2020 | NovaFuture Blog

out for a while: Stracid – Analog Gun [Reload Black Label]

Artist:
Stracid

Title:
Analog Gun

Label:
Reload Black Label

Cat#:
RBL310

Release Date:
11th March 2020

Format:
digital

Tracklist:
01.
Analog Gun

02.
Never Mind

Press Info:
…

Full Track Streaming:

Recommendations:
sampler “We Are NKR” w/ Stracid on NewKids Records
KØD’s “Sea Of Glas” on Reload Black Label

Buy Digital:
Reload Black Label @ Bandcamp
JunoDownload
Beatport Classic
TraxSource
iTunes
more soon

Websites:
Stracid
Reload Black Label

out now: Alanas Chosnau & Mark Reeder – Natural Selection EP [MFS]

Artist:
Alanas Chosnau & Mark Reeder

Title:
Natural Selection EP

Label:
MFS

Cat#:
MFS 71801

Release Date:
02nd July 2020

Format:
digital

Tracklist:
01.
Children Of Nature
(Au Naturel)

02.
Children Of Nature
(Mark Reeder’s Dance Non-Stop Mix)

03.
Children Of Nature
(Mark Reeder’s FKK Remix)

Press Info:
After the impressive response to their lockdown love song All Alone Mark Reeder and Alanas Chosnau follow up with their second outtake, the title track from their album, Children of Nature.

This song highlights the challenges the coming generations will face in the not too distant future. It warns of ruthless, totalitarian regimes, Police brutality, climate change and the possibility of a dystopian future, if we don’t react now. The cover of both the album, and single shows the accusational look of a post nuclear child. Is that the future we want to leave to the next generation?

Alanas was born to a Lithuanian mother and Iraqi-Kurdish father and grew up in Baghdad. He returned to Lithuania in the 80s to be raised by his grandparents. He grew up in the Soviet Union, but thankfully, the fall of communism saved him from a life in the factories and he became the singer of what would become the most successful Lithuanian pop group of the 90s, Naktinės Personos, after which, he embarked upon a solo career in 2001. Alanas meanwhile has achieved huge popularity and has become the most successful artist in Lithuania.

Mark Reeder first met Alanas at a film festival, and they decided to work together. Over the past few months, Mark and Alanas have crafted together an album of retro-modern sounding love songs, which almost feel prophetic when the current Coronacrisis is considered.

“We had no idea what was to come, but it seems we touched on a frequency from the future and the song appears to have been derived from a deep, inner-feeling we both had at the time” said Alanas.

Children of Nature, a song dedicated to all Children of Nature, everywhere.

Children of Nature was produced by Mark Reeder and Micha Adam in Berlin, and is released on MFS. It is digitally distributed Worldwide by Believe Digital and is available on all digital and streaming platforms.

Full Track Streaming:

Alanas Chosnau · Children of Nature (Natural Selection)

Video:
“Children of Nature (Au Naturel)”

Related Release:
album “Children Of Nature”

Special:
Mark Reeder – “Music & Interview [NovaFuture Blog Exclusive Mix]”

Recommendations:
compilation “Five Point One” w/ Mark Reeder on Kennen
compilation “Collaborator” w/ Mark Reeder on Factory Benelux
Mark Reeder’s “Mauerstadt” on Kennen

Buy Digital:
Mark Reeder @ Bandcamp
JunoDownload
Google Play
iTunes
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Youtube Music

Websites:
Mark Reeder
Alanas Chosnau
MFS

[Track Premiere]: SDB – Loyal To The Groove [SDB Records]

Artist:
SDB

Track:
“Loyal To The Groove”

Label:
SDB Records

Related Release:
EP “Loyal To The Groove”

Websites:
SDB

[Music & Interview]: Shaleen

(Artwork based on a photo by Jan Croonenbrock)

Music & Interview
Shaleen

Introduction:
Shaleen … founder of Surd party series and member of the Seelen crew

Interview:

Hi Shaleen. Great to have you for our little “Music & Interview” series. I was just thinking about the moment when we met first but (as usual) I cannot remember. Do you know it? Was it at a Seelen event? Not sure but let’s start at the very beginning and with little introduction. Where were you born and grow up? How was your childhood? When did you realize your passion for music? What kind of music did you like at that time / when being a teenager?

Hey Jürgen, thanks for having me! To be honest, I can’t remember either. Probably it was one of our Seelen-nights or maybe at Berghain. I was born in Bielefeld, but up from then I moved a lot. My father’s still living in that area, so it always feels like home when I’m back there. Basically, I have always liked music and my passion for it awakened already when I was pretty young. But when I was 15 I discovered electronic music and fell in love with it immediately.

Shaleen 1
(Shaleen, promo pic 2020)

In Essen you organize(d) the party series SURD. Please tell us something about it. When did you start it? What is/was your concept? What‘s the idea behind it? Anyone else involved?

