Bellerophon Records
Jean d’Auberlaque is a man of various of projects. He is
musically active and is also a founder of Bellerophon Records. Coming from
Germany he started playing guitar at the age of 12. First it was classical but
after he heard some of the early punk bands he was influenced to such an
extend, that he himself began playing in many bands. Punk is not the only
inspiration. He has been also very into “krautrock” and being a part
of the scene in the mid to late ’70s he attended quite a few concerts. He
especially likes Neu!, Kraftwerk and Faust. From late ’70s to the end of ’80s
he was studio musician and at that time he had a few less known post punk
bands. In late ’80s he and his long time friend Steven Tefkey started playing
in a band called She. This was in 1988, which was AOR kind of band and there
they met Scarlet, who is singer of Scarlet Utopia; a still going on project. He
was playing live and also in the studio and the very first group, that he
formed was called Silverheat. The band was based in Cologne back in 2000 and
played some very interesting new wave music with psychedelic overlays, but
never recorded any albums, cos it was pretty hard to make it happen due to the
financial level.
musically active and is also a founder of Bellerophon Records. Coming from
Germany he started playing guitar at the age of 12. First it was classical but
after he heard some of the early punk bands he was influenced to such an
extend, that he himself began playing in many bands. Punk is not the only
inspiration. He has been also very into “krautrock” and being a part
of the scene in the mid to late ’70s he attended quite a few concerts. He
especially likes Neu!, Kraftwerk and Faust. From late ’70s to the end of ’80s
he was studio musician and at that time he had a few less known post punk
bands. In late ’80s he and his long time friend Steven Tefkey started playing
in a band called She. This was in 1988, which was AOR kind of band and there
they met Scarlet, who is singer of Scarlet Utopia; a still going on project. He
was playing live and also in the studio and the very first group, that he
formed was called Silverheat. The band was based in Cologne back in 2000 and
played some very interesting new wave music with psychedelic overlays, but
never recorded any albums, cos it was pretty hard to make it happen due to the
financial level.
Around this time Jean met Mathias Black, who is an engineer
and producer. He was (and still is) working with legendary German composer and
electronic percussionist of Kraftwerk, Karl Bartos. Mathias Black is currently
in Bartos’ band and is touring for their latest release Off The Record. Jean
and Mathias decided they should regroup Silverheat and a new band was born;
Scarlet Utopia.
and producer. He was (and still is) working with legendary German composer and
electronic percussionist of Kraftwerk, Karl Bartos. Mathias Black is currently
in Bartos’ band and is touring for their latest release Off The Record. Jean
and Mathias decided they should regroup Silverheat and a new band was born;
Scarlet Utopia.
In 2009 their Adventures Under Blacklight came out and it
was produced by Joachim Heinz Ehrig [aka Eroc] member of Grobschnitt. But before the release of Scarlet
Utopia due to the troubles of finding the right label Jean got together with
Scarlet, Mathias and Ax Genrich of Guru Guru and started a project called Der
Petunienmann Von Metaluna Vier and they released Weisser Alarm. This project is
a mixture of space and noise rock music in a way of German experimental bands
back from the ’70s. Its traces can be found in Jean deep love for classical
music form Xenakis and Lachenmann, Faust, Kraftwerk, Morton Subotnick and Mort
Garson. Around that time Jean got an idea to start his own label Bellerophon Records and began releasing his own material. Today they feature a variety of
music from post punk to space rock, electro and minimal music. He and his
nephew Patrick Keuthen started the label and are managing to produce around ten
releases per year. Patrick is also their art director.
was produced by Joachim Heinz Ehrig [aka Eroc] member of Grobschnitt. But before the release of Scarlet
Utopia due to the troubles of finding the right label Jean got together with
Scarlet, Mathias and Ax Genrich of Guru Guru and started a project called Der
Petunienmann Von Metaluna Vier and they released Weisser Alarm. This project is
a mixture of space and noise rock music in a way of German experimental bands
back from the ’70s. Its traces can be found in Jean deep love for classical
music form Xenakis and Lachenmann, Faust, Kraftwerk, Morton Subotnick and Mort
Garson. Around that time Jean got an idea to start his own label Bellerophon Records and began releasing his own material. Today they feature a variety of
music from post punk to space rock, electro and minimal music. He and his
nephew Patrick Keuthen started the label and are managing to produce around ten
releases per year. Patrick is also their art director.
