The loooooong summer “Pause”

Well peeps, it’s been a while…sorry for not giving so much news lately. We won’t get away by saying we were too busy to write blog entries. Nah, you know the deal, summer is summer. And specially in Berlin where the sun is playing “now you see me, now you don’t” each day, we can’t afford to miss the soul-soothing rays of our favourite star when they appear… Continue reading “The loooooong summer “Pause””

Inside the groove part 1: Test Pressings

It’s not always fun and games to run a brand new vinyl label: bills to pay, stress from the pressing plant, release sheets to prepare (I mean, sometimes you’re just not inspired to write about music, right?), Computer DJs nagging for promos…

But there’s one special event that always make the Retreaters überhappy (my german teacher says “über” is the new “awesome” in American schools, I somehow doubt her): the delivery of Test Pressings! The DHL box that gets carried 4 stairs (the employees love us) to the Retreat HQ is always treated like a gift from the gods…

The fun part doesn’t stop there since we (I mean Hauke) then spend a whole afternoon stamping our T.P.’s with an  infamous R and print info sheets that will slide between the record and it’s paper sleeve, just like the old days.

This week, we received promos of RTR02 (a super fresh EP by Session Victim) and 45 lucky DJs/Music Lovers/Bookers/Friends will get a nice shining copy. But before the records are posted or given hand to hand, it looks a bit like this at Retreat HQ:

RTR02 stamping 006

2 weeks in the life of Retreat

Yes. That’s it. Now it’s official. After numerous months of gestation the first release of RETREAT hit the vinyl shops worldwide! It was a lot of work for Hauke and I (especially for Hauke because he’s more the computer nerd…plus I can be a lazy mofo sometimes), but of course it was all worth it! The vinyl smells good, Gesine’s artwork looks extra tight, the sleeves are solid and most importantly the tracks sound HEAVY, thanks to the scientists at Dubplates & Mastering.

We threw a release party on the 10th of April at the marvellous Tape club in Berlin. Playing live for the first time in Berlin, Session Victim absolutely rocked the place! It was honestly the highlight of the night. Agnès performed a bouncy DJ set and I had a great time doing the warm-up, but Hauke & Mathias got the whole crowd going crazy and the industry headz at the bar taking notice…Yes, Session Victim are set to do damage this year!

It also looks like Retreat will start a monthly party in Kreuzberg best kept’s secret location…I organised a marvellous party last thursday with Tokyo’s finest DJ Kent and sonic grandmaster Hunee. The vibe was so warm and friendly that Hauke and I have decided to turn the spot into Retreat’s HQ for some monthly madness…more infos to come very, very soon!