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July 8, 2023
almark

Awaiting a new dawn

“Looking back in retrospect to a time where it was hard to be seen or discovered, we have a lot that we have accomplished as artists. But now music is being discovered, and the system by which its being found, allows artists to take charge in where their music goes. without labels and without the middleman. We’ve come a long way as musicians and composers in the independent world. Instead of using our platform as a way to force the industry, we’ve become a part of the music scene itself, a part of music history. #WEATNU is at the sunset of its former days, as ideals and motivations change, and this idea we have has helped the many.“

An artist dreams of being heard, at least for the mere sake that you “climbed that mountain” and it feels good to accomplish a goal. To make a notch in the music scene with others, to make a change to help the niche artist and their fans. After 8 years We are the New Underground has been doing the same thing, but we are looking at the sunset of those 8 years and looking forward to the sunrise of the next era in a future not yet known.

What worked then, no longer works now, what was needed then is no longer needed. If the artist now has complete control over their music, their entire catalog and their fan base (which they should) then what about labels and free communities that help artists? Those places are still just as relevant, as they allow the artist to seek out new listeners and fans. Not just radio and streaming, or even Bandcamp but the indie label itself still matters. The artist may feel proud that they climbed to the top on their own, but none of us really make it there by ourselves.

Our efforts are not alone, as #WEATNU has loyal followers, some seen and some unseen, who help the new artist while they themselves benefit from the scene itself. The element to making music is greater than the career that comes from it. Art and music are the beating heart of what it means to be human, and the greater care taken to ensure that survives is above all. WEATNU isn’t a label, it’s a movement, of musicians, artists, poets and dreamers, all of which long for others to simply enjoy the work they have left behind.

We can’t all be David Bowie but there are others who are just as talented yet unseen, even underappreciated. This article should go to the labels, their indie artists and the fans that keep them going.

Most of us don’t make a dime from our work, but at the end of the day, that music you create is being heard by someone. Those people who take the time and put together large radio shows, for the artist, without payment, for the mere pleasure of getting the music heard, we salute you here at #WEATNU.

We’re all working together in some way to strike the balance for the artist. And there will always be artists who think they can do it all on their own, but adding their work to other places actually brings them newer connections and helps build a foundation, and new friends. No artist ever made it to the top alone, someone somewhere helped them see the peak that was hiding over the next cliff side. WEATNU continues to move with the DIY scene, and that means we move with your music.

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Almark
July 2023

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June 29, 2023
almark

Synthesis Noir (EBM/Industrial) sub-label

A new generation of Industrial, Darkwave, Coldwave and EBM artists – take flight, as we start to build up our artist list for 2023. Another welcome addition to the already existing list of labels that are provided here.

One of (6) internet radios that #WEATNU had during 2015 has just been born.

Having our 3rd sub-label set for Industrial and dark electro type genres, just seemed like the right timing.
As the label continues to create more options for the listener, allowing in the known and unknown artist who poses “great talent.” Synthesis Noir promises to be something new.

While during the beginning of the movement of We are the New Underground, our roots were Industrial, IDM, Ambient, Dark ambient, and from that day forward the digital underground scene continues to morph and evolve and we release what is sent our way. One more label added to the landscape, one more option for the artist. These labels of #WEATNU help to target various scenes of the music landscape.

If you’re into classic Industrial, Electro, and EBM, then Synthesis Noir will be a place to keep an eye on.
Our sub-label may include some goth-crossovers from Transmission Nova label as well.
A newer audience will find this great music and the #WEATNU machine will continue to grow.
Free to join, and great benefits allotted to the artist.
Other genres may include Futurepop, witchhouse, and many sub-genres that come to us.
If Transmission Nova is to guitar post-punk, then Synthesis Noir is to Coldwave and digital wires.

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Almark
June 2023

Follow our Bandcamp: https://synthesisnoir.bandcamp.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SynthesisNoir
Post your music direct to our network to be considered, or
https://network.weatnurecords.com/public/d/12-synthesis-noir-industrialdarkwave-and-ebm-sub-label/14

Contact direct below

https://weatnurecords.com/contact/

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ArticlesFeatured+1
June 7, 2023
almark

Beyond the algorithm

‘In a music scene that is nearly impossible to be heard, yet alone be noticed, #WEATNU has been fighting for experimental music since the summer of 2014. Starting by forming the group We the New Underground, on Soundcloud that summer, but that was just the beginning of an idea that became a movement and finally a label that artists could stand behind‘

In this world we have formed, the musician is appreciated, not underrated. It is a city all its own, a hub for artists who long to be found, found by anyone they can. The seeker who wishes for something more than top 40 finds it here. Along with the many artists who release to us, with other sub-labels connected, forming a network, a machine for the avant-garde, a world that is so well hidden, few know about it, yet alone care to seek it out, but it’s there, and it’s been building for these 8 years. That machine is a self-running creation, that is helping the indie artist.

In a digital realm that is vast, a small drop of water that is made creates quiet ripples across the digital ocean. The original logo becomes those quiet ripples moving across the music scene.

The mainstream is this imaginary wall that we all fighting. #WEATNU didn’t climb that wall, we tunneled under it, forming our own underground. Using the internet as that underground, an underground that long existed, before this movement was made, even before the internet itself was conceived.

The mainstream is this imaginary wall that we all fighting. #WEATNU didn’t climb that wall, we tunneled under it, forming our own underground. Using the internet as that underground, an underground that long existed, before this movement was made, even before the internet itself was conceived.