Please present us artists from your label and tell us
what kind of music are they playing?
what kind of music are they playing?
We have an interesting range of artists with different
musical backgrounds. Post-Punk, especially cold wave is a passion that Patrick
and I share. So it is safe to say, that Bellerophon is kind of a homebase for
acts of that genre. First in line is “Peru, like the Country”, which is Patricks brainchild. PLTC is also the first band that we signed on Bellerophon Records.
Other groups from this genre are “The Orpheus Replica” and “Tremor of Numbers”. The
Garage outfit “The Four Horsemen” did a one-off release with us; as did the “Projekt Oktopus”. In “Laaud” we have some “krautrock”, but with a twisted, very
unique approach. Besides that, my Alter
Ego “Der Petunienmann von Metaluna Vier” deals with that special sound of German
origin. Bass music, electronic beats in general and deep house is represented
by “Silverheat”, while “Scarlet Utopia” singer Scarlet Rose offers some
non-puristic Blues through the side project “Pitch and Brimstone”. We just signed
the great one-man band “Rocco Recycle”, who does some blues-laden, very good and
also very entertaining stuff.
musical backgrounds. Post-Punk, especially cold wave is a passion that Patrick
and I share. So it is safe to say, that Bellerophon is kind of a homebase for
acts of that genre. First in line is “Peru, like the Country”, which is Patricks brainchild. PLTC is also the first band that we signed on Bellerophon Records.
Other groups from this genre are “The Orpheus Replica” and “Tremor of Numbers”. The
Garage outfit “The Four Horsemen” did a one-off release with us; as did the “Projekt Oktopus”. In “Laaud” we have some “krautrock”, but with a twisted, very
unique approach. Besides that, my Alter
Ego “Der Petunienmann von Metaluna Vier” deals with that special sound of German
origin. Bass music, electronic beats in general and deep house is represented
by “Silverheat”, while “Scarlet Utopia” singer Scarlet Rose offers some
non-puristic Blues through the side project “Pitch and Brimstone”. We just signed
the great one-man band “Rocco Recycle”, who does some blues-laden, very good and
also very entertaining stuff.
My main band “Scarlet Utopia” is another core artist for Bellerophon. Some magazines misinterpreted this group as a progressive outfit,
but I think it’s something else instead: a marriage between hawkwindish space rock and new wave comparable best with Siouxsie and the Banshees and/or the
Sisters of Mercy. There is no real prog-background in Scarlet Utopia. No
instrumental wizardry, no vocal-histrionics, no pomp, just a groovin backbeat
under some cold and dark musical landscapes. As the english Classic Rock
Magazine wrote: Mazzy Star meets Soundgarden.
but I think it’s something else instead: a marriage between hawkwindish space rock and new wave comparable best with Siouxsie and the Banshees and/or the
Sisters of Mercy. There is no real prog-background in Scarlet Utopia. No
instrumental wizardry, no vocal-histrionics, no pomp, just a groovin backbeat
under some cold and dark musical landscapes. As the english Classic Rock
Magazine wrote: Mazzy Star meets Soundgarden.
Besides that we collaborate with remixers, for example the “Pawn Shop People”, our american friend “Cloudroom” and “Ulm West Deep”. Patrick – and me as well
– are fond of bass music, so we decided
to pimp our tiny post punk label with some well crafted deep house and nu rave.
– are fond of bass music, so we decided
to pimp our tiny post punk label with some well crafted deep house and nu rave.
In what format are you releasing your music?
Bellerophon is a download-label mainly. The normal issue for
us is a download – EP, sometimes followed up by a special remix edition. Besides
that we mainly have CD-releases of albums.
Vinyl-pressings are regular for singles.
us is a download – EP, sometimes followed up by a special remix edition. Besides
that we mainly have CD-releases of albums.
Vinyl-pressings are regular for singles.
