New Brvtalism No. 053

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix by legendary artist Cindytalk. Scotland born, London-based musician Cindy, has been active for over three decades and has been a major pioneer of experimental music. Working in genres ranging from post-punk and industrial to ambient and techno, there are no limitations on what Cindytalk may explore. Few artists have continued to evolve and push boundaries quite like this and Cindytalk's music continues to stay well ahead of the curve. Aptly titled Shadow Time, this is a haunting, psychological journey that takes you to the depths of the soul and back. We could not be more honored to host such an iconic artist and here are a few words about the mix:

This set was originally put together in February for an event Cindytalk
was invited to DJ in Reading, England. However, at the last moment,
the set times were altered and I played two shorter sets instead of a
longer one. I was able to play some of this set but only in truncated form,
so i was delighted to be invited, soon after, to record the set for New
Brvtalism.

Cindytalk recently released a collaborative 12" on Diagonal Records (028) with Ancient Methods under the alias In The Mouth Of The Wolf. There will also be a new CINDYTALK album out soon on Editions Mego entitled THE LABYRINTH OF THE STRAIGHT LINE. We look forward to more new material from one of our favorite artists. For more information and music please visit the official site and Facebook.

-JRS

CINDYTALK SHADOW TIME MIX Feb/Mar2016

SATOSHI KON INTRO (PAPRIKA)
01 - AKKORD - GRAVURE [ CONTINUUM (FIS HAYFIELD TO NEW MILLS (VERSION) ] (Houndstooth)
02 - SHAPEDNOISE - INTRUDER (Type)
03 - CINDYTALK - I MYSELF AM AN ABSOLUTE ABYSS (Editions Mego)
04 - THE SPRAWL - PERSONALITY UPLOAD (The Death Of Rave)
05 - KERRIDGE - FATAL LIGHT ATTRACTION * 4 (Downwards)
06 - ROLY PORTER - IN FLIGHT (Tri-Angle)
07 - AKKORD - MONOLITH (Houndstooth)
08 - KERRIDGE - FATAL LIGHT ATTRACTION * 1 (Downwards)
09 - THE SPRAWL - FROM WETWARE TO SOFTWARE (The Death Of Rave)
10 - AKKORD - HTH20 (THE HAXAN CLOAK’S CLOUD OF WITNESS) (Houndstooth)
11 - SHAPEDNOISE - ESCALATION (Type)
12 - MUMDANCE - THE SPRAWL (Rinse)
13 - MUMDANCE & LOGOS - HALL OF MIRRORS (Tectonic)
14 - KERRIDGE - SONIC INSTRUMENTS OF WAR #02 (Contort)
15 - ROLY PORTER - MASS (Tri-Angle)
16 - CINDYTALK - SLEIGHT OF MIND (Editions Mego)

Raster Noton 20th Anniversary

The way we perceive our surroundings, both sonically and visually, is constantly and continuously being shaped by art. Over the past 2 decades, the German label raster-noton - archiv für ton und nichtton has been excelling at bringing forth artists whose creative vision helped build a transitional area between music, art, and science. And whether it’s by deconstructing or reinventing aesthetics, their approach never ceases to amaze. This year they are celebrating 20 years of activity at Berghain with 2 events that perfectly reflect the concept behind the label.

April 28 – 30 - The installation “white circle” at Halle Am Berghain.

Initially presented in Karlsruhe, at the ZKM museum's "sound dome", the installation is the embodiment of sculptural ambient music, acting as a connection between space and sound. Alva Noto, Byetone, Frank Bretschneider and Kangding Ray all contributed to it, and the opening of the exhibition will be followed by live performances on the immersive 4DSOUND system.

"Each composition will present an independent, self-contained concept of the respective artist. All works will be based on the idea of ambient music, a music that wants to make (palpably) tangible the acoustic space as well as the visual stimulus.”

Facebook event

April 29th – Label showcase at Berghain & Panorama Bar

Friday sees raster-noton's anniversary party with a line-up that lives up to the expectation of any raster-noton fan, music geek or art freak: Dasha Rush, Kangding Ray and Marcell Dettmann, just to name a few. For the complete line-up head over here.

Faceboook Event.

-Marie Bungau
@mariebungau

Term Fix - The Surgeon's Dog

In a sea of Industrial and EBM revivalists, it has become increasingly more difficult to wade through the masses and find something that is able to channel the original sound and spirit, while still keeping the music fresh and interesting. Thankfully, we have The Suregon's Dog by Australia's Term Fix. All analog production by System Body and nihilist, sinister vocals by Term Fix, creates one of the best Industrial releases we've heard so far this year.