We are the New Underground –

The Underground scene

The underground has always been the hidden driving force behind the music. When mainstream was releasing Disco in the 70’s, people in their own world were creating punk and later Joy Division starting the post-punk movement. Then the 80’s, while New wave was jamming and pop radio was pushing synth-pop. Industrial began to surface with groups like Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Skinny Puppy, NIN, Ministry and Severed Heads then from Belgium, EBM came forth, with Front242 and UK, Nitzer Ebb. When dance was huge, Richie Hawtin in a club in the Detroit scene was spinning techno, then later DnB, Jungle, Electronica in the UK, and Vaperwave, Lo-fi, Synthwave, Retrowave, Dream pop on the internet. And concluding, one scene building off another, connecting them somewhat with each other.

The experimental end of this spectrum began with early hits from Coldcut, Ninja Tune, WARP Records Aphex Twin, Autechre, Squarepusher thus the IDM scene. Then trickling down to, Underworld, Boards of Canada, Tycho, Tosca, GusGus, and Röyksopp showing us the downtempo and chillout field of things. Each scene is born direct from the underground. A small niche of people find the music, and it drives straight to the heart of what they are longing to hear.

WEATNU encompasses all of these sub-genres in (4) labels.

A free existence to a musician is key to survival in a corp music world, and everything we do is free to the artist.

#WEATNU 2023

WEATNU Records

Housing all forms of electronic music, avant-garde, experimental and ever-evolving underground styles we are the bleeding edge of the DIY scene.

WEATNU Records – Founded 2014

IFMACA Productions

Our cinematic/chillout label and company for royalty free stock media, formed in 2021, and slowly rising to help composers who make film-related music, that you can listen to and enjoy.

IFMACA Productions – founded Summer 2021
Our library of composers continues to build

Transmission Nova

The post-punk/shoegaze of Transmission Nova, alongside goth and alt-rock of the 90’s.

Opened in 2022
Transmission Nova – Founded Nov 2021, launched 2022.

Synthesis Noir

And this year Synthesis Noir, our latest sub-label will house, EBM/Industrial, Darkwave, and Coldwave music.

Synthesis Noir – Founded 2023 (opens Summer)

Internet radio

WEATNU [OUR] Online Underground Radio, playing 24/7 on rotation all music that is uploaded to us.
Freely send music to us.

WEATNU [OUR] playing the best of the underground, 24/7 Electronic, Avant-garde and beyond.

Alongside our sister station, Transmission Nova – WEATNU [OUR], which also plays Indie rock and shoegaze, goth, etc. Transmission Nova radio was the first before its label came years later.

Transmission Nova – WEATNU [OUR] 24/7 | Indie Rock/Post-punk/Shoegaze and Alternative. Internet radio: Playing the best of the Underground 24/7

Our movement hones in on “The Underground” of this modern era, where people are making music directly from their small bedrooms, tiny studio in their apt/flat. That obscure musician on YouTube you’ve never heard of, or the lonely talented musician that wants to be heard.

Along the way #WEATNU has formed Radio | Label | Magazine | and in 2023 formed its net-label to help the artist, who may not wish to sell their work, but instead be appreciated for it, under creative-commons licensing through archive.org.

#WEATNU – Net-label

WEATNU Records – net-label on archive.org – under creative-commons licensing. (opened 2023)

WEATNU continues to influence the indie scene

The image of #WEATNU – becomes invisible radio waves moving across the music scene, beyond web apps, beyond software barriers, and beyond the algorithm of social media, resisting restraint from the corp world. An idea is carried across the ocean, and around the world.

mind map of #WEATNU (c) 2023

Artists from different parts of the world

Artists from many places around the globe join us, we are a world-wide event. It started in the UK and spread to Australia, and now Russia where The Underground still thrives, thanks to the pioneers who keep it going; those early 80’s artists.

Artists and fans are given new options also in 2023, now that we have our network website.

Forum and social gathering

WEATNU Network – social network + forum, opened 2023

A free to join forum / social gathering for people to come together and share music, and to join #WEATNU, where one simply becomes part of the community, sharing each others music on the internet.

We are the New Underground seems to be influencing the music scene, in some way, by the people who hear the music we release to the internet. Those unknown musicians suddenly find a niche audience.
There are micro communities across the world and have been for years, and WEATNU is here as the lighthouse for all to see from endless miles on that digital ocean we are traveling over.

Some artists who have come through our doors went on to become semi-famous, even successful and some were already this way before they arrived, only needing a boost for their self-esteem or finding a new audience, even enjoying the community we have here.
For every person who can be helped here, they find their niche audience, and this continues to happen, due to the power of the internet.

What we offer is freedom to the artist and fans who alike wish to find music that isn’t mainstream, but has true, raw talent. Both the unknown and the known are welcome to join our movement. We need you all, now more than ever.

May we continue to grow in this hard music industry, but with your help, we will succeed.

We are the New Underground – We are all one.

Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine – June 2023

Join our network and get to know the community.
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeatnuRecords
Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weatnurecords
WEATNU Records on Bandcamp – https://weatnu.bandcamp.com
Transmission Nova on Bandcamp – https://transmissionnova.bandcamp.com
IFMACA Productions on Bandcamp – https://ifmacaproductions.bandcamp.com/artists
Discord chatroom: https://discord.com/invite/4jy5wBR

Website: https://weatnurecords.com



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March 10, 2022
almark

Label/Sync – IFMACA Productions

Film-centered music is important

For years we have been building up new tools to help the independent artist. During 2017 there was a time of silence with WEATNU, where new ideas were bubbling under the surface and at a moment of sudden inspiration IFMACA – Independent Film Makers and Composers Association was born. The group began on Facebook that year. Composers and small filmmakers were the intention at the beginning, to collaborate with one another, but after some time, the group shut down and the idea of IFMACA went dormant.

That was until the year 2021, when the name was exhumed, or brought to the light as a new entity for WEATNU. “If composers and filmmakers could not collaborate and make projects together for fun, why not instead create a new subsidiary for WEATNU?” However, even today composers and filmmakers can be involved in collaboration through our discord chatroom. This thought-process started IFMACA Productions.

A part that includes label/sync for the cinematic composer and small film studios, also including music for YouTube creators. The music that is with IFMACA Productions is a continual growing library of highly professional musicians and composers. Some of which are cinematic-driven and may include video game music as well.

As the library grows, sync will eventually happen. It was time to introduce everyone to this next part that has been progressing behind the scenes. IFMACA Productions gives the composer a chance at a career, and it also gives them the ability to be part of a cinematic label. Music is released to all streaming platforms and licensed for use as sync in the future.

Listen to our artists

Artists are taking interest in IFMACA Productions

As a sync company, we are ensuring that the small producer, video game designer, film class, limited budget director, all have one thing in common. They each need music that sets the mood for their projects. The music we produce is full of that sound that others are seeking. Film-centered music is part of our artists work, as we are electronic/avant-garde and beyond. In the future, this may expand to our 2nd label, Transmission Nova (TNR), which is centered on Indie Rock/Shoegaze/Dream pop/Post-punk and Post-rock. These extra genres might work well in unique and dramatic ways from a film perspective. Artists will be showcased in our WEATNU Records – Spotify playlists, so everyone can hear their music.

The Composer and small film studio benefits

The small studio, YouTube Creator, art gallery, etc, could benefit. IFMACA Productions is finding its way onto the film landscape and starting small.

IFMACA Productions releases music for the indie film director who is looking for something a little different. This includes music that is driven by the passion of the artist, in a way only known to the composer. It is the film producer who will find what they are looking for, in a niche market, instead of being directed toward a massive audience, large-sync, ad-sync, HBO, Netflix, etc. Our artists for a competitive and affordable price will sync instead with small production studios. As this part of the WEATNU machine grows, so will the artists and audience we house, thus allowing more opportunities for everyone involved here and in time our website will be created when sync begins. To add to our library, see the links below.

Join our Discord chatroom on IFMACA

Find us on Twitter: IFMACA Productions

Follow us on Facebook: IFMACA Productions
Find us on SoundCloud: IFMACA Productions

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FeaturedHistory
November 6, 2019
almark

The Story of #WEATNU

“It takes years for an idea to culminate and become something more than mindless thinking. Every diamond is created due to a great amount of pressure. I’m a musician, I write Electronic / Avant-garde, Left-field music. It is certainly in its own category.”

Coming from the roots of Industrial / Experimental and EBM, Ambient, Dub, and eventually those roots became an urge to write my own music, and I didn’t know what I was doing or how to go about doing it electronically.

I had been writing guitar music prior to that from 1992–1998, then getting into writing Electronic music that summer. Music has been with me since 1983, when my Mother first put on, Wham or Hall & Oats, H2O record, or when I heard the album, The Ghostbusters on tape, and being captivated by The Thompson Twins — In the Name of Love. When the Internet had its start in 1997 for me, I found myself seeking out music that moved me differently than terrestrial radio, as during this time, radio was dying out and becoming something of a mainstream money maker. MTV was still going strong in its post-grunge era.

One night, I started looking on Yahoo for internet radio stations, Realplayer had its share of the obscure, even at its low bitrate quality, but I didn’t care, the music is what moved me. It wasn’t long until I found a website called Radio Free Underground, they shut down in 2000, sadly. They played many genres I’d not heard, other than the experimental stuff I discovered through MTV’s The AMP. Goth being one of them, including PsyTrance, Techno, Electro, Electronica, Industrial, Darkwave, and more. The days when true discovery felt like you found something, and it was yours, it felt personal.

I remember first hearing Industrial from a NIN tape a friend gave me during school in 1992, then he gave me a recording of Ministry’s Psalm 69. By the time 1997 rolled around, I was hooked on darker underground music. After being subjected to the more obscure underground, including the MOD scene of 1995, given to me through floppy discs from friends, AMIGA-like computer music, Trackers, Fasttracker, iPlay, S3M, FT2 and so forth.

From the collection of all this, I started developing a great love for “The Underground”, and noticed from my experimenting with Electronic music, deeply in 2000 that Electronic wasn’t that huge yet, though, radio and modern music was still very pop-driven, and rock based. It wasn’t until 2003 and 2005 where I started really hearing the Electronic influence in artists, such as Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Underworld, The Orb and Orbital.

The Severed Heads years…

I was actually heavily influenced from my early days of electronic music writing from Severed Heads, an Aussie artist, named Tom Ellard. For years after 1998 I didn’t have the Internet, I had to go to local university computer labs to use the Internet, usually every night for months on end. During the time of my depth into making electronic in 2000 through tracker software, Fasttracker II, I found myself looking up Severed Heads, who I was introduced to from a boss at my job Eureka Pizza in Springdale, AR.

