Maybe in another life...

Logtoad - Rat Full Of Coins EP Vol 1

Against Fascism Trax. 

Many small actions combined can have great power, and it is always better to try to do something than to do nothing.  I have long believed this.  It breaks my heart that AF Trax must exist, but sitting back and doing nothing is an option I simply cannot countenance.

Our current global political climate gives grave cause for concern, because when the world tips to the right, those within marginalised communities feel repressive outcomes directly & immediately.  It is easy to think “it surely isn’t so bad”?, but those people precarious in their life circumstances, marginalised in our communities and displaced across the borders of the world are already suffering the consequences - often violently - of this shift in ideology.

We live in an era where talking is endless, but where actions are harder to find.  If AF Trax reaches just one person to make them change their mind over being a supporter of the far right, motivates somebody to work against fascist thinking, informs someone or raises funds - then I will view it as having been a success.  Something solid will have been created, we will have done something.

Confusion seems to exist as to what being against fascism might look like. There are dedicated left-wing groups fighting under the Antifa banner, leading some to think that being against fascism is purely a left vs right ideological divide. But it is not. Surely the only people who aren’t against fascism… are fascists?  This is not left wing vs right wing posturing but a fight everybody, be they conservative, liberal, centrist, apolitical or any other point on the political spectrum should surely support fully.

The culture of dance music that we know and love was born out of the struggles of marginalised and vulnerable communities across the world  - and those who assert politics does not belong in dance music are shamefully ignorant of this essential history.  Dance music as a culture would not exist as we know it shorn from that history.  The dynamics of struggle and celebration has always (and will always) run deep in the DNA of Dance.

AF Trax hopes to harness a tiny fraction of this dynamic, to honour that history, to provoke dialogue that is fundamentally anti-racist, anti-sexist, non-homophobic, non transphobic, non-ageist, non ableist & to question and breakdown the class divide.  In these current political times we all need to stand up and be counted, strive to challenge and dismantle the logic of the status quo with all of our might.

The label’s message is very simple. The far right ultimately wish for the destruction of our way of life and indeed the lives of many of the people we love. The message is love. The message is solidarity. The message is No Pasaran - They shall not pass. It is a call to stand together, it is a call to stand up, it is a call to ACT.  Individually we may be powerless, but together we are strong.  

If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention!


** All label profits will be donated to Hope Not Hate  (https://www.hopenothate.org.uk) which campaigns to counter racism and fascism. 

Thanks to Lerato Khathi / Bring Down The Walls for permission to repurpose some of her text for the notes here. For Heather Heyer and Jo Cox.

Logtoad - Rat Full Of Coins EP Vol 1

A1)Ratchet Beat
A2)Screw Pump

B1)Drill Beat
B2)Hex Acid

Released on vinyl (and digital) on January 11th 2019. Distributed by Kompakt.

AF Trax 001 - Logtoad - Rat Full Of Coins vol 1 12" EP (sampler)

Brousiade's take on Plazmot's debut release Orot Levanim
Out now on Malka Tuti:
https://malkatuti.bandcamp.com/album/remix-pack-1

Plazmot Orot Levanim (Borusiade Remix)

The bar was crowded and noisy, a constant thrashing of sound that made it hard to hear your own thoughts. The men of the town came to drink here every night; they would tell tales of the days events and brag to one another about their various accolades. As the night went on, the men's arrogance grew, fuelled by multiple scotches and tankards of bitter. When the clock struck 12, the door swung open and a woman clad in black confidently made her way to the bar. All eyes were on her as she moved through the room. She cast a glare to either side and the men sheepishly looked away. She was fierce, nobody here would dare to challenge her. Everybody was afraid of her and that's exactly the way she liked it...

For the second release on her and friend Umut's label Müstesna, Ece Özel has rounded up both local Turkish producers and overseas friends to feature on their forthcoming compilation sheLter. Over 25 artists have contributed to the VA release, including international friends like Beesmunt Soundsystem, Alessandro Adriani, Mr TC and Tolouse Low Trax, as well as native artists like Mehmet Aslan, Emre Can Swim and Erdnik Ol. The impetus behind this compilation is to provide financial support and create national and international awareness of trans murders and trans suicides in Turkey, where the murder rate is the highest in Europe. All proceeds will be given to “Eylül Cansın Trans Guest House" - a place founded by the Istanbul LGBTI Solidarity Association - and will help provide support and generate income for the guest home to find a new home and keep the establishment going.

PREMIERE: Heap & Bocksrucker - Fierce [Müstesna]

ORDER HERE: https://discotag.bandcamp.com/album/amora-lamor-various-tracks-ep

12" Vinyl EP with printed sleeve
Released Feb 2020

Amora Lamor is a project by Lithuanian producers @Brokenchord and @Munpauzn.
Their debut release is a fun and ironic take on current electronic music trends. From disco to lo-fi breaks, from banging club sound to cinematic synthwave, this EP is an experiment of six fuzzed-up cuts delivered using synthesizers, guitars and drum machines. 

