Celebrating ten years of existence with a statement, Berlin’s Gegen is releasing a solid three-part compilation, grounding their work of the past decade into the newly founded label’s sonic aesthetic by showcasing the artists that have been at the heart of the infamous party series. This VA is a bundle of 30 tracks hailing from the true ride-or-die residents at the core of the project to the headliners whose support have propelled the collective from day one as well as up-and-coming artists that Gegen takes to heart to support. Multidisciplinary artist Espectra Negra continues the celebratory series with the rough and ready ‘Cyber City’ as part of GEGEN DECADE III.
KALTBLUT: What is your connection to Gegen?
Espectra Negra: Gegen is very dear to me since it is an extension from an old underground party called Sabotage which used to be run also by Fabio Boxikus. He is one of the very best people I have known in Berlin for almost two decades now. Fabio has worked a lot bringing political parties and supporting different communities. His constant work and solidarity within the LGTBQI+ community are truly admirable. Gegen reminds me of what is possible once we make it happen.
KALTBLUT: Do you have a favourite memory over the 10 years?
Espectra Negra: I once got booked to play a live concert at Kit Kat Club as part of Gegen with my ex-partner and another fellow musician in the room where the Dragon is located. This night was incredibly special to me because many wonderful friends were there having an excellent time together. We lived in unity and mutual support.
KALTBLUT: Could you tell us a little about your track contribution to the compilation?
Espectra Negra: Cyber City is a Cyberpunk sonic tale from a post-industrial context where both Communism & Capitalism used to be in the same city divided by a Wall. Berlin was the main Gate to Communist Eastern countries and has remained solid on its historical background for liberation and social resistance. When I first met Fabio we were both learning cinema and were part of the Squat Berlin’s movement and the punk & techno subcultures reclaiming Queer narratives. Basically the Homocore corner. The title of the track was chosen by my little wonderful son who happens to be a Berliner and the child of a generation in constant resistance. Coming from the Love and Hate Parades, Cyber City it’s a Hymn to my second home which also honours one of my mentors known as Merzbow aka the King of Noise.
KALTBLUT: What is your feeling on the shifting of club culture right now as we head toward an (almost) post-pandemic phase?
Espectra Negra: I disagree. I don´t think we are at a post-pandemic phase since many humans do not want to vaccinate which is giving space for the virus to mutate and become stronger giving birth to new variants such as the new Delta. There might be a new lockdown in Winter.
Due to the pandemic, the shift in club culture is huge. There is a palpable crisis that is giving a lot of space to online culture. Very sci-fi times. I never thought we would be watching DJs playing alone in front of a screen again and again. Sometimes it feels weird, doesn’t it? This takes the energetic magic away from the clubs and the body to body interactions. But in times of lockdown and pandemic, I am certainly grateful for having internet and online culture.
KALTBLUT: What would you like to see change/happen when it’s all over?
Espectra Negra: My biggest wish is to see a new economical & political system instead of this one bringing us all to the death chambers. I am very concerned about the extermination of native people in Latin America, Canada, and beyond. Also worried about natural disasters coming including pandemics, fires and water floods. If we keep things the way they are now we will not have nature providing food. There will be polluted water, an animal Armageddon, super hot heat and a lot of trouble for us all. Corona was just a warning and time is quickening! I hope we are smart enough to shift what truly needs to.
GEGEN DECADE III will be released October 15th, 2021 on Gegen Records:
https://gegenberlin.bandcamp.com/album/gegen-decade-iii
Socials:
@espectranegra
@gegenberlin