I no longer felt like mainstream music was important as it once was, I had a drive to do different things. In that computer lab, I came across a website called groovetech.com, and this was my introduction into DnB, Dub, Experimental, Techno, Sampling, from some of the greatest DJs to ever be broadcast through camera, across the world.

Each night I was engrossed in watching these DJs spin for hours. The music was catchy, bouncy and addictive. Even to this day if you look up those podcasts on YouTube, you hear something special just starting to happen. The beginning of what electronic music was, and why it’s so important today.

Years pass…

My love of electronic music continued, in writing it alone, allowing only my family and at the time, during my marriage, my wife and her friends. Also in 2001 I didn’t have the Internet, but I still continued when I could, go to the local library to use it. By the time I got the Internet again, it was around 2010, and I began to think, “what if I upload this music I’ve been doing all these years, and let others listen?” It was through Soundcloud then Bandcamp, and YouTube, I started doing this. Friends on Facebook would tell me I should let others listen, I was reluctant of course, because it was so personal to me.

From venturing forth into various groups online, uploading music and speaking and promoting on twitter, I came to realize that unknown artists were being ignored, or even unheard. That it took a great deal of effort to even get people to listen. Of course during the early days of SoundCloud, people would listen to you more, due to the lack of algorithms.

The power of Social Media.

From the urge to get my own music heard and having a hard time doing it, it started building up in me by 2012–2013 that something needed to be done, something big, a huge idea, and since social media was just getting popular, I thought, “Why not, I want to make waves and create a storm even if I fail doing so. People on social media are making things happen, so why can’t I?” I thought.

During those days, it was hard to find any kind of help to get your music heard. Net-labels were elite and only allowed a certain type of music in, EDM was so big that people were making 200 grand per night when they played; completely ignoring The Underground scene. I wondered, why The Underground and experimental music was no longer around? What happened to it, was it hidden, did it die out? No… From meeting people on Twitter and other places, SoundCloud, YouTube and forums I found it was very much alive.

Great music is hidden.

There were others doing this, there were people like myself with the drive to be heard. Help groups, and Internet radio started popping up, like Bluetown Electronica on Facebook, Revival Synth, one guy who has been running his group well before #WEATNU started. Tracy Perry (Expansion of Presence) who has helped many indie artists for years and years, and continues to do so. Dr. Bones, an avid lover of The Underground scene from Canada, and so and so on. This was during 2013–2014.

I started thinking, “why is it so hard just to belong to a simple label, one without the rules many other mainstream ones cause to you endure? One that we all needed.” I said in my heart, “I will create an organization that will allow others to go up the ladder with me for free, and all of us will be helped.” I wanted to hold everyone on my shoulders; ALL of the indie scene on my back. I must have been crazy for thinking it. Something was burning deep inside of my soul, something I couldn’t stand any longer. I thought, “what if I create a SoundCloud group like others were doing?”, so one day out of the blue I made one called “We are the New Underground“, after having an in-depth conversation with a friend of mine through Facebook, namely, Nessi Holt who writes for a blog called Carpe Carmina. I remember telling her, “you know what! We are the New Underground“, and she said, “Yes!! We are.” Nessi Holt, did an extensive interview with me in 2015 on #WEATNU, she’s helped countless indie artists for many years, including working with RKC Radio.

The start of a new era…

After making the group, 100s poured in, during the first two weeks, it was so hard to help them all that I had to get others to help filter artists into the group. It was a phenomenon, I was hooked from the rush of helping these artists be heard. Starting to post each one who got in, onto Twitter, with their twitter @names attached so others could find that artist, making sure the legwork had been done. The platform and machine of #WEATNU had begun.

It came to me that we needed more than just a group on SoundCloud and during this time, summer of 2014, We are the New Underground was just a name. Before long, the acronym #WEATNU was born. I noticed that a lot of hash tags brought attention to a brand or groups. December of that year, WEATNU Records was born, where the artists who found us were offered a means to be part of a label, where their music mattered, and where people would appreciate them with good results.

People felt the need to be heard.

Most of all, they would at least be heard. Sometime around Summer of 2014 WEATNU [OUR] Online Underground Radio was born, and a machine was created to help the underground. People started contacting me, wanting to make a difference. Soon DJCJ of RadioCoolio, an Internet radio personality in Canada, who also helps indie artists be heard, contacted my E-mail and Facebook, and wanted to promo and spread the word.

Roofy, another artist, who spent an entire year spreading the word about #WEATNU caused others to find us as well. Including Ivan of AMNIOTIC — By 2015, in the same year, Brian Diamond who at the time was just starting Shadows & Mirrors, and is now a label owner of Electric Dream Records, also came our way to help spread the word, as he and AMNIOTIC both wanted to help the community find our artists. During this era, UK artist Craig Manga, of Manga Bros, who later went on to form (Black Box Recordings) befriended our movement and spoke highly to many of those whom he followed, which helped further our cause. His friend, Mark Forster, was a force unmatched, as he loved the underground and its artists and #WEATNU, by helping them on ArtistSignal, he will be greatly missed as he passed away some years ago.

A publication was created.

Our magazine was helping artists be heard, shows on Mixcloud were uploaded from interviews I conducted with new artists weekly, live radio with artists and new songs, showcasing them weekly as well. Special shows on our Internet radio and many other things would happen to become what #WEATNU was developing into. A driving force, a movement that was needed, that wouldn’t stop. By 2016, over 400 artists from all over the world had graced their presence with us.

