Old and new talents building a unique, musical and cultural force that holds up the flag for a fresh and innovative approach in the underground music scene. Many of us have been to Mannheim during Time Warp. My very first time in Mannheim wasn’t for Time Warp but for Vlad Caia who played at Parker Lewis in 2016 and where I instantly fell in love with the vibe of the club and the people. The local club has a lot to offer, varying between sorts of different label nights, German as well as International ones, but also hosting guests like Rhadoo, Praslea and many more. The Club recently turned four with a big birthday celebration where they invited local hero Fabe and Cristi Cons.
So lets take a deeper look into BE9 and its headquarters. What’s inside the be9 headquarters and who lives there? The story behind the house is long and meaningful. Oslo Records founder Nekes, now Berliner-by-choice, was the first one who got to live in the house. David Nicolas who went to an after party with a good friend told me that “we fell in love straight away. It’s hard to describe it but we felt the connection instantly and we knew that at some point we want to live here”. As fate had it Nekes moved to Berlin and Dave and his friend took the chance and made the move. Very soon it became the so-called ‘After Hour Residency” which held many many afterparties and where later on Sebastian Werle and Dave finally met. Sedee was born! One neighbour after the other moved out of the building and more and more friends moved in instead. Meanwhile every apartment is rented by a BE9 member. Two years ago they were able to get the long anticipated house in the backyard which includes a huge roof terrace, two studios (various artists), a big meeting room, a kitchen, a living room with billiard table and beamer and the heart of the headquarter, the basement with a small private ‘club’ where the weekends are extended from time to time and the artists have the chance to test their new releases to record podcasts or to just mix a bit, besides the booth in Parker Lewis.
Who lives there?
Dominik Grunert (Parker Lewis boss and BE9 founder)
Dieter, Moses, Dennis, Mario, Daniel, Gino Lars, Patrick (Parker employees /residents, BE9 members, founders, artists)
David Nicolas (Sedee be9 founder)
As you can see amongst the artists are a lot of talented people contributing to the above. The house has been under construction ever since and it keeps changing. A big meeting is held once a month where they expand the house, take decisions and brainstorm about items on the agenda, such as parties, releases but also social media, merchandise, label and more.
So the HQ is located in Jungbusch, a blooming district where social as well as cultural integration is as complete as possible and the neighbourhood profits from the urban and cultural upgrading. The night-time stroll event “Nachtwandel“ celebrates this by displaying the diversity of the district, brining artists, associations and initiatives together who reach out and inspire. It was the second time in 2018 that the BE9 collective has been a part of that event and has proven how great the collective works together especially being in order to ensure that they can meet the challenges of organizing and creating a lovely atmosphere, not just for ravers but for everyone.
Mannheim and Jungbusch play a big role in the lives of the artists and supporters. This is where they live, create and rave together. One is able to feel the love and pride the artists have towards their city however never being boastful.
“We are proud to be Mannheimers, we stand for it. It’s a very rough city, no hype at all and it needs time to fall in love with, but as soon as you do, you fall in love forever. The city is comparable with our music: Underground music, underground city”
Mannheim is the city where everything started for the artists, especially for the duo Sedee, who have been on our radar for quite some time now. Sebastian Werle and David Nicolas have been playing all over the world. Gazholder in Moscow, Sunwaves & Waha festival in Romania are just a few places to mention. Their debut at Robert Johnson in 2016 for the Pressure Traxx party in April was an absolute highlight to everyone who goes to the club regularly. It was a special moment to all friends, supporters and dancers, when Seb and Dave played at their first May edition of Sunwaves in 2018, bringing a fresh and unique vibe that flowed throughout the whole set. Nevertheless 2018 was not the best year for the duo due to some private issues which did not leave enough time for new productions and releases. On the earning side they have joined ‘Reciproc Agency’ in December 18 and are already developing new plans for their musical future. One idea is a joint label because they have so many tracks of their own and friends. They have been producing and playing together for several years now which reflects in their productions and sets without any doubt.
Their latest release, this time for Trapped Ldn alongside a Suciu remix is coming out soon this year while their latest remix for Mayak that came out last year in December.
Something to which we are also very much looking forward to is the next BE9 release by Sebastian Werle, including a remix by Sedee and BE9 member Padez, forming Sepadé – tracks that you have definitely heard across the usual dancing spots of the world.
So when looking back at our last interview there are a few things that have changed in the BE9 Community. An efficient expansion of structures within the collective and first own showcases are planed and one is already confirmed in Zurich. Meanwhile, numerous projects have been realized along with a continuous expansion of the HQ and studios of Ben Balance & Gypsea and Sedee.
Interesting fun fact and side note: this is the studio where the excklusive track was produced after the Rhadoo and Ricardo Villalobos night at Robert Johnson in October ’18
Download here
Some of the artists in the BE9 community laid their first musical insights in Mannheim in the surrounding of a good vibe, music and friends. The crew is a bounded generation that shares, creates and really lives the passion for music. Are you asking yourself how different characters work together day by day without creating greater difficulties? Once you’ve met the crew you’ll understand. It is a mixture of mutual respect and real friendship.
“We don’t work together because we have to, we work together because we want to”
The collective is sharing the same ideas and fundamental values and goals, namely to create and be free while doing so. It really is a place where art is crafted and ideas are growing without boundaries. It is a safe place where you can enjoy yourself: a flow of movement and music. The surrounding allows the mind to flow, breath and gives the musical phantasy room to absorb new inspiration. Last but not least, everyone offers a stable and reliable framework for co-operation and exchanges that enables everyone and to meet on an equal footing. What unites them is the enthusiasm and drive for music and when they were asked to describe BE9 in three words this was the answer.
MUSIC PASSION FRIENDSHIP
BE9 is worth keeping a close eye and ear on as they grow and thrive steadily and we are looking forward to next releases, parties and other surprises they have to offer.
words
Jules Richer
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