Federhall (cassette)

Located at what once was the outmost fringe of the western world sits an old factory building. Until not too long ago, it produced steel springs for industrial use. When it was decommissioned and turned into what it is now, the basement was left open for experimentation and subcultural congregations. It was here that in 2023 we recorded a series of private musical live sets, hosted by different curators who often doubled as performers, and attended by only the smallest audience.

The artists involved would play solo, in bands or in spontaneous one-off collaborations. The spectrum would range from compositions to free improvisation, the sound from rock based eclecticism to electro-acoustic experiments. What they all have in common is what we like most about them (apart from the fact that they are killing it in their respective fields): They relentlessly support each other by turning up at each others’ shows at the few and far flung spots in the city that are left for their choice of artistic expressions.

In times of individualism and isolation, the respect for the work of others is what we feel is unique about these enthusiasts that rather visit their friends’ shows than stay alone with their troubles and bubbles, or worse: Netflix. In either field it has become rare that artists allow themselves to immerse into the cultural ecosystem that only comprises a hard core of about 100 local musicians, their outernational connections, and a fistful of enthusiastic friends and followers.

It is a multi-voiced but like-minded community which is based on a musical micro movement that started out in Berlin the 90s under the name of Echtzeitmusik at places like Anorak and Ausland. It has since developed mycellaneous connections with the tiniest art spaces of Berlin, as well as similar communities worldwide. The artists on this tape all gravitated to Berlin from different places including Italy, Japan, Canada, Argentina, Greece, Spain, and UK.

When they come together to set up a table of hand-bended circuits and effect pedals, contact-mic the inventory for site specific reverberations, or tune down the drums for a barbarously loud but weirdly satisfying ritualistic music mass, the smell is quite similar to that of other DIY scenes of lore, be it Punk, Hardcore, Rap, or, in our case, the long tradition of experimental fringe music. With this compilation we hope to have preserved a fraction of the spirit of what we do in the shadows and capture a few of these elusive musical moments.


MUD - Hardcore Life

Earth Logoff - Like a bull in a China Shop

Guido Kohn - Púrpura

Shiomi Kawaguchi - Your horse is just a pony

Wirecutter - Binge Eater

Shumsik - No es mi hueso

Cadaver Mike - Ruggine

Teresa Riemann - Can't Stop Waiting

Mor Wen - Plantpot Case Lighter Case Ashing Trays

Phallucipher - Ataxia

Tonto - Batman Kebab

Klöße - Janus (nose Invocation)

3:33:08 feat. I_G - PAI

Andarta - Holy