Modularfield Records

Modularfield is a record label founded in Cologne in 2014 by Markus Scholz and Stefan Lieher. In principle, Modularfield is a threesome. Because not only is the graphic designer Lukas Höh responsible for the characterisation of the logo for the label, he is also responsible for the concept of the trilogy which mainly binds a common thread and holds together the eclectic mixture of style. »It is about time to create an interdisciplinary link between music and artwork. Especially to present a cross-genre sound, which in itself is coherent« explains Scholz. Hence, in a cassette trilogy, the electro-infected analogue-techno by Reverbal Sign, great-gestures-electro-pop by Inky Timez and shy neo-classic by Kana Wakanero come together. It’s not only the format that brings them into context, rather also the artwork, which slightly alters the name giving modular system, underlining the coherence between the releases, consistent with what Scholz calls »a wide field of self-containing worlds of sounds.«

Generally speaking; formats. Modularfield has already released tapes, vinyl, CDs with semi-transparent artwork and even dub-plates. The label has even created a small edition with Kölsch beer glasses, essentially you have to transport some local colour into a mainly internationally-settled fan community. However fetish needs won’t be served with Modularfield, as all of their small volume releases are also digitally available. »And when the first 3D printer will be able to make proper records, the stack of cards will be reshuffled!«, says Scholz. Although the operators run the label as a side business besides their actual work life, they are always tempted by experiments.

10 dub-plates cut by hand at wintery temperatures? Certainly. 20 cassettes dubbed by hand, drinking beer in the process and waking up with a mad hangover the next morning? Why not? All of this is not an issue, if you identity yourself with it. »Through your personal link to the music, its stories and what you learned from it, makes every release unique and equally important«, Scholz says, who with his colleagues makes every release even a little bit more unique. Whether that could ever be achieved with a 3D printer?