Meet our Founder: Rory
We’d like to introduce you to our founder; Rory Watts.
Rory founded Shibumi Records with a vision to create an independent record label and creative platform built to empower artists with the tools, knowledge, and infrastructure needed to build sustainable careers in the modern music industry.
With roots in the UK underground scene and decades of experience spanning DJ culture, production, business strategy, and digital design, Watts brings a rare combination of creative instinct and commercial insight to the label. His career began in the 1990s, where he performed at major clubs including Ministry of Sound, Pacha, and Blue Marlin, and later expanded into organising events, running studios, and working across media and technology.
Shibumi Records was founded not simply as a record label, but as a long-term ecosystem for artists. Under Watts’ leadership, the company has evolved into a multi-disciplinary platform offering artist development, publishing, ghost production, marketing services, education, and a growing podcast and membership community. The label places equal emphasis on musical excellence and mental resilience, encouraging artists to think of their careers as creative businesses rather than short-term pursuits.
Watts’ philosophy is heavily influenced by the Japanese concept of shibumi — understated elegance, balance, and quiet excellence. This ethos shapes both the label’s sound and its operations, favouring depth over hype and long-term value over fleeting trends. He is known for advocating clarity in music production through what he calls the “Attention Triangle,” a framework that encourages artists to focus on three core musical elements to strengthen identity and emotional impact.
In addition to his work in music, Watts is also the author of Grief, Gratitude & Sanity: Finding Peace and Beauty After Tragedy, a book that reflects his broader interest in emotional intelligence, creativity, and human resilience. These themes are echoed in Shibumi Records’ culture, where artistic growth is treated as inseparable from personal development.
Today, Rory Watts continues to expand Shibumi Records into a global-facing creative hub, combining high-fidelity production with education, storytelling, and community. His mission is clear: to build a label that does more than release records — one that helps artists find clarity, confidence, and a sustainable place in an increasingly complex industry.
