Introduce Yourself: Marcel Dettmann Presents MDR

Hardwax, Ost Gut, Berghain… Marcel Dettmann is an artist born from some of Berlins’ most iconic musical institutions. Getting first choice of the stock in local vinyl specialist Hardwax and cutting his production teeth over smokes with Marcel Fengler and at the parties of the early 90’s, he soon found his first residency at Ost Gut. Becoming part of the family this lead to a residency at Berghain and finding a home for his music on the venue’s own label where he steadily earned the respected status he holds today - in Berlin and techno community at large. The city has cemented a passionate and resolute feeling about ‘making records’ and that shows in his own label MDR’s approach to putting out music in a suitably low key way – steadfastly pressing the music his friends make to wax. It’s an ideal and approach that’s caught our ear and ahead of the label’s takeover of Room Two this Saturday we caught up with Marcel to discuss the stories behind the records… Marcel Dettmann – Lattice (MDR) “I wanted to release great music from friends so I started Marcel Dettmann Records - simply called MDR.” A simple premise for a label then and one that’s just considering that ‘simple’ is a word that encapsulates the operation of the label too: hand stamped white labels, little or no PR, just distributed through Hardwax’s channels. The first release came in 2006 with MDR001 a two tracker from the label founder himself that carry the raw, driving, minimal sound that Dettmann was making his own. The first friend to make their way onto the label was Norman Nodge, one of the founding figures of the East Germany techno scene. The pair met in the early 90’s on Dettmann’s first trips to Berlin. Friendship bloomed and Marcel was offered his first ever gig at Norman’s dirty techno parties… “He is cool and relaxed. I love the way that he produces his music - and of course the results. He's a great guy.” Norman Nodge - Convergence (MDR) Nodge also makes up one of the select guests for MDR Records exclusive showcase here, this Saturday, where he’s appearing alongside the UK live debut of Wincent Kunth. The only work to date that he’s put down on wax came on the 2010 Ost Gut released ‘Dettmann Remixed’ but he’s another or Marcel’s talented ‘friends’ who’ll be getting his own pressing on MDR later this year. “Wincent Kunth is an old friend of mine as well. We both come from the same hometown called Fürstenwalde. He used to be a big dark wave fan in the late 80’s early 90's (he kind of still is) and introduced me to bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Dead Can Dance and so on. He's living in Zurich now and I'm really looking much forward to his first live set at the MDR night at fabric.” Marcel Dettmann - Wound Up - Wincent Kunth Remix (Ostgut Ton)