The closing of the store raises many questions and generates a fair share of speculations, things we would like to answer and dispel with this short statement.

Opened in 2003 by a trio spawning from the promotion agency of the same name, Dense has always had a goal to present a wide array of electronic music to its customers, ranging from left-of-center experimental music to more club-compatible sounds. This mission statement was followed to the letter from the beginning till the current end of the store, even though the store had a troubled history of shifting teams and address moves. In late 2007, the remaining people implicated in the store’s inception left, and its direction was taken over by long time employee Daniel Reisser and Nicolas Chevreux. Dense was then facing many difficulties, which were overcome over the following years, partly with a move from our original spots in Prenzlauer Berg to Friedrichshain.

From 2007 to 2011, we dedicated a lot of energy and an absurd amount of time to securing the store’s situation. We confirmed the eclectic aspect of our offer, multiplied the in-store gigs, curated monthly events outside of our walls, and, most importantly, brought the books back into the green. It is important for us to state that, as we’re reaching the final days of the store, Dense is not in debt and is paying all its suppliers. It is common knowledge that record stores are going through an extremely tough period at the moment (for various reasons which are too complex to touch here), but Dense was able to keep afloat till now.

However, running the store’s daily operations and constantly trying to expand its scope and means have taken a lot of energy and time. We have thoroughly enjoyed working on and at Dense, but these past four years have been spent between this voluntary-work of sort (if Dense pays for itself, it sadly wasn’t enough for us to quit our other jobs) and the rest of our activities. May it be Daniel’s frequent DJ gigs or studies, or Nicolas’s running his Ad Noiseam label, we have had particularly hectic years, short nights and the constant pressure of investing energy both in Dense and in whatever we had to do on the side. Rents and groceries had to be paid; as years went by, we slowly grew too tired of juggling between different jobs. We recently learned that Dense would be once again forced to move in the Autumn of 2011 (for reasons independent of us) and we were forced to ask ourselves whether we could adequately find a new empty store (in a city where rents have been going up steeply) and promote our new address well enough, though still being able to do everything we have to for our daily lives.

It was a very sad realization to understand that we had reached a point where the work needed for Dense was above our strengths. We have invested a big part of our live in this store, and wish that we could keep it alive. But it seems impossible for us, after years of fighting against the tide, to move Dense again and spend all the energy necessary for everything to go as well as we wish it did. The time has come for us to move on and focus on other things. Daniel will keep on spinning, Nicolas will keep on working on Ad Noiseam, and we’ll still invest a lot of ourselves for the music and audiences that have accompanied Dense for so long.

Dense’s last day of business will be Tuesday, October 25th. We would be happy to see our customers a last time, and are having a final sale on our remaining stock till then. Please support us a last time, take advantage of this rebate, and get a last shot of good music at the store.

We want to express our thanks to our customers as well as to the labels, distributors and friends who have supported Dense all over the years. It’s been an amazing time, which we will not forget and which, in an ideal world, would not reach its end. We’re back on your side of the counter now, and, more than ever, it is our intent to support the scene we together have been part of for so long.

So long, thank you, and see you around.

Nicolas Chevreux & Daniel Reisser, October 2011

Super short-notice announcement: we’re having a new in-store gig tonight at the Dense record store, with Teebs and Jae, both from the Brainfeeder label.

The short version:

TEEBS
JAE
Tonight (!) at 19:30
live at the Dense store
free entrance

The longer version:

Sometimes, opportunities for great show just come at the very last minute, and this is the case again with tonight’s free instore show at Dense.
Teebs and Jae, both from the US and both releaasing on Flying Lotus’s “Brainfeeder” label, are currently on tour throughout Europe, but sadly without any dates in Europe. This really couldn’t be, and your favorite record store decided to invite both of them and present their intricate and modern hip hop to all of you.

