Label Profile
A label for distinguished hunters and collectors, soul detectors and vinyl selectors of electronic music with Detroit bones, a Thessaloniki heart and a Berlin motor. The story of the label is unusual in some ways. Phonograph was first and foremost created as a platform to showcase the family of friends that surrounded the label heads Stratos Papanikolaou and Nikos Kostoglou. Making it unusual in this day and age is that Phonograph is a label which doesn’t make the personality of the label more interesting than the music, and doesn’t aim for world domination or an Adele remix. Instead, they let their fanbase of percussion addicted soul freaks tell them where the future is headed and they only release a few strong wax EP’s each year. Up until now, they have released three limited edition EP’s, with a fourth, ‘O Quase EP’ being released in February 2017 by Anthropous Anonymous, another Greek duo in their tight-knit circle of house-music junkies.
Phonograph Music is the family-run business that sells the stuff made to last and stays away from plastic. Wedged between the corporate factories of house music labels in the city of Berlin and run by two Greeks who take music and old school methods of music distribution as seriously as high grade olive oil and mama's secret recipe linseed soup. So, In the city of Berlin, where kids wait in long queues in hopes of getting into loud clubs where straight beats will take them through the weekend, in that same city, in shorter lines with nicer bouncers, a blacker kind of house music awaits you. This is where the soulful releases of Phonograph Music are played, where modern electronic beatniks reinvent the smoky jazz clubs of yesteryear and rhythm rules the night.
The Team
Stratos
Stratos Papanikolaou
Most people know that the best parties happen in the kitchen, and this is the vibe that Stratos has brought to dancefloors around the world for as long as he can remember.
Whether playing in Tokyo, Mexico, Sydney or his adoptive city of Berlin (plus everywhere in between), his soulful, global picks, give off the intimate, good-time moods of being in the kitchen, and not just any kitchen — but a big, fat, danceable Greek one. Despite his musical taste retaining its roots in the house music vibes of Detroit House, you might get a lacing of disco, techno, ambient and old-time classics — Giorgio Moroder meets Pink Floyd, Donna Summer meets The Doors. Stratos has been mixing for so long now that he can get away with these unusual combinations seamlessly.
From his adoptive home of Berlin, he encourages new ideas on modern house music though his label ‘Phonograph Music’. This is a personal affair for Stratos and provides an outlet for his creative network with the music that runs through his veins. In this wild city — known for its extreme clubbing and never ending parties, he regulars clubs such as About Blank, Watergate, Heidegluhen, and others. Having a career in the dance industry for almost twenty years might be in part due to the way he plays his records, not unlike the way he cooks that secret recipe Linseed soup his mother used to make him in Thessaloniki —by using only the freshest ingredients from the best sources, and always prepared with love.
Arara
Nikos Kostoglou
With a captivating musical style and an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, Arara has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the electronic music scene.
Originally hailing from Greece and making his way to the Netherlands in 1994, Arara embarked on his DJ journey in 1997, instantly captivating audiences with his unique and distinctive approach. His sets are a masterful fusion of peaky and solid moments, infused with a touch of lazy downbeat art. Each performance is an unforgettable experience, as Arara always brings something extra to the table, ensuring that his audience is taken on an unparalleled sonic journey.
Arara's passion for music extends beyond the DJ booth. With a background in multimedia technology, digital art, and music technology and sound design, he seamlessly incorporates his technological expertise into his performances, offering a unique twist and aroma that captivates both the mind and the soul. His deep understanding of music and its intricacies allows him to create an immersive experience for his listeners, leaving them craving more.
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