Music by Amora Lamor
Illustration by Lina Vyšniauskaitė
Design by Ugnė Balčiūnaitė
Mastering by Pranas Gudaitis (audiomastering.lt)

Tracklist:
A1. Amoritmal              
A2. Amorine                  
A3.  Baltimora              
B1. Vorkflova                
B2. P1                               
B3. Dek, more

Amora Lamor - Various Tracks EP (DTAG004) Preview

The fire burned bright, the roaring flames unfurling in shades of orange and red. Sparks showered down through the darkness met by murmurs and cheers from the crowd spread around its fringes. As if under a spell they swayed and moved their bodies in unison, the indefinable words leaving their lips morphing into ritualistic chant...

For their third release, Berlin nightclub Sameheads enlist the help of friends and celebrated artists to contribute to a four track V/A; the result is a batch of spaced-out dance floor cuts that touch on a variety of influences and step outside genre and convention. There's a fun-packed synth jam from Mameen 3 (a side-project of Brussels' DJ Sofa) and Romanian producer Rodion G.A, a dubwise closer from SHAKEY - the meeting of minds of Silvia Kastel and Wilted Woman, KRENG bring sludgy syncopated beats on the B-Side and our pick, from Greek producer Anatolian Weapons, who brings back the ritualistic chant over punchy bass and drums, before building to a climactic finish. The artwork was conceived by Crosslucid AKA Sylwana Zybura and Tomas C. Toth, who deliver their signature perception-bending viewpoint.

ZEUG!

PREMIERE: Anatolian Weapons - Chant Three [Sameheads]

Out now on Bandcamp - https://ransomnoterecords.bandcamp.com/album/ransom-note-presents-pen-pals

Over the last month, the music and events industry has entered unchartered territory due to the Covid-19 lockdown, and artists and online media have found themselves in a financially vulnerable position with much more time on their hands.

To help some of those artists, and provide Ransom Note with much-needed financial support, three weeks ago we reached out to some friends of the website with the challenge to make a track in collaboration with another producer, musician or vocalist, remotely, in 10 days. The result is ‘Pen Pals’: a compilation featuring 15 collaborations from 32 artists.

Due to the current situation we’ve increased royalties for all artists involved and, whilst the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions apply, accounting will be processed fortnightly. Profits from the compilation will also provide financial support for Ransom Note who have been heavily impacted by the halt of the events industry.

@colonelgatito @autarkic @mutado-pintado @manfredas @fantastictwins @malcolmaudio @voxlow @borusiade @moderna @localsuicide @bawrut @chico-blanco @thomassjackson @r-elizabeth-f @francescamackay @thomabulwer @angeldlite @elizarosemusic @scott-fraser @sei-a @maoupa-mazzocchetti @emmadeejayy @annalann @sapphire-slows @mariateriaeva @c_a_r @glokofficial

More Info / Buy

Ransom Note presents Pen Pals [Compilation Sampler]

The 9th part of Kompleks's digital tribute to the magnificent Yugoslavian musical scene.


artwork by: Marko Vuleta-Djukanov
www.instagram.com/floating_bstrd/

Dino Dvornik - Imam Rep Manijace [Kompleks Edit]

Koneliūnas comes with a duty to serve a clean session of listening. A sincere brainwasher, one of the operators behind the washing machine @Skalbianke, and self-proclaimed healer at audiovisual project Antidote Community. Recently, debuted with the first release on Ledotmat Musique, a true underdog with full pockets of passion for the craft. Here he has prepared a layered story to listen to. Have a pleasant one.

https://soundcloud.com/koneliunas

LAYER #249 | Koneliūnas

Together with the interview comes a premiere of a track from Yannis Veslemes upcoming  12“ album Pigeon Post Knossos.  

"Pigeon Post Knossos is a fantasy dance album taking place in an alternative universe of ancient Greece. It’s darker and electro fused and it will be released on Won Ton. It will be the 3rd release of this new label that is operated by two great electronic artists Thomas (Metaman) and Padelis (Regressverbot, Athens Computer Underground). Their goal is to support local based musicians that are interested in unclassified electronic music."

Full interview

https://calypsomag.com/essentials/understanding-greek-composer-and-filmmaker-yannis-veslemes-felizol/

February, 2021 Won Ton Records

https://wontonrecords2.bandcamp.com/

Veslemes - Angela

out now on nein 
https://neinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dust-rings

Amora Lamor - Various Tracks EP (DTAG004) Preview

Discotag