Born out of basement space, described by Prioux as a “bargain underground club,” underneath the DMA Vielspaß has all the attributes of an arts college party. Out there. Disjointed. Rag tag. But, a rag tag bunch with some very interesting musical ideas.
France has always been a tricky place to pin down when it comes to electronic music. What do I mean? Well, there are artists and labels doing great stuff there, but it always feels quite fragmented. There is some joined up thinking, like Umwelt and Minimum Syndikat and their penchant for tough electro and glow stick antics, but it’s few and far between. Yet, this lack can give others freedom and space.
Vielspaß is a Rennes based label whose influence comes from the sunny sounds of Italia as well as the moody greys of Great Britain. Born out of an art gallery, DMA galerie, the imprint seeks to release “synth – new wave – disco – acid and early techno – new beat inspired” music, says founder Nicolas Prioux.
With a number of releases under their belt, the French collective have already explored a wide range of above styles. Compilations such as Vß 001 and Fade to Dark brought together homegrown talent, new names and established artists such as Scratch Massive and Anton Miaovvi. Genres jockey for position with no one style stealing the limelight.
Kiwisubzorus arrived in 2014 with his Cyclop EP and brought with him something new. A decadent style of house, one laced with acid sounds and nods to Jak, scream from the four tracker. Chicago is the focal point, a pure and profane mechanization from past and present. Kiwisubzorous dishes up the necessary goods like an old hand.
Dramatis Personae are from a similarly dark place. Blasphemie is measured and moody with a sound that calls to mind that of Alessandro Parisi under his Hesperius Draco project. Across the EP stern claps rain as gentle, yet undeniably sinister, melodies twist.
Arguably it’s the latest pair of releases that will cause the greatest stir. It’s hard to find many Italo records still awaiting a repress (using this moment to plug my push for a re-issue of Joe Arrow’s Mexico) but there are still a few rarer than hen’s teeth gems out there. Manhattan Project’s That’s Impossible comes under that heading which has just been given the full re-issue treatment.
Mick Wills, and his ever growing bag of edits, has been drafted in for the latest EP. The German artist and Dj has garnered huge respect amongst the electronic community for his turntable skills, his remixes, and his tireless crate digging to unearth lost works. Editing is another string to the Mick Wills’ bow, the Stuttgart musician having recently been picked up by Bio Rhythm for his retakes of Thunder Orchestra. For Vielspaß the offering is heavily mascaraed wave. The A, described as “The Wall – Fire” is actually an edit of East Wall’s “Fire of Ice.” Wills offers some extra wiggle room and thump for a new spin on a classic. The second piece, a favorite from many a Wills mix, is noted as “Stallion – Hope” is a rework of Break Horses track “Faith.” The opening of the original is the focus with its lilting melody, samples and breathy lyrics being given extra attention.
Born out of basement space, described by Prioux as a “bargain underground club,” underneath the DMA Vielspaß has all the attributes of an arts college party. Out there. Disjointed. Rag tag. But, a rag tag bunch with some very interesting musical ideas.
For more info visit vielspass.fr.
