On the advent of summer, we spoke with Necroboy (aka Alessandro Amabile), the willful labelhead of Kindcrime records.
Generous with his descriptions, he took some time out of his busy schedule to delve into the details of his Kindcrime record label and upcoming events. This year Necroboy has set his sights on the plethora of parties surrounding the world-famous Sonar festival, where he’ll be hosting two showcases with a roster of legendary artists such as: Kaiserdisco (Drumcode and Toolroom), Alex Bau (Cocoon and CLR), Thomas Schumacher (Get Physical and Suara), as well as other 5 Kindcrime renowned producers Kardinal (also Phobiq and Alleanza), Wes Yvaez (also Stick and Selected), Element HK or Andy Roll. They all come together under the label concept of neo-futurism, the perfect balance between technology and nature.
The first of the two showcases is to be set within a warehouse, with the inspiration drawn from Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. He is known as the founder of Futurism: the movement that celebrates technology and modernity. In Amabile’s words, Futurism is Kindcrime’s “philosophical root”. “[The show] is an ode to industrialization: a dark, analogical and industrial techno journey into the essence of electronic music.” He promises experimentation – noting smoke, strobes and mechanical sounds as selling points to create a complete sensory experience within the event.
In vivid contrast, the second showcase is set outdoors on beachside rooftop. “The concept is hedonism, pleasure, dance and intelligently enjoying life,” he explains. Aspirations for both showcases are set high, calling for guests to “identify with the city” and highlighting Barcelona’s landscapes urban and natural. The imagery is specific; he dubs the shows “technological exhibitions”, and describes them with such clarity it’s almost as if the parties are happening in his head this very second.
His spiel verges on hyperbolic when he muses over inspiring dance music events
of the past, events he recalls as aimed to “improve the quality of life” and “spread culture and awareness”. But it’s assuring to see aspiration in someone so invested in trying to pull some sort of weight back to a summer show. “When I was younger I loved big illegal rave parties” Amabile recalls, “I travelled Italy and Europe [which] was a great time of my life.” The reflection is dramatically less detailed than his predictions for June, a clear indicator of how the tribe techno, breaks and drum and bass of the past inspired a more sharpened appreciation for parties. “I had a lot of fun in the dance floor without being so picky about the quality of the sound system or the DJs… it was just about having fun, meeting new people and enjoying the party.”
Amabile’s sonic moodboard for the label is as focused and as his imagination. “The first thing I really digged in electronic music was the scratching and biting sound of a bassline,” the producer notes -–– before citing trip-hop, neurofunk and the classic sound of a Moog synthesizer as the genres that make up Kindcrime’s roster. “I was always interested in these kind of sounds and in experimentation with sound design. That’s why we are playing both tech breaks and techno, to cover a wider musical spectrum”. Alessandro’s term is “electronic music evolution”. You can trace these sounds to ‘Siege’ and ‘Humanity 1.0’, his two singles that saw release this year. Both stretching beyond the 7-minute mark, the tunes keep a frantic pace. At times Necroboy strays precariously far from the dancefloor, pushing listeners out of their comfort zone before doing some party favours and inserting a 4/4 kick back into the swivel-eyed mix.
Breaking down what you won’t hear, Necroboy’s eager to talk how the label is represented visually. “Design and visual aspects are as important as the music, at least. Not just for obvious marketing reasons. Because they can represent a concept, express something concrete.”
“With the label we are working on two different artwork series’ that follow the same duality of our OFF Week events.” Black and white is the colour scheme of the first, with urban and industrial imagery courtesy of label photographer Katerina Pulido, “Gloomy aesthetics.” The colour pallette of the second is warmer, mainly green and yellow with Necroboy detailing “a sustainable equilibrium between green zones”.
Despite being based in Barcelona since 2010, Alessandro and his team have to strive hard to get the picture right. “For us, doing parties right here is always a big challenge”, he mentions, as even after the success of their debut show last year in Under Club, the mission is no walk in the park. “It’s a strong reason to improve and work hard to gain local respect and create connections with the crews that form a big and interesting scene.” So it follows a logical path that his three upcoming summer shows are all in the Catalan capital and also why he’s chosen Sonar as the week to preview the hard background work of his dedicated team.. “Playing elsewhere is great. I love tripping to other cities to show my music, but Barcelona is Barcelona, and the week of Sonar is absolutely unmissable and mad.”
When it comes to what drove him and his label to global exposure, the producer initially struggles to find an answer. With his creative control enveloping so much of Kindcrime’s movement and message, a list of influences would spread A3. “I think the main thing that inspires me is developing my own concept. In taking inspiration from different stuff, my vision of music always moves me to something new, exciting, somehow true and personal.” An intimate link between the music and the crowds at the shows is what Amable considers worth searching for. He tells me that only with that feedback is where he can shine a light inwards. “This process itself is inspirational too”.
But the future of Kindcrime Records isn’t locked in summertime reverie. The de facto head explains that the main goal is keeping the focus on the talent in play, with a “main goal to become a label with a very solid artist roster, especially in the techno scene”. He is constantly reviewing music that is industrial, dubby and dark to visualise the perfect team. “Finding this balance is also the point of Futurism, the perfect soundtrack for tomorrow’s globalised world.” Amabile’s grand prospects of hotel pool parties, DJ set live streams and raves in underground secret locations sound as poetic as the movement they were inspired by. Nonetheless, his main promise is in the quality of music itself. As we eagerly await seeing Kindcrime’s grand scheme further realised, we can count on a steady stream of releases as wild as the minds of the creators behind them.
Saturday June 18th @ The Warehouse
Sunday June 19th @ Catwalk
0
