Plus 8 Records
The brainchild of two fanatical Canadians, Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva, Plus 8 was a label born over fifteen years ago. Resolutely independent and fiercely determined, Plus 8 provided a welcoming stable to forward thinking artists from around the globe, establishing a name for itself as a progressive label that refused to pander to whim or fashion.
Always embracing the future, Plus 8 grew with the maturity of its music, keeping with their 12" single roots but also releasing full-length artist albums. The roster is international as is the influence on the collective sound, vision and experience- from records to events. Many of techno's leaders had their debut on Plus 8 - Kenny Larkin, Daniel Bell, Richie Hawtin, Speedy J, Ken Ishii, Born Under a Rhyming Planet (Jamie Hodge), Theorem and others. The compilation series 'From Our Minds To Yours' and 'Blueprints For Modern Technology' helped establish the label to wider audiences in addition to full-length albums from FUSE, the Kooky Scientist, Legion of Green Men and Plastikman.
Plus 8 was instrumental in building the underground scene in Detroit, Windsor and the Midwest during the 1990's, from the Jak series, Trip series and legendary events such as 'Sickness & Recovery' and 'Spastik'. Many of today's artists on Minus and Plus 8 were inspired by these events or the overall sound of the Plus 8.
To mark the tenth anniversary of the label in 2000, Richie and John set out to tour the globe on the 'Plus 8 Classics' tour, playing over forty shows in twenty countries. An online diary of each date was posted to the Plus8.com website, a reflection of the energy put into the labels connection with its fans and audience. This also echoed the link made with fans through the Plastikprodukts membership club that brought the scene closer to the artists and label over the years.
Since the mark of 'Phase II' (1998-) Plus 8 continues to release new techno under the same standards set forth at the beginning. Releases from Electric Deluxe (Jochem Paap), FUSE, Taksi, False, Dreamlife, Adam Beyer, Alex Under, Alexi Delano & Xpansul, Baby Ford & Eon, Link, Lemon8, Paco Osuna and reissue collections of Berlin's Cabinet Records have added to the sound over the past few years. Stunning new releases by emerging and established artists are rounding up 2007's release schedule as the label works towards its twentieth anniversary.
Plus 8 Records on Beatport https://www.beatport.com/label/plus-8-records/562