Artwork by Maidenfed (instagram.com/maidenfed)

Since 2015, we've had 4 other releases by the artist, which is a very impressive output. The Surgeon's Dog is probably the most fully realized effort and brings an evolved quality that is instantly infectious. "Furnace" is a great example of the grinding, rhythmic hypnosis on this record and we also love the track "Stretched Out", which brings a dark, haunting tale to accompany the bleak, pounding industrial sounds. "Identity and Dispose" showcases Term Fix's ability to slow down the tempo a bit, and his menacing vocals burn deep beneath the surface.

The excellent artwork is provided by the notorious Maidenfed and plays into the artist's love of fetish, with an emphasis on heavy rubber and latex. We found the "The Surgeon's Dog" to be the perfect title for the record and asked the artist to say a few words about that:

Inspiration for the name comes from the idea that I am just the dog of a surgeon, watching them complete surgeries, botching surgeries, and operating on my own body. I am still the dog on the outside watching my body be completed and manipulated, only to not have the satisfaction of living in it afterwards. Tracks are nihilistic, and observatory, with the idea that people can not always control their own bodies and thoughts. Sometimes you find yourself with no power over your own persona. Term Fix is my main and most personally connected work.

  
    <a href="http://termfix.bandcamp.com/album/the-surgeons-dog">The Surgeon&#39;s Dog by Term Fix</a>
  

If you needed any more reasons to love this album, it's currently available as a free download, so there's really nothing not to like here. While involved in other projects (Transparent Flesh Flag, Weeping Rat & more), Term Fix is the artist's most intimate work and conveys a unique portrait that we have come to love. We look forward to hearing and seeing more from Term Fix. For more information and downloading, please visit Bandcamp and Facebook.

-JRS

Black Plastic

As you probably know, The Brvtalist loves projects that don't quite fit into a single category or even better, manage to exist in different mediums at the same time. This is what drew us to Black Plastic, the latest musical project by New York City-based artist Kevin Grady. Out now on the mighty Cleopatra Records, Black Plastic is a thought provoking work. It is a debut album of dance floor ready post-punk and dark wave, but it's also an art directed music and visual piece that the artist himself proclaims is not real (hence the title "Black Plastic").

Today we are excited to bring you a video stream of the album in its entirety. Visual accompaniment is by David Strindberg, a Swedish director known for his work with brands like H&M and Adidas and musicians like Madonna. This is roughly 35 minutes of titillating sensory onslaught. For fans who love dark genres of the 1980's, updated for 2016 with top notch production work by André Obin. The release is at once straight ahead synth-driven dance jams, while also existing as a layered statement shrouded in mystery and enigma.

Black Plastic (Official) [Album Stream] find on Black Plastic at Bandcamp

Kevin Grady is perhaps best known for creating the award-winning, cult magazine, Lemon. Lavishly produced and designed, the magazine has hosted a wide range of impressive contributors, including David Bowie, Daft Punk, Jeff Koons, Sonic Youth and many others. Grady brings his razor sharp prowess to the Black Plastic project. Shimmering like a finely tuned, polished new machine, Black Plastic fires on all cylinders right out of the gate. The tracks and visuals are seething with ritualistic imagery and primal desires. "Deutsch" is a great example of the album's ability to co-exist in both the music and art world, while still maintaining an accessible point of entry for music fans of all kinds.

Black Plastic is available now for purchasing on digital format and a very nice limited edition CD package. The artist will kick off live shows at Boston's Great Scott on April 25, and will play showcases in NY and LA later this spring and early summer. For more information please visit the official site and Facebook. We look forward to more from this great project.

-JRS

New Brvtalism No. 052

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix by the minds behind one of our favorite labels, Giallo Disco Records. Creating a unique sound known as Horror Disco, Vercetti Technicolor & Antoni Maiovvi have released some incredible records, ranging from techno to classic 80's soundtrack influenced sounds. We recently featured one of the label's current releases, Focus on Light by Hørd, and their latest release, Blood Meridian by Japan's Ketsueki Sākuru is a rare gem from an elusive talent. Both Technicolor and Maiovvi are great producers in their own right and we are honored to have them contribute a collaborative mix to our series. The duo will be playing some live shows in Europe and catch them at the following dates:
22nd April - Berlin - JK
23rd April - Rotterdam - Bordello A Parigi 5th Birthday
3rd June - Brussels- TBA

For more information and music please visit Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Facebook.

