THE ARTISTS:
LARS KLEIN
Lars Klein, born Dortmund (in the huge industrial Ruhr area), became infected with electronic music when he first listened to the vinyls of Jean-Michel Jarre.
In the Mid-80s, he got in touch with House music and it were labels such as "DJ International" and "Trax" who left their deepest traces with their impelling and propulsive electronic sounds without any vocal knick-knack whatsoever.
Equipped with turntables and a tape deck, he began to produce a series of amateur mix tapes which his friends and mates received with much enthusiasm. In the early 90s, he had his first DJ bookings which marked that Lars was set for his musical career. In 1994 he had assembled his first studio equipment, and he immediately began to work hard at developing his production skills.
The news spread like wild fire and he was soon snapped up by the crème de la crème of labels. Planet Rhythm, Primate and Fine Audio have all knocked on Lars' door for tracks and the demand has definitely not abated.
The fact that Lars is an excellent producer has been immortalised on vinyl, but what about his skills as a DJ? Any one who has seen Lars play will be able to tell you that he turns a crowd upside down and leaves them begging for more. The combination of German thoroughness to ensure seamless mixes and the innovative choice of records make him the perfect entertainer!
Lars started up his own label LK records in March 2004 to provide a platform for more of his work as well as that of artists he admires.
MICHEL BURKAT (GERMANY)
Michael Burkat had his first experience with Techno in the early 90's; but first contact with electronic music in the 70..s / 80..s with Bands like Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, J.M.Jarre, Joy Division and DAF. A few years later, in 1994, he traveled to the Tribal Gathering Party to Munich and from this night on, Techno became to one of the most important things in Michael..s life. After being taken over by the sounds of House and Techno, Michael had his first residency in a small techno club in Dortmund, Germany. There he played his weekly set of House and Techno. At the end of 1996, Michael started working at a Dortmund based record store named Channel Jam. From his good work for the record store and his club-residency, Michael attracted the attention of "Fine Audio Recordings" and in April of 1999 he was hired as A&R for Fine Audio to continue the brilliant work Chris Liebing did.
In September 1999 Michael released his first record on Fine Audio, which was co-produced by Henry Cullen. Later in 1999, Michael founded "Compressed" Records. In 2000 Michael build up his own studio and began to work as an engineer.
After a successful 3 ½ -years work as A&R of the UMCG labels Fine Audio and Compressed, Michael decides to take his own path and separate from UCMG Germany in December 02. He's continued developing his production and Dj-skills over the years and is now successful in his own work with his very own labels. With the founding of his company "Still Music" in February 2003 he has set the basis for further activities. April 2003 brought the launch of his fresh own imprints "Temper" and "Goodfellas". Together with Bound, Northwest Dynamics and Still Music, there are now 5 top-labels to be found under the "Still Music"roof.
Michael Burkat has grown in stature over the last 8 years and have been produced quality techno with support from DJs around the world. With releases on well known labels like Primate, Planet Rhythm, Audio, Heroes, Patterns, Kiddaz and many others, he is still a part of the worldwide techno scene. This scene has seen many producers come and go but Michael has mutated his distinct sound over the years to keep listeners interested. As a DJ, Michael has traveled throughout all of Germany and Europe and his sets, like his productions, are compositions of clearly structured sounds, which never bore any dance floor. Michael has always leaned towards the groovy and melancholic side of techno whilst never taking his eyes off the dancefloor and his latest album "A place called nowhere" (together with his buddy Lars Klein) , should see his sound reaching a wider range of supporters than ever.
RYUJI TAKEUCHI (JAPAN)
RYUJI TAKEUCHI WAS BORN IN OSAKA, AND THEN FIRST CONTACTED WITH ELECTRONIC MUSIC IN THE EARLY 90S. IN THE LATE 90S, HE MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES, WHERE HE STARTED TO SPIN AT PARTIED WITH HIS FRIENDS. AT THAT TIME, HE PLAYED ACROSS TECHNO, ELECTRO AND HOUSE MUSIC NO MATTER HOW HE WANTED.
AS SOON AS HE GOT BACK HE OBTAINED 2 TURNTABELS AND A MIXER, SO THAT HE CHECK OUT A LOT OF RECORDS FOR INSPIRATIONS. FOR THAT MOMENT, HE WAS INTERESTED IN VARIOUS STYLE OF MUSIC, INCLUDING EVEN DEEP HOUSE, JAZZ AND AMBIENT.
AFTER THAT, HE GOT A SAMPLER AND SEQUENCER TO START HIS CAREER AS A PRODUCER, EVENTUALLY LEARNED PROGRAMMING AND EDITTING. THAT WAS THE TIME WHEN HE UNCONSCIOUSLY ESTABLISHED HIS STUDIO SKILLS TO TRANSFORM PLENTY OF IDEA TO EVIL PRODUCTIONS.
THEN, HE HAS RECENTLY FOUNDED HIS OWN IMPRINT, 'LOCAL SOUND NETWORK' ON WHICH HE INTENDS TO INTRODUCE TALENTED PRODUCERS FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL. THROUGH ALL THE EXPERIENCES, HE'S STILL LOOKING FOR A WAY TO INSPIRE THE WORLD...
Not sure if I left a comment for you or not...but if I haven't then you need to drop in and say hello and take a peek at my newest mix I have posted up! Thanks again and happy listening
