The French label Unknown Pleasures Records, run by Pedro Peñas y Roble aka HIV+, stops its activities this summer. They are currently emptying their last stocks before closing for good. The label which started in 2013 was based in the south of France was dedicated to the production of material from the post-punk, minimal wave and EBM scene. Their final release is a Tribute to Death In June.

In the past the label has released albums of bands like Norma Loy, David Carretta, Blind Delon, Adan & Ilse, Hausfrau, Black Egg, European Ghost, Ono Scream, Antipole, Kill Shelter, Vogue Noir, Ohota, Wendy Bevan, Alek Drive, Art Kinder Industrie, Baroque, Maman Küsters, Japan Suicide, Follow Me Not, Der Himmel über Berlin, Dave Inox, Mr Nô, None, Velvet Kills, Selfishadows, Container 47, The Shyness Of Strangers, Secret Sight, La Main, Fluxus, Grand((Ø))Signal, Neon Electronics, Hardlab, Judith Juillerat, Monolog and Love In Prague.

The label has also worked and collaborated with several musicians such as Alan Vega, Gabi Delgado, Dirk Da Davo, Eric Van Wonterghem, Jurgen Engler, Richard 23, Patrick Codenys, Marc Hurtado, Arturo Lanz, The Hacker, Dirk Ivens, The Horrorist, Haujobb, Position Parallèle, John Lord Fonda, Dominique Nicolas, Marc Collin, Michaël Theis, Radical G, Növö, Millimetric, In Death It Ends, In Aeternam Vale, Sonic Area, Adriano Canzian, Alice Botte, Versari and many more.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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Genre/Influences: Dark-pop.

Background/Info: My first feeling was that this band was the logical new project of Pedro Peñas Robles after the end of Adan & Ilse. The band name clearly appears to be inspired from his previous band he was involved with Usher (Norma Loy).  A★I was set up in 2015 by Pedro (vocals) and Philippe Merry aka Phllox (producer). The band claims to be inspired by dark-pop artists and refers to Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Laiback and even Lassigue Bendthaus.

Content: The sound is a bit different from the body-pop minimalism of Adan & Ilse although there clearly is a link in the global sound approach. There indeed is a link with some aforementioned bands –and especially Depeche Mode, but still with Kraftwerk and even Vangelis. This work mixes good-old standards with a unique sound production, which clearly experiments with new ideas.

“Le Chant Du Cygne Noir” sounds vintage-like, but still ambient-like. The production reveals phenomenal, deep resonating bass lines and haunting atmospheres. Cold sequences and sterile vocals reactivate the good-old 80s spirit while the surprising cover version of “Ashes To Ashes” featuring Dan Söderqvist on guitar (known from Twice A Man) has been remarkably transposed into the sonic universe of A★I. I know that Pedro Peñas Robles is a fan of David Bowie so in the end this cover version is not totally surprising, but the way the song has been reworked and adapted is really worthy of examination.

+ + + : You really have to listen a few time to this album to fully seize the judicious mix of influences which will remind you of Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk on one side and the personal sound input on the other. It’s an efficient balance resulting in an open-minded work, which clearly appears the start of a new adventure for Unknown Pleasures Records owner Pedro Peñas Robles.

– – – : This album clearly is not the most accessible electro-pop release. It even makes me think to a reaction against familiar electro-pop standards, which are constantly repeating themselves. So in the end I would say that the main strength of this work also is the main point and reason for classical electro-pop lovers to turn their back on this band.

Conclusion: A★I clearly sounds like a challenge when it comes to convince electro-pop lovers, but it more sounds like a nice addition and alternative to electro-pop for all of those who are bored with endless emulations of Depeche Mode and co.

Best songs: “We Are One Nation”, “Sin Of Sin”, “Goodbye Lady Red”, “A Secret”, “Dark Stars”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/havoc2027

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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Genre/Influences: Minimal electro-pop, wave-pop.

Background/Info: Adán & Ilse is a prolific band, unleashing their 4th full length since 2013! The French formation now consist of Pedro Peñas Robles (Unknown Pleasures Records owner and formerly known under the HIV+ moniker) and Michel Lecamp (aka Usher, and involved in different projects like Norma Loy, black Egg ao). The main change consists of Peter Rainman who left the band.

Content: The new album features 7 tracks plus 7 remixes. The sound approach of the French formation has always been really ‘special’ and totally different from the familiar synth-pop standards. Adán & Ilse clearly have something against ‘pop-conformism’ and their minimal approach, which finds its sources of inspiration in the 80s is absolutely unique.

