NEWS: Das Wasteland Records takes off with vinyl release

Das Wasteland Records takes off with ‘sonic polaroid of Berlin’s musical culture’. The Berlin-based record label’s debut compilation vinyl features Tim Burgess, Mark Reeder, King Khan, Nathan (Fat White Family) Saoudi, Saint Leonard, Stony Sugarskull, Drab City, Otto Von Bismark and more

Berlin, Germany—Das Wasteland Records, Berlin’s newest indie record label, has set a release date of 15 August for its debut compilation LP, Das Wasteland Berlin Vol 1&2.

The limited-edition gatefold double vinyl features 18 artists, all boasting an intimate bond with Die Hauptstadt, including original spoken word compositions — and sleeve notes — from award-winning author and journalist Rob Doyle, the lo-fi sounds of Tim Burgess, techno-infused remixes from frequent New Order collaborator Mark Reeder — as well as his latest discovery STOLEN — and an exclusive Numanesque first solo release from Berlin-based Fat White Family founder Nathan Saoudi under his Brian Destiny alias.

A passion project that started life as a limited 250-edition record capturing the universal sounds of a handful of locked-down Berlin-based musicians, the 1,000-copy double vinyl also features local musical luminaries Stony Sugarskull, Hello Pity, Berlin Diaries and Otto Von Bismark, in addition to internationally-acclaimed artists such as King Khan and Saint Leonard. Das Wasteland Berlin Vol 1&2 marks the birth of the eponymous record label, which eased into existence towards the end of 2020 when the lights remained off across the city that never usually sleeps. Das Wasteland Berlin: Vol1&2 centrefold. Designed by Stephanie Hamer. Photo by Martyn Goodacre

“The idea of creating an outlet to continue celebrating the incredible musicians and artists that call this freewheeling, free-spirited city home — both literally and spiritually — arose when it became clear that the venues, clubs and bars woven into the very fabric of Berlin wouldn’t be re-opening for the foreseeable,” co-founder and music photographer Martyn Goodacre says. “Ultimately, it’s a testament to the talent of the artists and the spirit of the city how cohesively the collection turned out”

Best-selling author Rob Doyle and acclaimed musician Saint Leonard, who contributed the track ‘History’s Children’ and also co-authored the sleeve notes, summed up the compilation as “a sonic polaroid of musical culture in this most mysterious city — captured as it is right now; a distillation of the global talent and mellifluous music genres cascading down the Straße day and night.” Das Wasteland Berlin: Vol 1&2 is available for pre-order at https://www.daswasteland.com/shop and will be available in stores from 15 August 2021.

About Das Wasteland Records

It was on those cruel and unusual Berlin evenings towards the end of 2020 when the lights remained off across the city that never usually sleeps that Das Wasteland Records eased into existence. Against a backdrop of calamity, curfew and confusion, it became clear that the venues, clubs and bars woven into the very fabric of the city wouldn’t be welcoming musicians and revellers for foreseeable. So, with the help of a couple of friends, countless late nights and a few too many Spätburgunders, music photographer Martyn Goodacre conjured up an outlet and an opportunity to continue celebrating the amazing musicians and artists that call this freewheeling, free-spirited city home — both literally and spiritually — whilst encapsulating the vibrations of a new decade: the sound of the roaring twenties.