentation. It sounds dynamic and light, which perfectly fits our philosophy—to create music that energizes and inspires.
There were many ideas, and everyone had their own. Each of us tried to come up with a name that would fit organically into the concept we had envisioned. It had to be short and understandable to any audience, in any country. We had several options, and since the decision was tough, we decided to approach it scientifically. Each of us selected a focus group and presented the name options. In the end, WUZZ! won.
Tell us about your vision for the label, guys. You’ve described it as a multi-sensory experience. Could you elaborate on that for our readers?
Anton: Wuzz! is not just about music; it’s a multi-sensory experience where tracks and visuals complement each other. The focus is on exclusivity, art, and community, where every fan becomes part of an art movement. It’s a “sound and visual laboratory”—a space where the music of our artists becomes part of multidisciplinary art. Our label is an “analog” soul in the digital age. Paintings you can hear.
Sandra Sheveleva, the artist who creates our covers, shared a few words:
Sandra: Working with the label for me is not just collaboration; it’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger. I feel that my covers are a bridge between the musicians and their listeners. When someone sees the cover, they start to feel what’s inside. And if I manage to convey even a fraction of the emotions I feel while listening to the music, I consider my task accomplished.
One of the most memorable moments in my work was related to a release that completely changed my perception. I listened to the tracks over and over, and at some point, I realized that the initial idea for the cover style no longer reflected what I was feeling. I changed the concept, and in the end, the works turned out completely different from each other, perfectly capturing the spirit of each track. That was the moment I realized how powerful the connection between music and visual art can be.
It’s a great honor for me to be part of this label. I feel that my works are not just illustrations but part of the story we’re creating together with the musicians. And I hope that through my covers, I can help listeners not only hear but also see the music, feel it with their entire being.
Montw: We want Wuzz! to be more than just a music label—we envision it as a multi-sensory experience. Under this brand, we aim to unite not only music but also visual art. For example, the talented artist Sandra Sheveleva is working on our release covers, and her artwork will be available to purchase in the real world for your own collection. We dream of creating a community of like-minded people who share our vision and are inspired by what we do.
Electronic music often relies on trends, perhaps less so in progressive house, but they exist. How does this affect your vision for Wuzz!?
Anton: Trends definitely exist. In the era of short attention spans, this is especially noticeable—hype music without much depth often surfaces, and there’s a lot of copying of trendy tracks. We want to distance ourselves from that. That’s not our path. The vision for Wuzz! is independence from trends. Our idea is to release music without genre restrictions, from powerful underground progressive to deep progressive, but the main message is our individual take on the development of the style. Progressive without compromises: music born in the studio, not on a hype factory. We won’t adapt to trends; we’ll release music exactly as we hear and feel it.
Montw: Our vision is to revive the spirit of old-school progressive house but with a modern sound. We aim to make every release unique, pouring a piece of ourselves into it, while balancing classic vibes with current trends.
The first release on your new label, Wuzz!, is out this week—two tracks by one of the label’s founders, Montw. So, let’s talk about this with Stas. Tell us a bit about the EP and the atmosphere you wanted to convey in the tracks.
Montw: This EP consists of two tracks—Haze and Void. In Haze, I focused on an introspective beginning that symbolizes the launch of our label. It’s like the first breath, inspiration, and the start of a journey. Void is its logical continuation, with a more underground and hypnotic atmosphere that highlights our style and sets the tone for future releases.
How often do these tracks appear in your sets, and where do you usually program them?
Montw: We absolutely love playing our tracks at various events—both in clubs and at festivals. For us, it’s crucial to see the reaction from the dancefloor, feel the energy of the crowd, and understand how our music resonates with them. This keeps us connected to our audience and inspires us to keep experimenting.
Let’s give our readers a glimpse into your studio. Tell us how you work and what studio tools are widely used in your recent works, particularly in Haze/Void.
Montw: Our studio is filled with various tools: drum machines, synthesizers, and plenty of effect pedals. But the most important tools are our imagination and inspiration. 
