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THE BRVTALIST

Mutant Metropolitan Culture

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Fanstrøm X Looper - Caleidoscopic Anthem *Video Premiere*

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the new music video for "Caleidoscopic Anthem" by Fanstrøm X Looper. Two colleagues with musically-aligned minds, an insurmountable sense of mutual respect and driven by the same emotions have come together. Fanstrom is back in his home label T4F alongside Looper, the owner of Dancefloor Impact Research, combining their drive for pushing boundaries and passion for delving into the unexplored possibilities of music.

Caleidoscopic Anthem is the unique result that emerges when the synergy of two talented visions channel into the pursuit of innovation and collaboration. Their profound love for broken textures and deep melodies has crafted these 5 pieces which definitely touch a very intimate alcove. They open up their feelings and invite you to surrender to a journey that will take you through industrial landscapes, nostalgic melodies, potent grooves and broken-down beats that will linger in memory.

You can pick up the release now on Bandcamp.

We also did a Q&A with the artists about their collaboration, Argentinian scene, pandemic and future plans. Read more below.

Listen on Soundcloud here.

Video Art by Mauro Contreras.

-Melanie Havens

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The Brvtalist: Tell us a bit about “Caleidoscopic Anthem“. How was the creative process/workflow? What’s your source of inspiration?

Fanstrom&Looper: How difficult to try and summarize this question! First it is important to understand that currently we’re thousands of kilometers away from each other, yet there is a very tight musical connection between us. We’re 2 people who forged a basically virtual relationship while nurturing each other over the years, sharing music, opinions, reflections and having extensive talks about anything related. We eventually discovered that we shared specific aspects such as distortion, deep melodies and “dirty” textured sounds, and upon this realization we decided that we had to channel this into a collaborative work. 

With these aspects in mind, we began working individually on our own tracks, as always sending them back and forth to craft the concept and perfect it together. The collab track came after Looper had an idea in the works and sent it to me (Fanstrom), which was an incredible inspiration. I sort of remixed the track keeping certain elements and after some tries, it came to light. The final touch of it was the amazing video done by Mauro Contreras (@mpcxlii), who works entirely with analog vintage equipment. Truly unique! We invite you to check out his work. 

To sum it up, we like to think of this EP as a sort of coronation of a relationship based on profound mutual respect and shared visions. It truly makes us very happy!

The Brvtalist: Tell us about the Argentinian scene. How does the political situation affect it? And if you could change something about your local scene, what would that be?

Fanstrom&Looper: A really amazing thing that happens in Argentina is the great amount of underground crews and cycles that, with incredible effort, drive projects forward… These include labels and parties. Within most of them there is a strong mutual support and collaboration, which in the end creates a very nice unity. Also there are super talented producers all around the country, and they seem to pop up day after day. The quality of the music you sometimes come across is outstanding! The same when it comes to DJs. The common factor between them all? Definitely an incredible amount of love and passion. 

At the same time it can be very difficult… The economic situation of the country is pretty bad all the time, so it is quite hard to come up with the means to do the parties we dream of… it takes up a lot of effort. There is also a notable lack of venues in which to do these parties, or better said, quality venues that support emerging cycles and artists. Sometimes it’s hard too to compete with American or European labels when it comes to reach.  

The Brvtalist: How has the pandemic affected you? Were you able to find a silver lining perhaps?

Fanstrom: Well… At the beginning everything was so blurry and uncertain that it was a bit hard to cope with. Something really positive that happened on a personal level is that I managed to slow down my anxiety and exigence. The world, and life as we knew it, came to a sort of standstill, something I think about as a ‘parenthesis’. This somehow helped me pause and find a tranquility within my relationship with music which I hadn’t had in a long time, since before my mind was extremely pushy and judgemental on itself. It was a trigger for me to re-evaluate this relationship and to understand it better, from a different perspective, exploring how to move forward and asking myself what I want, and what is really important, out of it. 

Looper: It was tough and weird; at the beginning I had a lot of doubts with what was happening with the world, seeing a lot of people suffering the pandemic effects makes me so sad. I didn't know what I was going to do with my future but I tried to concentrate on my music and I feel like I was able to take advantage of the situation, leaving those feelings behind. I made progress with my career and my personal life too.


The Brvtalist: What’s coming up next for you? 

Fanstrom: Personally in early next year I’ll have a single and an EP released on a very nice label from Buenos Aires, something I’ve been looking forward to for some time. On another hand, our label T4F Records is closing the release agenda for 2021 with international guests for a couple of EPs and VAs, excited to keep growing this project! And, of course, I’d love to collaborate again with Looper, let’s hope we find the space :) . 

