Berlin duo Dürerstuben just released their new EP Zitty West on their own label Melusine. With their sonorous hip-hop beats and mix of funky synth-disco sounds, the duo has cultivated a unique vibe and sound that is spot on for our energy this week as our anticipation for Spring grows.
We did a little interview with the two and talked about their homage to Berlin.
Can you briefly introduce yourselves and your project?
We founded Dürerstuben in 2009 as a duo in Berlin. It all started with smaller gigs with live sets in clubs of the electronic music scene in Berlin, which was followed by gigs worldwide, for example in Sao Paulo, Miami, and Barcelona. We have released on various music labels such as Get Physical, Pampa Records (and many more), and in 2020 we founded our own label Melusine, which also released our new mini-LP Zitty West.
Can you tell us something about your new EP Zitty West?
The mini-LP is called "Zitty West" and thematically the songs are a testimony of our image of the nostalgic West Berlin of the late 90s. Of course from our personally transfigured point of view. For us, the "City West" also reflects a dystopian after-turn scenario, which we have expressed. Zitty West is a place where the charming, rough "real" West Berlin still shows up today, but of course, everything is changing and that's good. Also with our own label Melusine we fall back on this root and noticeably or imperceptibly many quotes of the music of our youth and our young adulthood are in the music we make today.
What can you tell us about your experience with Spotify and the other streaming and download platforms?
We have already released a few records ourselves and are glad that there are now ways for us to do so directly, and in our own way to influence the music and the appearance of the project seemingly without compromise. Of course, this also means a lot of work and sometimes a lack of success. But we still enjoy having the creative reins in our hands as much as possible and are therefore glad to have this opportunity. Unfortunately, due to the development of purely digital online music consumption, the idea and appreciation of a classic concept is somewhat lost, as the attention span of consumers simply suffers under the constant fire of digital. But there is no world in which everything runs perfectly, and since we always see these changes as an opportunity and a challenge, we are even more pleased when it works.
What are your plans for 2021?
In 2021 we have planned some musical releases. Among other things, there will even be a vinyl release from us again, for the 10th anniversary of the label URSL, which we are very much looking forward to. In addition, we have of course still some Stubeneigene releases in the pipeline, for all of you who still have an open ear for our music despite all the noise and for all of you who will join us in the future. In any case, it will not be monotonous. You can be curious.