Collective & Label Special - London

Last week we were in Dublin celebrating our favourite labels and collectives who influenced us from the beginning. Now we find ourselves in London, looking at underground labels and groups that are making their mark on the scene by signing unconventional artists and hosting a variety of non-conforming events.

However, the London techno scene is unusual. There’s been a few raised eyebrows recently with some promoters booking big techno names like Surgeon and Lady Starlight to play in EDM associated venues for crowds not used to these types of headliners. But we’re not really into big venues and confused crowds. Despite London’s erratic closing and opening of old and new venues, there’s no shortage of our preference for more intense, intimate nights currently on offer. We can also happily admit there’s a handful of labels advocating new tunes and talent allowing artists to remain ‘strong and stable’ dare we say, enabling producers not to relocate to Berlin to pursue a career in techno.

Diving further into the contorted sounds and hard-core events all over London, we’ve selected twelve labels and groups whose passion for the underground shines through with solid bookings and the ongoing support for emerging artists. If you’re in the city anytime soon, be sure to get out and immerse yourself into the eccentric sounds emanating from London’s sweatiest spaces…

KAOS & Khemia Records

The KAOS collective was founded in Soho’s legendary lair Madame JoJo’s back in November 2003. Thirteen years later after a trip of underground soirees from Spitalfields den Public Life to the eerie surrounds of 291 Gallery in Tower Hamlets, KAOS is now firmly homed in Islington’s industrial pit, Electrowerkz. A monstrous soundsystem allows the artists on KAOS’s label Khemia to blast out brain melting vibrations all night, much to the delight of the loyal following the brand has built over the last decade. A range of artists from Codex Empire to I Hate Models have adorned the party and this Saturday, Schwefelgelb is on duty alongside the always reliable KAOS residents.

On The 5th Day

Founded four years ago, On The 5th Day is now is a prominent fixture at Elephant&Castles underground asylum, Corsica Studios. The small team behind the brand carefully curate their line-ups to cater for a musically educated crowd who come to revel in the talent with similar, open-minded techno lovers. A label showcase with Sementica Records saw punters flock from all over to attend and a packed night with live wizard SNTS remains one of Corsica’s highlights of the year. Next up, devoted local residents Tapefeed, Gertie, Lucien Biscop, Matt Hayes and of course Abstract Man support live duo Abdullah Rashim & Varg under their alias Ulwhednar.

Koodeta

‘Kick in the teeth techno’ is the sound of Koodeta, a primarily lesbian, hard techno night run by a group of girls dedicated to a females artists for an exclusive audience. Supporting UK based ladies from Katie Arnold to Flaminia live, the Koodeta girls have successfully created a much needed tough techno space for women in Hackney’s finest sausage factory ‘The German Deli Store’. If that’s not something to admire, we don’t know what is. Up next, Stephanie Sykes makes her Koodeta debut on August 19th with London locals

Jasmin and Ireen Amnes on support duties.

Live Now. Sleep Later

The bravely named collective was founded only last September by three dedicated techno lovers. In a short time, the group have gone from strength to strength with intimate parties in Hoxton Basement to Corsica Studios. A strong booking policy of international and British names has seen the likes of Codex Empire, Rebekah, Ossian and Amotik play for the appreciative crowd the collective has gained. A brutal line-up awaits in East London’s Steelyard this September joined by residents Exisderurgica, Miss Wanna, Imber and V-Stok.

Under My Feet.

Producer, DJ and music enthusiast Ireen Amnes brought her Under My Feet. collective from London to Rome late last year and is now planning Berlin shows for winter, as well as her London based shows. Keen to stick to her own sound while supporting like-minded and emerging artists, UMF. visited several East London venues and has now landed at King's Cross club institution, Egg LDN. The UMF. objective is clear - to promote and merge arts and heavy experimental sounds with London's clubbing scene. Artists such as Ossa Di Mare, Abstract Man, Venice Calypso, End Train and Flaminia and more have all graced the floors with their own relentless racket spinning well into the early hours.

