Igloo had an opportunity to invite Philippe — BiP_HOp Records’ label-head for an interview session via back-to-back email correspondence. The results are as follows..
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Igloo: When did BiP_HOp Records begin? What was the original initiative for the label?
Philippe: In 1999 I had the idea of assembling a series willing to document some of the most interesting modern electronica sound-designers. The idea was to create a musical manifesto which could hopefully help people to discover new music’s, to build an anthology of that scene.
I want people to keep in mind that the label is not releasing compilations-only, there are more and more albums in our catalog.
For the previous 16 years i have been running labels, ‘zines, radio shows because I wish to share the music’s i like with as many people as possible, and hopefully help spread the word on good music, and help talented musicians to express themselves.
Igloo: Can you clarify these?
Philippe: In 1985 I started doing radio shows and DJ’ing underground alternative music locally. Since then I have had radio programs on a regular basis. I collaborated to a lot of ‘zines, and since the early 90’s started the label Pandemonium Rdz. Noïz, Post-HC, Experimental music’s. The definition of the term Pandemonium is, “A wild state of noise and disorder”. Which was a pretty good definition for the kind of music we started to release. Nowadays, we feel closer to beautiful ambiences, instrumental/”cinematic” sonorities… Twisted, odd but enthralling and melodious at the same time. A parallel music for perpendicular feelings. 41 records came out on the label.
Igloo: How would you describe the music you’re putting out? What sets BiP_HOp apart from the rest of the pack?
Philippe: I try to avoid being pigeon-holed and every release on BiP_HOp sounds different from the previous one. I do not want to issue the same record all over again. I try to unleash unconventional sound adventures, adventurous electronica that is challenging the ears and the mind.
Igloo: Can you explain how the BiP_HOp Generation Compilations are set up?
Philippe: A series of international compilations gathering together creators of music, sounds, based on machines, mixing, modulations, modifications, sampling, glitches, clicks & cuts… blip… bleep… bip… BiP_HOp Generation. New generations of musicians sharing creative and aesthetic values are asked to compose a special piece, from 10 to 15 minutes. Tons of electronica collections are coming out every year, I do not want to add one more compilation to an already overcrowded amount, I really need to persuade the sound-assemblers to create some special piece rather than contributing their left-over as it is often the case with compilations.
Igloo: Do you create your own music? Or are you sole label head/manager?
Philippe: I could do a very inspired and hectic John Zorn (period Naked City) impersonation with my kazoo when I’m a bit drunk…
Igloo: Where do you see electronic music heading? Does your location (France) make it easier for you to work with artists, or does it matter?
Philippe: Internet allows me to be in touch with a lot of people from all over the place, they are my friends in my computer, though it is cool when – from time to time we can meet physically to share some fun. Not much had been happening in Marseille which is why we have started to organize monthly BiP_HOp Generation live events.
Igloo: Have you invited international based BiP_HOp artists to join the live events, or is this solely based around residents within Europe?
Philippe: They are coming from everywhere, depending on their touring schedule. In October 2000, The first BiP_HOp Generation live event hosted Marumari, Ultra Milkmaids and D’Iberville. From then on, we had Wang Inc. (from Italy), Kohn (Belgium), Battery Operated (Canada/France), Massimo (Italy), Fibla (Spain), Felix Kubin (Germany), O. Blaat (Japan), Tennis (UK), Benge (UK), Si-cut.db (UK), Electronicat, Damage, O. Lamm, Discom, Gel (all from Paris)… Our next one, the 13th will welcome 4 acts from USA including J. Frede + Inerex + Iff + David Brady.
Igloo: The design on the BiP_HOp Generation series as well as the website go hand-in-hand. It seems that some of the attention should be focused on the packaging as well as the music. How do you feel about the art versus music aesthetic?
Philippe: Design is very very important. Julien Berthier is the man who created most of the BiP_HOp aesthetics and I think I’m lucky he is on my side… He is also composing good music under the alias D’Iberville (3 songs on the upcoming BiP_HOp Generation v.5). We do our label out of passion, and respect people buying our records (don’t we share the same interest for good music?) and try to propose honest prices, good quality & beautifully packaged music.
Igloo:The BiP_HOp Series, unlike many other compilations released features more than one cut from each selected artists who appears on the compilation. What were your intentions forth is? It seems like an interesting approach that allows each artist to shed their creations with more than one track so that the listener gets a better feel for each artist. Is this correct?
