Lost My Dog was formed in 2005 by Strakes, Pete Dafeet and Najan Ward. In a very short space of time the label grabbed the attention of the world’s leading DJs, press and most importantly the record buying public with their fresh, unique and professional approach to underground house music. Within their first year iDJ magazine had tipped the label as one of the “100 reasons why dance music still rules”, going further to say that Lost My Dog was one of the “most exciting house labels to emerge from the UK recently”. DJ Magazine followed suit stating “this label has been one of the most inspiring over the year for me so far”.
In late 2008 DMC Update described Lost My Dog as “a great UK label, filling a vital gaping hole for the many bemoaning the absence of slightly-twisted house labels like Classic and M.F.F. while joining imprints like 2020 as a bastion of pure, deep house”. Leading producers and DJs as diverse as Groove Armada, Darren Emerson, Mark Farina and Nick holder have constantly shown their support with the likes of Mazi/Audio Soul Project going as far as to say that “Lost My Dog are single handedly restoring my faith in house music”.
Refusing to be pigeon-holed into any specific sub genre of house music, Lost My Dog releases range from deep house grooves, through Chicago influenced jackers, to acid and tech house floor rockers. Put succinctly by DJ Mag, ”Lost My Dog release vibrant house music with balls of steel.” Each release is aimed at pushing the label forward into new territory, releasing new sounds but always maintaining a high level of quality control. Part of this success is that all releases have to appeal to Strakes, Pete and Najan; if one of them isn’t feeling it then the record won’t be released.
This broad ranging sound is also reflected in the artists that Lost My Dog work with; a roster that encompasses a mixture of established names, rising stars and relative unknowns. Producers who have worked with Lost My Dog include the legendary Jay Tripwire, Milton Jackson, Greenskeepers, Fred Everything, Inland Knights, Julian Sanza (2020 Soundsystem), Jay West, Burnski, Atnarko, Kelvin K, Harold Heath, YSE (Rhythm Plate), Tommy Largo and a whole host of others, not forgetting of course, the label’s own Pete Dafeet.
As the label continues to go from strength to strength only one problem appears to still exist; finding the damn dog!
Lost My Dog People
Ian Straker (Strakes)
Ian Straker is responsible for A&R and the day to day operation of Lost My Dog, including scheduling, licensing, press, promotion and marketing. Aside from Lost My Dog, Ian also runs Kahua Music, a company specialising in promotional and publishing services for record labels and artists. Email Ian
Pete Dafeet
Pete Dafeet is responsible for A&R and is Lost My Dog’s in-house producer. Pete has also released music on a wide variety of labels including Toolroom, Shaboom, Robsoul, Detour, Uni.form and Ornate. He has remixed the likes of Jay Tripwire, Jake Island, Nathan Coles and No Assembly Firm and had his own music remixed by Inland Knights, Fred Everything and Demarkus Lewis amongst others. Pete also runs his own digital label Southside Shuffle. Email Pete
Najan Ward
Najan Ward is responsible for A&R, events and marketing at Lost My Dog. Aside from LMD Najan is an actor, screenwriter and producer, having appeared in shows such as Life On Mars and Doctors. He has also produced his own short film ‘The Pick Up’, co-written with Aml Ameen. Email Najan
