Since 2009 Canada’s Electric Voice has been a transmission station for new and established talent with a leaning for angular coldness. With a new LP from Brooklyn’s Martial Canterel (Xeno and Oaklander) in the pipeline Igloo caught up with label boss Matthew Samways to shoot the breeze over a selection of tracks.
The second age of Synth Wave has built up a decent head of steam over the last five years. With every passing of Auld Langsyne another fledgling imprint takes flight into the realms of The Human League, D.A.F. and Neon Judgement. But this rejuvenation of past masters is coupled with a growth in contemporary artists taking up the air of disillusionment with a penchant for Roland, Korg and Yamaha machinery. Since 2009 Canada’s Electric Voice has been a transmission station for new and established talent with a leaning for angular coldness. With a new LP from Brooklyn’s Martial Canterel (Xeno and Oaklander) in the pipeline Igloo caught up with label boss Matthew Samways to shoot the breeze over a selection of tracks.
Igloo :: Tell us a little bit about Electric Voice. Who’s involved? What’s the mission statement? Or is there one?
Matthew Samways :: Electric Voice is simply a moniker behind a force that is comprised of a desire and a passion, and most importantly a faith. Faith in a greater and higher underground, terminating the underlying dissatisfaction in our tormented realities. I am the primary operator though currently I am working with all close friends, Courtney who essentially acts as a consultant with all label related (“Mind Control”), Darcy who handles most all of press campaigns, etc and also offers great advice as he has been running his own label for over a decade (Divorce Records), Brett who handles most of the cassette releases and helps me with in house silk screen printing and finally the most recent addition—Dmytrij in the Ukraine who is handling design/formatting our vinyl releases.
Though our practices have been celebrated in decades past, our focus is in our contemporary and its progression. There is no ultimate mission statement but in light of this request … “Poetic Justice”
When, and why, did you decide to set up a label?
There was no decision, it was a natural impulse as a 16 year old in rural Canada to create an avenue to materialize the music of my own and my close friends. After a short hiatus, the desires to start contributing to this world developed abreast with my own self. When I started writing and receiving grants from the provincial government, I was exposed to the business side of operating a record label and my interests consciously grew stronger, while the output followed. My passions and ambitions lay in the sounds and the aesthetics, but as Electric Voice has created itself into an entity my desires to sustain this as a business have grown.
What is the label striving for?
Sophistication and elegance with DIY ethics, presented in a genuine culture.
What are some of the influences of Electric Voice?
The artists’ that we work with and developing personal relationships that are based on mutual fundamental values and direction. Sharing this experience, strengthens our determination in creating a better community and culture for this music to be received. The gratification of achieving a vision or simply watching the spectacle in which these visions grow and turn, and are perceived. The physical materialization of my ones true and honest work, and presenting it into multiple worlds. The transhistorical context in which we see our partners and contemporaries. Fin de siècle.
What labels and artists are catching your attention these days?
Dark Entries, Dödsdans Rekords, Mannequin, Aufnahme + Wiedergabe, Onderstroom, Anna Logue, Genetic, Other Voices, Kernkrach/F.K.K, Brett’s new label/distro Total Black, Artificial Records, Desire, Clan Destine, Dais, Skot Up, Blackest Ever Black, VOD, Function Operate, and of course Wierd Records.
Martial Canterel, Automelodi, Xeno & Oaklander, Új Látásmód Fúzió, Glenn Winter, Art Fact, Epee Du Bois, Tropic Of Cancer, Femminielli, HNN, Death Domain, Xiu, Contrepoison, Horrid Red, Silent Servant, Dream Affair, Silent Servant, Lower Synth Department, Survive, Frank (Just Frank), Led Er Est, TSTI, Moduretik, Lebanon Hanover, DVA Damas ….. plus likely many more that I cannot think of in this moment.
Martial Canterel’s up next for Electric Voice. Can you tell us about this collaboration between you and him?
We’ve actually became good friends over this process. My interest in his practice is undeniable, and I strongly believe in his work. In the last decade, Sean (as well as his collaboration with Liz Wendlebo of of Xeno & Oaklander) has been credited as one of the leading “wave” artists’ in some sort of a revival .. this idea is purely obtuse to me. I believe it as they are simply just prolonging, and representing, where these artists’ started off in the late 70’s/ early 80’s. Ground zero. Voices of multiple generations with the same value and vision. It is simple. Like Xavier (of Automelodi), these groups have been developing since the late 90’s outside any trends or “revivals”—instrumenting their true and sincere aspirations with sound and delivery, mediums and live performance. This is far more admirable than the hundreds of contrived artists’ emulating these ideas and “genres.” I understand this is bold and some may believe I am not entitled to such an opinion at such a young age, but I can’t be bothered.
Finally, what were the last five records you bought?
I can’t say I bought these, as some were gifts/trades but these are some recent titles to make their way to our doorstep in the last couple of weeks:
Lebanon Hanover :: Gallowdance 7” (Aufnahme + Wiedergabe, 2013)
Nine Circles :: The Early Days 2LP (Genetic, 2012)
Fall of Saigon :: Untitled EP (Dark Entries, 2013)
XIU :: Possession EP (Beläten, 2013)
Jeff & Jane Hudson :: Special World 7” (J & J, 1983)
# # # #
Download this mix! (Right click and ‘Save link as…’)
Artist :: Track
The Product :: Alive Again
Tanit :: Night Knight
Weimar Gesang :: Chantal’s Secret
Blipblop :: Sista Vilan
Glenn Winter :: Bruna Hundras Dod
Lebanon Hanover :: Kunst
Sleep Museum :: Purity of Hate
Hard Corps :: Clean Tables
Parade Ground :: You Took Advantage
Martial Canterel :: Covers
Tropic Of Cancer :: Beneath The Light
For more information on Electric Voice, visit their website at electricvoicerecords.com.