-JRS

Sfire - Sfire2 (Kris Baha ’86 Remix)
Dust - Xenocide
Scientific Dreamz Of U - New Dreamz Of The Flesh
Drvg Cvltvre - Bad Reputation
Senate - Gangstalker
Daniel Kyo - Blood Running
Legowelt - Tondalayo
Craig Bratley - Obsession
Salta & Roma - I Don’t Believe
Repeated Viewing - Dance Chat
The Hasbeens - Maybe (The Twelves Remix)
Antoni Maiovvi - Molly’s Theme
Mario Moretti - Multiverse
Jonty Rose - Night Horizon (Starion Remix)
Visonia - Danse Avec La Lune

Y-3 Sport

The future of sportswear is now here and we can thank legendary designer Yohji Yamamoto for ushering in a new age. His Y-3 collaboration with Adidas has been a favorite for quite sometime. Mixing luxury and high performance design and fabrics with the iconic brand, Yamamoto has now unleashed something slightly different on the world. It is called Y-3 Sport.

This collection is focused on performance. The clothes and accessories take things to new heights with all weather gear including reflective patterns, rainproof jackets and shoes that are created for any terrain you may encounter. The designs are simply from the future and you can expect interesting cuts, subtle detailing and materials that use the latest technology. We love the men's "Future Craft Midlayer", which is a jacket based on the Adidas Daybreaker hoody but elongated and fitted for a nicer silhouette, plus instead of french terry, Y-3 uses "climalite" jersey offering both quick drying and moisture management. First stitched for durability and then bonded to offer maximum comfort and durability including pockets, zips and media integration.

Womenswear gets the same treatment, offering innovative designs with cutting edge features. For instance, the Y-3 Sport Fine Knit top explores new knitting techniques. Y-3 discovered a lesser-used circular knit machine with limited capability yet far better handfeel and drape. The result is a beautifully durable piece that is both elegant yet practical. Also included in the collection are amazing bags that are designed to fit close to the body and maximize durability all while smartly integrating your devices.

Whether its avant-garde couture or high performance sportswear, Yohji Yamamoto always seems to get it right. Y-3 Sport is no exception with introducing brand new technologies and a futuristic design aesthetic. We pretty much want every single item and hope to see more from Y-3 Sport in the years to come. For more information and e-boutique please visit Y-3.

-JRS

Body of Light - "Volantà di Amore"

For the first time, Body of Light's now classic release is available on vinyl from one of our favorite labels. Available now on Chondritic Sound, is 2013's Volantà di Amore. Arizona brothers Alex and Andrew Jarson create beautifully dark, melancholy tracks with a pop sensibility that work equally as well on the dance floor as they do in the confines of a plush, private bedroom.

  
    <a href="http://chondriticsound.bandcamp.com/album/volont-di-amore">Volontà di Amore by Body of Light</a>
  

While only a few years old, Volantà has proven to be an important record. Its combination of genres was slightly ahead of the curve and helped usher in a now prevalent sound that fuses some of the best elements of goth, minimal synth, dark wave and more. We love tracks like "Fall", which are just oozing with romanticism and emotional torment. Chondritic Sound offers three options for the release - traditional black vinyl (ltd 170), a white vinyl edition (ltd 110) that includes a killer new patch with the band's excellent artwork and finally "hardcore pink" (ltd. 70), which includes the patch plus a bonus cassette.

Volantà di Amore was originally only available on cassette format so we are thrilled to see it get a proper vinyl release. As always, Chondritic Sound puts out some of the most relevant and important albums in the underground today and this is no exception. Body of Light is also currently on the tail end of a major US tour with local favorites High Functioning-Flesh. For more information and purchasing please visit Chondritic Sound and Bandcamp.

-JRS

Noblesse Oblige + New Brvtalism No. 051

From the dark murky lands of Holland comes Gooiland Elektro, a sub-label of Enfant Terrible, which is releasing music for the hedonists, the libertines, and decadents out there. For the lovers of elitist pop culture and for the true freaks of the world. The Gooiland compilations are limited to a small amount of copies, and focus on lesser known, under the radar artists.

“With Noblesse Oblige you find yourself among the aristocracy of the mind and body”. The compilation brings together 6 artists with different creative visions, and makes a homogenous and haunting musical trip, which clearly doesn’t fit a certain trend or genre, but rather explores and experiments in order to create music for that elitist side that’s hiding in every one of us. Whether you want to experience it on the dancefloor or in a more intimate setting, there’s something for every mood you might have - from dark techno and powerful EBM beats to a more industrial and acidy vibe, paired with piercing French vocals or sensual panting screams. Don’t expect catchy or upbeat tunes, and instead be prepared to abandon all hope, ye who enter in the world of Gooiland Elektro. This compilation will be limited to 250 copies, so make sure you grab yours here before they’re gone forever.

