The brand began as an Instagram page and now plans features, video, an archive, events and releases, according to the deal’s press release. The parties did not disclose financial terms.
Simon Dunmore, who founded Defected Records in 1999, has bought a majority stake in House Culture, according to a press release published on Record of the Day and a report by Music Business Worldwide (MBW). House Culture is a house-music brand that started as an Instagram page. The parties announced the deal on Wednesday, Oct 21, but did not disclose financial terms, MBW reports. It brings one of house music’s best-known label founders back into the business after he played his last DJ shows in 2023.
What Simon Dunmore is buying into
Stephen Hedge and Richard Clark founded House Culture, MBW reports. The pair met on a dance floor in Shoreditch, London, in 2012. Later, they set up the Instagram account to share records, artists and parties. House Culture says the account is now close to 100,000 followers.
Over time, the brand added a podcast, playlists and events. The House Culture Podcast launched in 2019, led by contributor Matt Rouse. Its guests have included Fatboy Slim, Danny Tenaglia and David Morales, according to MBW.
Now the plan is bigger. House Culture wants to become a “global platform dedicated to documenting, celebrating and furthering the culture” of house music, MBW reports. The podcast and radio show will sit at the center. Around them, the team plans original features, video, YouTube content, playlists, a newsletter and an archive. Events and music releases are also planned.
“Premature in my retirement”
Dunmore first appeared on the podcast as a guest in 2024. Since then, he has hosted episodes himself, MBW reports. At the time, he was “coming to terms that perhaps I needed purpose in my life and that I was premature in my retirement,” Dunmore said, according to MBW.
He also set out a goal for the brand. “We are committed to ensuring that the people who helped build this culture are properly credited,” he said, according to MBW. Meanwhile, Hedge, Clark and Rouse said in a joint statement that they want to see “how far we can take it.”
Dunmore’s road from Defected
Dunmore launched Defected in January 1999, MBW reports. In 2022, the label’s former managing director, Wez Saunders, acquired the company and became CEO. At that point, Dunmore moved into an A&R consultant role. He played his last shows as a touring DJ in 2023. Then, in October 2025, he launched NBT Records with Armada Music, according to MBW.
The deal also follows another media sale in the scene. In January 2025, Superstruct Entertainment bought Boiler Room from DICE for £25 million, MBW reports.
Sources: House Culture / Simon Dunmore announcement, as reported by Music Business Worldwide (Oct 22); Press release on Record of the Day (Oct 22)
Image: Defected Records (archive press photo, per Music Business Worldwide)