The songs are once again a mixture of 80s electro-pop and early EBM mixed with some raw and somewhat industrial elements, multiple sound effects and cold synthesizer lines. This is not the kind of ‘pop’ that will make you happy. “Chirurgie Plastique” is a title that symbolizes a sonic surgery of electro-pop to compose a new ‘pop-hybrid’, which might remind you of bands like Fad Gadget and Taxi Girl.

The sound intrigues while the French lyrics are cold and sterile, which is another affinity with 80s productions. A few tracks are sung in English.

The remixes were accomplished by interesting artists like Electrosexual, Neon Electronics, Theremynt, Haujobb ao. I especially recommend the remixes of Theremynt and Haujobb.

+ + + : You’ll either like it or not, but this album clearly reveals a creative approach in the writing of electro-pop music. I like its minimalism, which is more explicit than on any previous work while there some cool remixes as well.

– – – : Minimalism not always is the best way to become accessible to a wider audience, but I think those guys are simply doing what they like to do!

Conclusion: Adán & Ilse is a sonic enigma and an alien of contemporary electro-pop music. “Chirurgie Plastique” is the antidote for Depeche Mode clones and other cheap synth-pop productions.

Best songs: “Untouchable”, “Energy”, “Blind”, “Voice In Blue – Remix by Theremynt”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/havoc2027

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Peter Rainman is a name you for sure will have noticed as producer from numerous bands and productions or you might have discovered one of his great and danceable remixes. This French artist is a man from many

talents who got involved in multiple projects. This interview clearly reveals a passionate and busy electronic artist.

(by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: When did you get contaminated by the ‘electronic-music’ virus and what are your main influences and criteria you try to put in your own work as composer/producer?

Peter: Threee questions, then…. mh let me see…

I’ve always been fascinated by strange sounds. In the seventies / early eighties, only synths impressed me. I often went at a friend’s basement, he had two or three of these new machines, and I immediately loved them. They ‘talked’ to me… I knew my life would be made around them!

The second time I had such strong feeling about music was when I heard “Just Can’t Get Enough”. The production (aaaaah that kick!) the melody, the leather, everything was perfect and I said ‘that’s what I want to do’!! that’s what I MUST do!’ Vince Clarke is obviously the main influence. He has four albums on my top ten list… Later came the Pet Shop Boys and New Order to name a few.

I guess what touch me, then and nowadays, is the fact that a sound can influence your feelings, touch your very life. That’s what I’m trying to do with my works: making people dance, think, love, laugh or sometimes cry… For me, if the music has a soul, it’s a good stuff… If it’s just to make money, if it’s soulless or a copy from a copy from a copy, it’s useless…

Q: You’ve been involved in numerous bands and projects (People Theatre, Adan & Ilse, Waiting For Words ao). How do you look back at the different projects and what have been the main elements you’ll keep in mind?

Peter: The thing is those productions are clearly very precise in my mind. People Theatre is a synth-pop / future-pop act with a bit of the eighties. Waiting For Words is a band, and I share a lot of my life with the happy couple, it’s more than music, we play what we really feel deep inside. Therefore, the production goes from real instruments, guitars, sometimes organs, to very synthetic softwares. It’s a kind of diary, you know…

Adan & Ilse is a rather old story now, but I still work with Ushersan with pleasure. We set up a kind of laboratory to create sounds and atmospheres and it’s quite fascinating. Right now we are working on distortion for instance. We combine very old devices and little softwares, it’s very impressive. The other bands I work in are all about synth-pop music (Royal Visionnaries and two others that are still secret… huhu!). It’s always cool to work with other people, whatever the style, the distance… I love to learn!

Q: How would you define the ‘job’ of producer and what kind of producer are you?

Peter: Oh I’m a very cool one… hmm, wait, no, it depends! Lol! My inspiration comes from Brian Eno: to me, a producer is a kind of guru: I propose tips, devices or books, records, philosophy, but the band decides. They bring ideas or songs and I show them what is, according to me, not good. That’s 80% of the production I make. The 20% remaining is probably the most interesting but it takes more time: we start from zero and build the whole album together, including the concept, the ideas, the messages. We need to go deep down our personality. Then, I both am a technician and a guide. It’s totally different from making a remix, obviously.

Q: You’ve produced a lot of bands and productions. What have been the biggest ‘challenges’ and productions you’ve been really proud of?