Tracklist

A1 LCN - Appartenance

A2 Monocorpse - Robert & Caroline

A3 Profligate - Come Back (Bleeding House)

B1 Osty - Untitled One

B2 Neugeborene Nachtmusik - Yoshiwara

B3 Future Blondes - Shadow Mirror

And to complement this release, one of the artists from the Noblesse Oblige compilation is bringing us New Brvtalism No. 051. Neugeborene Nachtmusik, roughly translated to Newborn Night Music, is a Dutch musician named Maurice Hermes, residing in Berlin, who draws his inspiration from the darkest corners of the human mind and beyond. This conceptual approach applies not only to his releases, but to his mixing style as well. You’ll be exploring different kinds and layers of darkness through cold and bone shaking tunes from Neugeborene Nachtmusik, Coil, or Agent Side Grinder, during a 1 and a half hour’s ritualistic journey which will take you to the depths of your own hopelessness, and then back to reality again.

-Marie Bungau
@mariebungau

Track list:
Europ Europ 'Stormy pacific' (St. Maurice U Boot Remix) (Etch Wear 30)
Puin + Hoop 'Slaapstaking' (Kamp Holland Compilation, Enfant Terrible)
Coil 'The sewage worker's birthday party' (Scatology)
Luc van Acker 'Dohan Viola' (Enfant Terrible)
Neugeborene Nachtmusik 'Sacrifice' (Enfant Terrible)
Agent Side Grinder '210-392' (Enfant-Terrible)
Europ Europ '22_22' (Enfant-Terrible)
Neugeborene Nachtmusik 'Han Dog' (Exploitation OST, Enfant-Terrible)
Doxa Sinistra 'Exploring expedition' (Trumpett, Enfant-Terrible)
Milligram Retreat 'Aim for the brain' (Enfant-Terrible)
Control Unit 'Again' (Backwards)
La Mort De L'Hippocampe 'Chant de L'Extase' (Enfant-Terrible, Verba)
Optic Nest 'Thirst' (Moptac)
Neugeborene Nachtmusik 'The Undaunted traveller' (Enfant Terrible)
Milligram Retreat 'All Gone' (Enfant-Terrible)
Diamantener Oberhof 'Schlafmon' (Vrystaete, Enfant-Terrible)
Kaval 'Klokkenspel' (Vrystaete, Enfant-Terrible)
Dada 'Yuen Inraku Gaki' (Vanity)
Hero Wouters 'Een stil plekje-Pavane' (Enfant-Terrible)

Echo Beds - "Licking Wounds" Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is proud to present the music video premiere of "Licking Wounds" by Denver's Echo Beds. Crafting a raw style of post-punk and industrial, "Licking Wounds" is off the band's forthcoming album New Icons of a Vile Faith, to be released April 29th. This is a brvtal video, not for the faint of heart, that compliments the band's unique sound that is put through a grinder and oozing with aggressive, punishing emotion. Echo Beds kicks off a spring U.S. tour at the end of month in support of the new tape and you should definitely catch them in a city near you (full dates below). For now, please enjoy "Licking Wounds":

LICKING WOUNDS - ECHO BEDS from Kim Shively on Vimeo.

For more information, music and pre order please visit Bandcamp and Facebook.

-JRS

Keta Gutmane S/S 2016 + Q&A

Fashion can be viewed in many different contexts. Is it purely functional? Is it purely aesthetic? Is it something else entirely? We love when designers explore these questions and create their own unique narrative and that is exactly what Latvian fashion house Keta Gutmane does so well. Her collections are urban, progressive and brush aside any societal inhibitors to create womenswear that is classic yet undoubtedly fresh.

Her Spring/Summer 2016 collection is the perfect example of her creative vision. Inspired by the visual imagery of legendary director Wim Wenders, the collection creates a dialog between the interior and exterior. Empowering garments that fuse contemporary tailoring with an avant-garde sensibility. Keta's designs are empowering, functional and allow the wearer to achieve whatever they wish. We love the materials used and the oversized coats, poplin shirts and slim fitting pants. The Brvtalist was fortunate enough to speak with Ms. Gutmane about her work, this collection and more. Please find our great Q&A below:

*click images to enlarge

The Brvtalist: Talk about the development of Keta Gutmane and the mission or ethos of the brand.