Hailing from Los Angeles, TEEBS was spotted a few years ago by none other than Mr Flying Lotus, who invited him to release on his then nascent Brainfeeder label (who has ever since brought such acts as Lorn, The Gaslamp Killer and Samiyam). From delicate to upbeat, always very detailled, personal and mesmerizing, his tracks are the perfect fit for a relaxed evening at Dense.

TEEBS will be joined tonight by his younger labelmate Jae, whose heavier beats and hip hop should set us all in the mood, as they’ve been doing all accross Europe in the recent tour.

Remember, this starts at 19:30 and is free. We know, this is super short-noticed, so please spread the word and tell your friends!

And though we are still recovering from yesterday’s 8th Densehall party, we have two great reasons for you to come and show up at Dense today:

1. Kohvi Radio DJs Estrada and Snafu will spin a fine selection of records at the store, together with lo-fi punktronic hero Pastacas. That’s for free, that’s at Dense today, and it starts at 6M. The sun is shining, the music will be good, and the beers are cold.

2. On top of that, we’re partnering with  our friends of Equinoxe records to offer  exclusively today a limited quantity of the “Das Abstrakt EP” fron Deckard, a very fine record of downbeat abstract hip-hop, originally self-produced in 2004 and available right now at Dense. Quantities are limited: first come, first served.

All right, what you are waiting for? See you at the store later today.

Spyweirdos
+ Huron
January 22nd, 2011
free in store gig at the store

Another great (and free) in-store gig at the Dense record-store, this time inviting Spyweirdos, the spearheading composer of the Greek glitch scene (who has worked in the past with such people as Alva Noto, Murcof, Funckarma and Hecq) for a performance of his sharp, glitchy and soulful electronica.
We’re not forgetting to support our local scene either, inviting Huron (of the Crazy Language netlabel fame) for a rare performance of his mesmerizing and highly evocative beats.
As usual with Dense, the show is free, but also starts early. Be there at 7PM sharp!

and

Spyweirdos with Floros Floridis
January 26th
Theaterkapelle
Boxhagener Str 99
Berlin Friedrichshain

Following his purely electronic in-store performance at the Dense store on January 22nd, Spyweirdos will join the stage with Floros Floridis to present their mixture of glitch electronica and live jazz instrumentation (a path they have explored on two albums) as part of the “Jazz & Ex” (standing for “Jazz & Experimental”) sessions of the Theaterkapelle.

This will be the first time that these musicians perform this concert outside of their native Greece.

Nicolas Chevreux (from Ad Noiseam & Dense) will play some nice slow beats and dusty dubs before and after the show.

Dense is now selling tickets for a very exclusive event taking place on the 9th of September at Festsaal Kreuzberg.

Our friends over at Shitkatapult is organizing a party there, almost completely reserved to friends and guests of the Popkomm festival. But lo and behold! we have a small amount of tickets also available for everybody.

The line-up, you say?

Live:
T.Raumschmiere
Warren Suicide

DJ:
Sid Le Rock
Daniel Meteo
Phon.o

at
Festsaal Kreuzberg
September 9th, 2010

Note that no tickets will be sold at the door. The only way to get in is to come to Dense and buy a ticket there, for 12 Euro.

Dense braves the summer heat to bring you a new installment of their free instore gig, this very Saturday at 8PM.

Performing for us all will be Denmark’s Karsten Pflum, a name with which anybody interested in bass-heavy, intelligent electronic music should be familiar with (and if you’re not, here’s another reason to come and correct this mistake). With a new record out now on Ad Noiseam (and of course available at Dense), Karsten Pflum is in the spotlight and an act not to miss.

Completing the evening will be our good friend Puzzle(weasel), who has been performing at quite a few Dense-related events in the last couple of years. From fast IDM to energetic dubstep to wonky melodies, Puzzle is known for the efficiency of his material live.

The music will be great, the entrance is for free, the drinks will be cold, and you are all invited. We start at 8PM sharp, so don’t be late and see you this Saturday.

at Dense Record Shop
Saturday, May 21nd:

Illum Sphere (3024 / Fat City)
Puzzle (Tigerbeat6 / Contortion)
Silverman (One4ho / Semantica)
Paul Spymania (Spymania)

Music starts at 7PM sharp, free entrance.

