Around the world in 80 labels: Vitalik – Ryan O’Gorman

It’s with some pleasure that we introduce our next recommended imprint, this being one of the few camps that can truly lay claim to a dynamic, varied output. That isn’t too surprising though, considering those responsible have something of a leftfield past.

Vitalik emerged from a series of free parties in Ibiza which took place anywhere and everywhere- from quarries to fields, beaches to coastal caves. The guys responsible for these sessions were promoters Ryan O’Gorman and Joe Upton, who were also both partners in what was then the only alternative radio station on the island, GreenApple FM.

Soon the former established the label and brand identity we recognise today, the idea behind which was simply good electronic music, and a residency at Space grew from hosting The Box to the coveted Terrace; an unarguably huge undertaking by anyone’s standards. Since 2009 records have been getting made under the Vitalik banner too, and subsequently revered producers such as Wagon Repair man The Mole, techno stalwart Mark Henning, and house hero jozif have all seen work released through the organisation. Without further ado then, let’s find out exactly what’s going on, unabridged and unedited. Oh, and when you’re done there check out the label’s latest cuts, with Hugo Barritt’s Merkaba EP and Soulade’s Who Stole the Soul both arriving December 23rd.

Vitalik – Spain – Ryan O’Gorman

 

Describe your imprint’s output. 

 It’s tricky to nail down what we do as we are quite eclectic in what we put out (by today’s standards anyway), we are kind of non-categorical, however there are certain recurring themes. Firstly we look for ability and musicality in our artists. That may seem like an obvious statement but it really isn’t in an industry dominated by hype. There is an emotive element to most of our releases, melody plays a big part also… it’s either music for your mind or music for your feet.

What would you say makes it different?  

Well we have developed a sonic hypnosis technique that is unique to us. NSP, as we like to call it, is an incredibly powerful suggestive technique. Messages are modulated into the frequencies of all our releases in the mastering process, we also use flash audio clips of suggestive sounds, which is like when they put a 30-millisecond clip of a huge erection in a Smurfs movie and all the kids start crying but don’t know why. Combined with modulated verbal messages you pretty much have total mind control.

What is it that makes you keep looking for new talent to expose? 

 I don’t really see the point of running a label without this.

What’s the label’s pinnacle achievement so far? 

 The We Love Vitalik compilation is probably our proudest moment to date. To compile a cohesive selection of music from artists as diverse as Martin Buttrich, Appleblim, The Mole, Pezzner, jozif, Mark Henning… and make it all make sense as a compilation and a mix was a challenge. The end result was a really deep and dynamic journey though the various facets of what we do.

If people were going to hear one release from your camp, what would you prefer it to be? 

I really can’t pick a release but I never get tired of listening to The Mole’s Even Now Just Us

 All being well, skip forward five years, where would you like things to be?

I’d quite like to see humanoid robots take over the planet, their computer brains evolved for no apparent reason to wipe out the human race… however the evolution of their software requires them to tap into the psyche of the collective human consciousness, so they to tap all of human kind into a giant super computer in a constant dream state, turning the human race into pure consciousness joined by one universal unreality. 

 

Recent Stops

UK – Hypercolour / Glass Table – Alex Jones & Jamie Russell

USA – Ellum – Maceo Plex

 

 


 


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