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0x7f

Stefan Klaas aka 0x7f was born in 1983. As true kid of the 80s, growing up with the commodore c64, he was always fascinated by the wonderful blips and bleeps coming out of those retro computers and soon moved into production of his own chiptunes at the age of 16. Soon he started to put some more effort behind production and bought a mc-303 in 1999. He began to visit the club scene in Munich and soon started to enjoy the old Ultraschall club. According to him, this was one of his biggest influences. In those years he mostly worked on electro and techno tunes, but the 8bit scene also kept his interest. He started to work more on his own tracks and released them on 8bit netlabels such as Micromusic.

About the same time he started to work with Chloe ‘Ladybug’ Dellea, who is still doing great vocals for his tracks today. His gear kept growing aswell. The electribes from korg were one of his favorite synths. In 2003 he got in contact with Jeremy Collosine who, at that time, started the 8bit-operators. He asked 0x7f to join his project and after a few years of work, they presented the 8bit operators Kraftwerk covers compilation released on New Yorks finest label Astralwerks in 2007!

In the beginning of 2007 he founded his own label 31337 Records along with Philip Rauh and Sebastian Koch. Their first release, where 0x7f provided 2 tracks, was a huge success, followed by his first EP on 31337 – ‘Out Of The Blue’ and a whole album in 2008. His current style is a mix between subtle minimal techno and deep melodic tracks. His talent to twist own field recordings into choppy rhythms or spheric crackling textures, will surely be enjoyed by everyone who loves minimal and glitch. – Kc. 2008

Azek

Hailing from the eastside of Berlin, Azek devoted his life to music at the tender age of 16. Originally djing house and techno in bars around, the fascination for production later lured him deeper into the world of electronic music and eventually saw him djing in Tresor. In 2002 he moved to London and kept developing sounds into a more calm-sounding techno direction. Now Azek is mainly known for his floaty ~ melting dub-tech-house vibe somewhere in between dancefloor and bar. Coming from his passion for music and music-technology he’d been recoding live gigs, samples, remixing and mastering for various local projects around east London in the last couple of years.

Benjamin Fehr

‘Benjamin Fehr, Berlin based producer, DJ and head honcho of Catenaccio records is permanently working on the development of “Groove Noir’. Artists like Ricardo Villalobos, Roman Fluegel, Falko Brocksieper, Jay Haze, Butane, Dana Ruh, or labelhead Benjamin Fehr I ffwd are working perfectly together towards the definition of ‘Groove Noir’, which is the final destination of the label. Basses well under the radar, buzzing sounds, subtle darkness and stumbeling grooves grow together to the special irritating and hypnotizing idea of Catenaccio, that is also brought to you through the special weird artwork of the covers. You will find Catenaccio tracks in charts and cases of Magda,

Ritchie Hawtin, Dinky, Luciano, Zip, Jeremy Caulfield, Karotte, Mia, Chloe, Jennifer Cardini and many others. Since 1993 he is working as a DJ in lots of clubs and radioshows. He was resident in several clubs, like Ostklub Frankfurt (1997-2000), the institution Robert Johnson Club Offenbach (‘electric circus’ with Roman Fluegel, Zip, Heiko M.S.O. and Krystyna, 1999-2002), Schmalclub (an experimental clubconcept between art, performance and music hosted by William Forsythe) and the legendary Kiosk (Frankfurt / M).

Numerous national and international bookings followed (like Panoramabar, Init, Wmf, Watergate, Bar 25, Club der Visionaere -all in Berlin, Pudel club Hamburg, Lounge Hamburg, Sushi bar Paris, Kunsthalle Innsbruck, Arttheater Cologne, Arma 17 Moscow, Harry Klein Munich, Vrstck Dortmund…). After some experiences in running a pirate radio station in Frankfurt (with Sascha Benedetti) since 1994, he played regulary in several radioshows (Rdl Freiburg, DJ night & twen arena on radio x Frankfurt…). From 2004 to 2010 he had his own monthly show called ‘Catenaccio – the radioshow’ on radio x. In his adapted home Frankfurt am Main (while studying arts and graphics) he was an activist in organizing illegal parties in hidden places and buildings in Frankfurt and Offenbach.

In 2002 he ran the charming, illegal, one year existing club Kiosk (schutzkontakt.com), that invited lots of famous and beloved people like Ricardo Villalobos, Zip, Roman Fluegel, closer music, Akufen, Lawrence, Luciano, Stl, Dandy Jack, Sasse or Benno Blome in a personal and familiar surrounding. In 2004 Benjamin Fehr started his label Catenaccio. Since 2005 Benjamin Fehr lives and works in Berlin. Since 2008 he has a regular ‘Groove Noir night’ at ‘Club der Visionaere’, the best summer location in Berlin, where he and his guests are going deep into dark electronics. In the last years he produced besides on his own imprint Catenaccio on labels like Foundsound, Brouqade, Lowmidhigh lmtd, Tic Tac Toe, Nervmusic, Adjunct and many more.

