Exclusive Mixes | NovaFuture Blog

[Music & Interview]: Rebar

Music & Interview

Rebar

Introduction:

In the physical world, “Rebar” is an object, often used to reinforce concrete. In the world of music, though, Rebar is the joint venture of Andreas Pionty & fumée grise, the label-heads of “made of CONCRETE”. Next to the label they are the driving force behind “Körper” a sex-positive party series which starts in April 2017.

Interview:

hi Jens, hi Andreas. You are Rebar, a duo coming from Dresden + Berlin. When did you meet each other for the first time? Do you still live in two cities? How do you work together regarding the operation of your label “made of concrete”, as production team etc? Who is responsible for what task?

Rebar: Hello Jürgen, first we want to say thanks for having us.

We met each other around 2010 at a gig we were both booked for in Dresden. The funny thing was that we had to play a “back 2 back“ even though we didn’t know each other. One of the turntables was not working and Jens (fumée grise) didn’t know how to use the CDJs at this time, so Andreas (Pionty) was helping out and played on the one CDJ. It was working quite well even when Jens was playing at this time mainly house and Andreas techno. But since this experience we have stayed in contact and now we also have a name together. Incredible.

But yes, we still live in different cities. Jens lives in Berlin and Andreas in Dresden. At the end of the day this is no handicap for our work, as in our business the most important thing is to have a good telephone and internet connection. The cities are also not far apart from each other so we can always arrange to see each other easily.

The decision on how we share the tasks was quite simple for us to decide, as we both have quite different skills. Andreas is more the communicative character of us two, so he takes care of the dialogue between the clubs, booker, artists and so on. Jens is more the man in the background who takes care of the administration and coordinates all final procedures with the label and releases.

At the studio Andreas is the prime mover. Jens mostly brings field recordings which are key elements of our work but after this he sits idle, drinks coffee or non-alcoholic beer. Actually, the only place where we are one is behind the decks. (Haha)

(Rebar, press pic 2016)

What are your musical backgrounds? What kind of music do you listen to in your “spare time”?

Rebar: Our musical background on the DJ side is Techno music. It’s actually the first music we both listened to freely. It’s kind of the foundation of everything. But in our free time we also listen music more diverse.

Jens: I like actually everything based on electronic music no matter which genre: ambient, disco, house, experimental…next to this I love modern classic and from time to time world music which you can hear on ‘Radio Comeme’.

Andreas: I also like various genres of electronic based music but also old Hip Hop stuff and when there is a Future Island concert around you will find me for sure in the crowd.

Did you have any former projects that lead to Rebar and MOC?

Rebar: Besides our solo DJ projects, we don’t. Sorry for this boring answer. (haha)

(Rebar, press pic 2016)

Who are your favourite producers? What’s your general inspiration?

Rebar: Think this question is for the most people not so easy to answer. We would say that Prince Of Denmark/Traumprinz/DJ Metatron could be our candidates for favourite. Not all of the productions are for our sets but everything which comes from this artist is on the point, they are ‘simple’ but always with depth. This is really something we have big respect for. If this artist also has an inspirational impact we can’t say for us it’s like a flow how we create a track. We record some field recordings, listen to some tracks which we currently like, talking about random things, eat, drink and at the end we have a finished track. Maybe this sounds stupid but our biggest inspiration is that we don’t put pressure on ourselves as we don’t have the feeling that we need to deliver. Our focus is on the label and our DJ gigs we have together. But if in-between we manage to release some music then we are happy, if not then this is also ok. It’s all about the time we spend together as Rebar and with our artists.

Life besides the label and artist thing: do you have a normal/daily job?

Rebar: Booth yes.

Andreas: I’m an outside sales person and have a classical 9 to 5 job.

Jens: I have my own music consulting and PR agency so I don’t really have a 9 to 5 job. (Haha)

(made of Concrete logo, framed at a wall)

Talking again about your label MOC: how do you select the artists and the tracks for it? Do you get a lot of demos (you consider for a release)?

Rebar: As a rule, at least on vinyl we release only music from artists we know personally (only the remixers can be “external“). Our new digital concept is a bit more open, via this we release music from artists who send us demos or friends from our artists. The tracks we choose at the end for a release we select in dialogue with the artist. Specially for an EP it’s important for us that the artist present his signature sound and uses the release to show a multifaced side of hisself. or in other words we love the classical A and B side concept.

