WE FORFEIT :: Interview w/ Adrián Marth (Italo Moderni)

From a mutual love of all things EBM, Italo and synth, our conversation charts the rise and rise of the Catalan artist, DJ and label boss.

Pioneers of everything synth

We’re delighted to have one of Spain’s pioneers of everything synth with us, Adrián Marth. The Barcelona artist was already on our radar, his Marthian Worlds in the bag, when we bumped into him before his cracking set at last year’s Ombra Festival. After said live show a decision was made; the Italo Moderni boss needs to be on WE FORFEIT. From a mutual love of all things EBM, Italo and synth, our conversation charts the rise and rise of the Catalan artist, DJ and label boss. Tracks come care of our guest, unreleased material from the label and some favorites from the WE FORFEIT camp.

 

Tracklist and interview questions from recording ::

Clay Pedrini :: New Dream (I.D. Limited)

Who is Adrián Marth and what is Italo Moderni?

Adrián Marth :: Disorder (Wrong Era/ Italo Moderni)
Rapha :: V More Karabli (Italo Moderni)

How did you become influenced in electronic music and, in particular, italo? Who are your influences?

Adrián Marth :: Black Ritual Witches (Wrong Era (Slow Motion/ Italo Moderni)

Why did you decide to set up your own label? What style is Italo Moderni pursuing?

Journeyman :: Something Dies In The Soul (Day mix) (Kosmorama Disco)
Win2Win :: Fantasia 500 (Wrong Era)
L&O::Even Now (La Musique Fait La Force)

Shortly after you started this project, the world entered into a pandemic. How were you able to adapt and continue to develop your label and yourself as a performer?

Anne Clarke :: Our Darkness (Virgin)
Petra & Co :: Just Let Go (Dub) (La Musique Fait La Force)

Your live show has seen you perform in events such as IFM streaming festival and at the Operator stage at Ombra in Barcelona. What is your process for performing live? Is it different to how you create music in the studio?

Adrián Marth :: Adrian Marth – Experiment Man (Italo Moderni)

You’re based in Barcelona, but your collaborations and various artist compilations draw artists from all over the continent. How do you find artists to collaborate with? What do you look for when you want to work with an artist?

Chino :: Shoplifters (Italo Moderni)

Italo disco continues to see a resurgence in popularity. Why is this genre so enduring and endearing?

Larry Day :: Fashion Girl (I.D. Limited)
Alba :: Philomena (Aube)
Suicide Booth :: Aura (Das Drehmoment)

How is the music scene in Barcelona?

Mata Hari :: Mata Hari Mata Hari (Blanco y Negro/Bordello A Parigii/Moustache)

It appears that the electronic scene in Spain favours darker sounds: we’ve already spoken of Ombra festival, countless artists talk of their love of post-punk and industrial while labels like barro, fill-lex and soil really push this sound. Why do you think darkness continues to be so prevalent in the Spanish scene?

Boris Divider :: Parallel (Arcanoid remix version 2) (Frigio)

What are you releasing next? Any snippets for us?

Timothy.J.Fairplay :: Altar Room (Italo Moderni)
Univac :: Aegis (Italo Moderni)

What do you have planned for the future? (tours/shows/record releases etc. remember this interview will probably air mid February)? And to finish, what is a guilty pleasure track for you?

Axxess :: Dancing Shadows (Lamborghini/Medical)

Visit WE FORFEIT at weforfeit.blogspot.com