Why should we write about a music label? Why not about an artist, a musician, or a group? Labels, and I don’t want to start the discussion about “curatorial art” here, we also have that from time to time, labels can control our attention. They influence the music we perceive, and what we listen to, and the cognitive sciences will prove us right here. Labels, especially the independent ones, have a much more important position than the radio (or the lists that are suggested to us by a computer and that we are supposed to listen to in the morning). Labels can also raise awareness of music in general. By presenting music that others do not. In this way, labels not only play an important role. They have the opportunity to introduce us to music that we haven’t heard before. And Akuphone uses this opportunity.
1. the world
Because it’s big. We are not fans of the term “world music”, even if this term is often used for marketing reasons. What does “world music” mean in Indonesia? U2? From that point of view, why not? On the other hand, the world brings a world perspective to Europe, where we are convinced that we have a culture. And occasionally a civilization.
2. the music
And in the case of Akuphones, this is very diverse. We could say it’s as diverse as the world out there, but we don’t want to say that. Because that would be too flat. What’s much more interesting is that everyone can choose something interesting for themselves from the diverse range of artists. And then listen to it. Or not.
3. the label
In contrast to Blackest Ever Black, the label exists. You can visit it here (external link).
Humans incessantly produce art, music, and politics. It is the only being that needs metaphysics in order to exist. If it doesn’t, it has the feeling that it will die. We present the “Metaphysical Symphony” by Yuki K.
A work of art is always just a product. Something that the artist puts into the world. But there is more behind it. nystada also talked to Martin Yam Møller about the technology behind it. And you can read the interview here (external link): https://martinyammoller.com/9oddquestionsformusicgearjunkies/nystada-experimental-vibes/ nystada is a member of the Zenvampires collective.
Maruyama Masao said that democracy is not the state of “being” but the state of “doing.” It is also not an empty phrase to say that we must always fight for freedom, for democracy (however we may understand it). And here nystada picks up. With his question about the usefulness of politics. Or about whether politics benefit anyone at all. And if so, to whom. Two little tracks. For the summer. And for thinking. About the benefit. And maybe about Mills (and his philosophy). But that remains a secret. Like nystadas music. We proudly present two latest tracks by nystada.
nystada is a Hamburg-based artist and electronic musician. He is also a member of the Zenvampires Collective.
The blurred edges festival already started a few days ago (but time is an individual sensation of man and not really existent in physics, so we are neither too late nor too early). And lasts until 18.06.2023. In Hamburg. Should we go (it looks interesting) we will of course report. More details you will find here.
I don’t want to write now about Yaeji combining different styles in her music. That she also combines different influences. She certainly does that. She was also introduced at the Boiler Room Concert as a DJ, musician, and designer. She is all of that. But the term “combine” makes us think of demarcations. Of styles perhaps standing finely demarcated from one another. That cultures, professions, and opinions do not influence each other. That is an old, structuralist dream. It still exists (I recently listened to an interview with a modernist philosopher who just missed such a world). But the dream of a modernist philosopher does not matter for reality. The music plays a role. Yaeji I discovered rather… by chance. A member of our collective heard her in 2020, but she stayed. Not the combination of styles. But the place that the combination represents. Because I don’t want to sound too philosophical here, it’s the places that are created by the combinations. They are places that we enter culturally, musically, and artistically. And travel from one to the other. And let them have an effect on us. And that’s how Yaeji is. With her first album. More about it: here (external link).
Drone describes a style of music. On the one hand. On the other hand, Drone is also the way someone can see the world through minimalism. Not only music. But also the access to the world. A… Reflection, a meditation. A thought. And maybe much more. The Europeans would speak of metaphysics. But we speak simply of the world of which we are a part. Drones. They must be heard without thoughts, without theories. Then the broad view of the world and of us opens.
nystada is a Hamburg-based artist and electronic musician. He is also a member of the Zenvampires Collective.
Because we don’t remember the seasons so much, but we remember disagreements, quarrels, and discussions. These define what we call time. And seasons are essential for food. Emotions, however, for the soul. And that’s why emotional time is different. We have winter.
We proudly present a new track by our friend, Yuki K. It´s… we would say, jazzy… but… find it out… here (external link, which leads you to bandcamp):
We are proud to present you with the track “My Generation” by Sopocki. Sopocki is a young DJ, he lives in Sopot (maybe not right now) in Poland.
Sometimes it is the tension that makes a work or a track interesting. In his first track, Sopocki created tension between the fast beat and the voice (no singing, so no fear). In doing so, he breaks the boundaries of trance. And at the same time combines the “classic” beat with the modern point of view. Art? Definitely. A little Christmas present from us.