Sometimes we cooperate with other labels for vinyl releases; Scarlet Utopia released Adventures Under Black Light on green and
black wax via Nasoni Records. “Peru, like the Country” have a 12 inch release in
cooperation with Microfon Records. The latest “Der Petunienmann von Metaluna Vier” album Magnetbandaufzeichnung is also available on cassette.
black wax via Nasoni Records. “Peru, like the Country” have a 12 inch release in
cooperation with Microfon Records. The latest “Der Petunienmann von Metaluna Vier” album Magnetbandaufzeichnung is also available on cassette.
So it is safe to say, that we do rather everything, including video. “Scarlet Utopia” for example accompanied the Supernovae EP with
a professional HD-Video. In fact, we use every kind of storage medium.
a professional HD-Video. In fact, we use every kind of storage medium.
How do you decide to sign up with particular artists?
We concentrate on only a few artists, because we think it is
better to have a small but effective high quality roster. We don’t sign any
band that we don’t know personally. We don’t listen to demos. Every single artist has a relation to us. Our customers have a special taste, and we feel
responsible for granting a unique kind of quality. Sometimes it’s a friend of
Patrick that we sign, or a cousin of mine or a buddy of one of our house
producers. We want to keep it simple and clear
at this very moment. The label should grow gently. Perhaps we will widen
the spectre in the upcoming years. The goal is to establish Bellerophon as a
label with an own identity. Maybe some people will call that hubris, but on the
deep end this is our approach.
better to have a small but effective high quality roster. We don’t sign any
band that we don’t know personally. We don’t listen to demos. Every single artist has a relation to us. Our customers have a special taste, and we feel
responsible for granting a unique kind of quality. Sometimes it’s a friend of
Patrick that we sign, or a cousin of mine or a buddy of one of our house
producers. We want to keep it simple and clear
at this very moment. The label should grow gently. Perhaps we will widen
the spectre in the upcoming years. The goal is to establish Bellerophon as a
label with an own identity. Maybe some people will call that hubris, but on the
deep end this is our approach.
Would you like to comment both of your music project. What’s
the story behind making Scarlet Utopia and Der Petunienmann Von Metaluna Vier
and what is the main difference between the two and how was it to collaborate
with Ax Geinrich of Guru Guru?
the story behind making Scarlet Utopia and Der Petunienmann Von Metaluna Vier
and what is the main difference between the two and how was it to collaborate
with Ax Geinrich of Guru Guru?
Scarlet Utopia is a bulk amalgamation of new wave admirers
that have an affinity to seventies acid- and space rock. That was quite a weird
combination in the beginning, but we think that we developed a compelling sound
from that mixture. Scarlet herself is
pretty much sounding like Siouxsie Sioux to my ears – and not only to mine.
This matches perfectly with Stephens and also with my own musical preferences.
The co-ordinates for Scarlet Utopia is early Faust on the one hand, serial classical music, repetitive beats, and besides that new wave in general. We all
love Gang of Four, Joy Division and New Order.
that have an affinity to seventies acid- and space rock. That was quite a weird
combination in the beginning, but we think that we developed a compelling sound
from that mixture. Scarlet herself is
pretty much sounding like Siouxsie Sioux to my ears – and not only to mine.
This matches perfectly with Stephens and also with my own musical preferences.
The co-ordinates for Scarlet Utopia is early Faust on the one hand, serial classical music, repetitive beats, and besides that new wave in general. We all
love Gang of Four, Joy Division and New Order.
Der Petuniemann von Metaluna Vier was kind of a “just for fun” project in the
very beginning. After a short while I realised, that this moniker could be the
perfect place for my leftfield activities. No chance to honour Morton Subotnick
or Conlon Nancarrow inside the Scarlet Utopia. But a guy called “Petunia Dude” from a planet called “Metaluna
Four” (roughly translated) can do
anything he wants! So I did. Some people think, that this is balderdash. But it
is not. I am serious. I mean that. I love that. And I also love the artistic
mismatch between some single tunes and/or full releases of dPvM4. So the main
difference between Scarlet and dPvM4 is, that Scarlet is a band and dPvM4 is a
project where anything goes.
very beginning. After a short while I realised, that this moniker could be the
perfect place for my leftfield activities. No chance to honour Morton Subotnick
or Conlon Nancarrow inside the Scarlet Utopia. But a guy called “Petunia Dude” from a planet called “Metaluna
Four” (roughly translated) can do
anything he wants! So I did. Some people think, that this is balderdash. But it
is not. I am serious. I mean that. I love that. And I also love the artistic
mismatch between some single tunes and/or full releases of dPvM4. So the main
difference between Scarlet and dPvM4 is, that Scarlet is a band and dPvM4 is a
project where anything goes.