For Haze and Void, I relied heavily on my beloved Elektron Digitone and Hologram Microcosm, which helped create the atmosphere you hear in these tracks.
Why were these tracks chosen to launch the label and set a precedent for the future?
Anton: Stas has long established himself as a futuristic sound designer. With these tracks, we want to emphasize uniqueness in sound production. To show what Wuzz! will be like.
Montw: We chose these tracks to launch the label because they perfectly capture our energy and creative approach. It’s like an introduction to the world of Wuzz!.
Over the years, you’ve all released music on many high-quality labels. Why did you decide that now is the right time to create your own label?
Anton: We’re very grateful to all the labels we’ve collaborated with and will collaborate with in the future. Now, we’ve decided to create our own home—a place that represents our sound. We want to focus our energy in one place.
Montw: We’ve always loved working together because our tastes and vision for music are so aligned. We spend a lot of time brainstorming ideas and inspiring each other. We’re incredibly grateful to all the labels we’ve released music on—it’s been an invaluable experience. We’re still open to collaborations, but now our main focus is Wuzz!, as we want to fully realize our vision and share it with the world.
Yonsh: Working with labels was a pleasant starting point for shaping my taste and creative vision. Thank you to everyone I’ve had the chance to collaborate with—it’s been amazing! But now, I want to build my own community, my own trend, and a recognizable sound, and focus all of that on our home label.
We’ll continue working with other labels, and we’ll always cherish the warm, friendly relationships we’ve built with them ;)
What qualities do you look for in an artist when considering signing them? And what advice would you give to artists hoping to sign with Wuzz!?
Anton: For now, we plan to release only our own music. In the future, we might expand our roster. The main condition will be a highly unconventional approach to sound design. If it doesn’t fit trends and you don’t know where to send it… send it to us, and maybe you’ll join the Wuzz! roster.
Montw: We look for artists who bring something unique to their music. For us, it’s not about sticking to strict genre boundaries, but about creating something fresh and inspiring. We value experimentation, emotional depth, and individuality. If you want to release on Wuzz!, just be yourself, don’t be afraid to take risks, and show us your passion for music 
.
Yonsh: It’s also worth noting that any label ultimately chooses the tracks it likes and wants to see on its platform—those are the ones it will sign. However, the criteria will be more detailed, as we aim to run the label with quality in mind, steering it toward the success we envision, just as we, the team, desire ;)
Now that you have your own label, how do you decide which of your tracks to release on it instead of offering them to other labels?
Anton: We try to make our sound more diverse—from dark progressive to deep. On Wuzz!, we want to release tracks that are unlike each other. That’s what guides us. Progressive house with elements from other styles (from house to techno).
Montw: We want to release on Wuzz! the tracks that inspire us at the moment—the ones that reflect a specific period of our lives, the emotions and memories tied to it. It’s music that feels the most sincere and close to us right now. We don’t limit ourselves to any boundaries; we simply follow our inspiration.
Yonsh: The label is our home, and it will serve as a platform for releasing sounds that don’t fit into the mainstream trends—which, by the way, is the core philosophy of our label! We’ll continue to maintain friendships and collaborations with other labels as well.
In terms of release frequency, what are your plans for Wuzz!? And what do you think is the main factor in increasing the number of releases per year, given the current state of electronic music?
Anton: We’re not chasing quantity. We plan to release 8 to 12 projects a year. The most important thing is avoiding templates. If we see more innovators, we can always increase the volume and find a place for great music.
Montw: We plan to release 1 project per month to maintain a balance between quality and consistency. However, we don’t want to limit ourselves with strict boundaries unless necessary. For us, it’s important that every release feels special and inspiring, not just like a checkbox on a schedule.
Tell us about the label’s artwork. It’s unique and fresh. Do you think this is something that has been lost due to the faster consumption of music? And how important is impressive artwork for you guys and for Wuzz!?
