Benbecula ist ein famoses Elektronika-Label aus Edinburgh, Schottland, nahezu unscheinbar und wunderschön. Mit kleinen Stars wie Michael Romanenko und Christ, und zwei ausverkauften Vinylsamplern unter dem einfachen und unschlagbaren Titel "Music". Einen Überblick über das Schaffen seit 1999 bietet eine neue CD, die beide Minisampler vereint.

Steven ist der Mensch hinter mail@benbecula.com - und so kam auch das Interview zustande - per Mail:


What was your idea when starting the label?
As an artist in the mid to late 90s i became increasingly dissatisfied with othe labels who claimed to have the artist's interests at heart. i decided to do things on my own. i originally started off with home made cdrs and
benbecula was quickly picked up by a distributor in 2000.

What's the label's philosophy today?
There are no real quantifiers for the musical content apart from great tunes and noises. as i have said before, the label does not dictate the music released, the artists do. as tastes change so will the label. if there was any philosophy it would be to mirror the will of original individuals.

i like melody, strong tracks, something different. i take a great deal of time in putting compilations together, making sure that the tracks fit - rather than thinking: "this is a good track" or "this artist will make me money". the artists i have turned down would surprise you. if the track
doesnt fit it doesnt go on, no matter who you are. otherwise you end up with a cd that might as well fit nicely into the 1000s of other compilations that sit in the "dance" compilation section, and are quickly forgotten.

Sorry, stupid question. I know the island Benbecula in Scotland (between North and South Uist). However, what's the story of the fabulous label name "Benbecula"?
No real reason other than its scottish and its a nice word.

Do you think you are actually developing a new style of electronic music? Something like "deep bonbon elektronika" or a new typical Scottish sound?
The artists in Scotland tend to work alone and rarely in groups. Many of the artists on the forthcoming "Alba Absurdia" compilation do not know each other, havent heard each other's music, but I feel there is an underlying
thread to the sound. I guess its attitude, from living in Scotland. "Alba" is very important to me because it brings these sounds together, probably for the first time in this way. Almost like a "calling". The whole thing reminds of me of the film "Close Encounters". The artwork will reflect
this.

The compilation's title "music" is as simple as confusing. So what was your intention to give the record that name?
No one has asked me this before and I am glad you have. When I was putting together music volume one, the title was really important. I like all types of electronic music including hard club tracks, acid, house whatever. The
reason there is nothing like this on benbecula is because i see little point in releasing it. Hundreds of records like that are released every week, and are quickly forgotten about. There is no longevity. At the time, in my opinion, electronic music was becoming very insular. Real musicians did not
seem to have any input in the market. I wanted to put something together that was cutting edge but also musical. So, calling the EP "Music" reflected this feeling, and the "Volume One" meant this really was the new
beginning. This appears quite pompous but to me it felt right.

In the same way I see much of "IDM" music going down the same road. A lot of it, in my opinion, is self indulgent rubbish. I think I can spot real talent, and there isn't a lot of it about. A lot of people will suddently get excited about some artist all of sudden and there will be a mini hype
thing about it. All these people laugh at the popular music scene because if its advertising and hype but they faill to see that this also exists in every other genre, no matter how small the microcosm. A case of the "Emporer is Wearing no clothes" happens all the time for me with respect to many artists and labels in the "IDM" arena.

How did you decide what tracks finally will be on the second compilation (music vol2)?

Oh dear, this took a long time you know. I decide from taking perhaps 2 or 3 tracks from demos i have received from each artis and making up around 2 or 3 cds and listening to them over and over. Then making one CD, listening to that more, and gradually getting to down to the 7 or 8 tracks that end up on the ep. It also takes many hours deciding what order to put them in. This is important when the EP is on vinyl - making sure the first and end of
track of each side form a little "experience" in their own way. I think I do this because there are many records that have this effect on me. Similarly I can spot records that have no real thought put into the running order which isn't good to listen to.

A friend of mine sometimes felt reminded of some 80s sound, J.M Jarre etc. when listening to your new compilation "music vol 2" (especially the track
joni "too stupid").
Joni has the most interesting and valuable collection of analogue equipment I have ever seen. He is also an experienced keyboard player and writer. Joni's influences are varied but on that track I think he captured his 80s
influences coupled with a very modern edge.

Do you see some similarities of your benbecula sound to the sound of german elektronika labels "morr music" (phonem, bernhard fleischmann, styrofoam) or karaoke kalk (fumble, hausmeister, donna regina)?
You know, I do not have many titles by those labels so I cant really say. I rarely listen to other's people's music. Not because I dont want to I just dont have the time really. I will be at Sonar this year so it will be an opportuntiy to catch up.

What are your plans? What are you going to do when you all will be "grown up"?
I am already grown up unfortunately!!

What are your previous three records/mp3s?
I dont really listen to other music much but I am very impressed with Brainwashed's "Brain in the Wire" compilation.

Standard question: our favourite dj?
The best DJ I have heard for pure entertainment value is Cajmere - he knows how to work a crowd and get them involved - a real entertainer. Any arsehole can mix two records together - which includes the majority of
"superstar" DJs, you know who I mean. Also mixmaster morris.

(...)

Thank you, Steven.

(interview by mail, in may 2002)