Laurent Garnier and Scan X revealed as masterminds behind enigmatic label Cod3 QR
Both artists have contributed tracks to new EP

“The cat is finally out of the bag” – French house and techno titans Laurent Garnier and Scan X have been revealed as the main forces behind the mysterious Cod3 QR label. Additionally, both artists have contributed new tracks to the label’s latest EP.
Cod3 QR – operational for over 4 years – is known for its V/A EPs, in which it keeps the artists’ names anonymous until 2 months after each record’s release. Despite this unusual approach, their reputation and backing has lent to its continued success, maintaining an ethos of letting the music speak for itself, rather than the artists’ names or reputations affecting each release’s perceived quality.
Laurent Garnier, one of the most well-known techno DJs in the world, explained Cod3 QR’s origins as a a sub-imprint of France’s longstanding EPM Music:
“It all started 4 years ago when we were heading to a party with Stephane (aka Scan X) and EPM Music’s Oliver Way. Oliver popped the question straight after picking us up at the train station: “I think you two guys should do a new label with us at EPM.” At first we laughed as we thought it was a crazy idea… then we quickly brushed the question away: “a label nowadays – have you gone completely out of your mind??””
“Oliver tried to argue a bit with us, but we were having none of it. End of discussion. Then we all had a great party! On our flight back to Marseille, with Stephane we couldn’t resist anymore, (wondering) “what if this, and what if that?!” As we landed 40 minutes later, the concept was written, the label’s name was decided and we already had a huge list of artists to get in touch with. We knew it was a crazy idea, but we now had to convince Oliver.”
Laurent’s partner and label co-founder Stephane Dri – better known as Scan X – is often credited as one of the original pioneers of the French techno scene. With his career stretching back to 1993, X’s music has seen inclusion on the catalogues of seminal labels including FNAC Music and F Communications.
Speaking on Cod3 QR, he said: “During those last 3 years, it was a big challenge to keep the secret of who was behind the label. Of course it was also a lot of fun! Having the music at the heart of the proposal without dropping any names was also a challenging odyssey, especially nowadays where social media and artist’s names are sometimes considered more important than the music itself. But all the artists played the game by agreeing with the philosophy behind the label, that their names had to be coded during the first two months of their release. So a big big thanks to them for trusting us… And it’s not the end of the game!“

In keeping with the reveal, both Laurent Garnier and Scan X have contributed new music to the label’s 10th release, adding their respective tracks ‘How D’ya Like Your Beef’ and ‘Internal’. Both deep techno tracks accompany pieces by Italian producers Speaking Minds & Amarcord (‘Poliritmo’), as well as one of Uruguay’s key powerhouses Diego Infanzon (‘Bye Bye’).
Additionally, it has been announced that a special Cod3 QR party will take place in Paris’ Kilometre25 club on Saturday October 2, with Laurent Garnier, Scan X, Re.Kod, Joaquim Plossu, R.O.S.H., Rocco, Voltaire (live) and Kyodai (live) set to DJ, and with Scan X, Electric Rescue, Paul Nazca, Voltaire, Lo Pagani and Paola DJing at a further afterparty.