Anton: Yes. We’ve noticed that very few labels pay attention to covers. This is something that’s been lost—we want to stand alongside those for whom this is as important as it is for us. In an era where everyone is chasing the number of releases, it’s hard to give proper attention to the visual aspect. But that’s not our path. We want every release to leave an imprint in the mind. Music through visuals and uniqueness.
Sandra, our artist, shared her thoughts:
Sandra: I’ve been involved in art for 10 years, photographing artists and musicians, and a few years ago, I started painting—fulfilling a childhood dream. My paintings are faces, and the center of their attraction is the eyes. I was invited to work with the Wuzz! music label. I’ve always loved music; it’s been one of the sources of inspiration for my work. My style can be described as emotional and intuitive. I always strive to ensure that my works not only complement the music but also become its visual continuation. For me, it’s important that the cover conveys the mood, energy, and depth of what’s in the tracks. I work at the intersection of pop surrealism and naive art, often using bold color schemes and unusual images of girls, often bald, which creates a sense of mystery in my paintings and further focuses on their eyes. Sometimes, I paint many eyes on one canvas.
When I paint, I always immerse myself in music. It’s my main source of inspiration. I listen to the tracks that will be part of the release and allow myself to feel them with all my heart. Sometimes, it’s intense emotions that result in bright, almost aggressive strokes, and other times, it’s quiet melancholy that turns into soft, flowing lines. Music for me is a conduit that helps me express what’s hard to put into words.
Montw: We’ve been working towards this for a long time because we wanted to combine music and visual art. The visual aspect has always been very important to us, and now it’s become one of the key elements of the Wuzz! concept. We believe that artwork is not just an addition but a way to convey the emotions and atmosphere of a release, which is especially important in an era where music is consumed so quickly.
Should labels devote more time and attention to the artwork of their releases?
Anton: Absolutely. Covers are an inseparable part of a label.
Montw: Absolutely! Artwork is an integral part of a release—it’s the visual reflection of its musical essence. It helps convey the emotions and atmosphere we pour into the music. Of course, we can’t speak for all labels, but for us, it’s a crucial element that complements and enhances the impact of a release.
Yonsh: You can definitely say—yes! Moreover, the first thing you notice is the cover art, and then your gaze moves downward as you read the title. So, first and foremost, it’s what you see, and then what you hear. As mentioned earlier, it’s a symbiosis—a multisensory experience where the tracks and the visuals complement each other.
Do you think there’s something important that many labels today don’t pay enough attention to when promoting a release?
Anton: Many labels are digital machines. Now, there’s an opportunity to show what the label is about—I’d focus on that; it would be interesting. We believe that a label is not just about music—it’s a community. We’re building that.
Montw: We believe that today, music alone isn’t enough for a label to thrive. It’s important to focus on all the details: the visual aspect, connecting with the audience, and telling interesting stories behind each release. It’s also worth paying attention to the frequency of releases—in our opinion, it’s better not to rush, so each release can get enough attention and truly shine. The little things matter, and they’re what create a unique experience for listeners.
Yonsh: Of course, we want to give attention to every detail. But it’s important to focus on how your release is presented to the listeners—through sound, visuals, and media content. We want to share more and show more of the behind-the-scenes life of the label and the community around it.
The story isn’t just about the evolution of music on the label. It’s about the life of the WUZZ! brand.
What can we expect from Wuzz! by the end of 2025—are there any special releases or events we should look out for?
Anton: We already have three releases ready from us. Expect interesting music. At the end of the year, we’re planning a compilation from our friends who will create music based on our philosophy! Thank you for your support and the opportunity to talk about our project. I hope this was an interesting read. Join us on all social media to stay updated.
Montw: For the rest of 2025, we plan to release at least one project from each of the label’s founders. We’re also considering a compilation from our artist friends and possibly organizing a label showcase by the end of the year. Thank you so much for this interview and for your support! We’re truly grateful for the opportunity to share our story and plans. Wishing you lots of inspiration and great music in your life.
'Haze / Void' is available now via Wuzz!: https://tinyurl.com/nds646m9
