The Brvtalist is proud to present a special edition mix from MANASYt. Active since 2003, he's responsible for a vast array of menacing titles on labels such as Bunker, Touchin' Bass, Kommando 6 and Musar. Conjuring an alchemy of electro, EBM, post-punk and more, MANASYt follows no trends and adheres only to his own passion for the genre. Today we are thrilled to host this striking mix of post-punk as well as a Q&A with the Bulgarian artist now based in China. (see below)
The Brvtalist: Tell us about the mix you recorded. Some real gems in there.
MANASYt: I've been a fan of Detriti Records for a while now. So these are all tracks, released on this Berlin-based label, mostly on cassette, some on vinyl. I picked some of my favorite post-punk and darkwave etc. tunes for this one. Words and Aactions, Ascending and Dusty Idols are projects of Davide, who runs the label. Those are sung in Italian. You will hear others' songs in Russian, German and French as well.
TB: Would you say post-punk is your first (music) love?
M: No, it came later with electronic music. But I'll never forget hearing Killing Joke for the first time back in the day, they blew my mind...and stll do!
TB: You're originally from Bulgaria. What was the scene like there when you were starting out?
M: In Bulgaria I grew up with metal and industrial, I was in metal bands. Also got into Swans, The Young Gods, Sonic Youth, Godflesh later on. Found about EBM naturally too. I started producing when I moved to the US, after I got more into electronic music - electro, minimal wave etc. ADULT. was a big influence in the beginning.
TB: What do you think about the latest renaissance of wave, post-punk, EBM of the last 5-10 years? Here to stay or will it fade away and come back again another time?
M: I think it's great! I mean, there's a lot of generic and rigid stuff out there, all the Nitzer Ebb and Front 242 soundalikes, but there's also many gems, people experimenting more and more, not afraid to step into unknown territory. So, I think it' here to stay.
TB: Any hopes or wishes for the music industry emerging from the pandemic?
M: Well, like everyone else, hope to be able to play out again soon. I've been in China for the last 11 years but used to go home every summer, and now that's not possible. Also, I think it's more difficult for labels to sell vinyl now. A lot of new cassette labels emerge. Let's hope for the best and see!
TB: What's coming up next and anything else you want to mention.
M: I have an EP out now, called 'Apophenic' on KinetiK (Greece) It's a very limited clear 10". Another 12" will be out next month on Rator Mute (Spain). I got an LP in the works, on an infamous Dutch label, and also a 12" with 4 people remixing my tracks!
Sigita Seyr - Vita Iter Est Neque Finis
Words and actions - Tutto Passa
The Serfs - Ringing the Changes
Parole E Azioni - Fais Confiance Au Soldat Allemand
Silent EM - Gris
Nauchnyy Sotrudnik - Gadkaya Bodema
Psihokratija - Who Is Alive Who Is Dead
Silent EM - Pure Heart
Cendre Froide - Nocturne
Das Das - Nein Nein Nein
Ascending - L'unica Certezza
South Heights - Nachtkriecher
Words and actions - Un Fiume Nero
Ascending - Untitled 1
Ascending - Untitled 4
Dusty Idols - Magnis Itineribus
Novosti kulturi - Kvarz
Ascending - E Tu Reagisci
Ces Cadaveres - Postrados
Villes Nouvelles - Leaders
Evrydika BA2O37 - Golod
Villes Nouvelles - Kalt
La Punta Bianca - Smell Of Paint
Ascending - Istinto primordiale
Karl Kave - Schwarzwiisi Tr‰um
Karl Kave - Lieber Vorw‰rts
Blind Seagull - Pressure
The Serfs - Vanishing Act
Das Das - Ich Bin Leer
Winded - No Known