Blogs

IF? RECORDS: IFFY BUSINESS INDEED

Since its inception in Australia in 1995, IF? Records has worked with a plethora of talented people, most of them born and bred in its exceptional hometown: Melbourne.

Think people as far afield as Steve Law (a.k.a. Zen Paradox), Voiteck, Honeysmack, Digital Primate, Little Nobody, Frontside, Artificial, Isnod, Son Of Zev, TR-Storm, FSOM, Guyver 3, Soulenoid, Blimp, Black Lung, TDM, Josh Abrahams, DJ Venom, and Q-Kontrol.

IF? has also inducted like-minded experimental electronic boffins from Sydney like Sub Bass Snarl, 5000 Fingers Of Dr. T, Kid Calmdown, Pocket, and Nick Littlemore (Pnau).

And internationally over the past decade the label has worked with Si Begg (Buckfunk 3000/Noodles Discotheque), Tobias Schmidt (Tresor/Sativae), Jammin’ Unit (Pharma/Air Liquide), Biochip C (Force Inc.), Tal (Sub Rosa), DJ Rush (Kne’Deep), Thomas Heckmann (Trope), and Yamaoka (Kazumi/Holzplatten).

Then there were the parties – the now-legendary Omniglobe raves at Global Village in Footscray in 1995/96, and the Zeitsprung (1995/96) and Zoetrope (1997-2001) live electronica sessions at the Punters Club in Fitzroy - along with the collaborative jaunts organized by IF? with Club Filter, Teriyaki Anarki Saki, Honkytonks and Centriphugal.

Founded eleven years ago by Andrez Bergen (a.k.a. Little Nobody) with his mates Brian Huber and Mateusz Sikora, IF? always was about diversity, experimentation, pushing the perimeters, and flying the flag of Melbourne-made electronica – and the label also released a fistful of essential CDs and records to prove that point, from the cutting edge “Zeitgeist” series of compilations to debut releases by Little Nobody, Guyver 3, Artificial, the LN Elektronische Ensemble, Isnod and DJ Venom.

Since 2001 head-honcho Andrez has lived in Tokyo, but he continues to run IF? Records as a collaborative Melbourne/Tokyo project, with help from Melbourne-based mates like Damian Stephens (Isnod), Allan Klinbail (Son Of Zev), and Briony Wright (DJ Venom).

Finally, after their original web-server went bankrupt and took all the original IF? web-site details with it, the label has recently constructed two temporary home-bases online at http://if-records.tripod.com, as well as at http://www.myspace.com/if_records.

It has a bunch of artist profiles, a discography, reviews, pictures, information about the label’s avtivities in Japan as well as Australia, plus a demo competition for aspiring electronic producers!

On Saturday 10 February, 2007, IF? makes it’s annual (or, in some cases, bi-annual!) pilgrimage back to its place-of-birth, when the first IF? live party in 2 years is set to happen at Horse Bazaar!

ZU-ZUSHII 2 will feature a bunch of local and Tokyo-based live acts and DJs including Little Nobody (Tokyo), Isnod (Melbourne), Kid Calmdown (Sydney), Schlock Tactile vs. Slam-dunk Ninja (Tokyo), DJ Venom (Melbourne), Sleepy Robot (Sydney), label-meister Andrez, plus others to be confirmed – all for just $5 on the door, from 8pm to 3am, at 397 Lonsdale St., Melbourne.

The week before, from 2 February to 9 February, Andrez will also be holding a photographic exhibition of his visual works from Tokyo at an exhibit titled KEITAI KOUTURE, at Brunswick Street Gallery (2/322 Brunswick St., Fitzroy, Melbourne).

Check out more at his website: http://keitai-kouture.tripod.com

Ever wondered what your house would look like if you could see its sounds? No, probably not. Neither have I. But I did walk around the house the other day tapping stuff. In the MP3 file below, you will hear music made from walls, doors, windows, picture frames, tourist trays, the bass futon.

go to http://theurbanmyths.blogspot.com/2006/09/bubble-house.html
to download mp3 file

Why you might ask? Because I was wondering if you could make music just by tapping stuff. It turns out you can. Actually, the rythms are surprisingly driving. This house rocks, all it needed was an opportunity to express its inner rythm.

Click here or on the image to watch the video

part of The Optimen's set @ Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 23/09/2006

I was a bit close to the speakers so the audio is a touch distorted so pls forgive the sound quality

Click here or on the image to watch the video

part of The Optimen's set @ Arena in Brisbane, Australia, 23/09/2006

direct video link
video page on blip.tv

a chat with Richie, from Melbourne band / crew WD40, who builds sound toys and instruments for outdoor parties and festivals - for both kids and adults. he discusses his thoughts on the importance of play. midway through some people walk past and one starts playing a piano down the other end of the room so there was a nice chat about instruments and the piano Richie has at home.

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various shots taken at This is Not Art festival in Newcastle, Australia 28/09/2006 - 02/10/2006

http://www.thisisnotart.org

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parts of Ian Andrew's performance and presentation of his video works at Electrofringe 2006, Newcastle, Australia, sunday 01/10/2006

http://www.thisisnotart.org

http://www.thisisnotart.org/Members/ben/ian-andrews/

Ian Andrews, born 1961 (Australia) is a Sydney based independent film, video and sound artist who has been practicing since 1981. Much of Andrews' work consists of video/sound collage, "cut-up", and agit-prop culture jamming utilising a diverse range of visual styles from animation to "found" footage. The work is often characterised by themes such as technology and subjectivity. He will present a live performance, followed by discussion around his work and writing.

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part of a performance by Jasch - generative audio and video soundscapes to immerse yourself in

sunday 01/10/2006, Electrofringe 2006, Newcastle, Australia

http://www.jasch.ch/

http://www.thisisnotart.org/

http://www.thisisnotart.org/Members/ben/jasch-codespace/

Codespace integrates realtime drawing and motion-images with electronic sounds that evoke an abstract place where organical and crystalline shapes pulsate and flow. Generative (rule-based) processes or algorithms and realtime action by the artist are applied to basic shapes which in conjuction with finely graded colours comprise a rich palette of textures and shapes. empty dark space is inhabited by fast moving abstract shapes, structures with an architectural quality develop over extended periods of time. The piece evolves from dark and minimalist atmospheres to abstract densities, like a digital painting performed before the viewer's eyes. Memory of the images accumulates, obtaining qualities like a painting or etching. Reduction and concentration of elements helps to maintain the crucial focus, build the tension and give insights into the enigmatic and invisible world built of code.

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part of the audio and video projection held at This is Not Art festival in Newcastle, Australia, sunday 01/10/2006.

http://www.thisisnotart.org/

Watch the video

part of the video, audio performance by Somaya Langley who uses gestural movements combined with accelerometer sensors attached to her outfit, and David Wolf who provided the visual feast to accompany the soundscapes. part of Electrofringe 2006 festival in Newcastle, Australia, on sunday 01/10/2006.

http://www.thisisnotart.org/

http://www.thisisnotart.org/Members/ben/david-wolf-and-somaya-langley-tba/

TBA explores sonic city spaces through a gestural interface. In the current sociological climate, the city can be an alienating yet sonically rich space. Individuals potentially relate more closely to the city, the buildings and architecture than they do to the other inhabitants. However, the city is an ever-changing environment demolishing buildings, resurrecting monuments simultaneous moments of destruction and resurrection. Using footage of Newcastle as well as abstract and generative 3D systems, elements are combined and manipulated in real time using custom built applications developed with Quartz Composer and Max/MSP.