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THE BRVTALIST

Mutant Metropolitan Culture

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The Brvtalist Premieres: Alex Barnett - Lattitudes (ft. Haley Fohr)

The Brvtalist is proud to premiere a new track from Chicago-based artist Alex Barnett. With stellar releases on Jealous God (as Champagne Mirrors) and Blackest Ever Black (as Barnett & Coloccia), Barnett returns with a solo effort (with the vocal accompaniment from Haley Fohr) for the upcoming DKA Tape Programme.

Being released on December 15th, this is a huge compilation from one of the most important labels in the American underground. With contributions from Nick Klein (LIES Records), Rusell E.L. Butler (Opal Tapes/CGI), Prostitutes (Diagonal/CGI), Grey People (CGI), DKA's own TWINS, and many others from the Southeast/Northeast and Midwest, this tape is a tour de force through heavy industrial techno, warped wave, and unhinged experimentation. "Lattitudes" is a great lead track filled with frigid, minimal electronics and ominous atmospheres. 

For fans of underground electronics, this compilation is not to be missed. For more information and purchasing, please visit DKA's Bandcamp page. 

-JRS 

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Monday 11.28.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Bouncy Castle

Between the holidays and the state of the world, it's pure madness right now. To help cope, The Brvtalist is proud to feature a new mix from Los Angeles-based artist Friend X. Bouncy Castle Mix is a rave approved selection of hardcore, gabber, trap and original edits for 30 minutes of pure bliss. The mix comes in support of the event of the same name, presented by Blk Rainbow and happening tomorrow, November 26th at The Lash. 

This will be the first of a monthly event series aimed at capturing the nostalgia and purity of the old LA rave scene while updating it for the future. It will also be the first local party to feature virtual reality (by Jonathan Sims) as well as a photo booth and a whole host of great DJs. Get ready with the mix now: 

For more information, visit the event page and we will see you at The Lash tomorrow. 

-JRS 

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Friday 11.25.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Blue Hour - "Unearthed"

British producer/DJ Blue Hour continues his onslaught on the techno community with a new two track 12" titled Unearthed. Luke Standing's project has quickly developed a name for itself with stellar releases on labels like Osgut Ton and Function's Infrastructure New York. Unearthed continues continues the artist's exploration of techno, electronica and estoterica with high energy offerings that are sure to punish the dance floor. 

"Lip Plate" starts things off with a tension filled, percussive hammering of future rhythms and hypnotic atmospheres. The title track has a 90's infused feel of a late night anthem that is just waiting to be unleashed. 

This 12" proves why Blue Hour remains one of our favorite emerging artists who successfully mixes sound and art with a live experience that moves beyond the traditional club parameters. Unearthed is out now on digital and vinyl formats. 

-JRS 

Tuesday 11.22.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Salò Mentale - SM ULTRA (1988-1992)

A new release is out now from Dutch label the тide øf тhe εnd. This time it´s with Salò Mentale, an older project lead by Anthony Blokdijk. This act started back in the late 80s, and put out several releases mostly on Cunker Records. Now it's time for a tape compilation of sorts, collecting recorded material from 1988 to 1992.  

I hadn't heard about this act before, and was surprised by the originality and rawness of the recording. Minor harsh psychedelics meeting the early sound of industrial post-punk? Think a bit of Chrome, Factrix, Tuxedomoon, SPK, early Click Click and later Hunting Lodge, It's hard to describe, but good for those hardcore fans of early post punk and industrial. 

I'm sure this tape will be one of the more interesting releases from 2016. Collecting all the lost and raw material on a well stocked cassette-tape, that is 80 minutes long! A great post-punk obscurity, which should be have more well known. I myself will sure have a copy of this Go it a listen! 

Monday 11.21.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

New Brvtalism No. 076

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from Greh Holger. One of the most revered artists in electronics today, Holger's output ranges from the crushing atmospherics of Hive Mind, to the nihilist, minimal industrial of Pure Ground. Active since 2002, Holger's label, Chondritic Sound, is responsible for some of the most important releases in the genres of noise, post-industrial and synth-wave in recent memory. Aptly titled "Garden of Futility", New Brvtalism No. 076 is an incredibly meditative, escapist journey. 