Besides these activities I am still releasing proper solo
work under my name Jean d’Auberlaque. First I released a tune on our 10inch vinyl – Label Collection “A bellerophon Sampler”. Now I am looking forward to my
debut 7 inch single: “Turqoise”. A long player is also in the making. It is called “The Durutti Column”, to be released in this year’s autumn. And – before you
ask – the title of that forthcoming record is an hommage to one of my
favourite musicians: Vini Reilly.
work under my name Jean d’Auberlaque. First I released a tune on our 10inch vinyl – Label Collection “A bellerophon Sampler”. Now I am looking forward to my
debut 7 inch single: “Turqoise”. A long player is also in the making. It is called “The Durutti Column”, to be released in this year’s autumn. And – before you
ask – the title of that forthcoming record is an hommage to one of my
favourite musicians: Vini Reilly.
You also questioned about the Ax Genrich connection: Easy to tell. I asked him if he would like to
collaborate – and this nice guy and great musician simply said “yes”. Thats it.
I feel very honoured about Ax‘s contribution to my album Weisser Alarm. He
plays a fantastic 7 minute solo on “Rolf Ulrich Kaiser”, a tune that deals with
the erratic person behind the Ohr and Pilz labels. I am pretty sure, that there
is an opportunity for further collaborations.
collaborate – and this nice guy and great musician simply said “yes”. Thats it.
I feel very honoured about Ax‘s contribution to my album Weisser Alarm. He
plays a fantastic 7 minute solo on “Rolf Ulrich Kaiser”, a tune that deals with
the erratic person behind the Ohr and Pilz labels. I am pretty sure, that there
is an opportunity for further collaborations.
How many releases do these two bands have?
On Bellerophon Scarlet Utopia have released Adventures Under
Black Light Vinyl/CD/DL, the Supernovae EP – Maxi/DL, the 7 inch Supernovae b/w
Ralph, the Omega Black – download only, and some material through other labels,
on covermount CDs (Classic Rock Magazines Space Rock! 15 interstellar
Tracks., f.e.) The first ever release
from Scarlet Utopia is a Cassette/CD-R, that was self released and called Fiat
Lux! This is very rare – I don’t have saved at least a single copy for myself.
Black Light Vinyl/CD/DL, the Supernovae EP – Maxi/DL, the 7 inch Supernovae b/w
Ralph, the Omega Black – download only, and some material through other labels,
on covermount CDs (Classic Rock Magazines Space Rock! 15 interstellar
Tracks., f.e.) The first ever release
from Scarlet Utopia is a Cassette/CD-R, that was self released and called Fiat
Lux! This is very rare – I don’t have saved at least a single copy for myself.
Der Petunienmann von Metaluna Vier was also very busy via Bellerophon: Weisser Alarm CD/DL,
Checkmate DL only, Der Mensch hat seinen Stern verlassen Maxi/DL and
Magnetbandaufzeichnung Cassette/DL
Checkmate DL only, Der Mensch hat seinen Stern verlassen Maxi/DL and
Magnetbandaufzeichnung Cassette/DL
What are future plans for the two bands?
