Very few works are capable of capturing the essence of their own time, while continuing to stay relevant long after they're produced. Dominatrix, the latest release by Berlin-based record label Instruments of Discipline ("IOD"), is definitely one of these works. Unearthed from 1980's New York City, Dominatrix is equal parts electro-punk, synthpop, proto-techno and dungeon soundtrack. Stuart Argabright is the man behind Dominatrix. For decades he has been a prolific producer in electronic music and his projects Ike Yard and Black Rain have been huge influences on countless other artists. The track, "Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight", was a relative hit for Argabright and vocalist Dominque Davalos upon its release in 1984. However, since the 80's little has been heard from the project until now. When we saw new material was being released by one of our favorite contemporary labels, we were interested in discovering more. We reached out to IOD label head, Luna Vassarotti, and she provided us with some great background and historical context. Please find the Q&A with Luna below.
The Brvtalist: Dominatrix is an unearthed gem from 1980's New York City. What drew you to the sound and aesthetic of this project? Also, is this unreleased material or a re-issue?
Luna Vassarotti: I’ve always been a fan of Ike Yard and Stuart Argabright’s more recent project, Black Rain. I was introduced to Stuart through TJ Cowgill from King Dude/Not Just Religious Music by email and I got to meet him in person at the Blackest Ever Black showcase in Berlin last year. We kept in touch and that’s when Stuart suggested un-released Dominatrix material for a release on my label. I fell in love with the tracks on the spot; they had an interesting mix of something timeless but also portrayed the danceable, synth-pop, club sound that I imagine you would hear in NY clubs in the mid 80’s. I still feel like the record’s sound is hard to categorize but that’s the reason I was drawn to it for an IOD release.
TB: I love the cover art! I especially like when labels take older material and reinvigorate it with new artwork and design. Talk about the idea for the cover and what you wanted to do with it.
LV: Thank you! Stuart gave me carte blanche for the cover, which I felt very honored by. The idea first came through talking about how the Dominatrix project was born. The story, which is also explained in the release bio, began when a young Stuart met a beautiful, mysterious older woman in a corvette while hitchhiking in the States. They became friends and spent many nights together at her East Side apartment, getting high and listening to Bowie records. After he noticed the bull whips and manacles hanging in her closet, it became apparent that his friend’s occupation was chaining, whipping, and torturing upscale Manhattan businessmen - who were very willing victims and had the credit card bills to prove it. This project came to life because of his sincere admiration and respect for the professional dominatrix. From there it was evident to me that the Dominatrix had to be the main focus for the cover. I wanted something sexy but at the same time austere - a contrast between hard and soft, pleasure and pain, etc. Milk came to my mind as a playful contrast with the leather whip and gloves. It created a surreal environment which I think embodies the qualities of the music I was drawn to. I was lucky to have my boyfriend help me with the shots as he’s an amazing photographer.
TB: Instruments of Discipline is a great boutique label with a varied sound. How do you approach looking for artists to release and is there an underlying theme or concept with what you put out?
LV: I get quite a few demos by mail and I tend to go for the ones I like regardless of genre. I really started the label when I moved to Berlin and it has been an amazing source of inspiration. I’ve seen so many great shows and I get introduced to so much interesting work here. I have always travelled and I love meeting people so I still get recommendations from all over the place but I just follow and trust my own personal taste. It can be pretty eclectic, but I think this is how one creates something with a sense of their own character. The label is still very young and I don’t really think there is an underlying theme or concept. I believe I started with an ideal in mind but then found I was drawn to releasing things which didn’t exactly fit that mold, so rather than let a concept stop me it has evolved. That said, the label will always tend toward an obscure, darker aesthetic of sound. I have always been attracted to a playful kind of violence and perhaps the idea of an apocalyptic fairytale.
Lunar Lodge // Mai Mai Mai (Instruments of Discipline, 2014)
TB: What's next from Instruments of Discipline?
LV: I am releasing an album called Black Box Recordings, which is a collaboration between artist Robert Skrzyński (Micromelancolie) and Mike Bjella (GOG). I'm also co-releasing Elisabeth Dixon’s debut EP with Australian label Trait Records and both should be out by the end of the year. A Dominatrix remix album is also in the works. Finally, there is a special surprise release that must remain a secret until next year. I can only say that it’s a re-release of a NY act that was only ever out on tape. It will be a co-released with the great Berlin label [Aufnahme & Wiedergabe].
We would like to thank Luna Vassarotti for her time and great responses. Instruments of Discipline is a label we immediately identified with as it maintains a very good sense of cohesiveness while not adhering to a strict set of rules or boundaries. We also love art and music that is not easily categorized and IOD releases are always interesting and unique. We look forward to hearing more from Luna and her great label. For more information and to purchase Dominatrix please visit Instruments of Discipline.
-JRS