This mix coincides perfectly with four new releases on Chondritic. They include a killer Enema Syringe, which contains two tracks from 1986 as well as the latest album by Brvtalist favorite Pure Ground. The most infectious of the bunch is the left field, obtuse synth pop project Alone. Born out of Belgrade, Serbia, Unyou immediately infected us and we haven't put it down since. 

Rounding out the batch is the conceptual, cinematic narrative of Animi Sub Volpe Latentes.  This week of New Brvtalism is the perfect mental trip through obscure sounds and frightening depths. Please find the track list below. 

-JRS 

Track list: 
Arv & Miljö - Öppna Vattendrag
Robert Turman - Subterra
D.A.R.F.D.H.S. - Slave Merchants in Aldeigjubdorg
Etat Brut - J. Michaux
Les Temps Barbares - Tus Ojos Serán Dos Túneles
Proiekt Hat - Birthright
Freddy Ruppert - Krait 7
Hive Mind - Ornamentation of Eternity
Gaze Campaign - Arch for Dead End
Esplendor Geometrico - Blanco de Fuerza II
Moon Lay Hidden - A New Soldier Follows the Path of a New King VII
Ferial Confine - Fires Through Opaque Fog
Sessjonijiet H-R - D-1200 Kmandant
Viodre - One Ending / Garden of Futility
Premature Ejaculation - Transillumination
ICK - Spirit of the Wolf
Lille Roger - Undead
Dual Action - Tire Prick
EG Oblique Graph - Merge
Pessary - Absit Omen
Eric Lunde - Don't Fear the Reaper
Ex. Order - Distinctive Morality
Iron Youth - Deadness
Ich Wollte Ich Könnte - IWIK

Friday 11.18.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Material Lust in L.A.

Our favorite pair of artists masquerading as designers make their Los Angeles debut TONIGHT, November 17th, at the incredible JF Chen Gallery. We've tracked the designers output for the better part of two years and around this time last year we spoke with Christian Lopez Swafford and Lauren Larson about their philosophy, approach and the future of the brand. They also contributed a memorable New Brvtalism mix that fit the tone of their studio sounds at the time. Over the past year, the two have launched the Material Lust Annex, a conceptual design space in New York, and have branched out into furniture like sofas and chairs. We thought it would be a great time to catch up with Swafford and Larsen ahead of their L.A. show and find out what we can expect and what's coming next. 

Christian and Lauren inside the Material Lust Annex (NYC) 

The Brvtalist: We last spoke a year ago and at that time you were still in the process of setting up the Annex so let's pick up there. Talk about the new space and reflect a little on the last year. 

Material Lust (Christian): We opened the space in May and just wrapped up the first room installation.  Designing and executing the first room really opened up our eyes to what our process will evolve towards in the future.  I think we described our selves as artists designing furniture in the past but now we are more environmental artists.  A "Total work of Art" is what we are striving for and the Annex is quickly become a space we have grown comfortable experimenting with.   So far we have done a full furniture collection, lighting collection, upholstery, textiles, a custom scent and a video installation with music scored by Xavier Swafford from 3TEETH. It's been a pretty busy year. 

TB: I've been loving the "Peak" collection. The Twin Peaks Lips sofa and chair are departures from earlier work. They are more surreal and even fantastical. Talk about what inspired this and how did you like working with upholstery?

ML: When designing any soft upholstered pieces like a sofa or club chair it is important to pay attention to the curvature and proportions of the body.  We then took that a step further and created curvatures that are heavily inspired from body parts and how they lay.  Its funny that you mention the Surreal because we had been looking at surrealist paintings for inspiration for the collection. The goal was to introduce some unexpected shapes while still using classical design elements and construction. 
 

Peak Collection (2016) 

TB: November 17th will see the Los Angeles debut of Material Lust at JF Chen Gallery. How did this show come about and what can we expect from the L.A. premiere?

ML: Bianca Chen is a taste maker in the world of Interiors.  Along with her father, they curate one of the greatest collections of antique and vintage furniture in the world at JF Chen. They want to make serious push into the contemporary market by carrying young designers, and to us it is a privilege to be among them.  We will be installing some vignettes that feature our work along side curated antique items to show people how to use our work in their own homes. We knew from early on that we wanted to be shown at JF Chen so this opportunity is a dream come true. 

Pagan Chair (Grey) 

TB: Now that we are wrapping up 2016, what's ahead for 2017? 

