Berlin DJs Share Insights on Iconic Record Store Hard Wax
Hard Wax, the renowned record store in Berlin, has moved to a new location within the Kraftwerk complex on Koepenicker Straße, marking a new chapter for the store that has played a pivotal role in the development of techno music in Berlin and across the world.
Founded by musician and bar owner Mark Ernestus in 1989, Hard Wax has been a hub for DJs and music enthusiasts for over three decades. Its superbly-curated record selection, which attracts DJs from across the globe, has earned it a reputation for breaking new talent and sounds.
The store's previous location on Paul-Lincke-Ufer was iconic, but on October 30, 2020, Hard Wax moved to its new home within the Kraftwerk complex. The reasons for the move and the advantages of the new location are not widely documented, but the store's founders and employees remain optimistic about the future.
One such individual is Jesse G, a Hard Wax employee and DJ, who has spent a lot of time at the store, both as an employee and as a customer. He expresses excitement about the new chapter for the store and is grateful for the sweet memories from the old space. Despite not yet missing the old location, he is happy to be part of the store's new journey.
Lily Ackerman, an American DJ and producer, also has a deep connection with Hard Wax. She found the store intimidating during her first visit in 2012 before moving to Berlin in 2019. Ackerman sold her first vinyl record at Hard Wax on a label called Vinyl Dreams Records. She visited the new Hard Wax space on its opening day last October and felt it was like a family reunion.
Monty Luke, an American producer and DJ, has been shopping at Hard Wax for many years and considers it an important place for maintaining a consistent quality in the music it offers. Ellen Allien, a Berlin DJ and producer, shares similar sentiments, considering Hard Wax as the most important school for her, as it taught lessons about techno and music.
Hard Wax has been instrumental in educating local DJs on new and forward-thinking genres. Jesse G discovered several Berlin labels, including Basic Channel, Rhythm & Sound, Wax, and Ostgut Ton, through his first visit to Hard Wax. These labels have shaped the music landscape of Berlin and beyond.
The store's new location within the Kraftwerk complex, a former power station turned cultural centre, promises to provide a unique and fitting environment for Hard Wax to continue its mission of promoting and nurturing underground music. Despite the sadness of leaving the old location due to gentrification, Ackerman is happy that Hard Wax is now housed within the Tresor complex, another iconic Berlin venue known for its contributions to the techno scene.
As Hard Wax embarks on this new journey, it continues to be a beacon for music lovers and a testament to Berlin's rich musical heritage.
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