"Nearly all of my Krafted journey is captured in Voyager" Simon Sinfield interview
The Krafted label co-head reflects on the label and his new album, Voyager
Krafted Records has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the global electronic music scene, carving out a reputation for championing forward-thinking sounds across progressive house, melodic techno, and chillout. With a decade of independent success under their belt, the UK-based label—led by Paul Sawyer and Simon Sinfield—boasts a sprawling roster of talent and a catalog brimming with quality and innovation. This year, Krafted celebrated two major milestones: the release of their landmark Krafted X compilation for the label’s 10-year anniversary and the 300th release on their revered sub-label, Krafted Underground.
For Simon Sinfield, the journey has been as personal as it is professional. As co-founder, producer, and artist, his imprint on Krafted’s evolution runs deep. Now, with his debut career-spanning album Voyager, Simon offers an introspective look into his creative world. Blending progressive house, downtempo, and ambient textures, the album serves as both a showcase of his artistry and a tribute to the collaborative ethos at the heart of Krafted.
In this interview, Simon reflects on the label’s growth, the challenges of wearing multiple hats, and the deeply personal story behind Voyager, all while sharing insights into what drives Krafted's enduring appeal.
Krafted Records has grown into a multifaceted label with multiple sub-labels. How do you and Paul Sawyer maintain such a diverse roster without losing the core identity of what Krafted stands for?
Paul and I have always shared the same vision for Krafted. It’s really all about the quality of the releases. We are also focused on supporting and developing our artists. All of this is enabled by our amazing team. Our A&R team—Fran Martinez, Darren Braddick, and Paul Moore—are so passionate and knowledgeable, consistently hunting down fantastic releases. Our large and diverse roster is a result of their relentless efforts.
The Krafted X compilation was a big moment for the label’s 10-year anniversary. How did you approach putting together such a defining release, and what does it say about Krafted’s evolution over the last decade?
It was quite a task. Paul and I spent a lot of time planning that album. It was important for us to invite certain people to work on the project—both artists we’ve collaborated with before and a few new ones. I think it shows the evolution of the label. For me, the *X* album was a great way to celebrate this milestone. I hope it reflects how committed we all are. Ten years in the industry as a fully independent label is quite an achievement.
You’ve worked with some heavy hitters like Hernan Cattaneo and Nick Muir through Krafted. What have collaborations like these taught you, and how have they shaped the label’s direction?
Those collaborations are particular highlights for me. Working with artists you admire, who possess incredible knowledge and experience, is such a thrill. Having artists of that caliber wanting to work with us is the biggest reward possible. It drives everyone forward. Industry recognition and having major names come to the label give us all a huge boost. After all, we’re all just a bunch of electronic dance music fans.
Hitting 300 releases on Krafted Underground was a serious milestone. How has that imprint evolved over the years, and what excites you most about where it’s heading?
That achievement came around so quickly! Paul’s personal vision for Krafted Underground has remained solid throughout the years, and the future looks much the same. We’ve been able to build the other labels on the back of KU's success, and it’s been great to celebrate 300 releases alongside the *X* album.
With Voyager, you’ve created a career-spanning album that feels deeply personal. How much of your time with Krafted influenced this collection, and was there a specific story you wanted to tell through these tracks?
Like any album, it is deeply personal. It’s a marker in the sand for me. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but other projects kept me from it. You’re spot on with that question—nearly all of my Krafted journey is captured in Voyager. The remixes I included are all important releases in their own right, and when I told the artists about their inclusion, they were so delighted. It’s a fabulous example of the talent we have signed and how supportive they are of each other.
You juggle roles as a label head, producer, and artist. How do you strike the balance between these, and do you find they feed into each other creatively?
It is challenging, but I genuinely love the variety each week brings. I’ve only ever wanted to work professionally in the music industry. Producing and running my own label has always been my goal. As I mentioned earlier, the team is brilliant, and everyone is so dedicated, which allows us to stay current with DJing and making music—not just tied to admin duties.
The tracks on Voyager pull from progressive house, downtempo, and ambient influences. What guided your decisions when picking these tracks, and how do you see them connecting with listeners who may be new to your work?
It was important for me to include the softer, more melodic productions alongside the harder-hitting tracks. I also wanted to feature some chill tracks and the more commercial-sounding songs, like "What About Me" and "Same Old Story." These tracks reflect my journey, and I’m proud of each one. I also hope Voyager introduces listeners to the work of my collaborators and the artists I’ve produced or remixed. In that sense, Voyager becomes more of a showcase than a personal album, and I hope it leads people to discover more music from these artists and others on Krafted.
