AFO Music is an independent record label built for bold voices who refuse to be boxed in. We’re not about trends or sticking to one lane. From jazz to thrash metal, from opera to contemporary classical, from festival stages to underground clubs, we celebrate music and artistry in all its raw, unapologetic forms.
Our mission is simple: empower creators to thrive while retaining control of their work. At AFO Music, artists keep the majority of ownership over their masters and receive the lion’s share of royalties. We handle domestic and international royalty tracking, mechanicals, publishing, and production needs—so creators can focus on their craft while knowing their rights and revenue are protected.
Founded by Dr. John Horgeshimer, who is a lifelong musician, composer, educator, and sonic architect, AFO Music is shaped by nearly 20 years of building ensembles, writing across genres, mentoring performers, and producing concerts. John’s role isn’t as a studio knob-turner but as the guy who hears the core of your sound and helps shape it before it ever hits the mic. Call it a mix of artistic developer and sonic architect: someone who can push you to sharpen your craft without sanding down your edge.
Those roots extend from DGL Artists into a broader vision: a label that honors legacy while opening doors to new expression across every genre and medium. Unlike traditional labels built on endless recoupment, AFO Music offsets its model through partnership-driven revenue. We share in live performances, merch, sync licensing, comedy specials, and premium services—so artists and the label grow together.
AFO Music is more than a label. It’s a place where artistry, in all its forms, has room to breathe, and where creative freedom isn’t just promised, it’s protected.