Looper: I've been working on 2 new EPs for the next year, they will be released on ALK Recordings and Dancefloor Impact Research, also I have a proposal from a very nice label but I can't say too much for now. Besides this I have an audiovisual project with a very good friend of mine and we're preparing some stuff for the next few months. On the other hand I expect that we could return to the dancefloors and feel the connection with the people again, I wish that with all my heart...


Tuesday 12.08.20
Posted by Melanie Havens
 

Monrella/JK Flesh - See Red (Premiere + Q&A)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track from JK Flesh. “Poundland” comes off the new split EP See Red, which features two new tracks from JK Flesh and 2 tracks from Monrella. Both Justin Broadrick (JK Flesh) and Mick Harris (Monrella) have been active for multiple decades, first coming together with legendary metal outfits Napalm Death and Scorn and then embarking on near mythical odysseys with Broadrick’s Godflesh and Harris’ Lull and Fret among countless other projects. Few have had a similar impact across genres as these two artists and when I saw they were releasing a split techno EP, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

See Red delivers just what we all want - a crushing, industrialized sound that obliterates boundaries and is seething with anger and destruction. “Poundland”, our premiere today, proves once again JK Flesh remains at the top of the class when it comes to unrelenting, punishing sounds. To mark this excellent release, I had the honor to speak with BOTH Broadrick and Harris for an interview about the EP, 2020 and more. (see below).

See Red is out January 18th on digital format. Visit Avalanche Recordings for more.

-JRS

The Brvtalist: See Red is described as “no nonsense techno crushers dedicated to a Birmingham originated life of anger management.” So how angry or frustrated has 2020 made you?

Mick Harris (Monrella): Very angry. It's been one big bastard spanner in the works.

Justin Broadrick (JK Flesh): Shocking and frustrating, still reeling now, like everyone is. See Red is a document to us both acknowledging our anger issues, which for both us are born from off the scale anxiety problems, anger often being the result of this anxiety and panic, and of course ultimately can often be self destructive.

TB: More than a normal year?

MICK: I was about to do live shows as Scorn again after a 9 year break. I also found an agency I felt comfortable with and over the course of the year, 15 dates had been booked. Then came that bastard Covid-19... I had built a new live set inside the MPC live and was really ready to go blast and rhino charge some PA systems. The only plus side is it gave me some time to make new music. I haven't made so much new music since the mid-late 90's.

JKF: The year turned everything on its head, and for me as an artist who lives solely from music, losing approximately 70% of my overall income has been devastating. I’ve luckily just about kept my head above water, but it’s been a struggle and it will continue of course. The positive has been being able to spend time exclusively with my family instead of consistently performing, also resulting in more work on the music. Social distancing is fine for me; as my friend Brian Lustmord said to me during this, "I’ve been practicing social distancing for years!" Also, my family and I live in an isolated rural spot which suits me entirely.

TB: You both have a long history together with bands like Napalm Death and Scorn. Tell us briefly about when you started exploring electronic music? Was there something that inspired or triggered that at the time?

MICK: For me I guess electronic music came from listening to John Peel BBC radio in the late 70's. I first ventured into punk and hardcore and alternative/indie/experimental/dub etc. You could say I started working with electronic music when I got my first sampler 4 track recorder and reverb box in mid '89 and started making loops and playing about with intros for Napalm Death shows - Coil and Skinny Puppy were influences. Justin is also very responsible for turning me onto many good artists via some of his killer all night smoking and listening sessions hahahahaha classics!

JFK: Like Mick says, it was similar for me; John Peel introduced many of us to all forms of subversive music, electronic being one of them. I was lucky also to have a step dad and mom that were into fringe music, and my step dad had early records with primitive electronics that I was transfixed by - records by Brian Eno, Can, all of which included synthesizers. I found synths as a kid magical, endless, mythical instruments and absolutely out of reach being raised by a poor family on a council estate in Birmingham.

I then was an avid follower of early records by The Human League at school late 79/80, that eventually led to Kraftwerk (I recall being transfixed by Kraftwerk performing "The Model" on the British show Top Of The Pops (it was a video). I also loved early synth based music like Tubeway Army/Gary Numan, and then the records that abused synths - early industrial music like Throbbing Gristle and Whitehouse. Like Mick says, we had sessions where I played some of this stuff to Mick, but also distinctly remember Mick being the first person to play me Jeff Mills' Waveform Transmission Vol. 1 upon it’s release in early '92 which immediately impacted me as much as when I first heard Throbbing Gristle and Whitehouse and became another influence. Mick always wanted to explore electronic music just like I did.

