Our next imprint of distinction comes in the form of a six year old organisation that saw a re-focus of efforts in 2011. The trio responsible decided to move away from the safety of Richie Hawtin’s Minus stable to concentrate on turning their side project into a proper day job, and 12 months later things have been going from strength to strength.
Very much a full time concern then, from their Berlin base Magda, Marc Houle, and Troy Pierce seem intent on making big things from the Items & Things they have been busy releasing in recent times, not least a forthcoming label compilation (read more on that here). With sizeable irons in the fire then we thought it best to open the floor to the latter referenced bossman, who shared a few thoughts on what’s going at HQ, details of which are below.
Items & Things – Germany – Troy Pierce (pictured right alongside Magda and Marc Houle)
Describe your imprint’s output.
We have always tried to release music that was a little out of the ordinary, tracks that were really special and had some unique take on the dance music genre.
What would you say makes it different?
I think the most important factor in the unique sound of the label is the fact the music has to pass through Marc, Magda and myself. We are all three very particular about the music that we like and while we all come from different musical backgrounds we do have a similar aesthetic.
What is it that makes you keep looking for new talent to expose?
I think Magda and I need new music to play of course!
What’s the label’s pinnacle achievement so far?
I think the compilation we just finished is definitely the best thing we have released so far. It was a huge effort getting all of the tracks together and the packaging for the vinyl is amazing. We managed to collect 17 tracks that pretty much sum up our vision for the sound of the label… Stripped down spacey-disco-synth-punk-electro-techno… or something like that.
If people were going to hear one release from your camp, what would you prefer it to be?
Again, the compilation would be the obvious choice. So much good music there and really an interesting listen from start to finish.
All being well, skip forward five years, where would you like things to be?
2017 short list? I hope by then to be fully recovered from hip replacement surgery… India should be done with the Dibang Dam, we will all be using electronic paper… Can’t wait for the total solar eclipse in the U.S.
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