After several turbulent years teetering on the edge of DJ burn-out, Nastia is in an inspired place. The techno heavyweight has joined BBC Radio 1 for a residency and last month won the hearts of the d’n’b cognoscenti as one of the standout sets at breakbeat mecca Sun And Bass. She’s also launching a new label, Nechto. Winding down operations on her Propaganda imprint, she’s taken inspiration and cues from one of her favourite labels, Metalheadz. Founded 25 years ago by Goldie, it’s regarded as one of the most agenda-setting labels for d’n’b. We connected the two to talk labels, nurturing new talent and creating balance in life.

Nastia: I’m a big fan. Thank you for what you’re doing and what you have contributed to music with Metalheadz.

Goldie: Thank you. I don’t think there are many other labels that have the integrity and the kind of catalogue we have. It’s funny: the people I associate with techno – Derrick May, Mad Mike, the Detroit OGs – they have respect for the label in terms of how future-thinking we are sonically. They know we don’t make drum ’n’ bass to try to provide a platform for a formula, maybe get some girl singing over it for a Top 10 record. That isn’t going to work for us – that music’s disposable. It won’t last. I’d much rather people find the music in 20 years’ time.

N: How many people work at Metalheadz?

G: Just a handful! It’s like The Wizard Of Oz. You get to the end of the rainbow and there’s a guy behind the curtain. I have a strong label manager, though: Anthony Crook. We A&R between us both.

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N: It’s very small compared to the size of the brand.

G: We did that stuff in the 90s when I blew up and got offices and had people working [for us] who didn’t understand the music. You lose your integrity that way. That can’t work for me.

N: My previous label, Propaganda, was all high-quality design with gatefold sleeves and 180-gram vinyl. My new label’s for DJs rather than collectors, with cheap covers and no designs. Plus it’s easier– fewer people to ask what’s going on!

G: Technology helps. But just look at the new artists coming through. We’ve got Phase about to drop an album. We’ve got Grey Code, this incredible 21-year-old kid who’s remixed my record ‘The Mirrored River’. That kid is my protégé. He’ll become so much more powerful because he’s learning from something that isn’t about us crunching numbers. He’ll make what he wants to make when he wants to make it. And we’ll let him.

N: I love how [Metalheadz] is so open to new talent. How do people send you music?

G: The demo email door is always open. But there’s a certain way, a certain integrity. The label has a certain sound. You could be an electronic genius and emulate the sound but it won’t have the soul. I’ll give you an analogy. You go to art school and do foundation one and two. I give you 50 cans of paint and you couldn’t paint a graffiti piece. That’s the difference. Metalheadz is about style and how you lay it down.