Leisure System launch label

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    Thu, Mar 31, 2011, 12:00
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  • After three years of parties, the Berlin party has announced the formation of their own label.
  • Leisure System launch label image
  • Leisure System, a club brand that has thrown parties at Berlin's Berghain for three years, has decided that the time has come to pin their sound down and release it to the masses. The label, conveniently called Leisure System as well, will hew closely to the sort of music played at their parties. "I think we all feel that the audience, clubs and press have developed a new understanding and appreciation for electronic music recently, which is much more curious and open-minded than ever before," says Michail Stangl, AKA Area Boy, one of the three Leisure System resident DJs. In celebration of the imminent launch of the imprint, the crew will be heading tomorrow to London for their first gig on UK shores. Featuring Chris Clark and Jimmy Edgar amongst others, they'll be bringing their open-minded approach to Corsica Studios. We spoke to the three team members, Ned Beckett (DJ N>E>D), Sam Barker (Voltek) and Michail Stangl (Area Boy), about their vision for the label.
    For the Londoners who haven't been lucky enough to visit your parties in Berlin, could you describe your sound? Do you plan to stick to this sound for the label? Sam: At our parties, we've always tried to strike a balance between futuristic ideas and something that connects to the history of dance music. On one hand we like to explore new patterns on the dancefloor, even if it means taking a risk and challenging the audience. And on the other hand we like to play the music that keeps us up and dancing all night. Ned: The label will be a continuation of this theme. To summarize; diverse, traditional, futuristic and surprising. We want to be like the friend you have that always comes to you with new and exciting music, knowing that you'll love it, even if you may never have considered listening to this kind of sound before. Who have you got on your roster and what is your release schedule looking like? Ned: The feedback and the tracks we got after announcing our plans only within our circle of friends was just overwhelming! We got so much great music, that it was honestly a hard decision what to put out first. But we finally decided to premier with an EP by a fresh talent from Moscow, Pixelord, which will be on the garage-y and wonky side of things. Afterwards we'll drop a couple of sought-after tunes by Eprom and an EP from our own resident Sam Barker, who also produces under the name Voltek and recently had a release on Ostgut Ton together with nd_Baumecker as Barker & Baumecker. What will each tune need to contain for it to make the cut? Sam: Kick drums? Michail: It just has to be the best tune written up to that point in music history. No, honestly speaking we do not have any pattern or stencil we would apply. We are really open-minded to every sound and every artistic vision. Have you any plans for any accompanying media, artwork, etc.? Sam: We want to make each release not only sonically, but visually stunning. Not long ago there were big discussions about how the mp3 was going to wipe out physical formats, but the reality is that people are even more aware of the value in musical objects these days. Is there anything else that you want to tell us about the label? Ned: If you can't wait to get some of the Leisure System love, tune into our new radio show! Live from our studio in Berlin, every first Wednesday of the month! Or visit our Soundcloud page, there are already neat sets by Machinedrum and Lapalux waiting for you!
    Tracklist A1 Iron + Cream A2 Cycloferon B1 Radiozilla B2 In the Mine Leisure System will release its debut EP from Pixelord later this year.

RA