DIY Label Spotlight #3: City Slang • Interview • DIY Magazine

DIY wouldn’t be what it is without buzzy bands and grassroots scenes, and independent labels are an essential part of the ecosystem working to support artists from the ground up.

Up next in our monthly feature spotlighting some of the very best in the biz, we catch up with Christof Ellinghaus of City Slang - the Berlin-based label whose eclectic roster traverses both geographical borders and genre boundaries.

How would you describe, in less than 20 words, the ethos behind City Slang?
A friendly boutique label built on the idea of service to the music community.

What was the initial motivation for starting the label? Tell us a bit more about those early days.
Gosh, you know how long ago that is? Three and a half decades! Back then there just weren’t that many labels, and it seemed like a good idea because bands I loved came up to me and simply asked me to put out their records.

What are some of your highlights or most memorable moments of City Slang to date?
Oh my, there are seriously too many memorable moments to mention. Today - as I write this - we are finally unleashing Lambrini Girls’ debut album to a wonderful sense of excitement and anticipation out there. It’s such a special moment in any band’s career, but this one sure feels extra special! LONG may they rage!

Other than that, I think I prefer to think of development - that’s all we want for our artists, right? To experience positive development, to have a career! And the most memorable moments usually indicate just that: witnessing Sprints totally command the stage at Kentish Town Forum last November; seeing King Hannah, who we signed on the strength of literally one song, turn into one of the best live bands on the label; listening to Jessica Pratt’s latest album for the very first time and instantly recognizing that it was incredible; watching Caribou turn into a festival headliner and doing it with such class, completely on their own terms. Those are the moments that signal this development I’m talking about.

It’s just so rewarding to pick a band up at Moth Club level, and ultimately see them headline Barcelona’s Primavera Festival. When Lambchop sold out the Royal Albert Hall; when Courtney Love disappeared into an abyss but came back a year later, bigger and stronger, and ‘Live Through This’ finally got recognized for what it was; seeing Arcade Fire during a CMJ showcase at Mercury Lounge in New York in 2004 with maybe 200 other people - just before ‘Funeral’ came out - and being completely blown away by their energy!

Or the first time Calexico suddenly had a fully decked out Mariachi band walk onto their stage and elevate their set into something henceforth legendary. This was in London at the Royal Festival Hall in 2000 at City Slang’s tenth anniversary show. What a moment!

“It’s just so rewarding to pick a band up at Moth Club level, and ultimately see them headline Barcelona’s Primavera Festival.”

How has the position of indie labels within the wider music landscape changed since City Slang began?
Well, the last thing I heard is that Universal is now calling themselves an indie label. And, scanning the “Indie” playlists on digital music services, [you see that] the first ten or so acts are usually released by Sony, Warner, or Universal. So really, we need a new term for what we do, for who we are, because all those corporations could not do what they do without us. We are their trial and error, their training ground. But the term “independent” has been hollowed out.

Other than that, I think that back in the day bands would sign to a major because the smaller labels didn’t have the means to properly distribute their music. That’s obviously a thing of the past; nowadays, the indie label scene is thriving and there are some real exceptional and long running companies out there. I’m looking at you Sub Pop, Domino, Beggars, Secretly, Partisan, Mute…

What are you most excited about for 2025?
Having a front row seat for watching Lambrini Girls’ continued rise this year! Anna B Savage has a new album coming at the end of January and it is simply amazing. McKinley Dixon’s second album on City Slang will come out later this year, and I’ve heard the almost finished thing - it’s breathtaking! Sprints are also heading into the studio for their second album, and I’m beyond excited to hear what they will come up with!

If you could re-release any classic album on City Slang, what would it be and why?
Well, I think that would have to be ‘Goat’ by The Jesus Lizard - it’s just in a league of its own. It all came together in that one moment to create something for eternity: the perfect band armed with the perfect songs and the perfect producer (Albini). Go seek it out and play it REALLY LOUD!!

What’s one piece of label-running advice you’d give your younger self?
Hey, you, young moron over there! It’s great to be as enthusiastic and dedicated as you are, but now go and seek some proper business advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about! You’re running a business! Stop denying it! It’ll be helpful!

Find out more about City Slang at shop.cityslang.com.

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