Have-A-Break

Knowledge Magazin Interview / Q&A (Issue Autumn 2008):
- WHEN DID YOUR LABEL BEGIN & WHY WAS IT SET UP?
We started our label back in 2006. It was founded to support up-and-coming producers and German Drum & Bass artists in order to give them a voice within the scene.
- WHO IS INVOLVED WITH RUNNING IT?
Christian Lenz (a.k.a. MOW), the owner of the H-A-B recordshop, is also the head of H-A-B recordings but there are many other artists, DJs, fellows who contribute to the labels creativity and output with the likes of Andreas Hablowetz (Frezh DJ), Donnie Dubson (Art Director) etc. In addition many customers of the shop have provided their demos and supplied us with helpful suggestions.
- WHAT OTHER LABELS, NEW OR OLD, HAVE INSPIRED YOU?
There are too many good labels to mention. Labels from back in the day like Good Looking, V / Full Cycle, Ram and current labels like Hospital, Signature, Soul:R, C.I.A. have certainly been a source of inspiration.
- CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR KEY ARTISTS?
It is hard to define a key artist on H-A-B, cos all of our producers are so different and each of them does his thing in a unique way.
- WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN POTENTIAL ARTISTS?
Very important for us is the first impression and the feeling delivered by their initial tracks. As we are DJs and love to play all kinds of D&B, we are not looking for certain style. We are searching for producers with a distinctive brand.
- HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LABEL'S SOUND?
Like a colourful, flamboyant puzzle. There are so many single pieces to explore but all together they create a jigsaw just like a nice DJ Set should be compiled.
- WHAT'S THE ETHOS BEHIND THE LABEL?
First of all we want to become millionaires... :-) Second we want to support our artists, contribute to the scene and create excitement to the DJs and the ravers on the dancefloor...we want to bring some joy for people that they can forget about their daily life struggles for a moment.
- WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR BIGGEST RELEASES TO DATE?
Well, some of the current Releases were sold out quickly e.g. Cinematic & P-R-S "Luminous Colours" but in general the feedback from the listeners has been quite positive so far. We think that Donnie Dubsons "Anti Depressing Soul Music" ist going to be a big one.
- WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING OUT SOON?
Forthcoming releases are two singles from Dub Tao (hab016) and Camo & Krooked / Shock One (hab017). We have so many great bits at the moment that we have decided to release a 3x12" V/A album in may 2009 with tracks from Donnie Dubson, Subz & SolID, Modemellow, P-R-S, MOW, ENEA. The album will be available as 3 seperate 12" vinyl samplers...so everyone will be able to pick up his faves without buying the full album. Of course if you like them all GET EM !!! Every "LS" issue is a one-off press, limited to 500 copies.
- ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT?
There will be more nice and laid-back releases on our digital label HAB DIGIT soon. Besides that we have startet a Sub Label called "HAB DUB" that will deliver Jump-Up-Raggae-Nu-Rave...that is what we "The Tripodz" call our stuff ;-)
Have-A-Break Recordings steht, wie der gleichnamige Plattenladen auch, für die Vielfältigkeit der Musikrichtung Drum & Bass. Open Minded suchen Label-Owner Christian Lenz und Andreas Hablowetz nach Newcomern, die Ihren eigenen Stil vorweisen können...egal ob Neuro- oder Liquid-Funk, Jump-Up u.s.w. Wir verkrampfen uns nicht, wie viele andere Labels, auf eine bestimmte Richtung sondern nutzen die komplette Bandbreite dieser facettenreichen Musikrichtung aus. Neben Senkrechtstartern wie Donnie Dubson, Proktah, Enea, Dub Tao, Camo und Telmo A sind aber auch schon Grössen wie Phace (Subtitles), X-Plorer (Metro / Obsessions), Cativo (Assimilate), The Green Man (Basswerk), Bassface Sascha & Franksen (Smokin Drum / Dance Rock), Matizz (Good Looking / Phuzion), Stunna (Bassdrive / Fokuz) u.v.m. mit ins Boot eingestiegen.

CLICK LOGO TO CHECK OUT OUR LATEST LIVE SHOW (3 YEARS MOJ),
MIXED BY MOW b2b FREZH DJ (FEAT. MC REEDO, SPARKY & 2NONE):

Discography (2004-2008):

HAB001 - THE TRIPODZ - BACK IN THE DAYZ (2x12" EP)

HAB002 - FRENCHI (PROKTAH) / THE TRIPODZ - DAYDREAMS / HEAT

HAB003 - DONNIE DUBSON - BEYOND INFINITY / HILLS OF ZION

HAB004 - MOW - TRAIN TO MELMAC (X-PLORER & T.G.M. Remixes)

HAB005 - ENEA / CATIVO - KILL / MY SOUL GOES TO HEAVEN

HAB006 - DUB TAO / DONNIE DUBSON - ZERO GRAVITY / INTENTIONS

HAB007 - FRENCHI (PROKTAH) - THE WAY / SCARABEUS

HAB008 - DONNIE DUBSON - NATION WIDE / ROLLING HOME

HAB009 - ENEA & MC FAVA / TELMO A - MOOD 4 LOVE / U NEED MY LOVE

HAB010 - PROKTAH - LABYRINTH (PHACE Remix) / BACKFIRE

HAB011 - NOSLIW - IMMER WIEDER HÖREN / MEHR DAVON (BASSFACE SASCHA & FRANKSEN Remixes)

HAB012 - CINEMATIC & P-R-S / MATIZZ & STUNNA - LUMINOUS COLOURS / DREAMLAND

HAB013 - CAMO - OFFSHORE / SWEAT & BURN

HAB014 - DONNIE DUBSON - ANTI-DEPRESSING SOUL MUSIC (2x12" EP)

HAB015 - L.A.O.S. / MADMEN & POETS - STAR SOUL / INNER FEARS

HAB016 - DUB TAO - UPWISE / FEAR MY FIRE

HAB017 - CAMO & KROOKED - BLOW (SHOCK ONE Remix) / BLOW (Original)

HABDUB001 - THE TRIPODZ - S.W.E.E.D. / JACK IN A BOX

OUT NOW !!! -> HAB018-020 - LIQUID SOLDIERS LP - LTD. 12" VINYL SAMPLER:
DONNIE DUBSON / SUBZ & SOL.ID - SUPER MARIMBA / DONT LET GO
P-R-S / MODEMELLOW - THE WAIT / FEEL INSIDE
MOW / ENEA - JAZZ ME UP BASS ME DOWN / FEEL THAT HIGH