Philippe: Yes it is correct, I wish that the composer be given room enough to fully express his talent, and thus the listener can get a good idea of his work.
Igloo: The discography you’ve listed displays an array of established and (not-so) established artists debuting with BiP_HOp.. Are these the plans for 2002 and 2003?
Philippe: If you mean that the list of upcoming is looking massive, I’m happy to reply that it is only the forthcoming releases until the summer of 2002. Full-length by Wang Inc. ; KPT Michigan (1/2 of Schneider TM) ; Angel (Ilpo Vaisanen + Schneider TM) ; Scanner +Tonne Sound Polaroid’s. Not forgetting the BiP_HOp Generation V.6 which will appear during the Summer. Then, in the fall, we’ll have Reciprocess Volume 2 featuring Stephan Matthieu & Si-cut.db; a double CD by Tennis consisting of their new album + a free one of remixes. Later on albums of Tonne and Hakan Lidbo if I like the final results.
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Bip-Hop Discography ::
MARUMARI / SCHNEIDER TM / PHONEM / GOEM / ULTRA MILKMAIDS / MASSIMO
AROVANE / BERNARD FLEISCHMANN / WARMDESK / KÖHN / WANG INC. / LAURENT PERNICE
NEOTROPIC / BOVINE LIFE / PIMMON / ZONK’T / ATAU TANAKA / NOVEL 23
MIRA CALIX (UK) / SI-(CUT).DB (UK) / DATACH’I (USA) / Vs_PRICE (France) / CRAY (Australia) / TWINE (USA)
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Upcoming on BiP_HOp ::
Reciprocess: +/vs. vol. 1
Bovine Life and/or/vs. Komet (Frank Bretschneider) [bleep 10]
BiP_HOp in association with Fallt are pleased to present Reciprocess : +/vs.. A series of split CDs featuring the work(s) of two sound assemblers and documenting the process of musical “reciprocicality” between them. As the title of the Series suggests each issue in Reciprocess features two sound assemblers contributing a collaborative work; a series of independent works; and finally, contributing a remix of each other’s work(s).
Design by Fehler/courtesy of Fällt. Liner notes by Philip Sherburne.
Twine is Greg Malcolm and Chad Mossholder. Enhanced CD, feature a video by Phase 4/Ric Hudgins.
:Recorder: the latest offering from US abstract electronic duo Twine represent their collective effort and spans the last year and a half. :Recorder: ebbs and flows between abstract beat oriented compositions, dark cut-up neo-classical pieces and epic-ambient-noise guitar sound scapes. Is it IDM, microsound, noise, ambient, none or all at the same time?
Andrew Duke is one of Canada’s foremost techno/new electronic music sound-assemblers. He has been performing live and recording his own music since 1987. His output has been compared to that of a wide range of artists Thomas Brinkmann, Kit Clayton, Coil, Oval, Skinny Puppy, Lustmord, Reinhard Voigt to name a few – yet always presents a unique and distinct “Andrew Duke sound”. Sprung is organic, wet sounding techno that skitters along a range of frequencies, from scurrying subtleties to low pulsing rumbles, each brushing different areas of the sonic spectrum.
Slowly building up an anthology of the state of modern electronic art and sound design… New installment with unreleased songs by : Accelera Deck (USA) / Andrew Duke (Canada) / Mikael Stavostrand (Sweden) / StudioTonne (UK) / Rechenzentrum (Germany) / D’Iberville (France)
In USA and Canada licensed by Merge records.
Andy Diagram – Trumpet and voice through harmoniser and echo loops
Richard Harrison – Drums and percussion and sheets of metal through electronics.
Following their highly acclaimed collaboration with Max Eastley, The spaceheads are back with a new album. Their 6th one proving that they really are intergalactic groove merchants of music that hits you between the ears and below the waist. Bewitching abstract dance music using just trumpet and drums, plaintive trumpet calls be looped across pulsing beats that propel us into sheets of metal crashing and vibrating through tiny pick ups cranked to the full and then spun into electronic webs… Contains remixes by Graham Massey (808 State) and the Bleach Boys.
+ full-length by Wang Inc. ; KPT Michigan (1/2 of Schneider TM) ; Angel (Ilpo Vaisanen + Schneider TM) ; Scanner +Tonne…
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