Sonic debris from outer DIY space: A Detriti Records Interview

• Ciao Davide, thanks so much for the interview. Can you please introduce yourself and also talk about your early artistic and musical influences and inspirations?

Yes sure, I’m Davide, Detriti Records‘ boss and handyman. Definitely influenced by 80s underground graphics and music, 1900s avant-gardes, “Commedia all’italiana” old movies, European and Asian philosophy.

• When and how did your attraction and passion for cold and dark music come about?

When I was a teenager I was a metalhead (although too “alternative” for the typical metal fans). But already at that time, I had a strong and spontaneous attraction for post-punk music.

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• I’m curious about your personal path: Piedmont, Berlin, Detriti label, can you explain it?

I went on vacation to Berlin several times, especially in summer. And it was always a positive shocking experience. So one foggy winter day I said to myself “why am I wasting my time in this useless town?” and some months later I was in Berlin.

• How did you come up with the idea of starting a label? Did you have any current or past DIY label as a model or inspiration?

All started because I needed a place where I could release my own things (and express my graphics skills freely). I had the impression that around 2014 the underground post-punk music market became extremely closed after the openness of the early 2010s. Opal Tapes and LIES Records were certainly a big influence. From the past, I would mention “Aspect D’Une Certaine Industrie”, “Wax Trax” and generally speaking the 80s DIY releases culture (and especially the graphics). I would like also to mention the best record producer ever, Conny Plank.

• What impact and influence had and still have first your Italian heritage and then Berlin on your label? Are you fully integrated into the Berlin music scene with gigs, Dj nights and so on?

Probably my Italian heritage influences all the things I do, so probably my label too. Berlin definitely helped me to confront some of the best contemporary artists and musicians. Music industry here is a serious business. “B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979–1989” was certainly a big inspiration too (thank you very much, Mark Reeder!). I don’t feel fully integrated into the Berlin music scene, but I think things will change quite soon.

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• Your label spans between various genres, what is your process in selecting the bands and the artists?

I want to release beautiful, interesting and sexy music. So most of the time is 80s connected music. But somehow it’s just an accident.

• In a digital world where the youngsters hardly has bought a single piece of music in their life, do you think that the 80’s inspired DIY ethos of taking a fully creative and artistic control over everything – from A to Z – is still relevant, compared to the past, and has the same value and meaning?

Probably even more. Firstly, 80s DIY graphics is cooler and more beautiful, doubtless. Secondly, it’s something that makes you feel alive. Furthermore to show to the youngsters that you can do things by yourself without asking permission to nobody has a strong positive shocking effect. It’s about freedom, something that anyone can relate to.

• Your personal synth-punk project “Words and actions” started in 2011 with its first demo, can you talk about its origin, development and possible future releases?

At that time I was in love with underground French coldwave bands like Péché Mortel, L’An III, Leitmotiv, Kas product, Martin Dupont, etc. So I decided to try to do something similar. Over the years I experimented with many different styles (EBM, Synthwave, Minimal, Retrowave, etc.), but finally, with 2016 “Pensieri di nessuno” album, I feel I found my sound. Also shifting to Italian lyrics was totally unexpected but definitely the best “choice” I’ve taken so far. In 2018 there will be a new album titled “Senza veleno”. Somehow I think it will become a very important album for the Italian post-punk genre. I hope people and journalists will notice it.

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• Which have been your label key moments so far?

Mmm not easy to answer… some albums made me realize “ok now I can start to do things more and more professionally”. Probably Visitor‘s ‘E.B.E.’ album was somehow game-changing, especially an article (“13 Striking Contemporary EBM Releases”) on Daily Bandcamp that put my label in a very good company (aufnahme + wiedergabe, Mannequin, Domestica Records, etc.).

• Detriti Records is essentially a cassette label, I always wondered, not just me, why the small quantity of 40 units? Do you think to add any vinyl edition in the future?

In 2018 there will be the first Detriti vinyl 12”s. I already planned 4-5 wonderful releases. About the limited cassettes edition, well, I prefer to sell everything within 1-2 months and focused on the future.

• How started your interest in Eastern Europe bands, what attracted you to release the first band Russian Novosti Kulturi followed then by many others.

I think East Europe post-punk was more able to remain loyal to the original spirit, to the punk and avant-garde roots. Musically and aesthetically. Slovenian band “Borghesia” is in my top five bands ever. By the way, in January I’ll release the “Detriti Compilation N.2” totally dedicated to contemporary Eastern Europe post-punk artists.

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• You are fresh from a Detriti Records night in Belarus, please can give us a short report about it? What have been your first impressions about the local underground music scene?

I’m really proud of that night. Molchat Doma, Dk Postoronnih, Kholod are definitely among the most relevant post-punk projects out there now.

• Do you have any aspiration, dream that, for lack of money or any other reasons, you never got to fulfill but you’d still like to accomplish?

Yes sure… but step by step I’ll have all my satisfactions. I’m quite stubborn. And a label is a long-term project, no shortcuts.

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• What music, bands, artists are you currently listening to outside your label?

I listen to a lot of new underground releases every week and I always keep an eye on what my colleagues are releasing. I often listen to a lot of techno and house music. D.A.F. and Italian band CCCP are a constant listening of mine.

• I hope to meet you again next year to recap further exciting chapters for the label…just ask you the last question about your plans for the near future

2018 will be a changing-game year for Detriti. My plan is to release a new 12” every 4-8 weeks.
I definitely want to take this label to the next stage.

 

• Silent EM “Foreign States” (TRVE coldwave from USA)

     

• Detriti Compilation n.2 (8 synthpop / post punk gems from Eastern Europe)

     

• Soft Touch “Maybe Something, Maybe Nothing” (experimental dark-pop from Usa)