Markus Guentner if a child’s nursery features not a tin drum but two turntables including a mixer, the occupant is most certainly not preparing for some kind of folkloristic brass band event in his contemplative bavarian hometown of regensburg…

the specialised press calls markus guentner -- who is a renowned minimal and ambient musician as well as a dj – the “inventor of pop ambient”. for quite a while he’s been creating his tracks in his home town of regensburg – but they are now equally popular with cologne label kompakt and mathias schaffhaeuser’s ware imprint.

since his debut album “in moll” (2001) guentner’s tracks have increased in groove and grew into the smooth tech-house-tracks on the successor “audio island”, which appeared two years later. his remix of the talk talk classic “such a shame” ended up on the turntables of djs around the globe. and just like his songs, markus guentner is a popular guest in clubs across the usa, asia and europe.

in 2005, markus guentner released his third album “1981”. each of the eight album tracks easily runs for seven minutes and largely gets along without beats. this is ambient music at its purest.

at the end of the year, a rework album called „underarms/sideways“ was published on the legendary british label 4ad and represented a continuous ambient production for the hero of the indie shoegaze label ivo russel-watts aka the hope blister.

in march 2006, the ware-album „lovely society“ was released. on this album, the artist once again published his latest 4-2-the-floor tracks, the same as he’s been doing since 2001, but for the first time he also proved vehemently that his understanding of house and techno goes way beyond dub and minimal house.

spex magazine describes guentner as a „minimalist metropolis refuser”, who thanks to his affinity to ambient and shoegazing pop and indie manages to “put works into the world that are extremely smart from a popcultural perspective”.

however, markus guentner intends to achieve more than to just make music from regensburg. since last year he’s been the co-host of a regular club event called sublime, which aims to unite indie, shoegaze and electronica under the same mirror ball.

at the end of 2007 his new album will be released on the brand new cocoon-sublabel 'silence'. so keep your eyes and ears open ...
Linus Quick Linus Quick’s musical career started in 2002, when he became resident DJ in Ingolstadt’s Treibhaus Club. Teaming up with Sascha Koch, they were responsible for legendary Treibhaus nights and played remarkably a part over the years of making the club to one of bavaria’s hotspots. But the beat was placed much early in his bassinet! 2004 he decided consequentially to produce his own music, which was the headstone of his first realease “Tri-State” on cologne-based label “Traumschallplatten” two years after. Same distance until the next clue: his album “Allen in my Brain” appears on Triple-One, to that results a couple of releases on Eintakt, Salto Records and the “Copy, Paste and Cut EP” on DBH-Label Momentum Rec.! In last months he has taken another drastic decision – playing live! At this time he plays all around minimalistic techno with a incomparable-honest passion, that gives him booking requests from foreign countries. 2009 promises a lot for Linus: releases on Momentum and Kostbar Musik are in starting blocks, with remix works by Remute and Renato Cohen. As well he works closer with his mate Syntec at this time for upgrading the live-performance!
Syntec Christian Baldinger aka Syntec is more than just a usual producer who put a mayfly onto the big globe of techno releases. He developed in recent years his own specific definition of deep-pushing drum sets in his tracks, compounded with incisive percussions. Heavily influenced by the time of his residence (with Millenic as Neuland DJ-Team) in the legendary techno club Parkhaus, he screwed down from tribalistic rhythms into hypnotizing bassheavy Minimaltechno. After the “Kammerflimmern EP” on Trycrack Records, his sound was sighted by the Frankfurt-based distribution company DBH (Robert Drewek, Alex Bau & W.J. Henze), which contains labels like Musique Unique and Geopark Music, where Syntec’s following tracks were released. “Trial & Error EP” as well as “Sala Bummtschak EP” were found in playlists of Loco Dice, Steve Bug, Raresh and Dan Curtin. “Doghound EP” is on the way and will strike the dancefloor in its heart!
Ralph Sliwinski After several resounding releases in recent years, Ralph Sliwinski raised up to one of glimmering producer at the sky of the current techno and house scene. Labels like HARTHOUSE, SUSHITECH, BELOW, NUM RECORDS, HARTCHEF DISCOS, PLASTIC CITY, MORRIS AUDIO, CIRCLE MUSIC, IMMIGRANT, ILIAN TAPE and some others signed him for his contribution of forward-looking electronic music. The “Pox Box EP” was even able to break out one of the summer hits 2008, which was honoured by GROOVE magazine charts Nr. 16, and put on CD compilations like Disco Invaders mixed by Johnny D. (Cocoon Rec.), Amnesia Ibiza mixed by Karotte, Secrects Sundaze mixed by Tobi Neumann as well as Watergate 01. Grooving Techhouse and percussive Techno are his areas of expertise, influenced by his old passion Soul and Rap lead the sets of this exceptional artist into a trippy excursion of ghettostyled Techno!
Markus Kavka musik ist sein leben, und weil er schon relativ lange lebt, ist in ihm drin auch alles voll mit musik. erste von der oma gekaufte platte: abba - waterloo. erste selbstgekaufte platte: visage - fade to grey. die erleuchtung, die ihn zum ersten electropopper in seinem kleinen bayerischen dorf macht. elektronische musik lässt ihn nie mehr los. EBM ist die nächste station, acid house, detroit techno, drum..n..bass und minimal folgen, dazwischen auch immer mal gerne indierock. sein nerdtum verschafft ihm bezahlte tätigkeiten im rundfunk, bei magazinen und schließlich im musikfernsehen. erst bei viva, dann bei viva zwei, schließlich bei mtv, wo er seit 2000 verschiedene formate als moderator und producer betreut.