The Surd event series started in 2016. The concept is based on the combination of art and music on the one hand and on the embodiment of our fundamental cornerstones – open mindedness, equality, LGBTG support, freedom to self- realization and the unity by our devotion to techno – on the other hand. We put a lot of effort into the whole set-up design with our art and video installations, to create a special kind of atmosphere and make it an entire SURD experience. Furthermore we love to work with photography, videography (like in case of our trailer clips) and got also some great support by our graphic designer Pixelgesicht, who creates gorgeous artworks for us.

There’s actually a whole collective of artist involved into SURD. The resident DJ’s / Producers next to me are Damiano (Cosima), Miro (Miro Von Berlin), Sammy (Shoener), Miran (Miran N.) and Rob (Dj Hyperdrive).

Courtney Calevra – our lyrical mouthpiece and creative talent – is part of the project from the very beginning. She writes all of our texts and creates art video installations for each event. I really need to say, how grateful I am for having such a great crew. The next step we’re working on currently is our upcoming label – which is really exciting to me.

Surd 1
(Surd poster for party in June 2019)

Some time ago you moved to Berlin. What was your reason for doing it? What are the differences to your hometown? Do you feel comfortable in such a big & city? How do you earn your money? What are the things you like to do (that are not directly connected with music)?

Like I said before, I was always moving a lot. I always had a special connection to Berlin and I’m totally in love with big city vibes, especially since I have lived abroad. Luckily I was able to earn some money by doing what I love most – sharing music, djing and creating events. Besides I was working a lot in promotion and also went to university.

Shaleen 2
(Shaleen, promo pic 2020)

I already mentioned Seelen. You’re the first female member. When was your first contact with the guys? How did it happen? How do you work together? How do you feel?

I couldn’t be happier to be part of such an amazing label and I felt right away very welcomed so as if it was meant to be like this – it just matched. The guys became my closest friends and I couldn’t have imagined a better start into this chapter of my life. We’ve got always a great time while we are working together, because we’re understanding each other perfectly. My first contact to Jan (JANEIN) was when he was playing at SURD a few years ago. Shortly afterwards we went together with Nik (Narcisss) to Berghain, where we had a lot of fun. We stayed in touch and after I had showed Jan a few tracks of mine, which he seemed to like, he invited me to be part of their team. Big shouts to my brother Jan who believed in my right from the beginning and gave me this wonderful opportunity.

Seelen
(Seelen Records logo)

One reason for this interview is your upcoming EP on Seelen. Please tell us something about the production. When did you start producing in general and when did you start the work on this EP? What are your inspirations and intentions? What equipment do you use? What’s the way you work on a track?

I started producing some years ago and basically I would say, that I do find a lot of inspiration on a personal and emotional level as well as in circumstances and situation that concern me. In case of ‘Deconstruction‘ it was the first time that I started producing a track and kind of directly finished it. Usually I’m working on a production over and over again, because I’m to picky with myself and do always think that it’s kind of unfinished, so that I try to rework it endlessly. Meanwhile I have learned that it’s not always about perfection, but about a learning progress. I have a Drumstation (Novation), a 909 (Roland) an Arp Odyssee (Korg), a Model D (Behringer) and some Effect Pedals at my home, but Damiano, Miro and me are building our new Studio at Arttraktiv currently, which is really great. My good friend Sibel (Yakoyako), who is working at Schneidersladen will get us some cool Modular as well.

(snippets of Shaleen’s upcoming EP “Consolidation” on Seelen Records)

Before this EP you made a remix for label mate Narciss. Are there differences in working on own stuff and on editing stuff of someone else? Which ones? Did you talk with Nicolas (Narciss) about it during the remix process or just after you had a final version?

It was a really interesting experience for me to do this Remix. Since it was my first remix, I was a bit insecure about it in the meantime, but in the end I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to proceed my learning progress in that way. Thanks to Nik for believing that much in me and giving me the opportunity to do that. I had a final version which I showed him once, when we were at the studio.

(full stream of Shaleen’s remix of Narciss’ “Brennpunkt”, SEELEN006)

You travel through Germany with the Seelen family – just mentioning the incredible Institut Fuer Zukunft in Leipzig or Berghain’s Säule. How does it feel to play at famous places like these where you (and many of our readers) like to dance. What are strangest experiences? What do you like and what do you hate about touring?

To me it felt like a dream come true, because this was exactly what I always wanted and what I was working for. So I feel really gifted that this really happened to me and it doesn’t feel strange at all. In general I was just happy to be there and to make this kind of experience, while having my friends and the whole crowed all around me. It was always heavily energizing and the atmosphere empowered me to put my feelings into the music I was playing.

