The last couple of months I’ve been thinking about the electronic music community. Electronic music has been around for decades but to me it has always seemed underground, even more so than punk. What’s weird about that is that electronic music is a presence in almost all genres of music today. Almost every artist or band employs samples or drum loops, from your local bar band to Madonna. And yet if you asked your average person on the street they’d be hard pressed to think of an electronic music artist or band they know.
But if you’re listening to solipsistic NATION then you’re obviously a fan of electronic music and may be part of the electronic music community.
Today’s guest is Dave Heckman, the founder of Metropolis Records. Dave’s label specializes in electro, industrial, synthpop, futurepop, darkwave, and goth and his roster of artists include the likes of KMFDM, Front 242 and Snog. While it was a pleasure to talk to Dave about Metropolis Records what I really enjoyed was the history of the label and the community that grew around the label.
As Dave points out, genres like industrial came out of the post-punk scene and that scene has always had a strong community. Electronic music in general may still be underground, and maybe that’s for the best, but there has always been people who have kept the scene fresh and exciting.
- Snog “License”
- IAMX “The Alternative”
- IAMX “Nightlife”
- Interview with Chris Corner of IAMX
- KMFDM “Godlike (Original 12″ Mix)”
- Front 242 “Headhunter (Front Line Assembly Mix)”
- Front Line Assembly “Unleashed (Mindless Mix By Sebastian R. Komor)”
- Combichrist “Electrohead”
- Ken Marshall & (Cevin) Key “Maniac Shuffle”
- Interview with Dave Heckman of Metropolis Records
- PIG “Suck Shit Spit (Album Version)”
- Velvet Acid Christ “Discolored Eyes”
- Interview with Dave Heckman of Metropolis Records
- Vnv Nation “Descent”
- Juno Reactor “Tanta Pena”
- Wumpscut “Hard to Bear”
- Interview with Dave Heckman of Metropolis Records
- Meat Beat Manifesto “Children of Earth”