Mick Harris + Justin Broadrick

TB: How did See Red come together? Are you both in touch a lot about tracks or was this something planned far in advance?

MICK: Justin and I have been writing each other since 2017 just after I had played my first show as Fret at Berlin Atonal. I wrote a long personal mail to Justin and he replied with an equally personal mail that made me feel good. Justin is one of the few that gets Mick Harris and understands me, doesn't question me, etc. Anyway, Justin put it to me over a year or so ago about doing a split on his Avalanche label. Justin likes my Monrella output and asked if I wanted to drop 2 tracks. I made these 2 tracks just after Christmas 2019 on the MPC.

JKF: Yeah it was natural that Monrella and JK Flesh should have a split. It makes so much sense on many levels. We’re both still exploring and championing a period when ‘techno’ loosely speaking, was still subversive, intense and raw, and both feel these qualities in techno have been somewhat lost over time and the music is mostly safe and conservative. We see it as an extension of punk. It could’ve been a split with Fret too, but personally I felt that Monrella hasn’t got the props it deserves, and of course Mick delivered blistering tracks for this Avalanche release, so I found and reworked tracks that felt appropriate and would compliment Mick’s tracks. I sit on a lot of music until I feel it is appropriate for a release, and then often rework that music.

TB: Tell us where you both have been during the pandemic and how the isolation process has been for you. What are some things you’ve liked about it as well?

MICK: Like I said I really mis the gigs. I really wanted to blast Scorn on systems again. Fingers X'd for 2021. I don't socialize outside of my part time job at the City Media College where I work as tech support. I dont go out other than shopping for my family and going fishing. Ive been isolating all my life hahahahaha! I have one pal who comes to see me and my partner for a catch up and listen to some techno once a month or so but other than that no one and even family is kept limited. The plus side like I said above was I have been able to make lots of new music ready for release 202. I also bake some mean cakes....

JKF: I welcome isolation, so that aspect did not bother me at all. Although when restrictions have been lifted momentarily I’ve struggled to go outside my property. I didn’t leave my property for 4 months at one point, my partner did and my son barely. So, just like Mick, isolation is a gift, but unfortunately I’m not good at cooking nor eating cakes.

TB: So what's coming up next?

MICK: For me:
JKF/Monrella split
Scorn EP Ohm Resistance Records
Monrella remake Kwartz Trauma Collective Records
Lull LP Ohm Resistance Records
Fret ten track LP L.I.E.S. Records
Im going to bring back the Hednod project next year for Bandcamp. I miss those hiphop noddin minimal beats

JKF: Lots of music as always and attempting to survive from the music without paid performances.







Tuesday 12.08.20
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Devotion To Pleasure (Rubber Mind)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere new tracks off the forthcoming release, Devotion To Pleasure. Bogota, Colombia’s Rubber Mind returns with their second v/a release after Ecstasy & Transmutations, which came out earlier this year. Devotion To Pleasure arrives with 6 sizzling tracks from some of our favorite artists including Years Of Denial, Tomohiko Sagae, Common Poetry, Qual, Filmmaker and Nghtly. The label builds on its notorious event series and strong visual identify with striking, rubber clad artwork with a serpents sensual touch.

Today we premiere two tracks from both Colombian artists on the record, Common Poetry and Filmmaker. Both have made serious waves on both sides of the Atlantic with their unique sounds. “Asphyxia” finds Common Poetry in top form, with a rhythmic industrial ritual which squeezes tight and pleasurably punishes with its hard metal sound. Filmmaker’s “Melting Plastic Of Frail Skin” takes a different, yet equally devious approach with its searing electro and body shocks. The rest of the record is just as delightful from Years Of Denial’s signature infectious work to Qual’s menacing post-punk mutations.

This release will be begin shipping in January and you can pre-order yours now on Bandcamp.

-JRS

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Artwork by Rubber Mind in Collaboration with Cristhian Granados in Bogotá, Colombia
Performance by Lina Amaya
Direction by Sebastian M.


Monday 12.07.20
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Marek Nalikowski - Hack The Fear *Video Premiere*

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new video from Marek Nalikowski. “Hack The Fear” comes off the new EP of the same name out on Warsaw’s BTS. This is the Polish producers debut EP and it contains three originals and three remixes from the likes of ISNT, Abu Zeinah, and Piotr Figiel. Today we host the video for the title track which is a menacing mechanical work of cyber grooves and psychedelic energy. The accompanying clip by Vitia Aberamok picks up on these vibes for a similar visual trip.

