An interview taken from our new digital issue. Embracing the philosophy of minimalism in an industry driven by excess, Berlin’s UK techno luminary BEC introduces EMBARGO, her innovative record label. BEC’s musical journey thus far has imprinted on the electronic scene, and now she’s poised to redefine the space with this latest venture.
“Embargo is all about escape from constraints, mirroring my own experiences and the universal battle for authenticity,” explains BEC. The label’s name encapsulates themes of liberation encountered in life’s various battlegrounds, where one is often encumbered by imposed limitations.
BEC’s EMBARGO is a sanctuary for creative risk-takers within the electronic genre, fostering an environment where experimental sounds can flourish. Variety is key, and diversity and inclusion play a major role for her.
The label kicks off with “ARTIFICIAL MALFUNCTION,” a collaboration that exemplifies EMBARGO’s mission of pushing boundaries through creative alliances, BEC overseeing the creative direction and visual language all herself. Together with Bulgarian producer KiNK, the first debut release is crafted — a raw, high-energy odyssey marrying punchy D&B synths with pure techno. The inception of this track was as organic as it gets: a chance meeting following a gig, leading to a spontaneous studio session brimming with chemistry.
Embargo is your newborn label – what is it all about?
It’s all about pushing the boundaries and doing something different. Quality over quantity whilst majorly representing the FLINTA and queer community. I want a home for artists to be themselves.
No need or restraints to conform to one niche genre by opening up the spectrum of sound and welcoming the primarily raw techno sound to be heavily inspired by the likes of other genres and sounds too! Championing artistic freedom and authenticity above all else.
Impactful and it sounds like a very clear direction. You also mentioned the importance of the visual language.
Absolutely! The artwork and music will both be as important as each other as they are meant to complement one another and be part of a bigger story. The artistic vision and visual identity of Embargo serve as a direct extension of my creative ethos and values.
With a background in creative direction and design, I oversee every aspect of the label’s visual representation, ensuring that it all aligns seamlessly with the music and overall ethos of the label. The idea is that each release on Embargo is paired with a unique piece of digital art, which is an integral part of what makes the label so unique.
Read the full interview here:
Photography by Emil Levy www.instagram.com/emil_levy
All fashion by HUGO BLUE
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