An introduction to… Die Orakel

Just two releases in but already impressing people from many corners with a cohesive, raw and trippy sound, Die Orakel are a label to watch out for. 

Set up and run by Oliver Hafenbauer who also works at Robert Johnson and it’s affiliated label Live at Robert Johnson, Die Orakel came into the world late last year with the storming Monogamie EP from TCB and with the follow up EP from Edward, entitled  ‘Feuerhand‘ due to drop imminently, we thought this a good time to catch up with Oliver to talk about the label’s inception, it’s reason for existence and the importance of the artwork and physical product in the label’s list of priorities.

How would you describe Die Orakel to an outsider? What is your masterplan?

Die Orakel is a new record label for all kinds of electronic music. The first record came out October 2013. 

What aural delights can we expect to hear coming from the sounds of Die Orakel over the coming months?

The next EP comes from Edward called ‘Feuerhand’. It will be out on Monday, 3rd March.

What’s your background. How did you get here?

It was never my intention to become a DJ or to release music as a main job. I actually studied Architecture with the main focus on urban planning. As a teenager I went out to many techno and house parties which was the start of my interest in electronic music. Especially Warp Records had a great impact on me in the beginning of the 1990’s.

What made you decide to set up your own label?

I am working for the club Robert Johnson and the related label Live At Robert Johnson for a couple of years now, but I’m always more a service provider as label manager and A&R. I simply wanted to create something on my own.

How have you assembled the releases for the label?

With every release I try to show the whole musical repertoire of the particular artist.

How important is artwork for the label?

It’s especially important to me, actually the visual part of the releases has the same relevance to me as the music itself. I’m working in collaboration with Michael Satter, to find a special graphic language for both Live at Robert Johnson and Die Orakel.

Which pieces of music have had the most influence on Die Orakel?

That’s really hard to say. It’s more the indefinite, that’s fascinating me. Basically repetitive music, stuff like kraut, country ambient, world music and techno has the biggest influence on Die Orakel. 

What do you look for in a track?

There should be a contemporary artistic statement in the music.

What is your favourite flavour sausage?

Wiener.

Do you have a favourite musical memory?

Yes, discovering Warp’s Artificial Intelligence compilation plus the VHS.

What, if anything would you say has been the defining moment in your career?

Puh. I guess it was my first DJ mix in a local radio station with shaky hands.

Tell us about your relationship with vinyl. To us at R$N towers it’s an incredibly important part of our lives in the evolutionary process of music collecting. It’s a well worn questions but how important is releasing a record on vinyl to yourself? 

Vinyl is the foundation of the electronic musical culture. To me it is very important to release on vinyl and also to establish a music collection on vinyl, which is a great capture of these recent times, especially for the future. Being a DJ I like both Vinyl and CDs. Organizing a set is easier with vinyl but traveling with CDs is way more comfortable.

Feuerhand by Edward is out soon on Die Orakel. You can pre order here.

Keep up to speed with Die Orakel over on soundcloud.