ML: We have a new collection coming that will be heavily inspired by Surrealist and Renaissance paintings.  It will feature some cast metal and more carved wood.  We want to celebrate the craft that goes into making the work so there will be elements of seeing the actual hand of the person that is working the piece.  We also have some paintings that we have been quietly working on. Next year will be busier than this year.  
 

Thank you once again to Christian and Lauren for taking the time out to speak with us. We could not be more thrilled to welcome Material Lust to L.A. and be sure to RSVP (rsvp@jfchen.com) for tonight! For more information, visit Material Lust. 

-JRS 

Thursday 11.17.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Rrose - Arc Unknown

As I press play, pronouns, genres and gender all lose any meaning and purpose. And for some reason I know what to expect, without actually losing that feeling of excitement whenever I listen to a new release. It’s like pieces of an old puzzle I played with before, that get rearranged in a whole new way, and everything still makes sense.

Sounds bend and lights melt, and the perception of the surroundings is changed. We are in a constant dialogue with each other through music, since music is perceived differently by different pairs of ears and as each listener gets lost in its flow, rediscovering his or her own identity being changed. And then you enter the world of  Rrose Sélavy.

Rrose - Arc Unknown (2016)

Rrose doesn’t offer your regular dancefloor oriented music, but rather a more trance inducing composition, with a highly aestheticized and conceptual framework, which builds a drone-y, almost soporific atmosphere, dragging you into a space of introspection, where music is strongly connected to every part of the body, not just the ears.

This EP is an invitation to experience music at its fullest. Dark tinged sounds pull you from reality and then throw you in a meditation space. You can feel its texture, its roughness around the edges of sounds which materialize into objects. Multi textured music which fills in the spaces between the dancers, keeping the crowd in constant motion, allowing each individual to dwell in geometric sounds.

Arc Unknown makes you think of galaxies, planets orbiting around a source of sonic vibration, with multiple layers unfolding as the track progresses, so that in the end you get lost in a kaleidoscope of rhythms and echoes.

Specimen 2 feels like a pulsating heart spiraling down into a subconscious recollection of dreams and fears. As the percussions create an ominous feeling, distorted moaning voices resembling chants come to haunt the listener.

Finally, Specimen 3 creates a sonic collage, with elements that bind together in a coherent flow of percussions and droney beats, while fluctuating waves of intense angst seem to embrace the listener like quicksand.

Rrose’s solo debut is an immersive experience where every dissonance and chaotic association of sounds starts to make sense once we stop trying to put it in a box. It is like a waterfall of emotions poured over the listener.

Arc Unknown exemplifies Rrose’s hypnotic abstract approach and will be out on vinyl and digital November 18th, on Function’s Infrastructure label.

Infrastructure would also like to announce a series of upcoming label showcases, which includes an Rrose live set November 18th at Berghain alongside Function (live), Vatican Shadow (live), Inland (live), Campbell Irvine (live), BMG (live), and Karl Meier (event info: http://berghain.de/event/1820)

Infrastructure Label Nights:

18.11.2016 INF @ Berghain

25.11 2016 INF @ Goa, Rome, IT

26.11.2016 INF @ Dude, Milan, IT

03.12.2016 INF @ MMA, Munich, DE

30.12.2016 INF @ Concrete, Paris

11.03.2016 INF @ Hinterhof, Basel, CH

-Marie Bungau

Thursday 11.17.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Video Premiere: MRTVI - TIJERAZO MORTAL

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the music video of TIJERAZO MORTAL by MRTVI. One of the many aliases of prolific artist David Foster/Huren, the track comes off the EP of the same name, which is out now on upstart Balkan imprint, Jezgro. Created by video producer and photographer Emoresh, expect striking visuals set against a noir-ish urban landscape that fit the tone of the track's frantic, techno mutations.  

TIJERAZO MORTAL is a great way to launch Jezgrol and the EP also includes an evil proto-EBM remix from Brvtalist favorite Violet Poison. The 12" release is another stellar offering from Foster and it runs the spectrum from heavy, droning atmospheres to crushing, warehouse anthems. Definitely one to pick up now. For more information and purchasing, visit Ready Made. 

