event: 19 June Disko Resistencia mini festival with 6 live acts (NL)

*When? -->Saturday 19 June starting at 21.00
*What? --> Disko Resistencia / Stg. Art De SuR Foundation party
(+ release party Lesbian Mouseclicks debut EP on Wharf Records + release party Enfant Terrible compilation ‘Kamp Holland’)
*Who live?
-->Rude66 (elektro/Bunker&Creme Org.)
-->Lesbian Mouseclicks (elektro/Wharf Recs)
-->Hunter Complex (synthpop/Narrominded Recs)
-->Logosamphia (retardcore/Enfant Terrible Recs)
-->Milligram Retreat (neo wave/Enfant Terrible Recs)
-->Peter Quistgard (toy muzak/Toztizok Zoundz)

*Who Dj’s?
-->M.& Alacidus
-->MH & HD

*Where? --> DB’s CAB-Rondom 100 (Cartesiusweg), Utrecht, Holland
Damage: 7 euro (incl. a small surprise)
Wharf Records
Enfant Terrible

review: Hunter Complex - Hunter Complex

I am a big fan of Dutch popmusic and especially of new Dutch artists that are capable to produce some interesting and daring tunes in the fields of electronic music and experimental popmusic. Not because I am nationalistic or anything but partly as a reaction against the indifference of many Dutch people for their own history and culture. It is important to support local culture as simply it makes life nicer and better in the little world you live in.

Hunter Complex is the relatively new project by the Narrominded label boss. Narrominded have been working on promoting and putting out good new (Dutch) music since 2000. First with cd-r releases and later on vinyl and cd. The sounds range from elektro to experimental electronics and also some guitar stuff is in their catalogue.

Synthpop is the word when it comes to Hunter Complex. I must admit I did not get it when I first played this record. But it really grew on me with each play. Still I think the record would have been stronger when it would be trimmed from twelve to nine tracks or something. But in general this debut album is a masterpiece of contemporary synthpop.

The word pop should be written here in capitals. The production is quite thick in a Pet Shop Boys sort of way. Perfectly fitting the clear electronic beats and warm synthesizer melodies. What really makes this music so outstanding is that you hear classic 1980's synthpop elements but still all sounds very fresh. The arrangements and rhythms are all but 1980's I think. Also quite some unexpected elements pop up from time to time, like suprising hooks and twists in the song structure or a guitar part being added for a moment.

One of the highlights is 'Moonset' with its steady beat and typical claps but also adding to that some almost ambient like synth lines and strings. Also 'Exit' is really good with its loungy and laidback feeling and spacious synth lines.

If you are into classic synthpop and into some light summer tunes check out this release for sure. And for the well informed... this is probably more Anna Logue records stuff as Enfant Terrible material. But still... watch out for a new excellent track by Hunter Complex coming soon on the new Enfant Terrible compilation!

review: complications / compilations

Recently there have been released some compilations with 80's synth, new wave, post-punk and minimal electronics music. It is funny to see that some people try to commercialize and make hip and trendy music that was never meant to be that. Or... music that never had it to be that...

These compilations are basically nothing more then rip off's of the bootleg Flexipop compilation cd-r series. The most catchy tunes are taken from these compilations and the artists are chased down and there you are... you have a record...

Among this turmoil and aim for fame there are luckly always other people who do it in what I think is the right way and with the right music.

The first compilation that caught my attention was 'Genotypes' released by Genetic Music. Genetic of course has quite a history when it comes to releasing some lost 80's sounds. They were among the first to do this. This compilations was also planned to be released some years ago, before the current hype really hit the streets.

'Genotypes' maybe also is a Flexipop orientated compilation but it does not go for the catchy and easy tunes. For the most part it offers the listeners the more obscure among the obscure and tunes that are not instant dancefloor hits. For example the tracks by Urge, Ciaran Harte and Hysterica Passio are truly excellent and belong instantly to my favorite tunes of this era.

Even when a band is a bit more cult and well known as with Seppuku not the obvious track is selected ('New Illusion') but the B side of the 7 inch 'Under Your Control'. Absolute highlights are Mr. Numa with the awesome psychedelic track 'Story Of The Moon' and Jessica Denton & Patrik (Safety Pin Stuck In My Heart) Fitzgerald with 'Mr. And Mrs.'.

There are only very few comments to make about this record. The selecting and sequence of tracks is excellent. Only too bad it is released on CD and not on vinyl. Next to that I see no point in the Mecano track 'Robespierre's Re-Marx' being on this record. Of course it is a highlight of the era and absolutely a stunning piece... but it is easily available already. Besides this a spotless compilation!

But... if you like to go more obscure and move away from Flexipop and more in the realm of 'Kassettentäter'... that other great bootleg compilation series... but on vinyl... then there is a vinyl 7 inch compilation out now... just for you. NLW's lovely sublabel Schallplatten Aus Lurup has just released a six track compilation centered around the Diskret label.

Various bands from this German cassette label were featured on the Kassettentäter records... like 4721 and Reinheit des Herzens. Even though I do not like bootlegs these Kassettentäter records are a must have for any true fan of authentic NDW/minimal electronics/weird punk music from the late 70's and early 80's.

So, I was really happy to see Schallplatten Aus Lurup to release some of this music as an official record. Featured are six bands with one track each. The real connoisseur does already know what to expect: weird lo-fi stuff that will probably please only the real connoisseur.

And then still I am always happy to see there are people and labels out there who put out contemporary music. If you like the obscurities of the Diskret release but are hungry to hear new sounds then go for the Kernkrach compilation LP 'Schadstoffklasse Grau'.