Dense is happy to present an in-store gig by Illum Sphere, a fast rising british producer whose mixture of dubstep, hip hop and techno is getting quite a lot of recognition at the moment. You’ll hear from this guy again, but don’t miss this intimate first show at Dense.
Playing right before him will be the Danish-export Puzzle, whose wonky dubstep beats are tastier than Carlsberg, as demonstrated on several occasions at various gigs in Berlin.
Opening the ball will be the equally young and productive Paul Spymania and Silverman, active in the same audio territories, somewhere at the meeting points of dubstep, hip hop and all other kinds of electronica.

So remember to stop by the store, enjoy the gigs, check out some new records. See you on Saturday.

Second, three of us are spinning the night away on Friday evening at the Altes Finanzamt in Neukölln. Marius Reisser (aka Daniel, also of the Birthday Parties crew), Nicolas Chevreux (also manager of Ad Noiseam) and Jade Monkey (also of Contortion) will play a fine selection of tunes, beats and riffs for everybody’s (and hopefully your) enjoyment there.

Third, we’re selling tickets to two very strong events coming out in May:
-the concert by Enduser, Venetian Snares and X&Trick at Berghain on May 14th (after which the aforementionned Marius Reisser and Nicolas Chevreux will DJ).

-the Friction Fest at Astra and Cassiopeia on May 7th and 8th, with such names as Bohren & The Club Of Gore, Efterklang, Wolves In The Throne Rooms and plenty of others.

We have only a limited amount of tickets for these events, and would strongly recommend you to get yours as soon as possible to avoid frustration and unreasonable price increase.

Finally, the music:
Several Dense-favorites have released music in the last two weeks: Enduser (already mentionned above, but who has also played at Dense last year) has a new 12″ and CD on Ad Noiseam (who also just released the first full length album by Roel Funcken of Funckarma), Andrea (of Millie & Andrea) has come up with a fifth record on Daphne, the always underrated Hermutt Lobby has a new record on Eat Concrete, and we can’t say enough good things about Vex’d “Cloud Seed” on Planet Mu.
That was for the breaks: more hip-hop, be sure to check “Space in Space” by Japan’s Olive Oil on Mule. Or if you are into soundtracks, how about Thomas Fehlmann‘s important (and Berlin-esque) “Gute Luft” on Kompakt. Ambient-fans will enjoy BJ Nilsen “The invisible city”, but only after we’ve all danced to Floating Points‘s “Peoples Pontential”. And that while we all wear our very-true “Vinyl kills mp3″ t-shirts.

Here’s the list. Keep on densing, and tune in to Byte.fm right now:

DUBSTEP, BREAKCORE, ELECTRONICA…
Enduser – 1/3 – CD – 7.90 € – Ad Noiseam
Enduser – 1/3 – 12″ – 7.90 € – Ad Noiseam
Roel Funcken – Vade – CD – 14.90 € – Ad Noiseam
Stenchman – Hans Hoist – 12″ – 8.90 € – Bovinyl Moosick
Ellen Allien & Apparat – Way Out Remixes – 12″ – 8.00 € – Bpitch Control
SBTRKT – Laika – 12″ – 9.90 € – Brainmath
Untold – Flexible – 12″ – 9.90 € – Brainmath
Mark Van Hoen – Where Is The Truth – LP – 12.90 € – City Centre Offices
Mark Van Hoen – Where Is The Truth – CD – 13.90 € – City Centre Offices
Miwon – A to B – LP – 12.90 € – City Centre Offices
Porn Sword Tobacco – Everything Is Music To The Ear – CD – 15.90 € – City Centre Offices
Dopplereffekt – Gesamtkunstwerk – LP – 17.90 € – Clone
Andrea – You Still Got Me – 12″ – 8.90 € – Daphne
Bonde Do Role & Diplo – Solta O Frango – 7″ – 5.90 € – Domino
Four Tet – Sing – pt. 2 (Moska Remix) – 12″ – 8.90 € – Domino
To Rococo Rot – Speculation – CD – 16.90 € – Domino
To Rococo Rot – Speculation – LP – 17.90 € – Domino
Funckarma – Dubstoned vol.3 – 12″ – 9.90 € – Eat Concrete
Hermutt Lobby – Bassfudge Powerscones – 12″ – 9.90 € – Eat Concrete
Loops Haunt – Rubber Sun Grenade – 12″ – 9.90 € – Fortified Audio
Badawi / Shackleton – El Topo / Dstry – 12″ – 8.90 € – Harmonia Prohibitorium
Untold – Yukon – 10″ – 9.90 € – Hemlock
Untold – I Can’t Stop this Feeling – 12″ – 9.90 € – Hemlock
Chasing Shadows / Jakes – Dream On / Boom Boom Bass – 12″ – 8.90 € – Hench
Jakes / Giant – Scanners / Drumstick VIP – 12″ – 8.90 € – Hench
James Blake – The Bells Sketch – 12″ – 8.90 € – Hessle Audio
James Blake – The Bells Sketch – 12″ – 8.90 € – Hessle Audio
Scuba – Triangulation – CD – 16.90 € – Hotflush
Kyle Hall – Kaychunk / You Know What I Feel – 12″ – 8.90 € – Hyperdub
Otto von Schirach aka Level SL – Tektonikal Turbulence EP – 12″ – 8.90 € – Komadose
Cyclo S9 feat. Search & Destroy – Cry! (Blue Vinyl) – 12″ – 8.00 € – Monotone
Bok Bok / Greena – Night Slugs White Label Series – 12″ – 9.90 € – Night Slugs
Raffertie – Pumpin like Reeboks – 12″ – 9.90 € – On The Brink
Internal Tulips – Mislead into a field by a deformed deer – LP – 17.90 € – Planet Mu
Internal Tulips – Mislead into a field by a deformed deer – CD – 17.90 € – Planet Mu
Vex’d – Cloud Seed – CD – 17.90 € – Planet Mu
Vex’d – Cloud Seed – 2 x 12′ – 19.90 € – Planet Mu
Compilation – Skweee Tooth – CD – 15.90 € – Ramp Recordings
Starkey – Just A Million – 12″ – 8.90 € – Rwina Records
Inch-Time – Aurora – 12″ – 8.90 € – Static Caravan
The Arabian Prince – Innovative Life – CD – 9.90 € – Stones Throw
Compilation – Low Life – 12″ – 8.90 € – Subtrakt
Eprom – Never – 12″ – 8.90 € – Surefire
BJ Nilsen – The Invisible City – CD – 17.90 € – Touch
Eleh – Location Momentum – CD – 17.90 € – Touch
Jana Winderen – Energy Field – CD – 17.90 € – Touch
The XX – Islands – Remixes – 12″ – 7.90 € – Young Turks

HIP HOP:
Onra – Long Distance – 12″ – 7.90 € – All City Records
Daedelus – Righteous Fists Of Harmony – 12″ – 8.90 € – Brainfeeder
Slug & El-P – The Vapors Project – 12″ – 8.00 € – Counterflow
A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm – LP – 17.00 € – Jive
Olive Oil – Space In Space – CD – 19.90 € – Mule
Compilation (Peanut Butter Wolf) – Stones Throw 101 – DVD+CD – 19.90 € – Stones Throw