A new chapter begins

The rush was intense, and it was exhausting. It was time to stop working so hard, but I still had the drive. Our magazine went away that year, radio shut down in the Summer, but the label continued pumping out new music, but slowly. It wasn’t until 2018 where I had a conversation with a new friend, who joined us that year, and she told me “you get what you put in.” So taking that advice, I ran with it, pushing hard once again but, using what I learned before and pushed the label to become what I had envisioned years ago.

2018 – 2019

Our label started releasing finally to streaming platforms, including our already releasing music through Bandcamp since 2014. WEANTU Records was being noticed, once again, restored and still a great passion of mine, even after all these challenges. The radio also returned in November of 2018. Streaming of course helped greatly, but newer artists by 2018 started finding us, and The Underground was still being served. With a dream, a vision and a little fire, anything can be accomplished. Artists who have been helped and brought to the light from this effort , are as follows, and these are just a handful – AMNIOTIC, Bleepeater, Whettman Chelmets, Adryelle, Lie Craze, Dead Scrimshaw, Amattik, AR89, Belial Pelegrim, Bufinjer, Jazzykat, DigitalSlumberParty, Jessica Grant, Fluffytails, B. Hasemeyer, Bedtime for Robots, Lemonade Kid, Meter Bridge, Nurse Predator, The Aircrash Bureau!, Sound Engraver.

The magazine returns

One night, as I was going through old site snapshots on waybackmachine, I looked up our old magazine, which use to be at weatnu-magazine.com and a flood of nostalgia filled me. Reading the articles, reviews, and interviews that many people had written, including myself, I thought it was time to bring the magazine back. I started working on a new magazine website, the one you are reading now. The artist needed a voice, not just their music to be heard, but why they do what they do. Publications are important to fans as well as artists. I was pleased to have this final part of the #WEATNU machine return, and this time, it would remain, just like its radio. With all parts together once more, Radio, label and magazine, things felt complete and it is my hope they all further the cause of the Independent artist.

The label itself has signed over 100 artists since 2014, many of which are still with us. With the radio returning, WEATNU [OUR] continues to help artists outside the label as well, be heard. With its 24/7 streaming radio, 365 days a year, and free to join. Showcasing many of these types of genres, while encompassing the electronic array.

The dream continues

WEATNU Records has taken in numerous genres and sub-genres over the years, such as Electronic, Electronica, Experimental, Industrial, Indiepop, Indie rock, Electro-pop, Synth-pop, Vaporwave, Trip-hop, Lo-fi, Instrumental Hip-hop, Synthwave, Darkwave, Ambient, Dark Ambient, Alt-rock, post-rock and so on, and we continue to allow The Underground artist to join. With the driving force of the unknown artist, we still have many people who support us behind the scenes. Many of whom are unnamed, but are greatly appreciated for letting others know what we do.

#WEATNU continues to help artists yearly, and that passion never dies. From 2014 and beyond, We are the New Underground is the heart of The Digital Underground, a beacon of hope for the artist who just wants to be noticed, without needing to sacrifice their hopes and dreams. We continue to help them. I hope this story of how we started influences you, and gives you hope that if you dream it, it will happen. We are the New Underground 10.10.2019 (originally published through Medium.com)

Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine – November 2019

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ArchivesInterviews
January 25, 2016
almark

Interview with: Victoria Bourdeau

“Canadian native, Victoria Bourdeau has been playing on WEATNU [OUR] (main) for some months now. We finally had a chance to get an interview with her this month. Her music comes from an influence of modern dubstep, Electronica, Deep House and Nordic pop.”

Interview by Almark

How long have you been a musician?

Victoria Bourdeau: You know, that’s an interesting question! I first started writing song lyrics in 2005 when the dream really came alive in me to do something outside of the box, and it’s become the greatest creative outlet for me besides drawing. When I got my first guitar on Christmas morning of 2009 I played it immediately, however something felt off, realizing I was a left handed guitar player with a right handed guitar I simply turned the guitar around and played it upside for two months until I got my father to help me re-string it.

What does music do for you when you create it?

VB: It opens up every possible door for creativity, and self-exploration, it’s like giving birth to a new way of embracing life. With different styles come different sounds, and with that you challenge yourself to become a better writer, and artist.

Any new material at this time?

VB: Yes! I’ve just finished recording a new track Called “Captive” and I hope to have it out shortly. Besides electronic music, I am constantly writing, EDM is just one side of what I do.

I understand you play the guitar and you also create electronic music using iOS apps?

VB: Yes, that’s correct, I create the electronic music from my phone, usually starting with the bass line and building the track around that.

Is WEATNU helping you to be noticed as an artist?

VB: Of course! Ever Since I’ve had contact with WEATNU the amount of support and encouragement I’ve received over Twitter and through the community of connected artists as well as through this WEATNU Records has been truly astounding to me. I still can’t believe all of the things that have happened this year, it’s just mind blowing. Also I want to take this time to thank friends and family that stayed by my side when things got rough, Thank you!

You have some pop elements in your music, does that somehow create a bigger picture for your electronic sound?

VB: I’ve never really thought of it in that manner to be quite honest with you, when I started out and still to this day, I’ve just wanted my sound to be unique enough, but familiar enough to the general public so that they get to experience a new vibe from my work. The intention was never to gravitate attention, it has always been simply to lift people’s spirits up and to inspire them.