This LP only features contemporary and mostly unknown minimal electronic acts. As I like to discover new sounds all the time you can imagine I am really happy with such a release. Especially as it turns out to be such good as this one really is...

The record has a real cohesive feeling. This is maybe due to the fact that some of the artists share some personel. But that is mostly on the A side. What truly attracted my attention is the B side. Which I can't stop listening to. The deep, hypnotic and repetitive electronics are excellent. It is all rather spacey and melancholy with just the right analogue sounds and rhythms.

Maybe some tracks are dead simple, still they are charming due to their authentic feeling. Think Skanfrom but more lo-fi and less evolved maybe so to speak. I am sure bands like Fabrik Ohne Strom, Kling Klang, Legodroid and Les Miserables Minimalistiques won't ring a bell with most people... not even the well informed... but for sure check this record out.

This is simple one the best minimal electronic releases that has been released recently and done with the right intentions and motivations. Besides that a highlight in the Kernkrach catalogue and that also says something of course!

All three release can be ordered from the Enfant Terrible webshop... (the Diskret and Kernkrach records will be added within the next days).

Agent Side Grinder news: cd album, tour, remix EP

Out now on Kill Shaman is the re-release of the sold out debut LP by Agent Side Grinder. This CD version of the album is released under license from Enfant Terrible and especially put together for the USA market. It features a new tracklisting with one previously unreleased song and new artwork. In Europe this CD will be available from the Enfant Terrible webshop and at the live concerts of the band.

Agent Side Grinder will be on tour in early May in Europe. The dates are the following:

-Saturday 1 May – Amsterdam (NL) at OCCII (Enfant Terrible label night with Milligram Retreat and Duflan Duflan)
-Monday 3 May – Leipzig (D) at Liwi
-Tuesday 4 May – Berlin (D) at Lovelite
-Thursday 6 May – Haarlem (NL) at private party
-Friday 7 May – Paris (FR) at Le Klub (Enfant Terrible label night with Distel and Bran)
-Saturday 8 May – Lille (FR) at La Peniche

After this tour Agent Side Grinder will be opening for Psyche (12 May) and Cold Cave (18 May) in Stockholm, Sweden

Next to this there is a remix EP planned. Dutch elektro veteran Rude66 already delivered an excellent dancefloor filler. Minimal electronics cult act Crash Course In Science have confirmed their collaboration and also Dutch upcoming elektro act Lesbian Mouseclicks are working on their interpretation of the sound of Agent Side Grinder. This remix EP is planned for autumn 2010 on Enfant Terrible.

review: Sixth June - Everytime

Sixth June is a duo from Serbia that have just released their debut LP on the Genetic Music sublabel No Emb Blanc. Even before the LP came out they had some very nice video tracks circulating on the internet. These served as teasers for the upcoming album, and even more as the songs featured were really good.

Any fan of some good old elektro wave will have to dig this. It is nothing new but it is done with conviction and that is what you hear througout the album. Eleven melancholy tracks, which at times are down tempo but also some real dancefloor fillers, come and go and lead you the way into a mellow state of mind.

This band sounds a bit like Nine Circles mixed with Clan Of Xymox (two first albums on 4AD) and maybe even a bit of Frozen Autumn from time to time. Even though Sixth June could appeal to some goth fans the music could as easily be consumed by indie-tronics lovers. Also the artwork hints more to the indie scene as the goth/wave scene. A very good choice!

Highlights are the more uptempo pieces like the very 80's new romantics sounding 'The Night Is Coming' and the (should be) dancefloor hit 'Never Leave Me'. Next to that the excellent doomy 'Ohno, It's Burning' is a small masterpiece and The Cure inspired 'Afraid Of Lies' are songs in which the band shows their songwriting skills and their potential for the future.

Too bad I missed them live on stage recently as I am very curious how they put on a live show.

I have some copies in the webshop here...

new Enfant Terrible compilation (spring 2010)

Promo reel 1:

review: Blessure Grave - Judged By 12, Carried By 6

Release The Bats from Sweden began its activities with releasing some contemporary batcave and post-punk music. New and upcoming bands found their way to listeners through this label. More and more the label moved to more experimental music... music you could still file under post-punk but much more diverse in sounds and textures as before. With this LP by Blessure Grave the label shows it did not forget it roots and still has a good taste in more traditional post-punk sounds.

Blessure Grave from the USA is a relatively new name (they have some 7 inches out, among them a split with Cold Cave) around in the USA indie guitar/post-punk scene. Together with Swann Danger and Black Ice they are for sure among the most interesting bands around in this field of music.

Some people will complain they have heard it all before and yes it is all there... a bit of The Cure (Pornography LP period), touches early Death In June, some Jesus & The Marychain and so on... but even if this is the case Blessure Grave produced an album filled with quality songs that take you on a wonderful melancholy trip. For the fans of this music a real feast for sure.

Still for people not being die-hard fans of the style this LP could be the one to pick up as well. While many bands claim to be influenced by Joy Division and playing some sort of neo wave Blessure Grave truly goes into that territory. And, they do it with a touch of authenticity I do not hear that often with many of the guitar bands around today.

The best thing about this band is the lo-fi sound. Even though the guitars are quite clear the production is rather lo-fi. The vocals are a bit muffled as if they are coming from beyond the grave, but never annoying or anything.

If you are bored of all the fake Joy Division tributes but also are not looking for the typical goth bands then Blessure Grave is here to please you. Simply an excellent debut album! There are a few copies in the Enfant Terrible webshop here...