Keta Gutmane: Keta Gutmane wants to bridge the interior and exterior. We wish to propose an open dialogue. One that is democratic and carefully shaped by the contours of our creative process. The studio’s monochrome backdrop re-directs all my focus towards construction, tactility and textural research.

My goal is to insert classic tailoring into urban environments, to make structured garments wearable and comfortable. The looks are always monochrome and quite boyish, genders do not matter to me so much. I like different textures, like my signature leather finish fabric and other natural high-quality textures. The garments are made to be worn. This is very important.

TB: We love the high concept approach to your clothes that also happen to be very wearable. Talk about the balance of creating something that is conceptual but also practical.

KG: Thank you. This is very dear to me and maybe to another 10% of people (who perceive their individual space and the world like I do), who do needsome form of conceptual narrative. When working on a collection, research is my ritual. It allows me to touch upon some other worlds besides this one, to experience some alternative results. This is a way to better express my ideas and creativity.

I try to avoid making concepts just for the concepts' sake. I would like everything to be light and easy instead, so when ideas do not come so easy and this starts to bother me, I lighten up the approach a bit. I have not always succeeded in striking a balance between the conceptual and the wearable -- it is quite rare when this perfect harmony occurs. All in all, clothes are products, and they need to find their place into the wardrobes of their wearers. Regarding the design, my goal is to throw out all things unnecessary, stripping the pieces from any frills. I want the items to breathe and live on their own. When designing, I pay a lot of attention to textile, tailoring and craft.

TB: What are you inspired by at the moment?

KG: Right now, I am quite obsessed with the new wave of Latvian literature that tackles a specific cultural environment defined by the era of 1990s. In Latvia, this was a period of radical change and is currently perceived as an unique phenomenon. It truly marks that one generation who knew what it was like to be young in the 1990s. In order to find oneself and all things alternative or different, people turned to the so-called alternative culture. This is a story about youth, when everyone tried to oppose the world, to differ from others, to party hard, to drink hard, die hard, at the same time waiting for the end of the world that was supposed to come in year 2000..... The 90s are therefore forever linked to my teenage years. These events form a bright biography of a generation that I personally connect to extremely well..

TB: Talk about the concept for S/S 2016.

KG: The central topic for the SS16 is searching for one's identity. And loneliness. I was thinking about an urban tramp and wanderer. This is how I feel the process of walking. Walking is directly connected to thinking and one can muse and dwell a lot during walks. There is the feeling of bright existence and gained experience during walks, you can just be with yourself and perceive yourself as the real you.

When it comes to the narrative, the space and images of Wim Wenders films have had their impact on me. This is something very familiar to me, this is what I long for, and for a while I felt I grew together with these visual tangents. The characters of Wenders are in search of their location and home in a social meaning. It is about characters that find their identity in movement, during trips, who get lost and feel strange in an environment where they should actually be feeling like home.

TB: Can you also touch on the materials used, details, and design process to achieve your goal for the collection?

KG: The materials chosen are natural and light in terms of their structure and content. Classic elements of tailoring get mixed with the grunge of 1990s. I have used a black and white checkered mourning tartan associated with death and funerals and used it in the context of anti-authority symbolism. The spring/summer collection has elements of oversize trenches, mannish looks; asymmetricity and layering. The collection has graphic black and white color gamma. Used fabrics include Japanese cotton, cupro, leather finish, silk and colored mixed cotton-silks.

TB: I also noticed you branched out into mediums like installation pieces and film. Talk about how things like Room Story or Creak are an extension of the brand.

KG: Well, quite some time has passed since these works were made! When I look back to that period, those timeless values have stayed. On the other side, it is quite funny to look back. These projects made me want to be closer to real people, so they serve as a reminder to spend my time one hundred percent creatively and to be free of any limitations, to allow things to happen that are not connected to the brand itself. It is important to be free in ones existence.

TB: What's next for Keta Gutmane?

KG: Since I have many male clients, I am thinking about menswear -- how to include it into the womenswear collections. I will take this process slowly, looking for ways to balance it out right. It is an exciting preposition to me, exploring new tailoring dimensions and constructions.

The Brvtalist would like to thank Keta Gutmane for taking the time to speak with us. Her work is inspiring and we absolutely love her conceptual and psychological approach to fashion and art. We look forward to seeing the next chapter from the fashion house and fingers crossed for a menswear collection. For more information, stockists and more please visit Keta Gutmane, Facebook and Instagram.

-JRS

Credits:
Photo: Martins Cirulis
AD: Marlo Saalmink
MUA: Aija Udentina
Model: Annija @ Starsystem