für markus kavka zählt der platz hinter zwei plattenspielern seit jeher zu den schönsten der erde. beim auflegen bezeichnet er sich selbst als einen "mann des gefühls". ausgefuchste technik war nie seins, es ging ihm stets darum, den raum mit glück auszufüllen.

die richtige platte zur richtigen zeit, maximaler house, minimaler techno, elektrischer electro, flächen auf geklicker, geklicker auf flächen, immer mit solidem arschwackelgroove und ausgefeilter dramaturgie, dazwischen auch tracks, die schon einige jahre auf dem buckel haben, weil am ende gibt..s eh nur gute und schlechte musik. bisweilen geht auch die moll-melodie-sau mit ihm durch, da darf man schon mal die taschentücher bei der afterhour raus holen, und wenn er darf, legt er gerne bis zur letzten platte im case auf.

seit 2000 legt er regelmäßig quer durch die republik auf. abstecher nach österreich, italien, russland und die schweiz haben ihn längst zum discotourist aus leidenschaft gemacht. sowieso ist auflegen für ihn weit mehr als nur hinfahren, platten drehen und wieder abhauen. es ist ein immens wichtiger teil seines lebens, und den füllt er bis zum eichstrich mit herzblut auf.
elle-p in work !
Mathias Schaffhäuser Mathias Schaffhäuser’s around in the techno and house scene since 1994 and currently released his 8th album called "Unequal Equality" which features 10 collaborations between Mathias Schaffhäuser and various artists, including Ware acts like Benjamin Brunn, And.id, Markus Güntner and Ziggy Kinder, Schaffhäuser’s long time hero Alex Smoke, but also new ones such as Lucy and Xhin from Singapore (both with releases on Meerestief Rec.). The album was released on CD on the 2nd of march, and on 2 vinyl EPs on 9th of feb. and 2nd of march. Past releases of Mathias appeared on WIR Recordings, Lebensfreude, on Persistencebit Rec., Resopal Red, Force Inc., Multicolor, Definitive Records (house sub-label of Plus-8), Blaou Sounds, Frisbee Tracks and some others. In 1997 he started his own record label WARE which released 78 twelve inches until now (as of Febuary 2009). 2001 saw his club hit "Hey Little Girl", 2002 "Musik ohne Bass" entered the clubs (Force Inc.). In April 2005 he released his album "Coincidance" (Ware CD 14/Ware 52). The title track was remixed by Trentemöller and by Dapayk (Mo’s Ferry Productions, Dapayk & Padberg/Ware 54). December 2005 saw his 12" "Lost Vox" with a remix by Pan-Pot, in febuary 2006 the next remix 12" "more alternatives" was released with a mix by Audio Werner. In January 2007 Mathias released his 2nd remix album "RE:2" on Multicolor Records with exclusiv mixes for Pan-Pot, Dapayk & Padberg and DJ Good Groove. The year ended with his long time project "God Is Dead", inspired by the “Manifesto of Evolutionary Humanism” ("Das Manifest des evolutionären Humanismus"), written by german author Michael Schmidt-Salomon. Electric Indigo says “Thanks for this great record! Music and concept are excellent. I’ve always been all for an evaluation and revitalization of the enlightenment process :-) Congrats!” On the 11. of Febuary 2008 our jubilee EP "10 Jahre Ware" / "10 Years Of Ware" appeared on the scene with 2 epic