-JRS 

Tuesday 11.15.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

PB0110 - Spring/Summer 2017

There is still much beauty in the world and sometimes it comes by way of expertly crafted leather goods. Enter the eighth collection by emerging brand PB0110. In just a few years, the German label has pushed the boundaries of bags and accessories and has created sought after items that are both rebellious and luxurious. The Spring/Summer 2017 collection builds on previous offerings but has a new set of designers and utilizes European vegetable tanned leather, fine brass and even pure linen. 

We love the simplicity of this collection which infuses geometry and as always, top quality materials. Smaller bags and wallets plays upon our minimalist tendencies and after the deep colors of the brand's A/W 2016 collection, Spring sees more refreshing tones and invigorating shades of yellow and blue. 

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Ayzit Bostan continues the formal and visual geometric volume of the AB series – this time as the large and small handbags AB 38 and 43. A horizontal trapezium shape defines the cut of the new bag designs AB 39, 40 and 41.

Friedericke Daumiller, designer of the metal fittings on all PB 0110 models, presents an independent collection of accessories from her bag details. These include practical companions like a minimalistic key ring in the form of a classic D-ring and a bag mirror in a leather casing.

Berlin-based designer Christian Metzner has developed a rucksack that echoes features of the outdoor segment in both design and function, and can be carried both on the shoulders or by the handles. To minimise its weight, it is available in two materials – in linen and leather CM 26 and 27. As an accessory, it complements a new wallet that reveals even more practical features, such as a removable pouch, card compartments that can be organised by usage frequency and a newly arranged compartment design. 

The Spring/Summer line from PB0110 already has us looking forward to the warmer months ahead and the brand continues to prove it is one to watch in the category of find leather goods. For more information and e-boutique visit PB0110. 

-JRS 

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Saturday 11.12.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

New Brvtalism No. 075

Life is a very cyclical process. Everything always seems to come back around and often times you end right where you begin. In a sense, that's what is happening with New Brvtalism No. 075. Ancient Methods is a big reason we got into techno in the first place and that would lead to discovering a certain brand of techno and that would eventually inspire this site. When we started New Brvtalism almost two years ago, we weren't sure if we would make it to No. 010, let alone 075. Thanks to the help of our readers, listeners and community from around the world, we have made it and this milestone mix comes by way of one of our favorite artists, Ancient Methods. 

We would like to thank Michael Wollenhaupt aka Ancient Methods for this incredible contribution to our series. For updates and more information visit Facebook and Soundcloud. 

-JRS 

1. Mark Kozeäek - Castle / Coil - The Sea Priestess

2. UVB - Disobey Your Kids

3. Mind Teardown - Lamar Extermination

4. Celldöd - Kulturkrieg (Remix)

5. Alexey Volkov - Curtains Of Flesh

6. Thomas P. Heckmann - Violent Stains

7. Synths Versus Me - 1987

8. The Advent - Hybridize

9. Rendered - Bendover / Echo West - Soul Cleaning

10. Huren - Radrebell - Changing Face

11. Future9394 - Oktav99

12. Codex Empire - Exchanged Worlds / Gagarin Kombinaatti - Tiedonantaja Kirjoittaa

13. Apex Twin - Metaphrastic

14. P.E.A.R.L. - HOG II (Stave Rmx)

15. Ancient Methods - Now Come Closer

16. Huren - $K0T0MA / Pure Ground - Poison

17. Ontal - Boot Sector Infection

18. Plovdiv - Lossy Star

19. Transform Collage - Tribal Order (edit)

20. Neel - Vandal / Pact Infernal - Circle VII (Anger)

21. D.Carbone - Antisystem

22. Lewis Fautzi - Eerie (Sleeparchive Rmx) / Caroline K - Chearth

23. MRTVI - IBUKRON / Ortrotasce - Losing Mind

24. Fanon Flowers - Mode 12 / Dead Tech - Desolate - Demolition

25. Spectre - Waiting For Mio

26. Pfirter - Euritmia / Ausdärmen -ג

27. Schwefelgelb - Aus Dem Hals Der Flasche

28. Orphx - Molton Heart / Thorofon - Flesh & Steel

29. Outsider - Bombin’

30. Frontline Assembly - Resistance (edit)

31. Sawf - High Ways / Calva Y Nada - Rascheln

32. Zex Model - Dead City Central

Friday 11.11.16
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 
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