MILK ME EPISODE II - Philipp Strobel

In today’s increasingly digital culture, music and art continue to evolve into new spaces and formats. Berlin’s MILK ME has done a great job recently fusing these things together in their episode series - an investigative performance series based around the Berlin music scene, specifically longterm artists of the Milk Me / Urban Spree scene over the last 6 years. From MILK ME:

Using the modern day singularity of the digital platform, the Milk Me episode series incorporates mediums of sound, portrait photography, and interview based journalism in an attempt to rediscover the full scope of an artists creative world, a world which in many ways is lost due to the increasing streamed based output of artists. It aims to uncover the aesthetic, mindset and reason for the artists output, the how and why of the records and music made. Each episode is divided into three parts, a live performance video, an in-depth interview, and portrait photography.

Today we are pleased to feature EPISODE II, with Berlin-based DJ/promoter and founder of the renown Aufnahme + Wiedergabe record label. Below you will find links to the interview, DJ set and portraits by Clara Sokol.

-JRS

Gegen Decade II

The Brvtalist is proud to present two tracks from the second volume of the massive new compilation from Berlin's Gegen celebrating 10 years. Separated into three volumes, the comp brings together some of the best across the techno, industrial and experimental spectrums. Over the last decade, Gegen has become a bastion of freedom and diversity and their label celebrates this sonically as well. Today we present a crushing, rhythmic piece from Mar/US ft. Especta Negra and a great pulse pounder from OCD.

Gegen Decade II is out October 1st and you can get yours at: gegenberlin.bandcamp.com/album/gegen-decade-ii

-JRS

Strange Futures - Visitor Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere a new video from Strange Futures. The Bristol-based duo of Alastair Power and Alice Sheridan returns with a great exists in a space between dark wave and melancholic synthpop. As the band's name implies, the duo explores our cruel, uncertain times while still bringing a seductive, almost pop sensibility. Today we are thrilled to host their new video for "Visitor". From the artists:

The main lyrical theme of this song addresses the feeling of clinging onto what we have when everything feels like it's falling away - bleakness melts into fantastical landscapes as a form of escapism. We wanted the listener to be transported into a parallel world where even the mundane and the ordinary has an otherworldly allure to it.

This is our first Strange Futures video, and we shot and edited ourselves. We wanted it to capture these juxtapositions using the raw, isolated beauty of the coast, versus the synthetic, human-made beauty of the city at night.

The track is out September 29th and you can pick it up at: https://strangefutures.bandcamp.com/

-JRS

Lunchmeat Festival 2021 (Prague, CZ)

The Brvtalist is proud to announce his return to Lunchmeat Festival. Located in the magical city of Prague, Lunchmeat has become one of Europe’s most innovative festivals for music, art and new media. With a focus on electronic sounds and performances, the event takes place at some of the city’s most iconic venues ranging from museums, night clubs and theaters. This will be The Brvtalist’s third straight year in attendance and you can revisit our review from last year HERE. This year’s edition is no different as the fest welcomes iconic names from across the global electronic spectrums.

The first announcement of artist names includes acclaimed singer-songwriter Lyra Pramuk, and worldfamous DJ Helena Hauff. Seminal collective for experimental electronic music and legendary German label Raster will be celebrating its 25th anniversary at Lunchmeat. Pramuk, whose futuristic folk albu ‘Fountain’ was one of the greatest breakthrough releases of 2020, arriving after years of experimentation with using her voice as lead instrument. Prague´s underground dance scene is eager to welcome Helena Hauff, celebrated for returning today´s club music to the raw aesthetic of the acid house scene of the late 80’s and early 90’s.

“This year’s line-up features many artists that were supposed to play last year, but had to cancel because of the pandemic. They have used their time during the lockdown to upgrade these shows,” says Jakub Pešek, founder of Lunchmeat festival. As is the spirit of every other year, the festival will see world premiere performances of distinctive contemporary artists, along with a carefully curated selection of live audiovisual shows that are currently stirring the international scene, represented by both timeless legends and the local scene. “Several artists are set to present the world premiere of their projects at Lunchmeat this year,” Pešek adds.

Between September 27th and October 2nd, four of Pragues´s venues will be hosting Lunchmeat Festival. One of the traditional places to host Lunchmeat events is the concrete underground of the National Gallery’s functionalist Trade Fair Palace built in the 1930s, alongside the other venues, the Archa Theatre, Ankali, and CAMP, which will host the festival’s launch with the 25th anniversary showcase of cult German label Raster. Here, legendary pioneers of experimental electronic music Frank Bretschneider, and Byetone will present their latest audio-visual projects.

There’s lots more in store and you get get tickets and more info at: https://lunchmeatfestival.cz/2021/

-JRS

PREMIERE: Brixx - Metamorphosis Ft. Black Dahlia (Heavy Machinery Records)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere “Metamorphosis”, the new track from Melbourne based artist Brixx in collaboration with Black Dahlia. As the track name suggests, Brixx’s new release Conversion Therapy is about transformation, inspired by the gamut of emotions and subsequent journey leading up to and following the coming out process. Rather than a narrative about repression or a forced change in sexual orientation, this release celebrates queer identity and disassociating from what it means to be heteronormative.