Scarlet Utopia suffers hard times. Our drummer became very
ill in 2012 and still isn‘t able to perform, also our bass player Stephen is
not available since 2013. So every release, formerly planned for 2013, has now a serious delay. But there also is good news: The EP Fairytales from another Universe is
nearly finished anyway. On the other hand the long awaited concept album Black
Halo Pyramid which deals with Erich von Danikens Theories, surely won‘t see the light of day before
2016, I suppose. This is very sad, but inevitable. DPvM4 is working on a new
recording called Atomvulkan Golkonda, to be released earliest in winter 2014.
ill in 2012 and still isn‘t able to perform, also our bass player Stephen is
not available since 2013. So every release, formerly planned for 2013, has now a serious delay. But there also is good news: The EP Fairytales from another Universe is
nearly finished anyway. On the other hand the long awaited concept album Black
Halo Pyramid which deals with Erich von Danikens Theories, surely won‘t see the light of day before
2016, I suppose. This is very sad, but inevitable. DPvM4 is working on a new
recording called Atomvulkan Golkonda, to be released earliest in winter 2014.
And future plans for the label?
We have just issued the “Peru, like the Country” 7 inch Single Distance. Currently we are building up a bandcamp store for all the physical
media of our artists. Next to come are
some really good releases from:
media of our artists. Next to come are
some really good releases from:
The Orpheus Replica –
Glory (EP)/ Tremor of Numbers – Toxic Waste (Single)/ Pitch and
Brimstone – Starclouds and Planets (EP)/ Jean d’Auberlaque – Turqoise (Single)/ Silverheat – Gravitiy (Single)/
Scarlet Utopia – Fairy Tales from another Universe.
Glory (EP)/ Tremor of Numbers – Toxic Waste (Single)/ Pitch and
Brimstone – Starclouds and Planets (EP)/ Jean d’Auberlaque – Turqoise (Single)/ Silverheat – Gravitiy (Single)/
Scarlet Utopia – Fairy Tales from another Universe.
We still have some nice merchandise in stock, like T-shirts,
Caps and Stickers from the Label and also some of our core Artists. A goal is
to built up a Label-Fanbase in the future, but anyway, this depends on the
quality of the music for sure. So let us see what happens.
Caps and Stickers from the Label and also some of our core Artists. A goal is
to built up a Label-Fanbase in the future, but anyway, this depends on the
quality of the music for sure. So let us see what happens.
Would you like to share anything else?
I would really love to turn your readers view onto the
superb artwork of our releases. Our Art Director Patrick Keuthen is responsible
for the complete Bellerophon catalogue. This means every single record cover,
every poster, advertisement and band-logo. These circumstances make Bellerophon
an interesting label also for collectors. Given the fact we have a label brand
not only musically but in artwork as well. In my opinion, Patrick’s effort is
comparable to the iconic designs of Trevor Jackson, Peter Saville or Kate
Moross without presumption.
superb artwork of our releases. Our Art Director Patrick Keuthen is responsible
for the complete Bellerophon catalogue. This means every single record cover,
every poster, advertisement and band-logo. These circumstances make Bellerophon
an interesting label also for collectors. Given the fact we have a label brand
not only musically but in artwork as well. In my opinion, Patrick’s effort is
comparable to the iconic designs of Trevor Jackson, Peter Saville or Kate
Moross without presumption.
I would also love to invite you and all of your admirers to
visit our homepage www.bellerophon-records.com
to get an overview. Also our label soudcloud is very interesting, and
some of our artists soundpages allow free downloads. Just give the music a try.
Here are some examples, please check:
visit our homepage www.bellerophon-records.com
to get an overview. Also our label soudcloud is very interesting, and
some of our artists soundpages allow free downloads. Just give the music a try.
Here are some examples, please check:
Last but not least I would love to offer your readers a
little present: Name the title of the latest PLTC 7 inch single in an e-mail address to
bellerophon.records@googlemail.com The first 5 senders will get a free
promo package consisting of that particular 7inch record, a dPvM4
Magnetbandaufzeichnung Cassette and a Bellerophon sticker. So just check it
out, folks.
little present: Name the title of the latest PLTC 7 inch single in an e-mail address to
bellerophon.records@googlemail.com The first 5 senders will get a free
promo package consisting of that particular 7inch record, a dPvM4
Magnetbandaufzeichnung Cassette and a Bellerophon sticker. So just check it
out, folks.
Interview made by Klemen Breznikar/2014
© Copyright http://psychedelicbaby.blogspot.com/2014
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