by Theresa Baumel & Gilles Wasserman

The mastermind behind On Board Music, the record label and booking agency based in Berlin, Laura BCR is no stranger here at Delayed. Her uncompromising eclectic style behind the decks, exceptional curation at the record label, and hard work with the booking agency couldn’t go unnoticed, even here at the other side of the pond in Brooklyn. Despite the situation we are currently in, Laura has kept the spirits high and has managed to release two outstanding charity compilations on her record label in the last couple of months. We had a chance to catch up with Laura and talk about these compilation series, record label, her beginnings as a DJ and producer, and much more.

photo by © Santiago Rojo

Hi Laura, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. How's your summer been? 
Hi, thanks for having me. Summer was quite tumultuous, learning how to balance a bit of everything and entering into a new way of living. I had the chance to escape for a few weeks in the South of France to relax and reflect.

A lot of artists haven't found themselves in the current situation. They have been absent from the scene since the whole problem with COVID escalated in March; on the other hand, you've been quite busy in the last couple of months with your radio show and work around the record label. Where do you find inspiration to keep it going?
I totally understand them. It is quite difficult to get some motivation in the current situation especially when your life has completely changed in the last few months. The wave of emotions is not the easiest and being able to adapt yourself to this is also quite intense. I have always lived, surrounded by music. I really need it to keep going. I used to work so much before the pandemic and dedicated my whole time to what is my job & my passion. I really needed to be busy and on my level, to make some positive projects. That is a bit of what I tried to do by releasing these two compilations, continuing to release music for a specific purpose, and helping people who need support. I also use music as a therapy these past months and started to produce and put all my emotions into music. I spent many hours learning and improving, taking courses, going to the studio, working with one of my best friends - trying to make something I wanted to do for a long time with all this free time I have. 

The global nightlife scene is suffering immensely during this situation. Are there any positives that we can draw from this situation, and what do you think will be the aftermath of things eventually getting back to 'normal'? 
Outside of Germany, when I see how governments are considering people who work in nightlife, venues, music in general, that makes me really angry. In France, this is a joke and a shame! People are really hurt - working in music, building your “career”, your clubs is a long long journey that takes so many years and personal investment - and losing everything for some with no chance to be helped - this is crazy. People need entertainment, spaces with music, where people can socialize, dance, and also escape from their daily routine sometimes. These places are a necessity and I don’t understand how people who run the government don’t get it. Nuits Sonores in Lyon have started to take actions on a European level with their “Appel des Indépendants” to be heard, I hope - after this crisis, we will be able to be considered, talks have to be made, governments really need to think about it. This is a necessity! We need the nightlife, festivals, clubs, art spaces - so many will have to close, people are just quitting their positions, some are being fired, etc. This whole situation makes me mad a bit more every day.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of your label, On Board Music. Besides the 'VA - Point B' release, On Board Music released two charity compilations 'The Meaning of Time' that feature a diverse array of artists on each release. Were 'The Meaning Of Time' compilations initially planned for this year, or that idea came across during quarantine? What’s your selection criteria for this compilation series? 
We were planning to release actually three records in 2020, but due to the situation, I have been able to put out only one, our latest - Point B. The idea of these two compilations was born during the quarantine. I have reached out to a couple of friends who produced music and also artists I really like to see if they were interested to join this gathering. I was amazed at how many positive answers I got and I think everyone was super happy to participate in the project. The idea behind was to do a positive project, help Sea Watch NGO, and also the artists as I proposed to them to do 50/50. But in the end, all artists have given their share to Sea Watch, and we were able to make a very nice donation and I am super happy about it since Sea Watch’s mission is even more difficult with the current pandemic.

photo by © Jamida

Are there plans to continue with 'The Meaning of Time' compilation series?
At the moment, I don’t know, probably. I like the idea of this gathering a lot. And the exchanges with the artists are always so nice and motivating. So let’s see … time will tell us.

You also run a booking agency, and with technically no bookings (or very few, to say the least) happening at the moment, how do you keep that machinery running?
Good question, haha. I have spent so much time building the agency and everything around it, I can’t just let it go and abandon it. I had a deep thought about it, but I can't - this would break my heart. So I am trying to be patient and do jobs on a side like a lot of people do. I am quite lucky as I work with an amazing bunch of artists. I keep on following the artists I work with. I continue to work on management for some, do promo a bit also, we are shooting a clip for Cinthie for example, I work on promo campaigns for EPs. We do a bit of merch too, trying to create new ideas to continue.

