Pullproxy - Promotion

Stil Vor Talent, the name says it all: It’s not about how good you are at doing something; it’s about having your own personal signature and fun with what you are doing. Well known DJ and producer Oliver Koletzki runs the label with this do-it-yourself-philosophy. In September 2005, shortly after the release of his top selling track “Der Mückenschwarm” on Sven Väth’s techno empire Cocoon, Oliver Koletzki decided to realise one of his life dreams: to be his own boss. Enriched by the experience of being newcomer of the year in 2005 and wanting to give something back to the scene, Oliver started Stil Vor Talent primarily to give others the chance that he had been given. Since then, Stil Vor Talent can proudly look back on 20 releases that range from minimal techno to squeaky house to border-mainstream pop back to clicky minimal. The reason for this broad variety? Stil vor Talent releases music that Oliver Koletzki likes and his music taste is very wide and extremely open-minded. Another reason that Stil Vor Talent has become such a successful label is the philosophy behind it. The label wants to reassure produc- ers and DJs to do what they like doing. “Don’t try to copy what’s cool, don’t try to fit into some style that you are not. You don’t have to be the best at what you do, as long as the product carries a strong personal signature. Be proud of yourself,” Oliver Koletzki comments on the idea behind the label. “And most importantly, have fun whatever it is you are doing.” With this attitude, Stil Vor Talent has given many producers the chance to present themselves to a bigger audience and has created some big names in the scene. A good example of this is the Austrian producer Florian Meindl, who has had regular DJ gigs and record deals with Trapez, Resopal and Herzblut since his “Sputnik” release on Stil vor Talent in 2006. Also, already established names such as Format B have had their biggest selling record “Vivian Wheeler” on the label. The reason for this is Oliver Koletzki’s hard work as an A&R: endless sessions listening to demo tapes and long nights watching live acts signing them straight from the DJ booth. This has established an illustrious roster of artists: Channel X, H.O.S.H., Kai Kurve, Dizko Toaster, Juli Holz, Format B, Lützenkirchen, Florian Meindl, Johnjon and Jürgen Kirsch. For now, these producers are more than enough for the label. “At this point I want to focus on the artists that we have as it’s very important for me to build them up over a long period of time. I don’t think it’s right to give producers one release and that’s it,” Oliver clarifies. But Stil Vor Talent is not just restricted to music. “It’s an approach to life”, Oliver Koletzki remarks with tongue-in-cheek. Apart from the music, Stil Vor Talent Fashion releases T-Shirts and sweaters and even sells them out of their own shop in Berlin-Friedrichshain. Friends of Oliver design them in small editions, which never seem to be enough for the high demand. Also, Stil Vor Talent do parties in Berlin that showcase the best talent of the label. Having done events at many different locations, Stil vor Talent now holds down a residency at one of Berlin’s most prestigious clubs, the Watergate. Oliver also plans to organise some open-airs and underground events in the summer under the banner of the label. So far, 2008 has seen the biggest release on Stil Vor Talent yet. Lützenkirchen’s “3 Tage Wach”, an ironic approach to techno’s relent- less Afterhour scene, is set to become an anthem for the Wasted German Youth culture. This satire of today’s rave culture was already a massive hit before its official release, the two accompanying videos hailed by the blogosphere receiving a massive half a million views on YouTube! But even with this success, Oliver Koletzki does not want to plan too much in advance. Just like its artists, the label has grown naturally and Oliver wants to keep it that way. “At the beginning we didn’t have a lot of money or many connections, so me and my friends just did what we like doing and it has brought us to where we are now. We want to keep doing it this way.”