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News: Remote Area: 2000 and One's own label
Remote Area represents the underground sound of amsterdam, and the Netherlands in general. founded in 2006 by veteran techno producer Dylan hermelijn – active since 1990 as 2000 and one, and co-founder of the 100 % pure label – it hit paydirt with its second release, pecan by microfunk (hermelijn plus Dave ellesmere). the label’s signature sound, minimal techno with a club feel, has rejuvenated not just Dutch club music but the global techno scene in general.
It is all the fortuitous result of a series of happy coincidences. Dylan Hermelijn tells the story: “I stopped producing techno in the late ‘90s and returned to the fold in 2003. There was a new sound, minimal, instigated by producers from Germany. And in Amsterdam, there was a new generation of producers and aspiring producers. With Dave Ellesmere, I was working on a new track, Pecan, and that didn’t fit the classic 100% Pure sound. So I figured: it’s better to set up a new label for this new sound. Concurrently, I was handed demos by this new generation of Amsterdam producers: David Labij, Lauhaus, Boris Werner, Julien Chaptal and Kabale Und Liebe. Perfect for the new label; a new platform for a new generation.”
Remote 002, the Pecan track, turned out to be a cross-over club monster, caned by the usual suspects (Sven Väth, Luciano, Richie Hawtin et al) and name jocks of various stripes, including Tiësto and Roger Sanchez. “It made Remote Area a household name and it brought a fresh energy to the underground scene – in Holland and beyond”, Hermelijn says. He is not bluffing, upstart producers from Berlin to Napels take their cue from the label’s output. “The oil spill is spreading”, he adds with a chuckle.
Extended family
Remote Area has a quality most ‘classic’ labels share, it functions like it’s an extended family. Hermelijn: “Young producers call for advise and we help them out. We help them to set up their own labels, we sort out licensing deals or remix assignments. All in a natural way. I have to admit that I do feel a bit of responsibility.”
Looking back to 2003, when he dusted off his studio and picked up the gauntlet again, Dylan Hermelijn is baffled by the contrast to the Amsterdam dance scene of today. “It’s like night and day. In 2003, the new generation was clubbing, not producing; and oldskool producers from the ‘90s were isolated individualists. Now it’s all about working together. And it doesn’t stop at the music. There’s dinners and social activities as well. Friendship makes the difference. The egotistical dj superstar is no hero in Amsterdam. And the music’s creative. It’s all about mutual inspiration and reciprocity.”
For the upcoming year, Remote Area and its sublabel Area Remote (“For foreign producers”) have slated a series of releases by the next next generation. “The generation of Lauhaus has inspired young Dutch producers like Rauwkost, Tom Ruijg and Anton Pieete.” Next year, Remote Area will release tracks by Bar 27, Wouter de Moor and Naald & Draad (‘Needle & Thread’, two female producers). “For Area Remote, I’ve signed Martinez (Denmark), Smoking Jo (UK) and Einzelkind (Germany), among others.” And after 20 vinyl and two album releases, Remote Area is planning the debut album of Kabale Und Liebe and a label compilation showcasing the various ‘dance classes’ (or generations) assembled by the label. “Let me tell you”, Hermelijn says in his best conspiring voice, “in the years to come, the Dutch will dominate this style of club music.”
Remote Area will release an digital label compilation featuring 15 artists and tracks this Fall. At ADE, Remote Area presents Remote Areas, a label night at De Melkweg (both Oude Zaal and Max) on Sunday, October 25, featuring (almost) all of the label’s artists.
Source: DJ Broadcast / Alfred Bos
Return to the Dutch guide to ADE 2009 index
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