We also receive quite a lot of demos, like most labels we guess, but from this we only find a rational amount is interesting. But because of the concept written above we also don’t release everything, even when it’s good. Sometimes this hurts a bit especially when you receive demos from artists you like and even those you have some records of but we need to say no at the end because of our release policy.

Who creates the artwork/visual concept? Which image do you want to create for your label? Ever thought about including some video art?

Rebar: The visual concept comes directly from both of us. We developed the concept together and Jens makes, as far him his Photoshop skills take, the graphics for all the channels.

The concept has different layers. We build a bridge to the label name itself by showing buildings as the core element. In general, the buildings also have a connection to the artist on the release. Whoever buys our vinyl and can riddle the connection between picture and artist then the lucky winner of our prize draw wins a candlelit dinner with a label artist of your choice. (Haha)

But the buildings are only a part of the artwork the actual concept is the production process. The idea is that the artwork needs to speak the same language as the final product. For this reason, we have different processes for vinyl & digital. As vinyl is a physical product which comes into being with the help of machines and handwork, the artwork deals with this fact. We cut pictures out of old architecture books and glue them into our artwork pad, writing by hand the release information next to it, scan everything and bring it all together in Photoshop. The final part is the stamp of the building which we stamp on the cover.

On the digital only releases, nothing is physical. Here we work with overlaying technical drawings which are in front of a black background. It’s the counterpart of the vinyl release. A professional graphic artist could do this job better but it’s important for us that’s the artwork come from us. At the end of the day the label is a matter of the heart and not a business model…and we all know the things you love you do better by yourself.

Regarding the video art we have some videos online. We have 8 music videos and the last projects came all from the talented video artist Patrick Hauler. At the moment, he is quite busy but we hope to present something new from him soon.

(Jens with MOC release at Newtone / Osaka)

You had a small tour to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of MOC including your first visit in Japan. How was the tour especially the time in Asia? Any nice anecdotes?

It was our first label tour which made it a lot of fun also when it was a bit stressful. Everybody has a normal daytime job, to do something like that next to this is not so easy, especially as we also take care of the bookings by our self. But at the end it was all worth it. It was somehow like the good old school trip.

The two Japan bookings for Rebar where directly after the tour and it was something really special. To play with Contact in a venue where in the same month they had artists such as Marcel Dettmann, ND Baumecker, Levon Vincent, Green Velvet and Prosumer is remarkable. As you said it was the first time in Japan (also private) and needless to say that Tokyo is really something else. If this city would be in Europe we would fly every second weekend or better move directly. In this city, every character can find his place and area where he/she would like to live. Next to it the people are really chilled and friendly which is not usual for a city with this amount of people. Europe is for sure a lot rougher.

Next to the gig another highlight was to discover our release at Newton Records in Osaka next to 2-3 other “made of CONCRETE“ releases. One day before you fly home was this a really great leaving present.

Thanks here again to DJ Saimura for his trust and booking in Contact & Ruby Room. Hope we see you soon in Germany.

You are also the promoters of “Körper”, a queer party in Dresden, the capital of Saxony, a federal state in Germany which is often linked with Pegida and other nazi scum. How came the idea up to organise such a party there? How was it? Which experience did you make? Any homophobic trouble?

First of all we need to protect our homeland a bit. It’s true, that especially in Dresden it is known for these kinds of things. We have in this city a lot to deal with, like the things written above but you can also find a lot of people and initiatives which fight against it and work on a tolerant and open society. Unfortunately, the media prefer to put the focus on the negative things. If they would support more the positive examples then it would be more complicated for groups like Pegida or Nazis to feel “big“ and “important“.

We don’t want to play this issues down for this reason we also organize in collaboration with the TBA club this “Körper” event to contribute something to support a tolerant, open and interested society. Therefore, you can say that if a city in Germany needs a party like “Körper” then it is Dresden.

The first edition was a surprise in a lot of points already like we imagined. We were especially happy about that fact that we really got the attention from the people who we wanted to see at this party. For this reason, it was really nice to party which is at the and only possible with good people at the door which explained to everybody the concept of the night and had a good hand with the selection. We as the promoters were often on the dance floor more than we usually can do. Also, the guest DJs seemed to be happy as they changed the time for the return trip to dance a bit more. A better feedback was nearly not possible. Also, the feedback after the event motivated us to go on with this project. So, we’re happy to say that after the “Summerbreak“ we are back with the second edition on 15th September. With Cem from Herrensauna and fr.JPLA from IFZ / No Show, we have some nice guests for this party. Next to this we have playing Szentendre, Toni Dextor and us again. After the line-up is complete, we work now on the planning for the decoration with the great deco-team to let the venue look special like the last time.

