"Elektronik Milieu" started as a series of parties in 2003 and a team of 5 resident djs. The label "Elektronik Milieu Rec." was initialized by sound designer Manu Harmilapi, who released his first music in 1993 in form of a 7inch coloured vinyl. Originally from Cologne, Manu distributed the record consisting of pure Acid tunes, by himself to record stores in his hometown. Since the record was sold out within two weeks, another vinyl, this time a 12inch and again Acid, was released nationwide. Highly motivated, he set up the label plainaudio.com after relocating to Hamburg and started recruiting like-minded artists via the Internet, anticipating today's common idea of online artist networks early on.