Nina Heckman / Metropolis Records
Metropolis Records has been one of the most important independent labels in electronic and industrial music since its founding in Philadelphia in 1993. For over three decades, it has served as the U.S. home for acts like Front Line Assembly, VNV Nation, Skinny Puppy, The Birthday Massacre, KMFDM, Clan of Xymox, Peter Murphy, Assemblage 23, and hundreds more, bridging the gap between the European underground and American audiences when no one else would.
Nina runs the label alongside her mother, Gail DeLong, affectionately known as "Momtropolis," and has brought a fresh perspective to an operation with over 1,000 releases in its catalog. Under her leadership, Metropolis has modernized its royalty systems, rebuilt its social media presence, signed new artists like Zanias, TRAITRS, and Bedless Bones, and landed Bill Leeb's first-ever solo project. She's also launching a foundation and a partnership with Passenger Recovery to support musicians and industry workers struggling with addiction.
Nina describes herself as someone who values her anonymity, but when she stepped into the spotlight for the first time at the Mechanismus festival's "State of the Label" panel in 2024, what came through was someone deeply passionate about community, honest about the challenges of running a label in today's landscape, and committed to building something where artists lift each other up rather than compete.
Taking the reins of a legacy label and navigating the learning curve How Metropolis evaluates new artists, and why hard work matters as much as talent The state of independent labels in the streaming era Building real community in a scene that thrives on it What labels can still offer artists in a DIY world AI, technology, and how the music industry keeps reinventing itself What's next for Metropolis Records
Whether you're a lifelong fan of the dark electronic underground, an independent artist trying to figure out your next move, or just curious about what it takes to keep an independent label alive and thriving, this conversation will be honest and full of perspective.