Electronic music still loves the industrial estate. At least in Spain it does.
A small and fertile scene is taking shape
On a Saturday, I found myself criss-crossing the Madrid to find a venue. This isn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last, I’ve had to wander through closed businesses, shuttered units and squint at company names in an attempt to find “where it’s on.” Thankfully, the sun was still high in the sky on a warm day. It was 4pm rather than the usual 4am.
Tucked away in a seven story building in the bowels of southern Madrid’s sprawling Carabanchel is a unique entity. High up, buried in rows of storage units is a space that is small, tight and dedicated to electronic music. Inside is dark, strobe lights kicking the black. The walls are plastered in stickers and posters from trailblazing artists and labels from across the globe. Turntables spin and a solid soundsystem bends the walls of this otherwise ghostlike corridor of locked doors. This space is Kintsugi.
With all the traditions of machine music in Madrid and wider Spain, Kintsugi is focused on electronics from the Iberian peninsula and gathers artists, DJ’s and label founders to this unit to record sessions that are then transmitted to the faithful. I had been invited to this hidden gem by a group of enthusiasts who had made the long journey to the capital from the South of Spain, a crew from Málaga.
One of the largest cities of Andalucía, Málaga is known for its food and sandy beaches. It is far less known for its electronic music. Despite this, a small and fertile scene is taking shape with Undancel, and its founder Raphlex, being central.
Amplify horizons and awake interests ::
Raphlex, Alejandro Sánchez González, began his DJ career in 2018. The first steps of exploration are well trodden, “Four Tet, Caribou, Bonobo, Moderat, Ross from Friends and Burial” were inspiration. The malagueño decided to dig deeper into the machine music of Spain. “Masa Series, Útil Records, Noise to Meet You, Aspecto Humano, HC Records, Another Perspective, Distrito91, Fanzine, Caustica, Analogical Force, Lapsus,” helped to “amplify horizons and awake interests in new sounds.” In fact, it is the scene and sound of Spain that has forged Raphlex’s tastes with events such as “Ombra” marked as a “before and after experience” as a wealth of industrial, ebm and synth was brought to the stage.
Sánchez belongs to the Elektropedia Analog Kollective, a band of Andalucían analogue zealots promoting all things electronic musica. Other members include Undancel co-conspirators; Óscar LP (Oscar López), who delivered a superb set at Kintsugi, and Radikal Komcept (Alberto Vázquez). This likeminded group was a driving force for the establishment of Undancel with Óscar LP noted as a “source of inspiration.” Events, podcasts and releases, from the collective a fountain of music sprang. Wheels were in motion.
Raphlex is proud of what is happening in Málaga and pays homage to other collectives and spaces like Doggy Club during our conversation. He is also proud of the musical quality of Spain and this is reflected in the artists represented on Undancel. “I don’t need to travel far to find musicians that make me feel, I have an inexhaustible source of inspiration amongst our homegrown talent.”
A powerful first statement of intent ::
Summer 2024. Undancel brought out its first release: Alternative Sound Concept. A various artists release and a powerful first statement of intent. The range is wide, with up-and-coming musicians given precious vinyl real estate. The most recognizable name on the record is Dark Vector, a stalwart of electro. His offering, “En Mitg de L’Espai,” is different from his thrust and parry style. Instead, a heartfelt piece of vocoder soaked synthwave is delivered by the Barcelona based machinist. Although the other bedfellows of the 12” are lesser known, their contributions speak volumes. From the opening undulations of Caradusanto, the style shifts with Intervalo. “Solitude” is delicate and deep, silken strings ruffled by splintered snares and echoing refrains. The influence of the UK is embedded in the tracks, the analogue warmth of braindance and the punctured percussion reimagined. Garate’s “Larga” layers a ruffled haze of glitch over key stabs and crisp drum patterns before the refracted drum and bass acid of Tio Solo closes.
Dedicated to the physical format, Raphlex believes in the connection between the record and listener. The “magic…of holding the record…to choose them for a session or sharing the experience with friends,” is fundamental to Undancel. Another essential element of the releases is the artwork. Beatriz Albaladejo’s illustrations have adorned the sleeves of the two EP’s to date, a visual to “compliment the contents” of the record.
To plumb the rich seam of electronics in Spain ::
The second installment, Sequences, continues to plumb the rich seam of electronics in Spain. However, there is an outlier. Francesco Pio Nitti, aka Caramel Chameleon, an Italian, appears with “Digitone Spectrum Acid.” Having released on 030303 and Nottetempo, Nitti bends beat patterns and bars in this braindance romp as Undancel begin to spread their net wider. Another well-known name appears on the sleeve, Promising/Youngster. Analogical Force, Adepta Editions, and Sound Synthesis’ Wave Modulation Series are but just a handful of the imprints that Diego Cadierno has called home. “Wildcards” is a bright and jittery piece, incising beats softened by globules of acid and distant notes. Rhythms gain weight in the two remaining tracks. A sharp and steady snare is the foundation for swirl of synth that takes form in “Indivisible” by Irrational Language, fiery TB303 lines quenched by immersive melody shifts. Points of balance are wrestled with in the frenetic “K4R1N4” by 7053M4R14. A true veteran of electronics in Spain, José María Moreno Vega serves up a track with multiple angles. A fizzing melting pot of beat patterns are kept from bubbling over by a fluid bleep flows. A wonderfully complex and dynamic piece.
Sánchez is frank regarding his admiration and respect for Spanish artists, the two collections reflecting this appreciation. However, he is more than aware of the obstacles for anyone making music. The imbalance of power is noted with the “value” of the artist being disregarded, that their talent and hardwork is simply not being “remunerated.” This isn’t just the situation of Spain, it’s a growing problem where labels are taking on ever growing financial risks (this is especially the case for vinyl imprints) and the producer often having little to show for their efforts.
The golden age of IDM ::
Despite such grey clouds, the sun shines on the Iberian peninsula and there is nowhere where it shines brighter than in Andalucía. A third compilation is set for press at Undancel headquarters with a new musical line being explored without the “identity” of the imprint being lost. More gigs, more events and even a foray into digital is planned.
Throughout our conversation, Raphlex’s passion and energy shines through. These same qualities are plain to hear in their session as Kintsugi where jewels from the golden age of IDM are blended with braindance, electro, electronica and more. With a dedication to the underground, there is an electricity and enthusiasm emanating from the southern coast of Spain. Machined in Málaga and transmitting worldwide, Undancel and their cohort are putting Iberian electronics on the map.
