David J Bull - Body & Beat

David J Bull is a Cardiff based DJ and producer. He has been a key player in the Welsh underground scene for the last 10 years co-running the TEAK and Studio 89 parties which have gained a cult following over the years. As a DJ, David has honed his sets around his obsession with rough and ready 80s electronic music mixed with contemporary sounds that also tap into this nostalgia – in particular the sounds of industrial, new wave, synth pop and new beat.

For his debut EP ‘Body & Beat’, David nods in particular towards the New Beat sounds that emerged and vanished between ’88-’90. Tapping into the brash production style and old school cut and paste sampling, this EP takes inspiration from artists like Fatal Error and Shakti. David pulls together a collage of sound sources and mixes it in with FM synths, bass guitar and Cheetah drum samples (a budget drum machine made in Cardiff back in the 80s) – the result is a dark and somewhat wacky electronic record ready for an alternative dancefloor.

Cassette / Digital Album

Posted on February 18th, 2022 under Releases, ,

Lower Tar - Abstract Parasite

Lower Tar is the experimental techno project of Los Angeles-based musician and visual artist, Ori Ofir. Formed in 2016, Lower Tar has released albums on Ascetic House, Ecstatic Recordings, and Night Gaunt Recordings. Ori has collaborated with Silent Servant on a duo project called Sterile Hand. Ori also co-runs the party/label L.A.U.R.A. as a new avenue that focuses on bringing the Los Angeles electronic community together. As an Israeli-American of Arabic descent, Lower Tar is a project that explores the complex power structures that revolve around identity and what it means to be critical of a society while still maintaining a sense of self.

“Abstract Parasite” is Lower Tar’s debut for DKA. Recorded between 2018-2020, it combines 8 tracks of Ofir’s mix of hard hitting EBM, industrial, and spaced out electro. Inspired by the works of Mark Fisher, each track explores the systems that hold us back while trying to envision a way to rupture this omnipresent hold and cyclical complacency.

Cassette / Digital Album

Posted on November 13th, 2021 under Releases, ,

Newboy

DKA is proud to present to you the second release from Newboy! Borrowing inspiration from Samuel Delaney’s Dhalgren, Texan Acidheads, Art-Damaged Synth Punk, and Experimental Industrial Cassette Innovators like Portion Control, Newboy delivers us a unique, sample strewn EP. While Newboy’s debut, 2019’s Funky Bullshit, was a combination of self-imposed limitation and loose experimentation, this sophomore release feels more focused. Not as hung up on the bullshit, these recordings have a more forward and funky appeal.

Often seen peering over his glasses, Newboy aka Greg Vand, can be recognized as a member of DKA alumni Din and High-Functioning Flesh. Needless to say we are fans and excited to bring this EP to both digital and limited cassette formats!

Cassette / Digital Album

Posted on February 26th, 2021 under Releases, ,

Balvanera - Courses of Action

Courses of Action is the latest release from Balvanera, a duo based out of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their first release on DKA after a series of Lps, Eps, splits, and remixes, Courses of Action sees the duo focusing on a stronger dance-floor ready EBM sound. The phrase “courses of action” is one that you usually hear from politicians or CEOs, comforting words to assure us that they will take the necessary measures without ever saying what they would actually do. We know that this is a phrase somehow devoid of meaning, completely empty, but we reappropriate this phrase, in times of turmoil, to think of our own actions and possibilities in these chaotic times.

“Courses of Action” has a futuristic vibe, with groovy and sensuous bass lines. “Courses of Action” fits perfectly on the DKA label blending the sounds and styles of artists like DIN, Celldöd, High-Functioning Flesh, and Boy Harsher. The cover art is inspired by a local artist, Liliana Maresca. In the 80’s she used her body in action as a central expression to question the local political climate of the late 80s and early 90s, raising the bar to the spinozian question of what a body can do. The whole record, perhaps aligning to that EBM ethos, speaks of the body; the body ill, the body in action, the mind sabotaging the body, the body dancing.

The members of Balvanera cut their teeth in diy hardcore and punk scenes before exploring the sounds of EBM. Inspired by newer artists like Linea Aspera and Sixth June, Balvanera decided to fill a void for a dark electronic music sound in Buenos Aires. Despite the difficulty of purchasing new gear, they still managed to create a powerful form of full-on body music. They soon found themselves playing illegal shows and DJing parties for a diverse underground audience hungry for new sounds. Balvanera’s live sets are a cathartic ritual for both the performer and audience. Recorded before the pandemic hit, the music on Courses of Action will make you long to get lost on a fogged-out dance floor.

Cassette / Digital Album

Posted on January 25th, 2021 under Releases, ,

Balloon Boy

Balloon Boy is the New Orleans-based duo of vocalist Nannen Gatchell and instrumentalist Kelby Clark. Nannen and Kelby played together in the post-punk group Smiler, and Kelby also performs under the names Divorce Ring and Material Body (both projects had tracks on DKA Tape Programme Vol. II). Inspired by the post-punk and DIY pop music movements of the 70’s and 80’s, they take a live and direct approach to recording by tracking straight to tape using an assemblage of primitive analog instruments.

Balloon Boy was born while the duo were living in Valdosta, Ga. The project was put on hiatus after the instrumentals for their self-titled debut EP were lost in early 2016. The recordings were found after four years and a relocation to New Orleans. The lyrics for the material were then rewritten and recorded during the Spring of 2020. Musically the aesthetic and strong song writing sensibility of minimal synth projects like Kitchen & the Plastic Spoons, Absolute Body Control, and Crash Course in Science is on display. While Nannen’s vocals evoke classic goth vocalists like Siouxsie, Dinah Cancer, and Jeanette Landray of the Glove. DKA is so excited to release Balloon Boy’s debut cassette containing six songs and one dub mix. We look forward to future projects & releases from Nannen and Kelby!

Cassette / Digital Album

Posted on September 22nd, 2020 under Releases, ,