(Poster for the 1. “Körper” party)

Let’s talk about the techno scene in Dresden and Saxony. Could you please tell us something about it and the club TBA where your party took place? Compared with the scene in Berlin: are there similarities and what are the big differences?

The scene is more local as the kind of party tourism does not exist like in Berlin. Everything is a bit smaller, which doesn’t mean that the scene is not active. There is a lot of cool promoter and crews, also good clubs with great vibes. Next to it there are some great and innovative labels like Uncanny Valley, Lockertmatik or Etui to name just a few… (ah and us for sure). 😉 This all are influences and important parts of an active scene. For our parties the TBA with its rough atmosphere and the great sound system is the perfect venue for us. The size is perfect and it’s located directly under the translation of Dresden Neustadt so on a perfect spot for a good connection and central position of the nightlife.

(MOC releases at Newtone / Osaka)

Already coming to the end of our small interview: what are your future plans for “made of concrete” and Rebar? Some solo stuff in the pipeline?

We would love to have an interview with the “Bunte“, as soon we reach this we quit with everything, promise! (Haha)

Apart from this we have just had a little summer break, as well as parties and releases.

This slowly is over and we’re currently working on new releases from Matt Nowak, Francesco Belfiore and from our good friend Alek S. Furthermore, we are planning the next events at TBA in Dresden. From September on we’re back with full energy on all “made of CONCRETE“ channels. With Rebar we have just finished a remix for Luke Black which is part of our “Batch Plant” mini-compilation series. Our second EP for “made of CONCRETE“ is basically almost done and comes out latest on the third label birthday in the first quarter 2018. Maybe we sign some material somewhere else before but let’s see what the future brings. No pressure.

Recommendations:
Rebar’s EP “Hansaprohlis” on MOC
Kaiser’s EP “Sottotono” on MOC
Myles Serge’s EP “Walking Through Concrete” on MOC

Exclusive Mix:

Tracklist of Exclusive Set:
sorry no tracklist available because this is a live recording of Rebar’s first hour of their set played at the In][Between night at Suicide Circus on 2nd July 2017.

Websites:
Rebar
made of Concrete

[NovaFuture Blog Exclusive Mix]: Tom Talenberg plays Figure

DJ:
Tom Talenberg

About the concept:
Here is the fourteenth instalment of our series “abc plays xyz”.

The idea behind it is to ask some DJs/mixing artists if they have an artist or label in mind that they love and would like to use for a mix.

So the approach of each mix is clear: the choosen DJ/mixing artist makes a selection of tracks produced by one artist (and her/his monikers) or released on a label (and its sublabels) and creates a nice mix from it.

Find links to all instalments at our overview. Today we present you Tom Talenberg’s mix of tracks from Figure and sublabels.

About Tom Talenberg:
After years of playing classic piano and guitar Tom Talenberg discovered his passion for electronic music going out in the rather small techno scene between Dortmund and Cologne. Turntables became his focus and his love for vinyl grew and grew.

When he moved to Berlin to study musicology in the first place, Tom realized that he didn’t want to be just a dancer and consumer in the local techno scene, but the one who produces and makes people dance.

In his sets he usually tells a story you can easily get lost in. Using deep, bleepy and minimalistic tools, Tom Talenberg always keeps it driving by his passion for rough sounds of the 90s and early 2000s.

In 2016 he found two guys as passionate about music as him, resulting in founding the party Exotic State which is held regularly @ Griessmühle/Berlin.

Right now Tom is working on his imprint Level Delta, which is going to be not only a label but also a musicological blog including a podcast series.

About Figure:
Berlin based Techno label founded by Len Faki.

Listen & Download:
“Tom Talenberg plays Figure”

Tom Talenberg About His Choice:
Actually i came up with the idea to choose Figure for ABC plays XYZ when i was listening to Remains by Jeroen Search which is one of my all time favorite tracks.

I have to say i just love every single production of him. His releases on Figure and especially Figure SPC have always inspired me and i use them a lot in my sets.

