Collective & Label Special - Berlin
Revelers come from all corners of the world to party in Berlin, infamous for its relaxed drinking regulations and late night licensing laws with some clubs even staying open days at a time, as well as being famous for its music and art scene, alongside its incredible history. This creative and vibrant city has all sorts to offer even in the gloomiest of days.
This is the third edition of our series where we share some of our favourite collectives in our beloved cities, previously including London and Dublin. Last but not least, we take a look at the labels and collectives in Berlin that have inspired us and have enriched the city. These collectives continue to strive and push the boundaries musically and provide us with a more educated pallet.
Aufnahme + Wiedergabe
The label was founded in 2011 and has been going from strength to strength since. They've had releases by The Horrorist, SCHWEFELGELB, SΛRIN, Codex Empire, Blush Response and many more. Genres range from post punk to cold wave and experimental techno. Head of the label Philipp Strobel has also hosted a plethora of events for a+w and also as DEATH DISCO. The birth of the label stemmed from Strobel's love from hardcore and German punk. Check out their discography on bandcamp.
Disgust
Disgust 'represents a rigorous and bizarre concept of music and visual translation. The old boiler house mutates into a acid-iridescent Stahlbad.' The club night started in 2016 and has hosted some great names in techno such as Manni Dee, D.Carbone, Falhaber and 74185#. They also have a good podcast series worth checking out.
female:pressure
female:pressure is an online network of artists who work in the field of electronic music and digital arts. The network comprises over 2000 DJs, musicians, composers, VJs, visual artists, promoters and journalists from around the globe. Their intention is to make female, transgender, intersex and non-binary artists more accessible. You can find information on each artist here. They host workshops, parties, compilations, research projects and public meetings to help empower and create a comfortable space. female:pressure have also won a numerous amount of awards for their participation in making the industry a fairer place. They are hosting an event with Rituals on the 14th December.
Fleisch
FLEISCH is a collective that started in 2016 as an event with the main intention to showcase raw body music. FLEISCH Records mostly produces vinyl that is 'an extension of that main concept that goes beyond a ephemeral existence into a permanent state.' They have had releases from Rendered, schwefelgelb, Privacy and more. Head over to their bandcamp to hear their diverse sounds.
Instruments of Discipline
Instruments of Discipline started in 2014 by OPERANT. The Berlin based label works closely with A+W and have had successive releases from Swarm Intelligence, UNHUMAN, BR1002 and a range of other beguiling artists that will leave you enthralled for hours. Check out their bandcamp.
Ismus
One of our favourites here at MOTZ, these guys have been gaining momentum since they started in 2015. They have brought a bunch of techno heavyweights over to Berlin including Truss, Happa, Sunil Sharpe, Bas Mooy and Neil Landstrumm. They carefully curate a combination of music, art and photography to create a unique venture.
Ismus are hosting exhibitions at Anomalie Arts Club. Visitors will experience each project of artwork and visuals in chronological order, gaining a glimpse into the work that goes into each event. The exhibition will showcase artists from Nick Cocozza, Nicola Napoli, Bor Prisamatarov, Robert Zumkeller and live installations from Lucia Ismus. These artists delve further into the connection between art and music and their comparable scenes in Berlin.
The Griessmuehle x Ismus collaboration event moves things to a club atmosphere with Randomer, Developer and UVB among other talented DJs who will provide cutting edge music for the marathon 24 after party.
KILLEKILL
KILLEKILL is a Berlin based company around since June 2008. It started as weekly club night at Berghain Kantine. Developing a name for itself it wasn't long before the KILLEKILL team began creating a physical platform and KILLEKILL Records was born. With the same standard of the club nights, the label sought to forge a new sound with each release combining new and old, past and present with a glimpse of the future with a taste of 90’s with a hint cutting-edge atmospheric techno. With their subversive style they found fans in Aphex Twin, Surgeon, Rob Hall, Luke Slater, Blawan, Perc, Norman Nodge and Phil Kiernan are just a few to name who have shown for support Killekill. The KRAKE FESTIVAL in 2010, a Berlin based festival for experimental dance music also a massive success is another KILLEKILL by product. 2017 saw the collective continuing to see growth in record sales taking it to the next step and have started several new labels.
Mannequin
Mannequin records started in 2008 with self described genres minimal synth, cold wave, dark wave, post punk, psych, industrial and experimental. Hosting newly bi-monthly Mannequin Records Nacht at Säule, the newest floor in Berghain, Mannequin records is growing at an unstoppable rate. Check out there discography here. It recently got RA Label of the Month and you can find out why below.
Liber Null
Liber Null is a postmodern project that emphasises the pragmatic use of belief and creates avant-garde and unorthodox methods seeking a perceptive access to underground music and art. They host a series of events combining all creative senses to entice you on seductive journey in Berlin's secret playgrounds.
OECUS
OECUS is a project that captures the art of dark techno music in all its shades. Born with the new experimental techno scene, it became a real underground party defined by its gloomy theme. Its objective is to create a unique experience supported by emerging artists following this movement. They have brought over names like Lewis Fautzi and Arnaud Le Texier.
RITUALS
RITUALS is a weekly techno event at Suicide Circus on every thursday with a solid selection of techno DJs and Live Acts. It's always a reliable night out and always invite amazing collectives to showcase their sounds. The are hosting female pressure on the 14th of December. Find the event link above.
Samsara Sessions
Samsara is an experimental event series showcasing live artists hosted in OHM. They also hosted a previous event at the infamous Corsica Studios, London which invited the highly acclaimed Ewa Justka, a London based performer who makes her own synths and is renowned for live sets alongside with Yves De Mey and Gaja, all under one roof. The next event is on the 14th of December in OHM with Positive Centre and more delights.
South London Analogue Material
The London born label has now relocated to Berlin and have had a series of perpetually successive releases that have been delivered from the likes ABSL, Gaja, Keepsakes and lots more. They have an upcoming release by Myler which will make you want to grab a bottle of buckfast and leave you naked in your neighbours garden. Have a listen below yeeeeeow.
SYNOID
'Find yourself in the realm of SYNOID and indulge in different kinds of techno presented to you by carefully selected and geared to one another live acts and DJ's'. Represented by Acierate and Tham, Synoid hosts events and podcasts curated by bleeding-edge artists including Marla Singer, I Hate Models and more for a thorough assault of the senses in Berlin.
Tales from the Evil Empire
A series of parties focusing on underground debauchery, Tales from the Evil Empire are now comfortably homed at the temple of OHM. Hosting the likes of SΛRIN and Identified Patient, you'll be recalling your own tales of evil once you step foot into their empire for the night.
Upperberry
A collective who have hosted their nights in Kosmonaut and about:blank display an array of talent from techno to EBM. They've invited Joe Farr, KONKURS, Paleman, UBH, 138, UNTOLD and many other weapons, making them an obvious choice for this feature. Alongside their prime line up, Upperberry also have a great selection of podcasts on their Soundcloud.
Zhark Recordings
Heavy technoid discharge since 1995, we're huge fans of this long running label churning out the squelch for over a decade. Huren, Kareem, Casual Violence, Stärker, Hecate, Zymosiz and lots more have all featured on the platform.
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