ZLATA Talks New Label Debosh & Single “Red Hot Sweat” [Interview]

Breaking barriers: ZLATA launches a fierce new techno label amplifying femme and diverse voices

The underground techno world is about to get louder, bolder, and more untamed. Enter Debosh, a new US-based techno label founded by DJ/producer ZLATA, dedicated to amplifying femme and diverse voices in electronic music.

ZLATA, who has performed alongside names like Eli Brown, Layton Giordanni, and Reinier Zonneveld, has amassed over 40 million views on her viral videos and has signed tracks with renowned labels such as Insomniac, Femme House and collaborations with iconic names like Nicole Moudaber. Now, with the launch of Debosh, she aims to pave the way for other female talents.

ZLATA – Red Hot Sweat

Debosh: A label for the untold and the untamed

Debosh is more than a record label—it’s creating a new frontier in techno, driven by the power of storytelling, where unapologetic self-expression is not only encouraged but celebrated. Debosh is committed to supporting artists on their journey. The label is launching a branding and social media education portal, offering tools and guidance to help producers thrive in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape.

We spoke with ZLATA about her journey, inspirations, and the challenges of launching an independent label. Check out the interview below.

You sold everything to move to New York and pursue your career as a DJ and producer. What inspired you to make such a bold decision?

I committed to going all in on myself. NYC was the playground to make it happen—anything is possible here. The post-pandemic world challenged my identity. In that momentary apocalypse, I asked myself some existential questions: Who do I want to be? How do I want to show up? LA was becoming a blur—too many parties, dating the wrong men. I even tried polyamory. Spoiler alert: not for me. But music? Music felt real. Producing felt real. Sharing the music I was making felt real. Going deeper into my art felt real. I realized it was time to stop being afraid of myself and go all in.

Creating 150 demos and 20 tracks is an incredible achievement. How did this process shape your style and approach to music?

I was digging for something—almost possessed by this obsessive need for self-discovery. There’s so much noise. Social media, texts, DMs—everyone pulling at you, putting you on their agenda. I wanted to be on my own, to strip it all back and figure out what I actually wanted to say with my music. Sure, I can make a banger. But can I tell a story, and what is that story exactly? Around track 60, it started revealing itself—the deep, the dark, the bold, unapologetically feminine. I followed it. I stopped being precious, stopped feeling shame about shitty demos. The narrative became more interesting than my inadequacy. I am more free, less precious about my work and I’m still learning every day, still throwing raw ideas at the DAW until something sticks. But there’s always a story. Techno can be empty—that’s part of its purpose. But I wanted the root and the raw power of techno to carry the story that needed to break free.

"Debosh is more than a record label—it’s creating a new frontier in techno, where unapologetic self-expression is not only encouraged but celebrated."

What inspired you to create Debosh, and how did you define its mission to amplify femme and diverse voices in techno?

When I committed to techno, I was told to move to Europe because the US wasn’t great for a career in techno. But deep down, I knew the grass is greener where you water it. The US has a huge market for talent, with so many aspiring new voices—femme and diverse voices included. I felt that firsthand when my own music got rejected by labels for being a bit too different from the mainstream. I knew it wasn’t bad music—girls were dancing, my friends loved it. So I thought, OKAY, this needs to exist. With Debosh, I wanted to create a home for my music, a place where I could nurture and build a home for the talent that doesn’t quite fit into the usual boxes. There’s so much more room for new voices here, and I wanted to help shape that space.

'Rejection is best redirection' became a mantra for the birth of Debosh. Can you share how this philosophy reflects your journey?

Flow like water. I do take no for an answer. I do let doors close. If I’m knocking on a door for too long, I’m missing the other ones that are wide open. When you put yourself out there—signing 20 songs to labels, pitching for shows—you hear 'no' all the time. At first, it really got under my skin. But over time, I embraced it, and it got easier when I fully embodied my Pisces essence. My mom’s an astrologer, so let's roll with that.

Read this next: Shinedoe and Techno as an Expression of Freedom [Interview]

Your debut release on Debosh, 'Red Hot Sweat,' faced numerous rejections before becoming the label’s first track. What is the most powerful message you hope to convey with this track?

'Red Hot Sweat' is all about owning your power and owning it unapologetically. It’s a declaration that a woman’s body, desires, and choices are hers and hers alone—no one else’s to control or judge. The lyric 'I am seven of the deadly sins' digs deep into embracing that chaotic, untamed side of being a woman. It’s raw, it’s hyperfeminine, and it’s about being free from anyone else’s expectations.

"I realized it was time to stop being afraid of myself and go all in."

You’ve performed at iconic venues like Ultra Music Festival and Avant Gardner. What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

The most memorable moment of my career? Hands down, Avant Gardner. I was a huge fan of Eli Brown, and as a joke, I photoshopped my name onto his NYC show flyer. Three months later, I’m on stage with him, Bart Skils and Onnyva. That was just the beginning—we ended up doing four more shows together. If you can see it, you can create it. Then Ultra… yeah, that was wild. I was so nervous the night before, I literally threw up. All my USBs got corrupted from a Rekordbox update, so I had to rush to Best Buy in Miami, mascara smeared, looking like a hot mess, asking some poor dude, 'Where are your USBs?' He probably thought I was insane. But it all came together.

Debosh’s first showcase will take place in Los Angeles, followed by events in SF and San Diego. What can the audience expect from these live experiences?

A proper debosh—sweat, stamina, and sounds that don’t pander to algorithms. Just groove-heavy, body-moving techno in a space where people actually listen instead of flexing for IG stories. This isn’t about exclusivity—it’s about energy. No VIP nonsense, no green rooms full of people who don’t dance, and no phones, drinks, or yapping on the dancefloor. If you’re there, you’re part of it. And for a few hours, you are in blank space—nothing else exists. No politics, no trending topics, no status games. Just music that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go.

Follow ZLATA

Spotify | SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | TkTok

Follow Debosh

Website | Instagram