Exploring the sonic underground since 2011.

echolot founder Lars Kemnitz aka Kämmer and his partner-in-crime Sönke Lehmann aka L'Man

About us

echolot is a Hamburg-based record label that was founded in 2011 by creative mind and multi-disciplinary artist Lars Kemnitz aka Kämmer. The label is dedicated to electronic music in its broadest sense – ranging from headstrong electronica to dance floor tools.

After many years of silence we returned in 2021 with new ideas and new music ready to be released now. Together with his dear partner-in-crime Sönke Lehmann aka L'Man, Kämmer is taking care of everything concerning the label. We hope you enjoy our music.

Now available: the first-ever echolot cap

Halloween is over, but we have secured the cutest model for the presentation of our first-ever official echolot cap. It's a black 6-panel soft cord cap from Beechfield with white logo embroidery on the front. 100% cotton corduroy, cotton twill sweatband and interior taping, self-fabric strap with silver effect buckle and grommet. One size fits all. We've updated our Bandcamp page, so you can now buy our merch from Bandcamp. Just follow this link:

Watch the music video for "Weskus"

For the release of "Weskus" Kämmer created a beautiful music video that was shot on black-and-white 8 mm film in South Africa in early 2024. It features also painted 16 mm film that artfully blends with the 8 mm footage.

Weskus (echolot018) Music Video Teaser

NEW: echolot radio's second episode is out now

In July 2024 the first episode of echolot radio came out. It's our new radio show which we will use to present a selection of our favorite music and our releases. On a regular basis new episodes will be released on Kämmer vs L'Man's Mixcloud channel. The second episode is presented by Kämmer and titled "Fall Flavors".

Where the Water Flows (echolot019)
Kämmer
Where the Water Flows

echolot019

Weskus (echolot018)
Kämmer
Weskus

echolot018

Want U, Need U (echolot017)
Kämmer
Want U, Need U

echolot017

Sunshine Society (echolot016)
Kämmer
Sunshine Society

echolot016

And I Wonder (echolot015)
Kämmer
And I Wonder

echolot015

Thru the Peephole (echolot014)
Kämmer
Thru the Peephole

echolot014

Peter Got the Flu (echolot013)
Kämmer
Peter Got the Flu

echolot013

Summer in Sweden (echolot012)
Kämmer
Summer in Sweden

echolot012

Something In Ur Soul (echolot011)
Kämmer
Something in Ur Soul

echolot011

Sauna (echolot010)
Kämmer vs L'Man
Sauna

echolot010

Happiness in W12 (echolot009)
Kämmer
Happiness in W12

echolot009

Speak French Together (echolot008)
Kämmer
Speak French Together

echolot008

Far Out Now (echolot007)
Kämmer
Far Out Now

echolot007

Calima (echolot006)
Kämmer
Calima

echolot006

Estrella del Norte (echolot005)
Kämmer
Estrella del Norte

echolot005

Thinking of Distant Shores (echolot004)
Kämmer
Thinking of Distant Shores

echolot004

Expedition (echolot003)
Christian R. Meyer
Expedition

echolot003

Føreign (echolot002)
Kämmer
Føreign

echolot002

Salon Mort (echolot001)
Kämmer
Salon Mort

echolot001

Did someone say airplay?

A selection of radio stations and podcasts who played and included our releases.

Byte.FM Radio
Deutschlandfunk Kultur Radio
Night Swim Radio
Sci Fi Radio USA
Radio Dark Tunnel

FAQ

echolot was founded back in 2011 by Lars Kemnitz aka Kämmer. He developed the idea for a netlabel when we was graduating from university. Out of passion for electronic music he wanted to create a home base for his music and those of his friends. And his aim was to make the music available for free download. Back then streaming was not such a big issue as today, so he released through SoundCloud and later Bandcamp under a Creative Commons license. After three releases from 2011 to 2014 he didn't release any new music until he revived the label in 2021. Since then the output has been constant with new releases every few months.

For a long time echolot did only digital releases. And that's still the usual case because of costs. But as we love vinyl we made an exception in 2023: To celebrate our catalog number 10 we had a special limited transparent 10" vinyl cut for us by hand by Austrian manufacturer Dr. Dub. There were only 10 pieces available which sold out very fast. More exceptions are likely to follow in the future. Get the latest news on social media.

Generally, yes. You can send us your music. But please be aware that we are an independent DIY label and can't do any large commercial releases. As well we can't pay for mastering or other promotion. But if you want to get your music out and be part of a collective of electronic music enthusiasts who simply love what they do, then feel free to drop us a note. We promise that we will listen to it and get back to you. Send your music to mail@echolot-records.com (use a file transfer service like WeTransfer or Dropbox).

Because that was the initial idea when the label was founded. Today we are no longer releasing under a Creative Commons license. But you can download all our music for free on Bandcamp. We don't charge anything. But you can, of course, pay as much as you like if you want to support us.

We are not making a living of our music. That gives us the freedom to offer it for free. And through streaming nowadays you can support us as well. It's only cents but streaming our music a lot on Spotify or Apple Music makes a difference in the long run. And so we know that you like what we do. That's what makes us happy.

No, for mastering we rely on experts who really know what they are doing. Releases until 2014 were all mastered by Fabian Tormin in Hamburg. All releases from 2021 up to now were mastered either by Sam John at Precise Mastering in the UK or by Qant in France. It's important to us to release only high-quality music. And that doesn't go without a proper mastering that makes sure the music sounds as good as it can everywhere and in every situation. We don't have the expertise and the specially treated rooms to do mastering. And in our opinion it's always worth letting someone else listen to your music with fresh ears. It pays off in the end.

Please send all your questions to mail@echolot-records.com. We will make sure to get back to you as long as your question is serious.

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