As far as the area you live, is there a scene in your part of Canada?

VB: Honestly everybody just does their own thing which I think is cool.

What goals do you have as a musician?

VB: I try not to set goals because i feel they can make a person close-minded, I just go with whatever feels right for me in that moment, and just embrace every moment as it comes about, good or bad.

You also sing, are you planning on releasing anything in the future with your vocals?

VB: That may be a possibility for me one day in the future but for now I prefer to just let the music speak for itself.

Do you have any fav artists under WEATNU or WEATNU Records?

VB: Mm hmm, One of the artists that stands out a lot to me in not only style but class as well is Em Baker (Plike). Her sound is dark and atmospheric but leaves a very genuine and delicate impression on listeners.

What do you think about the current scene of electronic / DIY musicians these days?

VB: I think it’s wonderful, although I’m saddened that not more are recognized in the way they should be.

You’re a passionate and poetic person, how does music fit into your background, how did you begin?

VB: Music has always been apart of me. Just before I was born my father would crank up music to find that I was keeping perfect time to the harsh and violent beats of Motley Crüe . At just four months I was whistling, and by ten months I would hum myself to sleep.

I began music by studying the way different artists portrayed and conducted themselves on stage in a way that would get the crowd going, bringing the fans into that moment with them. If the artist was disconsolate, you felt it, if exuberant you felt that! It’s all about finding your path and growing from there.

Being one of the youngest of WEATNU, what do you think you can bring to your generation?

VB: I hope to be able to give back to people through my music and to inspire people to go after what they want in life contrary to what they believe they can succeed.

What influences you as an artist / musician to write?

VB: That’s a hard question to answer because everything in life inspires me to write, the bare leafless tress of winter clinging to life for one more season, the light of the moon at night, the miracle of life, the tides of the oceans and how the sea creatures respond to the different levels of water in their environment. Every little aspect of life is truly miraculous and breathing taking for me so it’s hard to answer that completely. I’m sorry.

Dreams of becoming?

VB: Someone who is able to inspire at least one person.

Tell us more about your new EP?

VB: Captive? Well It takes the form of many styles some of which are mixed. Deep House, Trap, EDM, Heavy Bass, Nordic Pop ect. For me it’s all about pushing the limits and not staying in one square box, because in time if I want to focus on one platform, it’s not something that wouldn’t have been familiar in my other music. The point is to stay as original as possible but also to constantly change it up, to have it be that no two songs are alike. I want each song on its own to speak for itself. That to me is how to keep things alive and is what the songs on my coming EP represent.

If there was one thing in life you could be remembered for what would it be?

VB: Being a risk taker.

Where do you see #WEATNU going in the next decade?

VB: I see it becoming a world-wide spread community of thriving artists.

Bagels or Donuts?
VB: Why do you do this to me!! Both are great but I’m afraid I have to choose Donuts, I’m so sorry Bagels!!

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Jan 25, 2016

Follow Victoria on Twitter:

‘With all respect: We lost Victoria in 2018, she was a greatly talented artist and one of us, she will never be forgotten.’

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December 24, 2015
almark

DIY / Electronic culture

Culture is an important part to music, as it dictates the direction of future music generations. Groups of people form together to make micro-scenes, one side you have Vaporwave, the other you have experimental / avant-garde, Synthwave, Synthpop and Dreampop. We’re living in a time where we no longer need to be fed music to find what we like; instead we search on the net. Indie music has always been the entrance to the underground. But the underground is far larger than the mainstream. Punk, Electronica, Techno, DnB, IDM. Have all come from the underground scene. There is a paradigm shift happening now, the Internet, social media and musicians can now form as one to share, over-share and saturate the virtual music scene. A flood of musicians pour into groups, forums, facebook, twitter and of course Tumblr at every moment. WEATNU is part of that culture, instead of filling it with confusing noise, it is filling the music world with an identity and culture #WEATNU culture. After nearly two decades we are seeing what Electronic music is becoming. The DIY scene + Electronic, is bringing to our ears, for the first time soloists in droves. Many of us who are in our 30s grew up listening to Grunge music and then later we broke away to find something different, thus the Electronic / DIY community began in our homes, apt’s, bedrooms and garages. Artists have to find ways to share their art, and WEATNU took that opportunity in doing so. Solo Electronic music is the future of music itself. The idea of the band is now a guy/girl on stage with a monome, ableton live, laptop and a small MIDI Controller.

But culture also encompasses the vibe itself, the DIY musician or band is elevated off the ground through their own promotion. Twitter becomes the manager, Facebook becomes the way to show others what you do and the list goes on. DIY culture is important because it tells another side of music history. What was born from the Internet after the year 2000 was this culture and it’s here to stay. WEATNU continues to discover and bring forth the greatest of these artists, their voices are heard from a great distance through the talent they display; whereas other publications and radio might dismiss their existence.  WEATNU is a culture all its own. An audience of fans waiting to hear something new and unique. The community of listeners become the culture and WEATNU is slowly becoming a hidden part of pop culture itself. In time it will be noticed by more and the artists who are both band and solo alike will have a platform to stand on and show their music to the world.