Since 3 years he is working also on his project ‘The Result’, a coproduction with Falko Brocksieper (Sub-static, Karloff, Contexterrior, Tuning Spork). Inspired to create a laid back environment between improvisation and restriction, the two are exploring ways to join their different views on shared passion for deep, dark, organic and abstract techno. Benjamin Fehr already released on labels like Foundsound, Nervmusic, Brouqade, Lomidhigh, Eminor, Woods’n'bass, Frucht, Adjunct, False ind. Soon there will be out remixes on, Nervmusic, Suena Hermosa, 31337 Records, Leet and for sure the release ‘If you had lips’ on Mean records in January 2012.’

Den

Den was born and brought up in Tokyo, but he was living in several cities around the globe such as St. Pauli or London and is currently living in Berlin. He started his music career as a freelance cm/cf music creator. He has done loads of jingles, aswell as soundtracks, games and ringtones. Den started djing around 1998 and has played alongside with Andy Vaz, DB, Fumiya Tanaka, and many other mostly minimal artists in London (Mark Henning, Ekkkohaus, Sebastian Russell, Italoboyz etc.). His releases are now on sale or coming up on labels like ‘Them’, ‘Multi Vitamins’, ‘Clever Music’, ‘Op.disc’ etc. To produce his music, he is mainly working with cubase, max/msp, and ableton on win/mac platforms.

Ditch

Ditch, aka Shinichiro Kono, is a Japanese producer who currently resides in Sendai, Japan. He’s been djing minimal house/techno at various clubs since 2001, but it wasn’t until 2005 that he began producing his own tracks that are aimed not only for the dancefloor but also for alternative listening environments. One of his great musical abilities is that he can go in several musical directions with retaining his strong character and this is a remarkable achievement for someone who has been making music for such a short time. This point has helped him to earn the respect of numerous labels over the world, such as ‘Minibar’, ‘Safari Electronique’, ‘Microcosm’, ‘Goosehound’, ‘Kalimari’, ‘Op.disc’ and of course ’31337′.

DJ Lab

Fierce competition breeds quality. The top DJs of Copenhagen, Denmark are renowned for their technical skills and immaculate sets. A high standard set by years and years of competitiveness in a city, that only in recent years has bloomed in number of venues, parties and promoters. One of the finest members of this scene is Anders Brøndum - DJ Lab. With his fine-tuned ears for beats and breakdowns and highly accomplished abilities behind two decks, he’s been a match for pretty much every DJ he’s played with. Copenhagen partygoers hail memorable nights with Lab and names like Laurent Garnier, Michael Mayer, Surgeon, Jay Denham, DJ Rush, Blake Baxter, Abe Duque, Daniel Bell, Carl Craig etc.

Lab’s style took off as straight up banging minimalism but has developed considerably over the years. Today, his arsenal ranges from Detroit techno over Cologne’ism to minimal house. As long as it’s quality, it’s playable. Lab started spinning records in the early 90s. Mostly Hip Hop and grooves. Under heavy influence from co-conspirator, Danish techno producer Bjøvin, he gained a heavy interest in the electronic sound. And true to his modus, he spent days and days and days of vinyl on, vinyl off, honing and perfecting his quickmixing skills before he went out and took the city by storm with his straight-to-the-floor extravaganza. 1996-98, Lab played numerous events.

Among others at the legendary Copenhagen simplicity and club Mantra techno events as well as gigs at SO-36 and Maria in Berlin. From 1998-2000 he was a regular name in the Roskilde festival lineup. Playing for thousands and thousands of ravers at one of Europe’s largest music festivals. By 2000 his credentials had brought him a monthly residence on the national radio of Denmark. From 2004 and onwards, he’s upheld a residence at Copenhagen’s largest club ‘Vega’. And since its opening in January 2005, internationally respected electronic club ‘Culture Box’ has put Lab on the lineup numerous times. In the summer of 2005, Lab decided to broaden the field – to use his instincts, experience and abilities as a DJ to create music himself.

True to his perfectionism, he worked fulltime for a year in his laboratory to fine-tune his knowledge and skills in the production process. Now, the first results have begun to tickle out. Lab has signed his first release with well known Danish label ‘Echocord’. And more is on the way, by the man himself or in collaboration with several others of Denmarks’ finest producers. Watch out. He’s only getting better and better.

DoubtingThomas

French born, London based A. Riviere aka DoubtingThomas first started his musical journey in 1998 after a childhood obsession with drums and their rythmatic allure. Producing down tempo and electronic sounds led to a rapid progression into live recordings and soundscaping which lured him away from France to London in 2000. Here he studied sound engineering at the acclaimed SAE continuing his ever growing passion for freedom of expression. London and its underground electronic music scene rapidly became Riviere’s main focus and he began composing for independent films and collaborating on projects with London’s up and coming underground artists whilst defining his concept as

DoubtingThomas and his sound on the scene. Regular nights at Cafe 1001, Unit 7 and numerous renowned venues led to meeting and working alongside Doudou Malicious’s ‘Multi Vitamins records’, Buenos Aire’s Dilo’s infamous ‘Igloo records’ as well as Cesare vs. Disorder’s brainchild ‘Essentialreload’ and San Francisco based ‘Two Circles’. Through his numerous releases we have seen and heard DoubtingThomas’s intriguing productions in motion.

