HiLo Records

The HiLo Story

New York City · Established 1996

Founded in New York City in 1996 by Jonathan Trattner, HiLo Records emerged from the city's thriving underground dance-music scene. A producer, songwriter, and forward-thinking entrepreneur, Trattner established the label as its founder and CEO, shaping its creative direction and producing much of its catalog.

HiLo's early years combined music production, live performances, and independently produced nightclub events, initially building an audience through university and college networks. As the label's releases gained recognition, Trattner & Galvan expanded their touring presence, performing at legendary venues including Limelight and Roxy in New York City, establishing a weekly residency at Filter 14 in Manhattan's Meatpacking District, and appearing at clubs across the country, including Ruby Skye in San Francisco.

Built on Vinyl. Distributed Worldwide.

HiLo's early releases were produced on 12-inch vinyl, mastered in the United Kingdom, pressed in Prague, and distributed internationally. This hands-on approach gave the label direct experience in every stage of the record business, from production and manufacturing to worldwide distribution.

Its catalog spanned house, progressive house, and tribal house, featuring Rivera & Trattner, Trattner & Galvan, Lenny Fontana, and other artists. HiLo's productions earned international DJ support, radio airplay, and Billboard coverage, with music licensed to established labels including Strictly Rhythm and Warner Bros. Its music also reached national television audiences through placements in syndicated programming.

For years, HiLo's illuminated logo was displayed in the front window of New York's legendary Satellite Records, reflecting its roots in the city's vinyl and DJ culture.

Pioneering Digital Radio & Podcasting

For seven years, Trattner & Galvan hosted the HiLo All-Stars Radio Show, a two-hour weekly program broadcast every Sunday on XM Radio's Channel 80, The Move. The show welcomed special guest DJs including Grammy Award winner Hex Hector, Cevin Fisher, Creamer & K, Chus & Ceballos, Victor Calderone, and Lenny Fontana.

Recognizing the potential of podcasting early, HiLo made episodes available through the HiLo All-Stars Radio Mix Show podcast on Apple iTunes, releasing each broadcast one week after its original XM airing. The project later expanded into a collaboration with XM Radio on the HiLo All-Stars Radio Mix Show compilation, distributed digitally through iTunes and Beatport.

In 2006, Trattner and HiLo were featured in OnBeat Electronic Online for their embrace of emerging digital technologies and independent music distribution. Building on its experience in worldwide vinyl distribution, HiLo partnered with InGrooves (now part of Virgin Music Group) as the industry transitioned toward digital music.

Thirty Years of History. A New Era of Sound.

Three decades after its founding, HiLo Records is entering a new creative chapter, expanding beyond its electronic dance-music roots to explore new genres, new sounds, and new possibilities.

The technology has changed. The music continues to evolve. The independent spirit remains.