UNMASKED

Unmasked was founded in 2015 and have hosted an array of amazing artists such as December, Phase Fatale, Dj Pete, Alexey Volkov and KOMMANDER. They have held events in prime London venues including Corsica Studios. A collaboration with KAOS in Electrowerkz this year saw Max Durante and Codex Empire perform enigmatic, compelling and energetic sets alongside ANTI making their live debut. Unmasked holds a well deserved place in this list by booking techno outside the norms and acts that are a little more eclectic and avant-garde venturing to EBM and post punk, bringing you something different to the London scene. They choose their music values instead of monetising on techno names, making risks to bring you some of the best acts around that isn’t your usual techno night.

Pls.UK

Pls.Uk have released music from the likes of Ansome, I Hate Models, Keepsakes and 138. There is a high level of dedication and virtue in the music put into the label which was established three years ago. Pls.Uk is a favourite here at MOTZ with all featured artists bringing high grade techno in all its gritty, hard hitting form. Their VA features absolute bangers from Ossian, RVDE, FLmm, Empyrean, Hono and Future 16. Check out their Bandcamp where you can find these sick releases and some sick merchandise too. If you’re a DJ or producer, the pls.uk releases are perfect DJ tools that will guarantee the crowd going into convulsions.

EarToGround

EarToGround is rolling as ever with the original ethos - bringing in new talent and working with current guys along the way. Keeping the releases varied and not putting all focus on just one style, ETG treats each release as its own project getting the best out of all artists involved. All the while and most importantly, it pushes techno as a genre worldwide. EarToGround label nights are taking off now with recent appearances in Germany and upcoming in South America.

However, ETG will always be London based and feeds off its surroundings. From the man himself, Gareth told MOTZ he 'wants London to be seen as a solid and progressive outlet for techno. This unselfish and proactive approach reflects in repeated, solid sales and the willingness for people on the same level to work with us. Techno is a movement and a way of life.' We approve. Watch out for upcoming releases including Gareth's 'My Flesh is my Cage’ with remix work from VSK, Hadgud's ‘Panoptic’ remixed by Blue Hour and Keikari's ‘Homistaa’.

Jaded

Jaded is London's techno after-hours party which has been going strong for nearly a decade. The infamous party is hosted at Corsica Studios every Sunday from 5am - 3pm. If you’re out on a Saturday night and feel that you want to extend your revelry, Jaded is the perfect the place to go. You'll find a combination of techno heads to an array of party goers. The atmosphere is pleasant with a family feel of friendly faces, grinning in sweat whilst enjoying the euphoric heavy beats. The Jaded crew have their ears to the ground, hosting talented names incorporating upcoming and established artists into the scene. Residents include Raymundo Rodriguez, Chris Stanford and Stephanie Sykes (who is killing it at the moment). Room 2 focuses on label parties where you can hear a range of garage, house and techno.

STRUCTURE

Four friends started STRUCTURE earlier this year, out of a love for music feeling there was something missing on the London scene. Their aim is to deliver the best music in the best environment, with immersive visuals. Their resident DJs include co-founders Mosai and AUX1. Two parties have been announced so far with a visit to Corsica accompanied by Reeko, Tadeo and Tripeo headlining, as well as electrifying London talents Mosai, AUX1, Xavier, MSKSS & Tasman. The second party at Bloc features techno giants AnD and MOTZ fave Sunil Sharpe, selected by Resident Advisor as the coveted RA Pick. Structure have stated that their ravers before everything and spend most weekends out, meaning they meet a lot of people and know what they want - they themselves are those people. The result is a heavy focus on bringing the techno community together and that’s what makes their parties unique.

Sticky Ground

A relatively new label which was founded last year, Sticky Ground has a unique outlook by not sticking to the usual techno branding. Using a creepy animated series with an array of dulled colours in some sticky and weird situations, not only is the branding different but so are the featured artists including Hono, Kuetzal and Empyrean. The latest release STG004 by ‘Sancta Sanctorum - As Above, So Below EP’ has remixes from Klankman and our own Irish producer Casper Hastings. The quirky label releases on tape and digital form, check them out on Bandcamp for some sticky goodness.

THEM

The eccentric London based label has some of the most interesting and diverse artists in techno, including releases from Scalameriya, Hiroaki Iizuka, Cardopusher, Ansome and Lag. The eerie artwork coincides with the releases offering a plethora of obscure and twisted beats that will leave you questioning your sanity. They teamed up with Killekill Summer Camp in Berlin's infamous Griesmuhle to bring you a night of spine tinglers that would even bemuse the grim reaper. Support THEM on Bandcamp and Soundcloud below.