Tanz Talks 005 // Kimchi Records

Welcome to the first record shop feature on the Tanz Talks series. Our first stop was at Berlin hotspot, Kimchi Records, founded by Martin (Chicaiza) and Kim (Patamamba).

Over the years they have established themselves as a definite dig for tastemaking collectors, but simultaneously cemented themselves at the heart of the community in Berlin. Their charming vintage decor, gorgeous booth and impeccable taste with collections means they tick many of the boxes when we are looking for new stores to visit, and most recently where we held an instore, a warm and inviting space fitting perfectly with our ethos. You will now be able to find Tanzform records and fashion when you visit the store! 

But! Enough of us, let’s see what Kimchi Records co-founder, Martin (Chicaiza) had to say when we caught up with him…

Hi guys, welcome to the Tanz Talks series. Thanks for being the first shop to join us. Let’s start from the beginning — where did the Kimchi journey start? And how long have you been operating for?

Hey, thank you so much for having us. So, Kimchi Records started as a dream between me (Chicaiza) and Kim aka Patamamba. Patamamba already had experience running a shop (Bikini Waxx), but around 2018–2019, the idea came more concretely: we realized we shared a sonic vision, and I was really drawn to Berlin’s energy. Patamamba proposed opening the shop together just before I moved here, in 2018. Since then, the shop has grown organically: it’s built on community, friends, and the idea that people who come into our space should feel like family. 

Berlin is obviously famous for its impact on the music industry, lots of shops and clubs for people to explore. Do you feel an intense competitiveness when it comes to stores? Or is it a positive with there being many options to dig? Obviously, a lot of DJs around helps…

From my perspective, it’s mostly positive. Sure, there are many record stores in Berlin, but rather than being overly competitive, I see it as a rich ecosystem. For us, it’s not just a “store”; it's a community hub. When people come through the door, it’s not just to buy something — many times they’re digging, asking for recommendations, or just hanging out. That community-driven feeling is something we’ve prioritized since day one.

Also, having so many DJs around helps because our customers are very curious: they’re not just looking for mainstream things, they want depth, and that’s what we try to bring through our crates.

You also have a twin store in Ecuador, how did this come about? The approach for selling and selecting records must be so different compared to Berlin?

Well we used to, our branch in Quito, Ecuador was a very important part of our story. The idea of opening a shop there came from my roots (I’m originally from Quito) and from the desire to connect my home with my life in Berlin.

Musically, the approach was quite different: in Quito, customers tended to buy more new releases than second-hand, and Latin records were a big part of the selection. At one point we even acquired a huge collection from a local radio station, which gave us a rich catalog of Latin and regional music.

However, after COVID, the increasingly unstable political situation, and the simple fact that transporting records from Berlin to Ecuador wasn’t sustainable in the long run, we had to make the difficult decision to close the shop. Even so, the spirit behind it remains important to us. Just like in Berlin, the aim was always to create a sense of community and a place where people felt at home — and that ethos continues to shape everything we do.

After many years in the vinyl game, how have you seen the effects of the digital era on physical sales?

We’ve definitely felt the push and pull of the digital world. On one hand, digital music and streaming make it easier for people to discover new sounds, but on the other hand, there’s something very special about vinyl — its physicality, its warmth, and the act of digging through crates.

During COVID, for example, we leaned more into online sales, but that wasn’t ideal for us because we deeply value in-person interaction. The shop is not just a business — it’s a space where synergy happens, where collaborations are born, and where people meet. At the same time, we don’t see digital as the enemy; rather, it coexists: some people find us via digital, then come in to explore physically, and others support us by buying records online when needed.

When looking for new music and collections for the shop, what is it you are looking for? Do you tend to just buy locally or further out?

Our approach is quite organic. We’re very open-minded when we dig for records — what excites us is something that feels alive, something with a story or energy. When any member of our team presents a collection, we all go through it: if there’s excitement, we pursue it.  We buy both locally and internationally. Berlin gives us access to incredible second-hand crates, but we’ve also sourced collections from further away — for example, Denmark. The Ecuador connection helps, because we bring Latin / Ecuadorian crates as well. We don’t overthink too much; often, our best buys come from trusting what feels right and following our instincts.

You also run events on the side of the store — do you have much planned for the coming months?

Absolutely, events are a natural extension of what we do at the shop. We have 2 or 3 big parties planned for Berlin, and some in South America but we will keep it a bit mysterious until we have more details 

If you could improve one thing about the record industry — what would it be? Or maybe you have an idea of something that could work and benefit the industry?

Good question. If I could change one thing, I’d probably push for greater sustainability and connection in how records are made, distributed, and consumed. Here’s what I mean:

Sustainability: Vinyl pressing is resource-intensive. I’d like to see more eco-friendly practices in pressing plants, and more awareness among labels / shops about minimizing waste.

Community over commodification: Sometimes, record culture becomes too focused on hype or investment (“flipping” records). I would love for people to return more to the notion of musical sharing — not just collecting for value, but collecting for connection.

Support for smaller / independent artists and labels: Many amazing sounds never reach a wide audience because of cost barriers. More structures (financial, logistical) to help small labels press, release, and distribute would be amazing.

More collaborative spaces: I’d love to see more hybrid models like ours: shops that are also labels, that have events, that foster communities across cities (like Berlin ↔ Quito). This kind of model could help the industry stay rooted and real, not just commercial.

Discover Kimchi Records and go and check out their store if you are around in Berlin. You can find a selection of Tanzform records, fashion and accessories in-store.