Years of record collecting, playing and collaborating in London and around Europe have seen him find his own original and defined sound, influences of which we undoubtedly see stream their way throughout his production and sets today. His down tempo, minimal house and quirky techno always look for the patterns and structure of the inner sound. sequences within the sound, reaction of the mind and body as well as the interaction of images across the music…. These are the ideas behind DoubtingThomas’s music.

Dualism°°

‘Dualism°°’ are Kwamina and Gab from Zurich. Thanks to their graphic design/art ballet and theater background the aesthetics plays an essential part in their life. On a daily base they have to look at the things from every angle as they are used to expose and deal with visual forms & shapes & colours as well as movements & motions. At the moment however, all is about music. With their delicate flair for future sound-trends, the innovative and versatile swiss-duo developes and creates since 2005 their very own definition of the ‘so-called‘ minimal techno. Their debut release on Pheek’s label Archipel ‘Dualism°° – Speech Defect EP., 2006’ showed their skills in impressive way.

In 2008 they attract attention with the ‘A Fool’s Tale EP.‘ on Jeff Milligan’s cultlabel ‘Revolver Canada’. Today, their sound appears minimally as twisted, queer-melodic deep and wicked techno with much love to the detail. Their sound surprises with unconventional rhythm-structures and many-layered sound-design. their distinctive style and preference for idiosyncratically and broken sounds as well as the clever use of vocal-snippets is always present on their productions and performances. As performing live pa, there is no compromise on their set. Always improvising one will never hear the same music twice. haunting melodies meet deep beats and luring atmospheres in order to create a unique blend of powerful dynamics.

There’s a bunch of interesting 12inch records coming up in the near future with remixes from Mo’s Ferrys head ‘Dapayk’ – Alphahouse crack ‘Butane’. In January 2009 the duo started their own label ‘Numbolic records’ with releases from ‘Phase‘ – ‘Suedmilch‘ – ‘Lump‘ – ‘Hidenobu Ito‘ – ‘Sebastian Herre’ – ‘Dualism°°‘ and many others. In July 2009 it was time to start a 2nd label ‘Numbolic unlimited‘ (vinyl 12’’). They’ll will work together with well established musicians like ‘Franco Cinelli‘ – ‘Lineas de Nazca’ – ‘Alejandro Vivanco‘ – ‘Cesare vs. Disorder’ – ‘Butane‘ a.o.

Haruyuki Yokoyama

Haruyuki Yokoyama (producer / Architect) from Kanagawa, Japan was originally inspired by electronic music from the mid 90’s. His first musical experiences came from starting an electronic band with some talented friends, and in 1998, his solo electronic music productions began.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1999, he studied Architecture, but his passion for electronic music continued. In 2003, he returned to his native homeland of Japan to live in Tokyo, where he continues to create his own take on minimal techno.

Hubble

In early 2007 Giuseppe Marchegiano began to produce under the pseudonym of Hubble, shortly after the release of his first vinyl on Moulton label, he began to gather support from the underground and techno scene in Berlin and on international level. His productions and tracks are considered precious rarities as they are only printed on limited edition series, in fact he likes to consider his works as tools to be played by close friends not necessairly intended to be officially released. Hubble’s ‘long hypnotic journeys’ as they call them are available only to a lucky few. Hubble, with his floating Techno sound and Pyschedelic atmospheres has fronted a number of parties in Berlin.

Amongst them his own partie thrown at Berghain Kantine and called ‘Forget Me Not’ which is also his debut album title released in September 2010 by Pheek and his Canadian Label Archipel. In 2009 he began his collaboration with Sleep Is Commercial, he is now one of the crew organizing really intense Techno parties in Berlin and grooving people into underground locations around Europe being his music a landmark for the psychedelic groovy sound of the label. He runs the label’s limited vinyl series called sic ltd, it began with ‘Kirks and Ghosts’ and ‘La Estrella’ out on Summer 2010, followed by ‘Focus’ and ‘Tribute02′ out in April 2011.

Hubble is also a frequent guest in some of the most important locations in Berlin such as Club der Visionaere, Watergate, Arena, Bar25, Suicide Circus. Summer 2011 will mark his debut on some important labels in the European Techno scene: Haknam with the tracks ‘Floating Souls’ and ‘Sand’ out on May 2011, Prologue with a new project called Blue and the Berliner label White. February 2011 Hubble has begun to work on his second album which will be called ‘Reverse’ and that will be released by Sleep Is Commercial.