The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from M. The label boss of the Netherlands’ Enfant Terrible delivers an excellent mix as the label celebrates 15 years of operation. Over this time, the label (as well as sub-labels Gooiland Eleketro and Vrystaete) was one of the first to give recognition and attention to the pioneers of minimal electronics, proto-elektro, avant-garde pop and experimental electronic pop music from the early 1980’s in addition to developing emerging talent from around the globe. To mark the occasion, we are thrilled to host this mix plus a Q&A with M. himself about the history of the label and what’s coming up next. See below.
For more information visit: https://www.enfant-terrible.nl/
-JRS
The Brvtalist: Tell us about the label's beginnings. Also, what was the scene or community for wave/electro/etc at the time?
M.: Basically it is quite simple, I started my label as I am a collector, and I came across music I wanted to have on vinyl as a DJ, event organizer and writer for various (web)zines. A lot of what I got back then was on CD-R. So one day I decided to start releasing some of that music on vinyl. And still, after 15 years this is what I do. I release music I myself want to have on vinyl. At the end I am just a record collector and I will always be…
Scenes, I do not like scenes, They are dogmatic and I avoid being part of any scene. I always have. Scenes will always be the same - defining things and thus excluding others. They make you become like everyone else even if you think it’s not the case. It's all just very boring to me.
TB: How has running a label like this changed over the last 15 years? What has stayed the same?
M.: What changed the most is this - when I started back in 2004 not so many people were doing vinyl so when I placed an order at the pressing plant it was all done and delivered in like 4-5 weeks. Now with/after the vinyl hype and with this “nostalgic” trend everybody is doing vinyl (and tapes!!) and I have to wait for 4-5 months to get a record done.
Also many people ask for files/digital versions of releases or just one track in digital format from a certain release. A lot of people seem less interested in a well curated EP, album or even 7” which comes along with fitting artwork. This is at times frustrating if your aim is to create and put out more than just a nice tune. Still I never do digital releases and this means my label is less present as many others. At the end of the day I do not care though. I create things for a small group of music lovers who are looking for a bit more as just another/the next record.
TB: What’s coming up next for you?
M.: I am always preparing a lot of stuff. In this mix is a lot of forthcoming releases from Monocorpse, Roberto Auser and FOQL. I’m also preparing records by new names like Sturqen, Futuro De Hierro and Unhuman on Gooiland Elektro and ET. For Vrystaete, up next will be a weird psychedelic folk drone sort of record and also a lo-fi/lo-tech dark ambient release. I also have some early ideas for a new series/sub-label. Things are always on the move as my wish to play new vinyl at home never stops…