tracks, one by Ziggy Kinder and the other by Mathias. Both tracks reflect the Ware history by using samples of the the label’s past 10 years + fit them together with new + unique ideas to 2 new exciting monster tunes. In year one after Ware's 10th anniversary Mr. Schaffhäuser looks back on a veritable live tour which led him to Buenos Aires, Offenbach, Singapore, Rostock and Trieste. What combines these illustrous places, you may ask? Everywhere was absolutely super cool! Schaffhäuser's set kept throwing audiences off the curve. I mean, who squeezes minimal sounds, spontaneous vocal performances, crude cover versions and melodica solos into a one-hour set, without constantly staring at a computer screen? But, from nothing nothing comes. Even before 1993 (does anyone remember this?) Schaffhäuser sang and played guitar in several bands, so he knows how to rock the house. And that works even better with a big enough stage and wireless microphones! Though another fine house track is never far, after all, Schaffhäuser wouldn't neglect his traditional Ware style, no matter how much he rocks. Schaffhäuser’s motto at the turntables is: Purism sucks! The quality of the music is what’s important, not sheer functionality and a perfect mix. That is: at times his sets can be rather varied from Ware-style music, nice + smooth neo-house and funky minimal to thumping techno. His current favourites still come from labels such as Cargo Edition, Ostwind, Islands & Islets/Sthlm, Freunde Tonträger, Diynamic Rec., Mobilee, Vakant, Circus Company - just to name a few. Mathias has produced remixes for Goldfrapp („Twist“, Mute Rec.), Steve Bug („Lover Boy“, Poker Flat Rec.), Misc. („The Magic Number“, Sender Rec.), [A]pendics.Shuffle („No Reductions“, Adjunct Rec.), Luomo („Tessio“, Force Tracks/Force Inc.), J.C.A. ("I Begin To Wonder", Deep Cukture), Northern Lite („Trusting Blind“, 1st decade Rec.), Faust and many many more.
DJ Homebase Homebase first discovered electronic music in the early 1990’s while getting in touch with the fresh Techno and House Scene of Nuremberg. In 1993 Homebase becomes weekly Resident at the Toxicc Club, one of the first Technoclubs in Germany. He started working for Tom Novy..s Recordstore and soon he was playing all Franconian Clubs like the legendary Boot Club that was situated on a Boat. In addition he was writing for the Partysan Magazin and the first foreign Gigs in Istanbul and Madrid followed soon. 1998 “Homie” began promoting his own events called Electric Culture witch meanwhile is the largest existing Event Series in Bavaria and played with all the big Names like Jeff Mills, Carl Cox, Robert Hood, Dj Hell, Ellen Allien, Steve Bug, Roman Flügel, Karotte, Sascha Funke, Paul Kalbrenner and so on and on. Homebase organized a Truck on the Love Parade and played more and more Gigs all over Germany, while he set out to build his own Musicstudio. His first Releases were in 2002 and after a Businessbreak for Opening his own Recordstore called Beatwax, he released in 2006 two massive records on Waskidz (Hamburg) and Criminal Records (Berlin) that where played and Charted by all Top Djs worldwide including Appearances on Compilations like the french Trax Magazine ,Radio Sunshine in Germany or for the famous Robert Johnson Club (Playhouse Records). Due to the worldwide postive Reactions of this Releases Homebase will force his Producing, so that we can expect big new Releases and Remixes coming up soon! Beside of producing fresh Techno and House Tracks, Homebase loves playing long Sets and also has started playing selected Live Acts to rock the Dancefloors worldwide.