But there is more to the world of Electronic than DIY solo artists. WEATNU progresses through its search of the hidden artist, now pushing its way into the dance community. Holding together the experimentalist, producer, composer and finally DJ. Such a movement of avid artists creates avid fans. With the likes of labels such-as WARP Records and Ninja Tune, WEATNU is just as important as not only a movement but a record label as well. Net-radio continues to play the artists 24/7. For every new act that the DIY scene discovers, the music world continues to progress. And unlike the world of the mainstream, underground culture is always changing, always trying new ideas. Never holding to one thing for too long. It’s a raw, uncharted world that a person could never completely wade through and find every piece of music ever created. The Internet has become that world, now with endless artists doing something somewhere in any part of the world. Culture itself through the pop craze, or pop culture has always shaped a generation. The 80’s generation was shaped by MTV and British Pop, which later became more corp driven and started to lose its way well into the 2000’s. Experimental culture is once again showing up in the world of music. But the artists of tomorrow, the pioneers who are the next Gary Numan will come through the doors of WEATNU, or have already, and one more important part of underground culture will be noted in the history of music.  These DIY artists are important to music and the scene itself. We are seeing a new punk era forming right before our eyes. Thanks to the greatness of modern technology, and the Internet’s social media. Pop culture creates itself, naturally and WEATNU takes in the acts that are unnoticed and talented.

Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine – Dec 2015

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December 1, 2015
JC Luff

Roofy – Tweak Your Path

By JC Luff

“Tweak Your Path” from Corbin Roof ranks among the albums I used to keep in a wallet, with my Panasonic Shock Wave CD player. For me, Alt rock was about a re-arrangement of a number of genres into the kind of Rock that pushes the boundaries of both reality and broadcast (or publishing media), such that Alt Rock can change absolutely everything if it is embraced honestly. It’s about the right blend of tones, angst, and evolution. The layers of sounds and the experiences recounted in “Tweak Your Path” are a unique intersection of elements pure and twisted, and soul consuming… while life affirming, crafted brilliantly into a concept album that could influence Joe Camel to put down the cigarettes for a moment and consider his lungs.

When I went through a couple phases of bad experiences with the side effects of recreational chemicals, I decided that I would “Transmutate” (an Alchemical term, describing the transformation of lead into gold, for example) my fear, illness, and anger into electronic scenery and poetry. Over the years, I have met a few artists here and there who told me about their darkest hours being the brightest red lights in the jam rooms and such… However, Roofy delivers the full Monty in his exquisitely ordered, innovatively produced, and over all stone cold real cross-genre opus, “Tweak Your Path”.

I would not walk into a methadone clinic and suggest to everybody in the place that they write a concept album to heal from their conditions, but I would leave business cards for roofymusic.com anywhere I thought there could be people who think that they are struggling with their monsters alone… Or unsure how to build a creative foundation for their avant garde productions and / or recital careers… But, hold the phone ! I am not saying that “Tweak Your Path” is only an inspiration sewn from adversity, or a concept album that packs an emotional response to take the edge off, as if it were tailored to the fringe culture. I am also saying (typing quite loudly) that I am going to be blasting my advance copy at the next party without a DJ, because this album is flat out sick!

Roofy’s work (in context of broadcast value) Plays aces wild and is a versatile selection of room changing atmospheres and strategically engineered synthetic tones suitable for bar, or car, or office, or home, or in a box (and / or) with a fox.

It is very difficult to combine portamento synthesizer riffs, grunge over drive (guitars), strong lyrics, and iron clad counter-culture vocal harmony… And Then … To keep a trip together with the right meter flow and progression of keys and variants in percussion structures and such. I am inspired by this album on several fronts, and would suggest Roofy’s work to a diverse crowd, such that “Tweak Your Path” is a technical, artistic, and lyrical product that is packed with honesty, and all sorts of melodies to keep those keys tapping and add a good blend to the “CD changer” I work to.

All this having been said, I would like to tell all you cats out there in radio land that Corbin has been sober for over a year and three months, and that half of all proceeds of sales from “Tweak Your Path” will contribute to fellowships helping those who are struggling with addiction to give something back to society. There is absolutely no shame in being sober. Being an advocate for supporting individuals struggling with addiction shows society that even an artist named Roofy can create music that is worthwhile and serves a greater purpose.

You Can find “Tweak Your Path” on Bandcamp

Corbin Roof has created a gofundme campaign for the album to raise awareness for addiction. Even if the music is not your cup of tea, you can still help by going to the link below. Donations are appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/twcna538

 

Follow Roofy on Twitter. 

#WEATNU Digital Magazine Dec 2015

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November 2, 2015
almark

Interview with Corbin Roof

“A most prolific and unique musician. Corbin Roof comes from South Carolina with his genre-jumper electronic music. Now transitioning into sleep therapy and ASMR. Part of the #WEATNU machine, promotional indie supporter and music lover.”

Interview by Almark

Being one of the leading supporters, promoters of #WEATNU in a whole, you also write your own special style of electronic music. Would you like to talk about what it means to be a genre-jumper?

CR: It’s a term I coined as I started creating so many different types of musical pieces as a solo artist. I used to focus on just one type of genre per piece I was writing, but eventually I decided to starting putting two opposing styles together per song. Eventually I started writing more electronic rock music as it is easiest for me to produce with what I have readily accessible as far as instruments. The next album will also contain some electro-acoustic.

It’s a very cool concept. I hear all kinds of things, like a mid 90s sound, Fatboy slim, Dust brothers, NIN in your music, did you listen to a lot of those bands during that time?

