The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track from Secondary Drive. “Terminal 5” comes off the Berlin-based artist’s debut EP, Dementia, which is also the first release from the great Bristol platform, Tales of Psychofonia. This is the first chapter of a trilogy, inspired by neuropsychological conditions and their impact on our memory, sensory-motor skills, behavior and consequent understanding of the world. Dementia is an excellent 4-track digital EP which also contains a great remix of the title track by Greek artist 3.14 (Pi Electronics). Today we are thrilled to present the infectious electro-magnetism of “Terminal 5”.
Dementia is out February 28th and you can get yours on Bandcamp. We have always been fans of TOP as well and to mark the release I had a chat with the platform’s founder, Natasa, about the EP and more. (see below)
-JRS
(below from left: Secondary Drive, Dementia, 3.14)
The Brvtalist: Dementia is the first release on TOP. How did the trilogy take shape and did you have something in mind for the first release?
Tales of Psychofonia: I have been willing to release the music that I like and inspired me for some years now and paradoxically, the pandemic was the right moment. For me it is all about music and deep connections through that. Somehow, for this release, everything came together a bit unexpectedly, but also not. Usually in life, there are these moments that all the elements are right in front of you and the decision is for you to make it or not. So I did. In one of my latest trips to Berlin, Secondary Drive showed me his newly made projects, I instantly fell in love with them and I clearly saw the EP. There is something very special with this artist’s sound and I am looking forward to seeing more of his music out there. Then I spoke to Alex, 3.14 (Pi electronics) who did a powerful remix of the track Dementia. I have a lot of respect for his work and his labels and I thought It would be great to collaborate with him…and it was!
The idea of a trilogy is to promote the music of an artist in a more spheric way, so the audience gets to listen to what this artist has to offer. This is what Tales of Psychofonia was about since the beginning anyway, promoting artists I like no matter how big they are. Music that speaks to me and hopefully to other people, too. The two first releases will be digital and hopefully next year the last EP/chapter will be on vinyl.
It was also partly inspired by an artistic composition of the amazing photographer Alejanda Vacuii, who showed me the artwork of the EP, as part of a trilogy, too. Finally the name of the track Dementia brought the idea of the concept; inspired by neuropsychological conditions and their impact on our understanding of the world. But also, Dementia seen as a metaphor for the collective social dementia state we are all in…
The Brvtalist: How has the pandemic era been for you creatively? Whether through running the platform or anything else you're engaged with?
TOP: Music production, and enriching the content of the platform, literally kept me going. Tales of Psychofonia played a huge role in my mental balance. It is somehow the synonym of resilience for me. Through it I kept in touch with people I appreciate, love and admire and more connections were created. It also became a platform where artists and DJs shared their views on the pandemic and the current socio-political events. You see I always need to see things in their sociopolitical perspective and I enjoy getting to know more about the artists and their views. I think art is never separated from the hand of its creator. And especially nowadays we need to hear people’s voices.
Last year, t.o.p released the V/A / Θ Ρ Α Υ Σ Μ Α Τ Α /, a charity compilation, that its proceeds went to a very important organization for the homeless here in Bristol. I was very moved and pleased to see artists I love taking part and willing to support such a great cause. I was also very happy to see how lots of other labels have shown great solidarity. I really hope this attitude will remain in the future.
On the other hand, with my Helena Markos project I released some of my tracks, which of course made me very happy. I have just finished my first remix for a Greek band and I am looking forward to its release too.
TB: How are things looking in Bristol at the moment?
TOP: Bristol is a beautiful multicultural city with a rich history. At the moment, it is sad to see how dramatically everything has changed. Although, I am pretty sure that creativity it's boiling and so many good things will come out of this, art and music wise. Rave culture is so embedded here and it will be very interesting to see how things will evolve and how people will deal with the new status quo. Two years before the pandemic there was a very interesting scene with some very unique events. It almost feels like a different decade to me right now and I cannot even visualize the post- pandemic landscape. Brexit will also have an immense impact on people’s life and to be honest I do not feel very optimistic about it. Really missing the vibe of so many interesting and open to the difference people, one gets to know here.
TB: Are you planning more releases? What's coming up next with the platform or anything else?
TOP: I am aware that the platform still needs lots of work and patience and there are some changes I am planning to do over the next 2 years but I still enjoy the diy and low- fi character of it. The platform is already 8 years old and now that the label has been launched I think that I will just trust the flow and of course my ears…everything will come at the right moment. :)
The second chapter of the trilogy will be eventually ready after Summer and next year the third release. I am planning to continue with two more trilogies for the next couple of years. Each of them will show the work of one or two artists. Finally, I do not want to restrict the label with one genre, but at the same time I want to keep some common elements. Somehow I feel that broken beats have something really timeless about them and I want lots of them :)
But yeah, enough with introspection, now I feel that I just want to feel physically connected and dance with others again, it is about time….
Thank you Jeremy!