Another reason i choose Figure/Figure SPC is that the sound i associate with the label has a deep connection to one of the clubs where i truly experienced techno.

Moreover, the variety of great artists like Faki, Setaoc Mass, Cleric or Markus Suckut that have released on Figure fascinated me. Though, i realized that this variety is a big challenge since most releases have a totally different sound. So i think the sound of Figure in general is not very distinct, except the productions of Faki or Cleric. The label has developed a lot over the years.

Therefore, i had some trouble to find a common thread while picking tracks and matching them. Especially because i also wanted to put my personal stamp on this mix. But in the end, i figured it out..

Tracklist:
01. Cryptik – The Gate
02. Z.I.P.P.O – Symmetrica Therapy
03. Jeroen Search – JSMS 4.3
04. Rod – Dimsur
05. Markus Suckut – Section
06. Jeroen Search – Karuna
07. UBX127 – Felt
08. Setaoc Mass & Matrixxman – Pitch Black
09. Philippe Petit – Negative Zone
10. Rod – Mystery of None
11. Jeroen Search – Compressive Strength
12. Roman Poncet – SSSN02 (Truncate Remix)
13. Jeroen Search – Remains
14. Markus Suckut – Dissociation
15. Cleric – Turbine
16. Markus Suckut – For Set #1B
17. Viers – Zehn
18. Lewis Fautzi – Brain Filaments
19. Setaoc Mass & Matrixxman – Vortex
20. Jeroen Search – Formalized
21. Cleric – Seit 1990
22. Viers – Lain
23. DJ Hyperactive – Wide Open (Len Faki DJ-Edit)

Recommendations:
Markus Suckut’s album “DNA” on Figure
A.Mochi’s EP “C2M” on Figure
Sebastian San’s EP “B” on Figure SPC
A.Mochi’s EP “Black Phantom” on Figure

Websites:
Tom Talenberg
Figure & sublabels

[Mix]: Empty Vision – NovaFuture Blog Mix July 2017

DJ:
Empty Vision

Introduction:
Empty Vision is the latest project of the Italian-rooted Damiano Di Cagno. He is also known as a part of the Isolation Crew in Cologne. In May this year he has released his first 12” on Lanthan.audio. One more release will follow at the end of the year. Stay tuned!

Listen & Download:
NovaFuture Blog Mix July 2017

Tracklist:
01. Psyk – Overture
02. Amotik – Gora
03. Freddy K – Devo Andare (PVS Rework)
04. Codex Empire – Hamartia
05. Transient X4 – Randomized (The Plant Worker Out OF Time Remix)
06. Inner Lakes – Jungla
07. 400PPM – Metabolic Grift
08. Verschwender – Face Of Silence
09. Positive Centre – Fielded Tongues
10. Matrixxman – Arrival
11. Roog Unit – Mesh
12. Setaoc Mass – Sket
13. Works Unit – Insulation Two (Acidic Edit)
14. Kwartz – Eternity Looking Down On Us
15. Osse – Daemonum
16. Shifted – Centipede
17. Boston 168 – 90s Space
18. Synthek feat. Pareal – Choice Of Words

Recommendation:
EP “Visions”

Websites:
Empty Vision

[NovaFuture Blog Exclusive Mix]: Nostitz plays Fachwerk

DJ:
Nostitz

About the concept:
Here is the thirteenth instalment of our series “abc plays xyz”.

The idea behind it is to ask some DJs/mixing artists if they have an artist or label in mind that they love and would like to use for a mix.

Find links to all instalments at our overview. Today we present you Nostitz’s mix of tracks from Fachwerk.

About Nostitz:
Born and raised in Bavaria, Nostitz aka Jonas von Wiedebach discovered his passion for music at a very young age. After playing several instruments throughout his youth, he found his love for electronic music at the age of 16.

After moving to Berlin in 2011, he and some friends founded the label „Fairplay Records“, which was going on for about 2 years. Ever since he is organizing parties and open airs, producing and DJ’ing. His latest project is the semi-regular event series „BACKGROUND. CODES“.

His DJ sets can range from hard hitting techno with a love for acid and old school tracks to groovy house.

About Fachwerk:
Founded in 2007 by Mike Dehnert.

The Berlin-based label Fachwerk continually breaks the mold and sets new standards in the world of high-end dub-techno and reductionist club music.