CR: Fatboy Slim and his videos by Spike Jonez were a staple for me back in the 90’s. I saw NIN live in Columbia with the Jim Rose circus sideshow opening for them. I’ll never forget the level of stereo effects in that concert as sounds seemed to bounce from every sector of the crowd. I didn’t start wanting to create that kind of music though until after “The Fragile” album finally came out.

I hear a very NIN driven influence on Crowd Mover, along with a early 90s hip hop synth melody happening in the background.

CR: I bought a bass effects pedal that had great distortion patches. For some of my earliest albums I had would forgo guitars completely and just use distorted bass.

The album Sampler: ElectroRok is very speaker punishing, kicks you in your arse pretty hard.

CR: I LOVE DISTORTION (if you can’t tell)!!!!!!! I use the Scream distortion effects processor on Reason for literally most of my drums. Gives a more rounded sound quality to add distortion with some other clean percussion.

Are you using a heavy hand on the low EQ freqs in this album, really shakes the room on subs?
Though as you can guess, not everyone has access to subs. True, the distortion is very punishing on this album. How many instruments are you playing on the album?

CR: That’s that sub bass!!! I take it upon myself to listen to my music over at least three different sets of speakers before allowing the public to hear any piece. I usually start out with the Roland monitors while creating and mixing. Then playback on the iPhone6 to examine clarity over very small speakers. Then I have a small Bluetooth speaker that adds a little bass to it. Lastly, I listen to the piece over the car stereo; that also is equipped with sub bass, and test overall quality and peak volume.

Also, I’m playing seven different instruments over that album. Just bare in mind The Sampler albums span the last nine years, and I had a lot of different equipment back then.

So it’s a work as you go type album?
How did you happen to make all tracks sound like they were recorded in the same time period?

CR: That is due to a process I fine tuned for recording and mixing using Sonor and Reason. I had a PA system that I was running all the recorded instruments through. There is a faint hum or hiss in the background, and when I had an older DELL laptop I would occasionally get some bleed through of static from the computers audio processor. Something I couldn’t get a round with that recording process but now that I’m using a different laptop and recording process, I have lost that static.

You’re an advocate for the indie artist, what do you see happening in #WEATNU? 

CR: I see a lot of unclaimed opportunity for those not understanding why promoting others works most effectively for artists not willing to pay for promotion. If we started charging for promotion packages, like the spam I get and disregard all the time on Twitter, our movement would implode in a short time as members decided to weigh other options. WEATNU is what we as a whole make of it and as more join in I’m seeing that there are more and more serious supporters that are willing to promote other WEATNU artists, and the radio helps as well.

What is missing from #WEATNU that could possibly be corrected to further the advancement of this movement? Allowing us to reach the masses as this is our goal?

CR: Well I am forgoing the video for UNSTOPPABLE for a little while to work on two promotional videos for the WEATNU movement. I was actually waiting until this interview to unveil this idea to you and the rest of our members: artists placement. In the second year of WEATNU’s existence I would like to get more involved with each of the artists that are willing to take part in artists placement. And by the third year actually put artists placement into effect. There are some extremely talented musicians and minds in our movement and those that are dedicated from the beginning of their membership until the very end should be given a chance to find placement in film, TV, and advertisement if they so choose. It will show a real commitment from the movement to find placement for their music and in turn if they truly understand why the movement works so effectively for those willing to support it they will be more inclined to donate their time and money to its cause.

That’s a great idea, how would you go about giving them placement in tv?

CR: Well sites like Music Clout make you pay for a subscription through them to get “opportunities” to submit to various movies and advertising. This would NOT be a subscription or membership… It would be an opportunity for those that have seriously donated time and or money to WEATNU. I would talk personally about this to each member that fits that criteria and work on outlets for them on an individual basis. Each of the opportunities that are on those sites are posted all over the Internet, if you know where to look or even more importantly have the time to look. Weatnu Records is where I would start. I may not always have the time, as a father of soon to be 2 little girls, to make music, I will still devote my time to helping others.

It seriously just depends on what the opportunities posted are looking for. Some are just looking to fill a library of music for whatever is needed at the time the agency needs it. The problem is that our members are sitting on a LOT of great music that needs to get out there, but they don’t necessarily have the time to put into finding where it can go and be heard or hopefully heard.

So you’re working on yet another album, this time under Roofy?

Yes, but not under Roofy, only Corbin Roof. It’s an acoustic electronic album, “I’m starting for next year.” Roofy will have TWEAK YOUR PATH finishing out this year and then REWIRED next year & a few here and there collaborations. While I’m focusing on Corbin Roof branding next year to get into position for the children’s album 2017.

I figure shooting for a goal that far ahead will help to solidify the brand by that point as the sleep aid/ambient ASMR albums have been selling pretty well in comparison thus far.

You’ve also been writing on a new blog through tumblr called The Greatest Unknown musicians of our time, how is that going?

CR: I sometimes feel like I need a huge office with a cheap yet highly functional IKEA desk. Just got in all the musicians info for their spotlights on November’s blog, and already got the next batch of musicians together for December. So if anyone is interested, they can contact me and get on the waiting list. I have decided to contact Jordan Pier of Leaving Richmond at the last minute as his EP just came out (which is amazing) and really needs some exposure. “Just doing my job…” or something to that effect.
I have decided to just delve into everything I can possibly to continue the campaign for Roofy and start branding Corbin Roof with the goal of doing some “street” performances of my up coming album “The Semi-Hollow Box”.

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Oct 29, 2015

Follow Roofy on Twitter:

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