In 2001, Regensburg-based Markus Guentner and Affin’s Joachim Spieth first crossed  paths through their contributions to Kompakt’s Pop Ambient series. Their creative  synergy resurfaces with ‘Overlay,' a six-track album that amalgamates decades of their  distinctive styles - a harmonious blend of Guentner's ethereal, atmospheric textures  and Spieth's pulsating rhythms.  

“We envisioned a process akin to masking and unveiling, revealing certain elements  while fading others, mirroring the essence of the album titles themselves. This  reflects how we approached the audio material, a philosophy extended to our album.  This collaboration thrived on a foundation of trust, cultivated organically, much like  our previous joint endeavors. Musically, we entrust each other almost instinctively”.
  
With meticulously crafted tracks showcasing their artistry in creating evocative sonic  landscapes, this release marks the inaugural entry in a series of collaborative works  by the duo. 

"With this album, the flow of things knows no distinct start or finish—rather, it's a  continuous stream of material in motion." 

'Overlay' will be released digitally and on a limited edition CD on November 3 via  Spieth's Affin Records. 

All tracks written and produced by Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth

design | http://markus-guentner.de/
mastering | https://artefactsmastering.com/
Affin | linktr.ee/AffinLTD  
links | linktr.ee/guentnerspieth
Press | maria@ko-hum.com

Overlay

Guentner | Spieth - Overlay

After Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth's first joint album, "Overlay", was released last October, there is now a 10" lathe cut limited to thirty pieces, which will be released on February 2nd.

"Overlay Variations" uses elements that were taken exclusively from the album and puts them together to create completely new pieces of music. The recording is delivered with a print that shows the front of the cover and is hand-numbered on the back.

Furthermore, this 10" represents the start of a series that will be completed by the end of the year...

design | https://markus-guentner.de/
mastering | https://artefactsmastering.com/
Affin | linktr.ee/AffinLTD
Linktr.ee | https://linktr.ee/guentnerspieth

Overlay Variations

Guentner | Spieth - Overlay Variations

For the collaboration album "Overlay" by Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth, which was released last November, a series of reworks by artist friends was prepared, the first part of which will be released at the beginning of May.

The composer Hollie Kenniff and the multi-instrumentalist/mastering engineer Rafael Anton Irisarri interpret the title "Nukleus" here, both in their own very special way.

The EP will be released as a limited 10" lathe cut with a hand-numbered cover art print and a sticker.

https://linktr.ee/guentnerspieth
linktr.ee/AffinLTD

Overlay Reworks | Pt. 1

Overlay Reworks | Pt. 1 (by Hollie Kenniff & Rafael Anton Irisarri)

When two collaborative projects come together, the result is bound to be exceptional. The Valenz remix by the GALÁN / VOGT duo exemplifies this perfectly. They have taken on a track from the acclaimed "Overlay" album by Guentner | Spieth and transformed it into something entirely new and captivating.

Galán, known for his innovative ambient textures, and Vogt, a master of minimalistic yet profound soundscapes, bring their unique talents to this remix. They focus on a few key sound particles from the original track, carefully avoiding too much proximity to create a fresh and distinct interpretation. The remix retains the essence of the original while shining in a completely new light, showcasing the duo's ability to reimagine and revitalize music.

The result is a moving and evocative piece that highlights the collaborative spirit and creative synergy between these artists. This stunning rework will be released on August 30th, offering listeners a glimpse into the harmonious blend of two distinctive musical visions.

all tracks written & produced by Markus Guentner & Joachim Spieth

design | https://markus-guentner.de
Affin | linktr.ee/AffinLTD
mastering | https://www.artefactsmastering.com
GALÁN / VOGT | linktr.ee/galanvogt

Valenz (GALÁN / VOGT Rework)

Affin, founded in 2007 by Joachim Spieth, is an independent music label recognized internationally for its distinctive approach to electronic music. Focused on ambient and deep techno, the label emphasizes authenticity, artistic freedom, and album-oriented releases featuring immersive soundscapes.

A key element of Affin is its integration of sound and visual artistry. Longtime collaborator Markus Guentner has shaped the label’s visual identity with artwork that blends natural elements and digital manipulation, complementing its musical vision and creating a unified aesthetic for each release.

Affin prioritizes quality over quantity, combining organic textures with advanced synthesis to craft timeless, forward-thinking music. Rejecting formulaic marketing, the label fosters a sustainable, artist-centered model, supporting creative exploration and cultivating a collaborative community of like-minded artists.

Beyond its role as a label, Affin provides booking opportunities for its artists, facilitating performances in settings that reflect its ethos of intimacy and authenticity. This holistic approach has cemented Affin’s reputation as a platform for innovation and a haven for those seeking depth and substance in modern music.

Guentner & Spieth is the collaboration project of German artists Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth, who first appeared musically in the 2000s in connection with Wolfgang Voigt’s Pop Ambient series on the Kompakt label. After getting to know and appreciate each other over the years, they combined their musical ideas for the first time in 2020 and have continued their joint productions ever since. Together, they create mesmerizing soundscapes that combine organic textures and digital precision.

Markus Guentner, a pioneer of the ambient genre, is known for his cinematic sound designs, while Joachim Spieth, founder of the world-renowned label Affin, is appreciated for his work in the field of tension between deep techno and ambient.

Their collaboration combines these strengths in minimalist compositions that enable introspective listening experiences and immersive sound journeys. With the album Overlay, released in 2023, they have created a debut album that was characterised in ‘A Closer Listen’ as ‘dripping with narcotised and eroticised romantic impulses and feels like a living revenant from a voluptuous dream’. A handful of 10’ lathe cuts were subsequently released, containing remixes of their album by Pole, Abul Mogard, Rafael Irisarri and Hollie Kenniff, among others.

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