Hack The Fear is out on December 11th and you can pre-order now on Bandcamp.

-JRS

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Monday 12.07.20
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

New Brvtalism No. 258 - Sub Imperium

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new mix from Sub Imperium. The St. Petersburg based duo first appeared last year after years working on other solo projects. Since then, they’ve been on a tear through the techno-verse with releases on labels like Occult Rhythms, Insane Industry, Gobsmacked, Blockchain and others. They’ve become known for a dark, gritty sound with touches of EBM, industrial and epic cinematic soundscapes. New Brvtalism No. 258 is the perfect trip through their sound.

-JRS

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Friday 12.04.20
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

Roll Dann - Break The Dance (Opera 2000)

The Brvtalist is pleased to present a new track from Roll Dann. “Break The Dance” comes off the Madrid-based artist’s new EP, Oppression Dance, which features 4 tracks of the artists floor facing techno sound. After releasing on labels like Pole Group, Soma and Modularz, the artist begins a new chapter with his own label Opera 2000 where he focuses on aggressive yet emotive style. Today we host one of our favorites on the EP, “Break The Dance” which punishes with its brutal drums and powerful synth lines.

The EP is out today and visit Bandcamp to get yours.

-JRS

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Friday 12.04.20
Posted by Jeremy Schwartz
 

SDH - You Pt.12 (REKA Remix)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere Reka's remix for “You Pt. 12” by SDH. Their suggestive synth-pop songs sprinkled with EBM and techno are fertile ground for DJs all over the world to get the perfect sexy dance song everyone is waiting for in a party in a late night club. SDH and Reka met in Berlin in 2019 when SDH were touring supporting their self-titled album (Avant! Records, 2018) and the connection was instantaneous.

The song ‘You Pt.12’ originally appeared on Against Strong Thinking EP (Avant! Records, 2020), SDH’s follow-up to their first record, and it’s probably one of the songs the bests sums up their sound and style: somber, sexual, obtuse and mysterious.

Enjoy Bandcamp Friday and pick up the release here now.

-Melanie Havens

Friday 12.04.20
Posted by Melanie Havens
 

Epiphania - Tecladinho Lindinho 2020 (FCL001)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track by Epiphania. "Tecladinho Lindinho 2020" is a hard-hitting energetic track that comes off the massive upcoming release on the Brazilian label & agency Faceless. "Let Me In" is a compilation of EBM, Industrial and Noise sounds and includes tracks from Epiphania, GIA, Magnum Opus, MVQX, Ne/Re/A and Søulless.

The release is out digitally on December 7h on Bandcamp.

-Melanie Havens

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Thursday 12.03.20
Posted by Melanie Havens
 

ROKS - Need More Sure (Whirlwind Trax)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere "Need More Sure" by Russian artist ROKS. Brooklyn based collective The Black Hole/A L K H E M Y celebrates four years of sonic enlightenment with a massive release full of hard-hitting techno bangers on Whirlwind Trax. The release also features an original piece by Black artist Paul Kellam, who pulled inspiration from The Black Hole’s iconic comic book-style flyers that portray Black and brown people in power, the artwork is a nod to Techno’s Afrofuturistic origins. The VA brings fresh, bold sounds to New York and America with artist origins spanning across the US, Europe, and South America.

The release is out December 8th digitally on Bandcamp.

-Melanie Havens

Thursday 12.03.20
Posted by Melanie Havens
 

Hüma Utku - Wherein All Things Are Like The Void (AREA Z)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new track by Hüma Utku. Combining her practice of music with her studies in psychology, Utku's works draw inspiration from human condition, Jungian psychology, mysticism and folklore.

"Wherein All Things Are Like The Void" comes off AREA Z’s part two of “Uncanny Valleys” compilation. The concept of the series is related to the theory introduced by Japanese robotitian Mori Masahiro back in 1970, referring to the paradoxical perception of the existing similarities between robots and human beings.

This second opus focuses on ‘Industrial’ music through a variety of genres and interpretations of the genre’s aesthetics. Opening with an infused four to the floor selection cut with a slice of power ambient, the compilation evolves into a rawer shape, with industrial, noise that embraces either nihilistic or romantic intentions.

Taking a look at music that is influenced by a genre, created in the times where the concept was created, helps us to grasp the links between the theory and music, both inspired by the development of technologies and its influences on both personal and societal aspects.

The release is out today on Bandcamp.

-Melanie Havens

Thursday 12.03.20
Posted by Melanie Havens
 
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