Manifesto ~ Info ~ what defines us ~ who what and why:

Electronic music, especially Techno, has developed in a very versatile way in various genres and styles over the last thirty years. From the experimental visions of composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, from Kraftwerk, to the gay or queer disco and dance scene of New York and Chicago, to Electro, Ambient, Industrial, and onward to the Europe of Post Punk Electronic, Synth Pop and Acid House, Techno found its final definition in Detroit. Upon superficial consideration, one might be under the impression that everything has long been said about Techno, however a more profound view can easily refute this.

The production of Techno music is based on the constant development of technical progress on the one hand, and on the other hand on the latest perspectives which every new generation of Techno enthusiasts brings with them. Thus, the acoustic visions of sound tinkerers and the know-how of the producers, the software engineers, the mastering studios continue to be responsible for Techno as the definition of what constitutes the music of the future.

Techno styles such as Dark, Dub, Industrial, Minimal, Psychedelic or Ambient Techno demonstrate the classic landmarks and represent the fundamental basis of Techno. Especially through the fusion with other electronic music styles such as Break Beat, Ambient, Bass, Leftfield, Krautrock, Electro, Trip Hop, Dubstep or Trap, the foundation of Techno undergoes a rejuvenation time and again. Techno music producers and DJs have since followed their intention to produce the temporary sound in accordance to their musical preferences in order to give it a home in their social environment, in the Techno club, in their Techno scene or with the release on a record label of their aspiration.

Due to the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment regulations since March 2020, artists, DJs and producers suddenly had almost no opportunities to play in front of an audience, no performances in club interiors, that is no more bookings. Those who could financially afford the ordered break used the months, among other things, to give their feelings and their perception of this state of emergency an acoustic form in their (home) studio. What is new is that numerous Techno fans have engaged themselves in the production of electronic music. For example, a large number of up-and-coming producers who could not go to school during the crisis or professional workers of all ages (like me at the age of 49) felt the desire to finally shape their vision of Techno in 2021. This takes place through learning by doing, via online formats or for interns at studio sessions of musician friends, where the technical and artistic basis of the production of electronic music becomes accessible.

Thus, the acoustic visions of sound tinkerers and the know-how of the producers, the software engineers, the mastering studios continue to be responsible for Techno as the definition of what constitutes the music of the future.

Dasfax 2022

The massive output of productions from recent times has already triggered a mind shift, and the Techno music market can expect an intensive phase. Times of crisis are also times of founding. This circumstance creates a marvelous opportunity to act autonomously and independently from the standards of a „major“ Techno label and to make one’s own creative musical output accessible to the public and to advance the idea of founding one’s own record label: That was the hour of birth for dancer plays records. Founded in September 2021, the month in which the Berlin Senate decided that clubs may now reopen their interior spaces when adhering to the so-called 2G rule (for recovered or vaccinated persons). Club life without masks or distance control, hopefully with all its versatility of excellent music and parties, is gradually gaining momentum again.

With its future catalogue, dancer plays records (dpr) aims to release electronic music by artists who are willing to position themselves as an opposition to the (Techno) establishment with strength of character and creative individuality. True to the credo „We can integrate, but we will by no means subordinate ourselves“, dancer plays records stands for diversity and independence in the cosmos of Techno.

Techno is like the light-footedness of the dancer, the euphoria at the heart of a dance floor, the dissolution of boundaries, the moment of reflection and freedom.

DASFAX | dancer plays records