Lexy Schenkt man der offiziellen Bandgeschichte Glauben, so endet die erste Begegnung von Alexander Gerlach aka DJ Lexy und Kai Paul in einem Berliner Club beinahe in einem blutigen Faustkampf. Glücklicherweise besinnen sich die beiden kurze Zeit später eines Besseren und kanalisieren ihre Energie fortan erfolgreich in zahllosen Releases auf Westbams Low Spirit Label und weltweit gefragten Aktivitäten an den Turntables. Beste Voraussetzungen für eine Karriere als Musiker sind sowohl Lexy als auch K. Paul zu bescheinigen. Während Lexy vor seinem Umzug nach Berlin im Sommer 1997 einen Plattenladen in Dresden führte, fand Kai Paul über den Element Of Crime-Bassisten Krischan Hartje Zugang zur Musikszene der Hauptstadt. Mit ersten eigenen Produktionen macht er schnell auf sich aufmerksam und kommt bei Westbams Low Spirit/Electric Kingdom Label unter, wo auch die Singles "If You Know What I Mean" und "Rage Hard" veröffentlicht werden. Zu dieser Zeit gehört Lexy bereits zu den heißen Eisen im Labelstall und begeistert bei der Mayday 1998 ebenso mit seinen DJ-Sets wie beim Filmfest in Hong Kong. 1999 beschließen die beiden, fortan gemeinsam an einem Strang zu ziehen. Eine kluge Entscheidung, denn gleich ihre erste Single "The Greatest DJ" bringt die Dancefloors rund um die Welt bis an die Grenze des Siedepunktes. So dürfen sie dann im gleichen Jahr auch der offiziellen Love Parade Hyme "Music Is The Key" zu neuem Charme verhelfen. 2000 legt das Duo mit dem ersten Longplayer "Loud" nach und profiliert sich in der Folge mit einer ganzen Reihe von Remixen unter anderem für Camouflage, Peaches und die Ärzte. 2003 kommt mit "East End Boys" endlich der Nachfolger zu "Loud" in die Plattenläden. Mit den Singles "Der Fernsehturm" und "Let's Play" schlagen die beiden in die altbekannte 80ies-Retro-Kerbe, ohne mit neuen Impulsen zu begeistern. Doch zumindest in den Clubs und bei umfeierten Live-Auftritten halten die Anhänher den Berlinern die Treue. 2006 erfolgt der Wechsel von Low Spirit hin zu Kontor, über die im Mai des folgenden Jahres "Trash Like Us" in die Läden kommt. Im März 2009 wird noch eins drauf gesetzt. "Abrakadabra", wieder auf MusicisMusic/Kontor erschienen, hat viel Zauberelektronik im Gepäck. Zum Album-Release ziehen die beiden nach alter Sitte mit einer ausgedehnten Clubtour durch die Lande, um das Werk den Fans zu präsentieren. Nebenbei ist Lexy als Sänger bei den Raketen aktiv und veröffentlicht unter anderem auf Areal Soloplatten, die mehr dem Underground verhaftet sind. K-Paul betreibt seinerseits die Side-Projekte Fuchs & Horn und Käosklub. So können musikalische Indididualität und Phantasie auch abseits des Hauptprojektes Lexy & K-Paul ausgelebt werden.