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How and when did M4S get started? What aim did you have?
"M4S was founded in the beginning of 2000 by Aardvarck (Mike Kivits), Sandor
Caron, David Caron, Madcap (Felix van de Vorst, Richard Hermes), and Sonar
Lodge (Marie-Claudine Vanvlemen, Richard van Kruysdijk). Before, we worked
together in different constructions, during concerts, in bands, and in
studios. Besides, we have mutual respect for each other's talents and admire
each other's music. We also seem to have the same instinctive attitude
towards music: not being trapped in genres; innovative; crossing borders;
with a touch of melancholy. The need to control what, when, and how to
release material also played a role. It was just one of those moments in
which everything seems to fit perfectly well. To unite in M4S was the
logical consequence."
M4S balances on the edges of two genres. On one hand, Intelligent Dance
Music; on the other hand, moody, sometimes even danceable, breakbeat. Is it
difficult for the label to obtain and radiate an explicit identity?
"It is more difficult to market a release that has influences from five genres
but sounds 'just a bit different.' That is why we focus on the sphere and
attitude that our releases have. We are not trying to connect to existing
genres, but have aspirations to define our own sound. That makes it a lot
easier for us to create an identity of our own."
In the media you've been compared to Ninja Tune in relation to the high
quality of your releases. You also work closely together with Dutch label
Delsin. Do you see any affinity with both labels?
"Musically, we are closer to Ninja Tune, although I do not particularly like
the corniness that determines some of their releases. On the other hand,
Aardvarck, Sandor Caron, and Cellvoice have had releases on Delsin, so there
is a clear connection there. We have a good contact with Delsin and Rushhour
(our distributor), so we feel some kind of affinity. Like being brothers on
a mission against bad taste."
Till now, M4S has been able to produce a great many good releases by just a few
artists. Are you trying to limit the amount of artists involved?
"In essence M4S has been grounded to give us the opportunity to release our
own music. We are musicians in the first place; not label owners. But we get
a lot of demos lately, and some of those are really good. After the Roomtone
12-inch that came out last month, we will be releasing a lot of foreign
artists on the label. The forthcoming album Compilation 2 will feature tracks
by Tam Tam (a German project that have been working together with Lauri
Anderson, Michael Nyman, and Tosca), Teledubgnosis (a dark dub project by Ted
Parsons, who is known for his work with Swans, Bill Laswell, and Buckethead),
and Harco Pront, a new artist form Eindhoven from whom also a 12-inch and CD
will be releases later this year. Nevertheless, the core of M4S still [consists]
of the seven people that founded the label."
Allthough the music on M4S is often quite experimental and difficult to
grasp, it always has a certain drive, a sort of groove that tickles the
underbelly. What is, according to you, the key feature in all the music you have
been releasing?
"We all work very intuitively. That makes the music very difficult to appoint.
But there certainly is a strong aesthetic and harmonic feeling in the music.
We are also trying to cross borders in the area of song structure and beats
(just listen to Aardvarck). But what remains the essence is what can't be
put into words: the idea that 'there is something going on,' something that
is very special."
Experimental labels like Mille Plateaux and Force Inc. are rapidly changing
their style in releasing danceable, almost sexy, clicks 'n' cuts (Montreal Smoked
Meat compilation, latest Electric Ladyland, Akufen). In some ways, you are
doing a similar thing. What do you think of the evolution of experimental
music into something that sounds weird but also feels good?
"As always, the radical underground movements will partly evolve into a more
poppy format. That is fine with me, but I am not engaged with music like
that. I don't have a strong vision. It is more an attitude I have towards
music; my approach is very personal. The artists I admire are all outsiders,
people who operate outside genres, who are able to transfer their own logic
in a way that even makes the strangest things sound right."
What are your plans in the near future?
"We expect much from the first release after the summer: our second label
compilation called Compilation 2. After that we will release a 12-inch by
Madcap (Third Person) with cover versions of Speedy J's Balk Acid and Pink
Floyd's Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun. Later this year their
full-length album Terra Firma will be released. There will be new 12-inches
by Harco Pront, Aardvarck, and Tam Tam."
Not only the music on M4S is excellent. The album covers look very good too.
Who are the people who design them?
"UNDO — that is Fedde Vennix — and me, are designing the M4S' styleguide. From
the beginning on we wanted to strengthen the identity of the label by using
a design that emphasises the music but also gives enough space. Keywords
are: sober, modest, but inherent."
http://www.kindamuzik.net/label/music-for-speakers-1244/music-for-speakers/1625/
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