Few labels have been as important and influential as Hospital Productions. For the last 20 years, the imprint has released a staggering array of quality records, tapes and more across a multitude of genres. To mark this milestone, on November 5th, PopGun and Quo Vadis Productions present an incredible 20th anniversary show in New York City; highlighted by Godflesh performing an all Streetcleaner set (one of our favorite records).
That's just the beginning as the day also features Jesu/Nothing with Prurient, Orphx, Regis, Skin Crime, Clay Rendering, the U.S. debut of Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement and much more. The event will also see DJ sets by Becka Diamond and Nikki Sneakers as well as a pre-party with Phase Fatale and after party with Ron Morelli. Ahead of the madness, The Brvtalist's Yannick Franck chatted with Head Nurse of Hospital, Becka Diamond. A driving force behind the label, the two discuss the upcoming event, her background as a DJ and what's next. See below.
The Brvtalist (Yannick Franck): Thanks for doing this interview. In order to go straight into the matter, I was wondering if you could tell us what the audience can expect of your DJ set at the Hospital Productions night in NYC on November the 5th?
Becka Diamond: We're just coming off our Hospital 20 years fest at Berghain & my first time playing there so I'm feeling inspired. Obviously it will be a very different setting, since it's a live venue and a daytime slot, but I've been deep into creating completely new sets lately, so will likely do something custom for the event. The label is releasing quite a bit of new music currently, so I'll probably play some unreleased tracks as well.
TB: What is at the core of your musical interests? Are you both playing recent release and "classics" of a kind?
BD: I always play a mix of old and new. I grew up on goth & industrial, so obviously it's hard to keep some of that out of my selections. That being said, there is a lot of great producers/bands making stuff now that would have blown my mind as a teenager, so I'm glad the interest is still around, even if it has become a bit of a trend.
Photo by Nikki Sneakers
TB: Have you been DJing a long time?
BD: Too long! I started about 15 years ago but have been playing full time since 2010.
TB: How did you get started with DJing? When were your first club experiences?
BD: My first gig was a friend's birthday party in Boston, about 15 years ago. I'd never considered 'DJing' but I sure had a lot of records. He asked me and I figured it out from there! Man Ray was the first club I ever went to, in Cambridge, on a fake ID at 17 years old! RIP, one of the best ever. I didn't start playing in clubs however until I got to NYC in 2005.
TB: Do you also produce live music and composition?
BD: So far I haven't released anything of my own, but I work on a lot of our releases, assisting on production, sequencing, etc. I've also done vocals for a few things, most recently on a Vatican Shadow remix of Radioslave's 'Grindhouse' due out in a few months.
TB: You are a photographer (thirteenthirteenportfolio.com), could you tell us about your background and how it all started?
BD: 13:13 began with an Instax of me passed out a hotel bathroom floor while on tour in the US. It started as a polaroid project but grew into a personal brand for my work. We've made t shirts, it's existed as a music blog, featured mixes and now is a home for my work. The name comes from one of my favorite Lydia Lunch albums.
TB: You did the photography for Prurient 'Frozen Niagara Falls’, Clay Rendering 'Snowthorn' as well as their 7”. Is there more artwork to come?
BD: I’m always shooting, and sometimes the works end up on records and sometimes I shoot with something in mind. The next record I shot is a collection of Dual Action's cassette works. I took his portrait for the back cover while he was visiting us in Berlin.
TB: Are there any exhibitions featuring your visual work to be expected in the future?
BD: Not at the moment, but it's definitely on my to do list!
Special thank you to Becka Diamond for taking the time to speak with us. Do not miss the Hospital Productions 20th Anniversary event, Sunday, November 5th at Warsaw Concerts in Brooklyn. Bone Awl just added this week too. For tickets and info visit here.
