stylistberlin’s recommendation: Bass Cadet Recordstore & Down by Retro
Every year, techno lovers hear the same phrase. One of the last one was on January 2012 in an article published by www.digitalmusicnews.com: “vinyl sets another sales record in 2012” (in the US, editorial note) indicating 4,6 million copies sold, so a rise of+17,7% compared with that of 2011. This sentence sounds like a “Déjà Vu”. Especially when we read further: “Most are being sold at indipendent retailers, with a heavy lean towards rock.“
In the UK, according to Official Record Store Chart data (which includes record shops like Phonica and Rough Trade), vinyl sales increased by 78% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 2012, with 15% – i.e. 389,000 copies sold across all music genres.
The same trend is to notice in Berlin, the most underground place in Europe, where independent electronic record shops are flourishing. Moreover, they combine more and more music and fashion, as shows Rotation Berlin – near Rosenthalerplatz.
Another proof that techno music is personifying a local lifestyle is Bass Cadet Recordstore & Down By Retro, a peaceful and design place in the Weserstrasse 189, Berlin – Neukölln where techno and vintage are mixed.
Bass Cadet Recordstore
Friday, June 14th Etienne Dauta, one of the young fellows behind French label Bass Cadet Records opened his vinyl shop Bass Cadet Recordstore “for the love of this soulful medium”, the 28 years old producer said. As for the label, the entire team is working hand in hand on this very nice project. Whereas Atilla Fidan (graphic designer – inter alia for Berlin-based techno label Vakant) and Gary Lafargue (photographer) take care of the visual communication, Tolga Fidan and Arcarsenal take care of good music, famous and talented artists given their monthly in-store.
Back to music, Etienne’s Recordstore offers a wide spectrum of dance music: from disco to techno, over house, funk and new wave. You will find there first hand as well as second hand records, carefully selected and at affordable prices. And as to the second hand records, the focus is on the 70’s / 80’s / 90’s and 00’s music.
Down by Retro
Berlin is a place for creativity and techno music, a lifestyle specific in itself. That’s how Etienne is sharing the location with Down by Retro, a clothes vintage label run by his best friend, Laura Le Marchand.
As Etienne, Laura selects meticulously her clothes and jewellery that come from Italy, France and the United States. Her goal: “to fit best the contemporary street fashion”, the 29 years old vintage lover said. Because Down by Retro is worrying about offering a large spectrum of outfits, that’s why she will soon work with brands like The Whitepepper for girls (a London based brand) and Harrigton for boys, ranging her as the first retailer of the brands in Berlin.
Nevertheless, running a shop is a long-term undertaking. For that reason, Marie (Etienne’s girlfriend), with her architect eye designed a place which makes us feel peaceful and underground with imposing varnished wood furniture and soldered copper water tubes as coat racks.
As you will understand Bass Cadet Record Store & Down by Retro are nothing more than a simple family affair and as a normal family, Etienne, Marie, Laura and Gary just came back from Holland with a plenty of new records and new fine vintage clothes.
That’s the way passionate people work and that’s what we love.
Photo Credit: Gary Lafargue
For more information:
- Bass Cadet
- Bass Cadet Records and its Facebook
- Bass Cadet Recordstore and its Facebook
- Down by Retro
by E. Morin
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