POST-ROCK / INDIE:
Dan Deacon – Spiderman Of the Rings – 2LP – 24.90 € – Carpark
Bonnie Prince Billy – Wonder Show Of The World – LP – 17.90 € – Domino
Serge Gainsbourg – Du Jazz Dans Le Ravin – LP – 16.90 € – Doxy
Yann Tiersen – Palestine – 12″ – 15.90 € – Ici d’ailleurs
Ef – Mourning Golden Morning – 2LP – 21.90 € – Kutter
Bohren & Der Club Of Gore – Mitleid Lady – LP – 16.90 € – Latitudes
Lali Puna – Our Inventions – CD – 17.90 € – Morr Music
Lali Puna – Remember / See The Wood For Trees – 7″ – 5.90 € – Morr Music
Lali Puna – Our Inventions – LP – 17.90 € – Morr Music
Liars – Sisterworld – CD – 15.90 € – Mute
Soley – Theater Island – 10″ – 13.90 € – Sound Of A Handshake
Soley – Theater Island – CD – 13.90 € – Sound Of A Handshake
Omar Rodriguez- Lopez & Jeremy Ward – ORL + JMW – CD – 12.90 € – Willie Anderson

EXPERIMENTAL / AMBIENT / NOISE / EXOTICA…
Ambarchi/O’Rourke/Haino – Tima Formosa – CD – 17.90 € – Black Truffle
Walter Carlos – Switched-on Bach – LP – 12.00 € – CBS
Sam Amidon – I See The Sign – LP – 17.90 € – Hvalur
Matt Rosner – Repeat – LP – 16.90 € – Miatera
Wendt – Unreleased Music For Visualizers – CD – 12.90 € – Miatera
Luc Ferrari – Didascaliers II – LP – 17.90 € – Sub Rosa
Indignant Senility – Plays Wagner Vol.2 – LP – 17.90 € – Type
Johann Johannsson – And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of The Bees – CD – 17.90 € – Type
Sylvain Chauveau – Singular Forms (Sometimes repeated) – CD – 17.90 € – Type
Peter Thomas – Chariots Of The Gods Of Jazz – CD – 10.90 € – Universal
DTV – Volkshaus – CD – 9.90 € -