The EP draws on the artist's love of David Lynch, cult queer cinema classics and film composers such as Heathers’ David Newman. It’s a mental trip encompassing repressed desire, frivolity, transformation and ultimately acceptance – a late night soundtrack which drops you into a world tinged with darkness that encompasses techno, new beat, EBM and breaks.

“You tried to bury me but I’m a seed,” sings Black Dahlia in “Metamorphosis,” the final track on the EP. Growth, despite tribulations, is inevitable: there is a hope, a new dawn on the horizon. “The track is about transformation and about overcoming adversity to live a life that is not bound by the expectations of others,” explains Brixx. Its demanding, true-to-EBM bassline underneath Black Dahlia’s vocals recall the work of Sarah McLachlan during her industrial Nettwerk Records days—a ravenous and complex elegance that lubricates the track’s aggressive sounds. There’s an inherent submersive darkness woven within “Metamorphosis” but, when compounded with the lushness of the track’s vocals, creates an energy that emits unwavering optimism.”

Brixx collaborated with the artist BOOTLEG COMICS to create the artwork, which was hand drawn and closely represents the EP’s themes. “I wanted something which reflects what it feels like to be stuck between two states of being: who we’re expected to be vs who we really are. The robot represents societal programming, an expectation to live a heteronormative life.”

The release is out September 20th on digital format + vinyl. Pre-order here now.

-MH

PREMIERE: Unhuman - Imminent Fear(Esplendor Geometrico Version)(Pi Electronics)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the Esplenor Geometrico version of Unhuman's "Immenent". The track comes off the special vinyl release 'Variable Remixes’, which also marks the 7th anniversary of Pi Electronics. "Imminent Fear” gets an alternative Version by the legendary, Spanish band Esplendor Geometrico. It puts their iconic industrial spin on the already great track. The release also includes
Damcase’s “INKL Rules” which is remixed by American producer Container. The untitled track of the Variable compilation, by the artist project “I am Legion, for We are many”, gets reinterpreted by the Canadia duo of Rich Oddie (Orphx) and Huren as ‘O/H’.

On the flip side, the track ‘GBNR17’ of the label’s ‘3.14’ gets its fix by Spanish, industrial techno maestro, Geistform and DΛS’ “Spinner” receives a special remix treatment by Athens’ infamous ANFS.

The release is out August 27th and you can get yours at: pielectronics.bandcamp.com/album/varia…e-remixes-2

-JRS

PREMIERE: Marble Slave ft. Minuit Machine - Knife Play (Official Video)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the new music video from Marble Slave ft. Minuit Machine. The Parisian solo project Marble Slave delivered the exceptional album Fan Fiction on Minuit Machine’s Synth Religion, presenting 11 tracks combining his coldwave and pop influences with an immediately contemporary approach to songwriting. Exploring cyber-love, virtual obsessions, and the intersection of intoxication and despair, he shares stories of queer, unrequited loves-turned-obsessions that are set against the backdrop of Grindr messages and Instagram stalking. Fan Fiction is a heartbreak-fuelled trip that is at once addictive and significant. Today we present the infectious, dreamy synth driven sound of “Knife Play”, a track in collaboration with the duo Minuit Machine, produced & mixed by Hélène de Thoury with bewitching vocals from Amandine Stioui & Marble Slave.

Pick up the release here now.

PREMIERE: Donna Haringwey - Cybersadism (Official Video)

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere the a new music video by Donna Haringwey. Armed with skillful production and sound design, he takes aim at self-righteousness, moral superiority and the misuse of power in the digital age with his debut album Thanks for telling me who I really am. Punk, metal, industrial and electronica are seamlessly merged into a cathartic signature sound that takes no shit from anyone. Today we present the music video for “Cybersadism”, a cathartic, mind-fuck work of punk electronics combined with Donna’s wrathful vocals.

“I don't need your hate

I don't need your games

I don't need your sadistic traits

Don't need your blames”

Out September 10th on Bandcamp. Pre-order here now.

-MH

DRØNE Premeires: Red Meat + Noisome

The Brvtalist is pleased to premiere two tracks from Manchester's DRØNE. The event series and label continues their stellar output of material and for this round we have two tapes - one from local Manchester talent Red Meat and the other is the debut release from Noisome, the solo project of Robin W Marsh. Both clearly draw from DRØNE's raw industrial DNA and carries it forward with Red Meat's infectious body to Noisome's mental experimentations.

Both are out on Cassette and digital. Check: dronemcr.bandcamp.com/

Torn Relics - Disguise (Instruments of Discipline)Video Premiere

The Brvtalist is proud to present a new video from Torn Relics. "Disguise" comes off the duo's forthcoming album, Burning Injustice, out soon on Instruments of Discipline. The project is composed of Romek Boyer (AKA Rommek) & Aimée Mullen and their body of work is a mixture of cyber-punk electronics with tribalistic violin, rhythms and tones. Burning Injustice was written between 2017 - 2021, in which the music produced reflects the decay of the political and social landscape in the UK, from the Brexit divide to covid isolation. This music serves as antidote in these turbulent times.

Today we're thrilled this host this haunting clip for the slow burning, crushing track "Disguise". Out on cassette and digital, get yours on Bandcamp.

-JRS

*video directed by Gerasimos Lorandos