On the latest compilation 'The Meaning Of Time part II,' there's a track of yours, it's the 'first rhythmic' one as you told me when we chatted. How is the whole production universe unfolding for you? Do you see yourself working on it regularly now that you 'broke the ice'?
A couple of months ago, I thought I would never have time to start learning but then we had the lockdown and I had to do something or I would have gone crazy I think. So I started to learn, improve and I took an online course also to get the basics. I work mostly on Ableton at the moment as I can’t really afford gears - we have a little set up at home that is quite nice to work with. And then I go to the studio and work on synths and effects. One of my best friends taught me a lot and helped me to do the mix - I spent a lot of time making music these past few months - I have a long way to go before considering myself as a producer. I am waiting with the patience to be able to build my own studio with the gears I really want and in the near future, I would love to be able to work again more on this but let’s see. 

Can you identify certain phases in your musical development? 
Yes, definitely. I started listening to music at a very young age like being very addicted, almost a joke, haha. I was exchanging music all the time with friends, people at school, etc. I think I was only talking about that. Too much, haha. Then I started to play in a band as a bass player  - was quite fun between punk & rock - so more live music and then around 15/16 I discovered free parties and everything has started from there. I went out a lot, started playing, buying records, etc. Since then, I have never stopped learning and improved my skills & knowledge.

Let's talk a bit about your work as a DJ. What is your preferred set-up when playing out, and is it the same when you record your podcasts and radio shows?
I normally play records only, when I do DJ Sets. I feel much more comfortable in this dynamic, it is very natural for me to play records. But I have to admit that the pandemic is keeping me away from records and that makes me very sad as I was getting so many records before. I’ve got a lot of music on Bandcamp or digital-only promos. I have played CDJs recently but still not really feeling it. Let’s see when I will be able to play again for a crowd what I will do - I have no idea, haha. At home, we only have turntables so I’m choosing between vinyl or Ableton. 

We feature your mixes often on our platform (for all the right reasons). They're usually eclectic, and you do it properly - with a 'storytelling' method and as smooth transitions as possible. How do you approach your track selection? Are there any 'anchor' tracks that you build the mix around? Do you have a 'to-go' folder/crate? 
Thank you for that : ) I always try to go from Point A to Point B - this was also the reason why I named our vinyl series on the label that way. Creating storytelling that grows in intensity. Going through emotions and, as I hope, touching people. Track selection is always made very naturally with my feelings and my perception. I know where I want a mix to go but it also happens that I change everything at the last minute, always depending on my mood.

What are your thoughts about live streams? They were all over socials during the quarantine, but now, there are less and less of them due to copyrights. Do you think that DJ streams will be here to stay? 
At the beginning I was very against it - it was too much, almost painful sometimes but I also got the point that people wanted to stay connected. Now, I think there is less of it and that is ok. If the DJ set is good and people can mix properly then yeah I am happy to see one, haha. Live streams are definitely not for me as I don’t feel comfortable with them but I always encourage people who feel it to do it - it is always nice to see a DJ you like and especially now to play good records. Streams will not stop, DJs will find another way I guess to do it as long as they are not able to play in clubs. Hör in Berlin has already switched to their website or youtube, for example, the same as Heads Radio, etc.

What is an interview question you always wanted to be asked but never were? 
I have no idea, haha.

Who were the important people on your path that mentored and supported you?
For sure, from the very beginning, my parents, even when they were afraid of my professional direction - but they were always super supportive. Then, my partner who has helped me a lot to believe in myself more. And I would also have to mention my very first boss ever (he will recognize himself) who taught me everything about my job. We have traveled many times together and faced very strong situations - this is an unforgettable memory. And obviously my best mate, Etienne (my ex-associate at Bass Cadet Record store) who made me discover a lot of things and also helped me to improve my skills. And I also have a couple of very important friends who are still pushing me in the right direction.

Who is the artist that we should pay attention to?
Definitely Polygonia. She is an impressive young German producer with many skills. She has got a lot of facilities producing and getting into a mood I really like. I often play her productions and I am pretty sure this is just the beginning for her.

We would also like to include a small playlist (a few mixes/ tracks of yours) that you would recommend as a good reflection of your work, for people to take a deep dive into what Laura BCR is about.

Let’s get a few different moods then.

Silent Season Mix - this has been mixed when I was recovering from sickness, very intense moment - this is my favorite mix so far

Patterns of Perception - a very cinematographic one I had a pleasure to do also in lockdown. Originally made for audio & visual project for Public Records in NYC.

One from my show on Rinse FR with Spekki Webu - also ambient with my mate Spekki in the second hour - a very progressive mix we said we could have really done together for real at some point

Sure Thing mix - I think this mix was a kind of turning point. I don’t know why but many of good things happened after that one and I still really like it - some people told me they were tripping while listening to it - I like that, haha

Phonons mix - a whole journey into what I can do in clubs for a warm-up - it was just before Acronym at Het Magazijn in Den Haag, the club where I was a resident that year - that one reminds me of good things  :)