TECHNO, HOUSE & MINIMAL:
Deadbeat – Radio Rothko – CD – 17.90 € – Agriculture
Tigerskin – Everybody Likes Ollie – 12″ – 8.90 € – Audiomatique
Les Petits Pilous – Bielle – 12″ – 8.90 € – Boysnoize Records
Ellen Allien – Pump – 12″ – 8.90 € – Bpitch Control
Cassy – #3 Endless Endeavour – 12″ – 9.90 € – Cassy
Putsch ’79 – Samasavel – Tyrell Remix – 12″ – 8.90 € – Clone
Markus Fix / Sven Tasnadi – Dark Side Of Bo / Nordsee – 10″ – 9.90 € – Cocoon
Compilation – Ritmo Especial – 12″ – 8.90 € – Comeme
Nemecek & Tomic – In Deep Blue EP – 12″ – 9.90 € – Consistent
Martin Buttrich – Crash Test – 2LP – 17.90 € – Desolat
Martin Buttrich – Crash Test – CD – 17.90 € – Desolat
Compilation – Dessous Best Kept Secrets 2 – 12″ – 8.90 € – Dessous
Compilation – 2010 – 1/3 – 12″ – 8.90 € – Dial
Compilation – 2010 – CD – 17.90 € – Dial
Floating Points – Peoples Pontential / Shark Case – 12″ – 8.90 € – Eglo
Kadebostan – The Souk EP – 10″ – 8.90 € – Fenou
Barem – Heyday EP (Paul Ritch Remix) – 12″ – 8.90 € – Foundsound
Douglas Greed – St. Eisbein EP – 12″ – 8.90 € – Freude Am Tanzen
Marius Vareid – Vallefaret – 12″ – 9.90 € – Full Pupp
Prins Thomas – s/t – 2LP – 17.90 € – Full Pupp
Deer – Projectionist’s Nightmare – 12″ – 7.90 € – Giegling
Die Wiese Im Garten – Luise Und Die Strandpiraten – 12″ – 7.90 € – Giegling
Staub – Vril – 12″ – 7.90 € – Giegling
Audio Werner – Meanwhile – 2 x 12′ – 15.90 € – Hartchef
Basti Grub & N. Euss – Volume 6 – 12″ – 7.90 € – Hohenregler
Trentemoller – Sycamore Feeling – CD-S – 7.90 € – In My Room
Trentemoller – Sycamore Feeling remixes – 12″ – 8.90 € – In My Room
Aufgang – Barock EP – 12″ – 9.90 € – Infinﾎ
Matt Star – Ravedub – 12″ – 8.90 € – International Freakshow
Kreidler – Impressions D’Afrique – 12″ – 8.90 € – Italic
Thomas Fehlmann – Gute Luft – CD – 17.90 € – Kompakt
Thomas Fehlmann – Gute Luft – 2LP+CD – 17.90 € – Kompakt
Alejandro Vivanco – Roots – 12″ – 8.90 € – Leena
Salvatore Freda / Langenberg – Bruschetta / Jalousie – 12″ – 8.90 € – Liebe Detail
Vermittelnde Elemente – Palindrome/Villalobos Rmx. – 12″ – 7.00 € – Lo-Fi
Elektro Guzzi – Hexenschuss – 10″ – 9.90 € – Macro
Pikaya – Levante – 12″ – 8.90 € – Meander Music
Marcel Knopf – Dusty Dance (Remixe) – 12″ – 9.90 € – Mo’s Ferry
Claro Intellecto – New Life – 12″ – 8.90 € – Modern Love
Nick Chacona – The Wait feat. Brothers Vibe – 12″ – 8.90 € – Mood Music
Henrik Schwarz & Kuniyuki – Once Again – 12″ – 8.90 € – Mule
Robag Wruhme – Dreiklangkapriolen – 12″ – 8.90 € – Musik Krause
Big Zis – Suure Rﾊge Rmx 3 – 12″ – 9.90 € – Nation Music
Cristian Vogel – 1968 Holes – 12″ – 5.00 € – Novamute
Levon Vincent – Solemn Days EP – 12″ – 11.90 € – Novel Sound
Rocco Branco – Diamant / Gibbon – 12″ – 8.90 € – Platzhirsch
Uto Karem – Maschine Love – 12″ – 9.90 € – Plus 8
Donnacha Costello – Before We Say Goodbye E.P. – EP – 8.90 € – Pokerflat
Der dritte Raum – Rosa Rausch – 12″ – 9.90 € – Save to Disc Recordings
STL – Stl And His Quest For Sound – 2LP – 20.90 € – Something
Tiefschwarz & Cassy – Find Me – 12″ – 9.90 € – Souvenir
Compilation – Document Pt. 2 – 12″ – 8.90 € – Spectral
Anonym – Dam EP – 12″ – 9.90 € – Sushitech
Dominik Eulberg – Daten-ﾆbertragungs-Kabel – 12″ – 8.90 € – Traum
Traversable Wormhole – Traversable Wormhole 7 – 12″ – 9.90 € – Traversable Wormhole
Swayzak – The Missing EP – 12″ – 8.90 € – Volt
Cobblestone Jazz – The Modern Deep Left Quartett – 2LP – 17.90 € – Wagon Repair
Simian Mobile Disco – Temporary Pleasure – LP – 18.90 € – Wichita
Simian Mobile Disco – Cruel Intentions – 1 – 12″ – 8.90 € – Wichita
Compilation – Significant Others – 12″ – 9.90 € – Wolf + Lamb

T-SHIRTS:
Vinyl Kills MP3 – sizes M & L – T-Shirt – 19.90 €

PRINTED MATTER:
Rokko’s Adventures – #6 – mag – 3.00 €

You all have a month to grow your hair and practice your growls: Dense is now selling tickets for the Friction Fest, a two day (post-) metal which will take place in Berlin on the 7th and 8th of May, bringing to the city such people as Bohren & The Club Of Gore, Efterklang, Wolves In The Throne Room, Master Musicians Of Bukkake, Amen Ra and a lot more. Hit the link above for more details, and hurry to get your tickets at the store.

Day tickets go for 32.50 €, and festival passes for 60 €.