Over the course of 30+ releases, Fachwerk has never strayed from its addictive and highly effective sound philosophy: Groove is Central, Bass is Life, Texture and Detail are essential. The result is a stunning catalogue of truly underground club and experiment music, that has see the label Artists become world renowned producers and DJs.

Listen & Download:
“Nostitz plays Fachwerk”

Nostiz About His Choice:
Fachwerk is just one of my absolute favorite labels.

Often ranging on the border between house and techno, with a clear love for chords and dub-techno. Just perfect.

Especially Mike Dehnert often manages to bring a certain groove into techno, which I wish more people would do.

All the best to you guys, for another 10 years of Fachwerk with incredible releases.

Tracklist:
01. Sascha Rydell – Idyllique
02. Roman Lindau – Sonnerie
03. Mike Dehnert – Umlaut 2
04. Mike Dehnert – FK
05. Mike Dehnert – Beiwerk
06. Roman Lindau – Now
07. Mike Dehnert – Outro
08. Mike Dehnert – Detroit Switch Back To City
09. Mike Dehnert – Blattwerk
10. Roman Lindau – Crasse
11. Mike Dehnert – Orage De Chaleur
12. Oleg Mass – BTR94
13. Mike Dehnert – Werksalat
14. Mike Dehnert – Vorwärts
15. Mike Dehnert – Hain
16. Mike Dehnert – Eigenzeit
17. Jens Tozzberg – Bollschoff
18. Mike Dehnert – Isolant
19. Mike Dehnert – Intro

Websites:
Nostitz
Fachwerk

[NovaFuture Blog Exclusive Mix]: Verboten plays Gigolo Records

DJ:
Verboten

About the concept:
Here is the twelfth instalment of our series “abc plays xyz”.

The idea behind it is to ask some DJs/mixing artists if they have an artist or label in mind that they love and would like to use for a mix.

Find links to all instalments at our overview. Today we present you Verboten’s mix of tracks on the label Gigolo Records, right in time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the label (actually it is the 21st anniversary LOL) .

About Verboten:
It started with spending nights listening to livestreams from Munich’s technoclubs when he was 15, several under-age visits to DJ Hell’s Bavarian Gigolo Nights and evolving to a DJ himself while working at Die Registratur until 2009.

Having found his new home in Berlin, Philipp aka Verboten is a regular guest at STAUB, but also impressed the folks at Herrensauna with his sinister yet multilateral sound.

About Gigolo Records:
When Hell launched his International Deejay Gigolos Empire in 1996, his rebellious creative streak gave the label a punk DIY aesthetic. An open-ended techno imprint with a natural pop sensibility, Gigolo immediately stood out and attracted like-minded artists such as Bryan Ferry, Fischerspooner, Vitalic, Grace Jones, the Pet Shop Boys, Jeff Mills and Dopplereffekt. Today, Gigolo in Berlin is to Hell what the Factory in New York was to Warhol.

Listen & Download:
“Verboten plays Gigolo Records”

Verboten About His Choice:
The first techno party I have attended was DJ Hell’s Bavarian Gigolo Night in Munich. Having been blown away from the sound and the special atmosphere that Hell and his Artists were able to create – I became a close follower of Gigolo’s sound and aesthetics. Outrageous, powerfull and always with a touch of darkness, Hell’s own productions as well as those of artists like Terence Fixmer or David Carretta have not only shaped genres, but also my way of selecting and playing music for the last 14 years. With the 20th anniversary of International Deejay Gigolo Records coming up this month, I want to pay my tribute to the label and Fürst Nachtleben himself – DJ Hell.

Tracklist:
01. Station Rose – Dave
02. Jor El – Elektrotrans
03. Rok & Jonzon – Sequential Polka
04. Kiko and Ginos – Good Sluts Factory (Let it cia Mix)
05. Dirty Criminals – LSTNDTX
06. Dynamic Bass System – Omega Platinum
07. Romina Cohn – I Want To Be The Residents
08. Fetish&Me – Diskotecktonik
09. Bodzin & Huntemann – Black Ice
10. 3phase – The Sun
11. Terence Fixmer – Cervaux Sans Ames
12. David Carretta – Ta Liberté C’est Ca
13. DJ Hell – I Want You (Marcel Dettmann Interpretation)
14. Vitalic – Poney Part 2
15. Westbam feat. Richard Butler ‎– You Need The Drugs (DJ Hell Remix)

Websites:
Verboten @ Soundcloud
Gigolo Records