Shaleen 3
(Shaleen, promo pic 2020 by Jan Croonenbrock)

We mentioned that you’re the first female member of Seelen. There is also strong discussion about including more female DJs and artists, about more diversity in the line-ups. What do you think about this discussion? Should promoters create a line-up of 50/50? Do you feel there are disadvantages because you’re a female DJ? Is it difficult to work in a “collective” which mostly consists of male artists?

Fortunately, I didn’t have to make a lot of negativ experiences, the boys at Seelen for example immediately welcomed me and treated me as an equal member. But as a women, I am of course aware that it doesn’t always work out that way and so I do support equal opportunities naturally. Women have proved already that they belong behind the decks and they should be treated like this. Basically, I believe that artists should be judged by their talent and ability and not by their gender, but yeah there could be more mixed line ups out there. No one should be ever discriminated and art should always stay free.

After this political issue let’s get back to music. Please tell us something about some of your favourite records/tracks. Which 10 records/tracks you love and why?

01. Trance Wax 5 (NTBR Edit) by Trance Wax

02. Ehre by Parallx feat. Chris Tnebris

03. Hello Planet Earth by Ellen Alien

04. Kobald M by JANEIN

05. Picture Perfect Smile by Cosma

06. Street Smarts by Narcisss

07. Steady Raving by WAST

08. Sutton Hoo Artefacts by Mayeul & JKS

09. Ruined by Somewhen

10. Move In Circles Walk On Lines by Hector Oaks

(stream of “Ruined” by Somewhen)

There are hard times for artists, labels and clubs due to the corona virus and the lockdown. But nevertheless we would like to ask you about your future plans at the end of our small interview. What’s coming next? Records? Remixes? Already new gigs planned for the end of the year/next year?

Currently I’m working a lot on my productions, but of course I’m also thrilled for everything that’s coming up next. Everything that had to be canceled is just postponed and I really can’t wait for things to move on. As well as I’m looking forward to share all of it with you by time.

Recommendations:
all releases on Seelen Records

Exclusive Mix:

Tracklist of Exclusive Mix:
01. Verschwender – Face of Silent
02. Narcissss – Vandale und Liebe
03. Fiedel – Troll Bait
04. Escape To Mars – How Far Is It To Nowhere
05. Arnaud Le Texier – Decryptage
06. JANEIN – Alien Speak To Me
07. Verschwender – Luzifers Mob
08. Inhalt der Nacht – Trieb
09. Shaleen – Deconstruction
10. JANEIN – Apollo
11. Narcissss – Move Your Body
12. Stigmatique – Virus
13. Shaleen – Consolidation (Cadency’s Make Them Punk Remix)

Booking:
Seelen Booking for Shaleen

Booking:
BPitch Booking

Websites:
Shaleen
Surd
Seelen Records

out now: Nicolas Bougaïeff – Thalassophbia / Nexuos (Remixes) [Mute]

Artist:
Nicolas Bougaïeff

Title:
Thalassophobia / Nexus (Remixes)

Label:
Mute

Cat#:
MUTE618

Release Date:
07th July 2020

Format:
digital

Tracklist:
01.
Nexus
(Kosei Fukuda’s Purified Recomposition)

02.
Nexus
(Sam KDC Remix)

03.
Nexus
(DIN-ST Alternative Mix)

04.
Thalassophobia
(Benjamin Damage Remix)

Press Info:
Nicolas Bougaïeff has released a selection of remixes ahead of the launch of his forthcoming album, The Upward Spiral – out on vinyl and digitally on 24 July 2020.

Japanese born, Berlin based Kosei Fukuda, British producer Sam KDC, Din-ST aka Frederic Stader and British techno artist Benjamin Damage individually take either the creeping mutation of ‘Nexus’ or the nosebleed kicks and synth bleeps of ‘Thalassophobia’ as their starting point for this four-track EP, out now.

The original versions of Nexus and Thalassophobia both appear on The Upward Spiral, due out on Mute later this month. On the new album Bougaïeff reframes familiar tropes for his own mind-expanding vision of body music. Punishing industrial techno charges the album at surface level with beautiful-meets-bleak energy. But peel back the layers of brash ferocity, and there’s a hell of a lot more going on than first meets the ear. The culmination of years of hard work, Bougaïeff grew the album from the seeds of a bespoke composition technique; a carefully thought-out studio experiment in how to bend a love of techno into innovative new shapes.

Across nine metallic misadventures, which Bougaïeff describes as “little open scores”, he blitzes drum patterns and sharp synthwork into a satisfyingly effective blend. Intricate rhythmic structures lurk beneath the “strawberry jam” of the surface aesthetics. This rhythmic illusion seeps into every crevice of a record that brings a slice of academia to the rave.

This new album continues his decades-long love of club music, a love that has compelled Bougaïeff to challenge conventional wisdom, delivering genre-busting Berghain sets that expertly blend French-Canadian hip-hop with Tchaikovsky, moody techno and ambient. Previous releases include the Cognitive Resonance EP that relaunched the NovaMute imprint in 2017.

Listen: