As you have probably noticed, since my near death motorbike crash in early 2010, Grovskopa has been very quiet both release and DJ wise.
I feel that instead of letting this project fade into nothingness, I will just be 100% honest with everyone.
For some reason, yet unknown to me, my relation to industrial/hard/dark techno changed that day in 2010. I used to feel a profound connection with it and really it was larger than life itself to me. It was my air. At times I took it a little too serious (oh how many fights...) But even that felt right, "in the name of techno!".
I still love the music, but it doesn't force me into movement, give me taste of blood in the mouth or goosebumps like it used to.
Of course I could continue to make and DJ the music, but right now it would just be empty formulaic shells instead of something true and emotional. Techno and its followers (you) deserve more than that.
So, I have decided to stop the project. That means both Grovskopa and the labels Emergence and Pohjola (as well as all charts, facebooking etc,).
Ofcourse I am still making music (all kinds of oddities), but what I will do with it is still unknown to me.
To all of you who has supported me in my 10+ years of releasing I am eternally grateful. It has been amazing. It has given me so many life long friends and experiences as well as opportunities to see places I probably never would have otherwise. I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.
Much love, Mika.
PS: I am doing one more gig, Berghain february 4th. And there should be a remix coming out on Sev Dah's Gynoid Audio EP as well as an 'It's All For You' vinyl sampler on Sect. These are the last outings.
10 December 2011
31 January 2011
(freebie MP3) Hiroaki Iizuka - Glow (Grovskopa Remix)
When I signed up for this remix, it was meant to come out on vinyl.
In the end it never did, so I thought I might as well give it away as a freebie.
I think it's one of the best remixes I've ever made actually, really happy about it.
Trancey without being too uplifting/cheesy.
Do enjoy! (click arrow down to download)
Hiroaki Iizuka - Glow (Grovskopa Remix) (Soleil - SOL020) 2009 by Grovskopa
In the end it never did, so I thought I might as well give it away as a freebie.
I think it's one of the best remixes I've ever made actually, really happy about it.
Trancey without being too uplifting/cheesy.
Do enjoy! (click arrow down to download)
Hiroaki Iizuka - Glow (Grovskopa Remix) (Soleil - SOL020) 2009 by Grovskopa
26 January 2011
Northern Structures - Self Similarity (Sonic Groove - SG1044)
After months of playing this off CDr, the debut EP from Danish duo Northern Structures is finally out!
In my opinion one of the most promising acts to pop up on the scene in years. It's contemporary without copying the current trends, as well as classically technoid/industrial without sounding dated.
The sounds are freezingly mechanical, but the jammed arrangement gives it a human touch. Brilliance!
I reckon these guys will hit big this year, so I'll grab a few copies of this while it lasts!
30 December 2010
My TOP10 of 2010
What an AMAZING year 2010 has been for electronic music. A whole bunch of artists bloomed, without preconceptions about style and form, and blurred the boundaries between the different musical branches- resulting in some of the freshest music of the 00s. Quite a renaissance really.
Also, contrary to the general belief of "the death of vinyl", there has been a turn in vinyl sales/releases to the positive!
2010 has made me a happy vinyl fetishist and electronic music aficionado.
Here is my top 10 of 2010, which could easily have been a top20, or 30..
Alphabetically......
+Caribou - Swim (City Slang - SLANG9550055)
Computer Pop that works both over- and underground. Do believe the hype.
+Four Tet - There Is Love In You (Domino USA - DNO229)
Sounds like noone and nothing else. As usual.
+Hyetal - Phoenix / Like Silver (Orca - ORCA002)
It's all about 'Phoenix' here. I think it's the finest moment in dubstep history this year. It's cheesy with its SID style synths and epic theme song styled harmonies, but somehow it works anyway without becoming kids' music. Just a truly amazing song that I will still look back at fondly in 20 years time.
+Inigo Kennedy - The Shard (Token - TOKEN14)
I have always preferred Inigo's deep and melodic music to his more straight jacking techno, and this is possibly his most beautiful and soothing release to date. It doesn't hurt that the Marcel Dettmann Remix is one of his best works either. Summarized: Two great artists, both at their best, on one of the strongest techno labels out there.
+John Roberts - Glass Eights (Dial - DIALLP22)
I wonder under what grim circumstances John grew up, seeing how mature music he makes at such a young age. A stunning debut LP and best house album of the year.
+Martyn | Roman Lindau - Berghain 04 | Part I (Ostgut-Ton - O-TON37)
The Martyn track really made me realize the potential of the techno/house/dubstep fusion. It changed my whole outlook on producing.
+Matthew Herbert - One One (Accidental - AC40CD)
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this one, because I have never kept track of Matthew's music. As an album it's a bit up and down and momentarily it delves too deep into "indie rock land", but there's one song - 'Milan' - which I think is this year's best pop song and that alone would be enough to put this in my top10. I've always had a very very weak spot for Plaid and this song has that typical skewed Plaid feel. Come on and believe me now!
+Model 500 - OFI / Huesca (R&S - RS1006)
Much anticipated comeback from Juan Atkins. The critics' response was rather underwhelming, but that doesn't change the fact that this was one of the year's most infectious songs.
+Ramadanman - Fall Short / Work Them (Swamp 81 - SWAMP:006)
WORK THEM! WORK THEM! WORK THEM! WORK THEM HA! WHAT? COME SEE! GHETTOSTEP
+Take - Only Mountain (Alpha Pup Records - APR 028)
First off, I don't know the first thing about the LA Beat scene. Kr!z made me check this (and a whole lot more) out, and it's been one of my most current records on rotation this year. Sadly I listened to it too much while playing 'Plants vs Zombies' so I am having a hard time hearing it now without thinking of buds and moonwalking..
To sample and/or buy all the charted records:
Also, contrary to the general belief of "the death of vinyl", there has been a turn in vinyl sales/releases to the positive!
2010 has made me a happy vinyl fetishist and electronic music aficionado.
Here is my top 10 of 2010, which could easily have been a top20, or 30..
Alphabetically......
+Caribou - Swim (City Slang - SLANG9550055)
Computer Pop that works both over- and underground. Do believe the hype.
+Four Tet - There Is Love In You (Domino USA - DNO229)
Sounds like noone and nothing else. As usual.
+Hyetal - Phoenix / Like Silver (Orca - ORCA002)
It's all about 'Phoenix' here. I think it's the finest moment in dubstep history this year. It's cheesy with its SID style synths and epic theme song styled harmonies, but somehow it works anyway without becoming kids' music. Just a truly amazing song that I will still look back at fondly in 20 years time.
+Inigo Kennedy - The Shard (Token - TOKEN14)
I have always preferred Inigo's deep and melodic music to his more straight jacking techno, and this is possibly his most beautiful and soothing release to date. It doesn't hurt that the Marcel Dettmann Remix is one of his best works either. Summarized: Two great artists, both at their best, on one of the strongest techno labels out there.
+John Roberts - Glass Eights (Dial - DIALLP22)
I wonder under what grim circumstances John grew up, seeing how mature music he makes at such a young age. A stunning debut LP and best house album of the year.
+Martyn | Roman Lindau - Berghain 04 | Part I (Ostgut-Ton - O-TON37)
The Martyn track really made me realize the potential of the techno/house/dubstep fusion. It changed my whole outlook on producing.
+Matthew Herbert - One One (Accidental - AC40CD)
I don't remember how I stumbled upon this one, because I have never kept track of Matthew's music. As an album it's a bit up and down and momentarily it delves too deep into "indie rock land", but there's one song - 'Milan' - which I think is this year's best pop song and that alone would be enough to put this in my top10. I've always had a very very weak spot for Plaid and this song has that typical skewed Plaid feel. Come on and believe me now!
+Model 500 - OFI / Huesca (R&S - RS1006)
Much anticipated comeback from Juan Atkins. The critics' response was rather underwhelming, but that doesn't change the fact that this was one of the year's most infectious songs.
+Ramadanman - Fall Short / Work Them (Swamp 81 - SWAMP:006)
WORK THEM! WORK THEM! WORK THEM! WORK THEM HA! WHAT? COME SEE! GHETTOSTEP
+Take - Only Mountain (Alpha Pup Records - APR 028)
First off, I don't know the first thing about the LA Beat scene. Kr!z made me check this (and a whole lot more) out, and it's been one of my most current records on rotation this year. Sadly I listened to it too much while playing 'Plants vs Zombies' so I am having a hard time hearing it now without thinking of buds and moonwalking..
To sample and/or buy all the charted records:
30 August 2010
Today's listening 30 august 2010
Demdike Stare - Liberation Through Hearing (Modern Love - LOVE065)
It's been a long time since I've listened to "dark" ambient type of stuff but this release was almost forced on me after hearing about it from a ton of friends and fellow artists. It took a good three weeks until I finally heard it in full though, yesterday when I bought the MP3s at Boomkat.
Since then I've probably listened to it 10 times. A great album takes you on a journey, crossing all kinds of moods and genres and that description fits like a glove. Well actually it doesn't, the LP goes from anxiety to manicism to solitude and back and nowhere near jolly/happy land, but you catch my drift nay?
The music is largely sample based and processed heavily.
I can't really distinguish what has been "stolen", it is so creatively done (unlike most sampling in electronic music). Actually the sample work reminds me of mid 00s Surgeon material but this is not dance music, don't get me wrong! Unless you're into some dadaistic introvert dance routines.
The only bad thing I can say about this release is rather high vinyl pricing. I will of course buy the vinyl since I am a fanatic aficionado, but I can hardly convince you who "only" listens to music to buy the vinyl 1xLP (16EURO+postals) instead of the digital (6EURO). No matter, this music works in whatever format and all support of artists are approved of!
PS: kudos for the hard work on Demdike Stare imagery/artworks! Wish more artists were as creatively stringent.
Samples:
Buy the vinyl here
Buy the MP3s here
1 August 2010
Grovskopa Chart August 2010
Grovskopa Chart August 2010
+Arcanoid & The Transhumans - Transcending The Postindustrial (Transhuman - TH001)
Very interesting release from this new Spanish label. Forget your preconceptions about Spanish techno, this is much closer to M-Plant than to Tsunami.
+Baths - Cerulean (Anticon - ABR0105)
Is this hiphop? Or indie? Whatever it is it is perfect summer listening.
+Digitonal - Be Still My Bleeping Heart (Just Music - TAO035)
I've already written in blog about this. Lush IDM/classical fusion.
+JR Seaton - She Had A Wing (Relish - RR042)
Very overlooked but brilliant (acid?)house producer Joseph Richmond Seaton once again delivers a beautiful EP with an unusual amount of organic sound.
+LB Dub Corp - Take It Down (In Dub) (Ostgut Ton - O-TON039)
A-side is a forever driving and building monster. Slater taking the lead again.
+Mount Kimbie - Crooks & Lovers (Hotflush - HFLP004)
Do believe the hype. Expected dubstep, received a truly wonderful musical excursion.
+Ramadanman - Fall Short / Work Them (Swamp 81 - SWAMP006)
Not fully living up to 'Footcrab' but comes damn close! Voice chops might be overdone and outdated in techno long ago but they are fresssssh in dubstep!
+Systemic / Michaelangelo - Axon (Duality - DUALITY001)
Second debutant techno label in chart this month. Huge kudos to anyone with balls enough to invest their money in doing techno vinyls these days!
+Traversable Wormhole - The Remixes Pt.01 (CLR - CLR035)
Marcel?? Never heard him this fierce before. Hurra!
+Unknown Artist - Numbercult 3 (Numbercult - NC003)
Also mentioned before in blog. Characteristic!
Samples:
+Arcanoid & The Transhumans - Transcending The Postindustrial (Transhuman - TH001)
Very interesting release from this new Spanish label. Forget your preconceptions about Spanish techno, this is much closer to M-Plant than to Tsunami.
+Baths - Cerulean (Anticon - ABR0105)
Is this hiphop? Or indie? Whatever it is it is perfect summer listening.
+Digitonal - Be Still My Bleeping Heart (Just Music - TAO035)
I've already written in blog about this. Lush IDM/classical fusion.
+JR Seaton - She Had A Wing (Relish - RR042)
Very overlooked but brilliant (acid?)house producer Joseph Richmond Seaton once again delivers a beautiful EP with an unusual amount of organic sound.
+LB Dub Corp - Take It Down (In Dub) (Ostgut Ton - O-TON039)
A-side is a forever driving and building monster. Slater taking the lead again.
+Mount Kimbie - Crooks & Lovers (Hotflush - HFLP004)
Do believe the hype. Expected dubstep, received a truly wonderful musical excursion.
+Ramadanman - Fall Short / Work Them (Swamp 81 - SWAMP006)
Not fully living up to 'Footcrab' but comes damn close! Voice chops might be overdone and outdated in techno long ago but they are fresssssh in dubstep!
+Systemic / Michaelangelo - Axon (Duality - DUALITY001)
Second debutant techno label in chart this month. Huge kudos to anyone with balls enough to invest their money in doing techno vinyls these days!
+Traversable Wormhole - The Remixes Pt.01 (CLR - CLR035)
Marcel?? Never heard him this fierce before. Hurra!
+Unknown Artist - Numbercult 3 (Numbercult - NC003)
Also mentioned before in blog. Characteristic!
Samples:
26 July 2010
Today's listening 26 july 2010
Unknown Artist - Numbercult 3 (Numbercult - NC003)
In the constant stream of half-arsed, half-produced and/or watered down digital releases it is easy to lose faith in whatever has "digital" in the release details.
But then comes Numbercult out of nowhere and shatters my pessimistic illusion.
Not only is it digital, but it is also FREE(!?).
The Glasgow label does however release on vinyl as well, in limited editions of 300ish copies. Kudos!
First track, 'Hinterland' starts like any other house/minimal techno track but quickly transforms when the very attentive melody kicks in. The track unfolds to something that is somehow reminiscent of the classic DJ Hell track 'Music For Films'. Truly inspiring!
Following up is the kickless and sublime 'Hidden Symmetry' which is an excursion in harmonies and synthesizers and in its minimalism proves that drums are never necessary even in "electronic dance music".
Lastly we have 'Splinters' which with its very cold and thin springs makes me feel that winter is here even though the sun is unusually persistent outside!
Samples:
The free download here
The vinyl here
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