Peter: I love very professional people because they know what they want, we work quickly. !distain are like that. But I also like working with band or artists I discover and tell them ‘look, you have a strong potential but I think you help to start. Trust me, we’ll go higher!’ In a way, Original Band are in this situation, as Nun (my very first production!) were. Waiting For Words are a bit ‘hey let’s try this, if it works, great! If it fails, well never mind, at least we tried!’ I’m also  proud of the work I make for myself, as People Theatre. I try something new on every song! You know, producing or remixing,  it’s never easy, every time is a new BIG challenge!

Q: Less bands are actually working with a producer because they think to have the material and knowledge to do it on their own. How do you see this trend?

Peter: Well they are right and wrong;  they know what kind of sound they want, but will they get it? It depends of the artist’s talent… and the material they have. On the other hand, we all need a look from outside, someone you can rely on and get rid of the big work like mixing or mastering. Even myself!

Q: What might we expect from you during the next few months? 

Peter: Well I’m working on the second EP, to follow my very first, “Dare At Dawn”, surrounded by the love the people send me after a gig or via internet. I’m working on Original Band’s first album, and few other artists like Christopher Anton or Black Egg. Waiting For Words will release a new single soon, probably in May. I’m also working on covers of the French cult band, Indochine, both for WFW and for People Theatre to feature on a Tribute (also to be released in May). The same month, I’ll sing as People Theatre in Lille, a showcase, and Waiting For Words will play live at the ISYNTH festival. We also just reactivated Splendor Projekt with Matt and JM few months ago. I also have very secret projects so the best thing you can do is checking my page on FB of course. Busy, you said? 🙂

Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-wave & pop, minimal-electro.

Content: The French project Adan & Ilse is back on track with their 3rd opus to date. This band set up by Pedro Peñas Robles (HIV+) gained some recognition in their homeland, but also got enthusiastic reactions abroad.

No doubt about it, it’s all about their original and yet old-school electro inspired influences that they’ve caught the attention of many electronic lovers. “Cold Diamonds” doesn’t sound that different from their previous work. I sometimes get the impression of hearing a 21st Century hybrid made by pieces of Joy Division, The Cure and Fad Gadget. The sound is clearly reminding me of the golden 80s electro decade, but there also is a personal and refreshing touch on top.

The music often makes me think to a kind of 80s electro-pop merged with contemporary styles like electroclash and minimal-electronics. The work features 8 new songs plus 4 remixes. The link with Joy Division is not that much of a coincidence. Adan & Ilse made a surprising and intimate cover version of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, which features the vocals of Ian Curtis. This song is a kind of piano ballad with some electronic effects emerging at the final part and the magic of Curtis’ vocals. This song sounds in between blasphemy and magic, but it first of all is a poignant ode to this legendary band.

It’s not exactly the most representative song of the album yet the most surprising one. The influences are more into this retro-electro format, resulting in a few attention grabbers like “Lost Overdrive”, which moves from minimal-EBM towards technoid sequences. I also like the half-spoken vocals running through this song. The main vocal parts are somewhat spoken and whispering-like, which is totally fitting to the minimalism of the composition.

Another potential smasher is “Voice In Blue”, which again is made of EBM and technoid ingredients. It’s the kind of song that will make its way on to the dancefloors. But “Cold Diamonds” also features quieter and even ballad-like pieces. The Joy Division-cover is just one in the genre, but I also have to mention “Some Desire” and the film-minded “Stardust”.

The remixes are more into danceable vibes while accomplished by some fine artists. The song “Skin Succomb To The Bliss” (originally released at their previous album) has been remixed by Melanoboy an irresistible body-technoid way. The remix of “Lost Overdrive” by Simi Nah vs. KGB is even better. This is a real potential hit with some extra electroclash element on top. Just pay attention for the dry kick and deep bass line, which are like magic in your ears. Notice by the way that there also is a remix by John Lord Fonda.

Last, but not least there also is a hidden cover version of a song by the French Prince of pop: Etienne Daho.

Conclusion: This is the most accomplished and mature album by Adan & Ilse, which definitely strives for a unique style as an ode to the 80s electro-wave & pop movement.

Best songs: “Lost Overdrive”, “Red star”, “Voice In Blue”, “Lost Overdrive – Simi Nah vs. KGB Remix”, “Skin Succomb To The Bliss – Remix by Melanoboy”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/adanandilse

Label: www.unknown-pleasures-records.com / www.facebook.com/Unknown-Pleasures-Records-566180440115465

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com