COMBINATION RECORDS - in cooperation

One important factor forms the basis for solid cooperations between music- and clothing-labels: passion. And the idea to put common visions into action, through mutual support, and thus expatiate and create new space for fresh and innovative ideas. The two music-lovers, Oliver Drewes from Carhartt and Philipp Maiburg from the Düsseldorf-based 'Phoneheads' Duo were also inspired by such a deep approach of creativity. That led to their pooling and the foundation of the record label Combination Records. Based on the merging of competence and ideas, and a "great mutual groove", the platform for the cooperation in the electronic music sector was founded in 2000.

Philipp was no longer only mixing Drum 'n' Bass on the turntables, but also started to get familiar with the vast matter of Gema and Labelcode, and to immerse himself into FPI and VUT. From the very beginning, they have been following up on the concept, to create new combinations and opportunities to merge different styles of music. Under a flat management, the project has been growing for the past two and a half years, with currently the 20th release out. "We wanna cover the underground club culture, but not as a 'one-way label', but instead with the aim to support artists of different genres", Philipp emphasizes.

From 20 to 200 beats everything is possible, as long as it has an aesthetic thread". Oliver Drewes and Philipp Maiburg are working jointly on the graphic concepts. The, musicians combined through the label are sharing the idealism, to do their thing, based upon their own ideas and visions and almost independent from the 'shark basin' of the big music industry. Since a few months now it is possible to buy the label's CDs in Carhartt stores and even to listen to them on the spot. By now in almost every Carhartt store in Europe. Now also streetwear retailers can get the T-shirts and CDs from Combination Records easily through Carhartt. And these are no uninspired ordinary logo-shirts,.. worst case scenario with a webaddress on it - it is more all about decent graphics in reference to the music. The "core 007" shirt was for example the first label shirt and was launched with the seventh release.

"Traffic"as an abstract synonym stands for movement and refers to the Compilation-series and label nights happening on a regular basis. While the huge music branch slowly but surely seems to collapse - and whereas nobody knows exactly, if it is due to the lack of innovative or alternative distribution concepts or the existance of CD-writers …- Combination Records is moving on unerringly, step by step ahead. Far away from the mass markets. They derive their motivation from the aversion towards "theoretical and boring marketing strategies with a lack of charme", as Philipp explains. "The small independent retailer didn´t matter anymore in the commercial growth and the delusion of lots and quantity. Meanwhile a great number of small record stores disappeared. And people from Saturn and Media Markt realize now that espresso-machines have greater sales results than music CDs shelves are uninstalled replaced by shelves with espresso-machines and DVDs. Whereas it remains doubtful how long the latter will last in those shelves. In the end, the music industry has been shoveling its own grave continuously." (www.combination-rec.de)