Aljandro Vidal
(artist from SPAIN)

　
1. please introduce yourslf

My name is Alejandro Vidal. I am an artist working in a various media like drawing, painting, video and installation.
These last years I`ve been investigating about the aesthetic that is prior to violence. Forthcoming shows in Barcelona, Stockholm and London.
< http://www.galeriat4.com >
< http://www.konstakuten.com >
< http://www.vtogallery.com >
2. what do you think about your domestic electronic music scene?

The Electronic scene in Barcelona is quite poor. There are just a few labels without influence outside and not very inventive proposals. There are some good musicians in town that find very difficult to promote and release their music. There are not electronic music magazines.

The Club scene is basically oriented to a teenager audience with some well known techno dj's and most of the time only dance oriented stuff. Sonar festival is the only time in the year when something happen. I am critic with it because the bigger it becomes the more commercial and boring it is.
Now it seems in hands of big coorporations. Just a bussiness. Their monopolistic situation in Barcelona as the only big promoters doesnt benefit the city at all.
There is not a good connection between all the people involved in the scene. The audience is very small regarding serious electronic events. Poor situation.


3. what do you think about european electronic music scene?

The situation in Europe is not bad. Uk and Germany are at the front in production and their scenes are usually vibrant. London concentrates a big number of labels,clubs,magazines and the proposals are normally interesting.
There are new labels like expanding records , Vertical Form, leaf taht are releasing good music and pushing classics like warp or Rephlex to the corner.
Same is happening in Berlin with this new electro revival and excellent labels like scape re-inventing the dub experience. The berlin club scene is really moving and alive in constant evolution.
Far from these points there are some good labels in France, Switzerland (spezial material) and eastern europe.
4. what do you think about north ameriacn electronic music scene?

I am not familiar with the american electronic music scene. Schematic is usually releasing good artists. Chocolate industries, Merckz and others like the Beta Bodega Posse with their attitude are amomg the more interesting.


5. do you know the japanese electronic music scene? and are you interested in it?

I am very interested about the electronic scene in Japan. Its difficult in Europe to be on the know about it. I follow with interest the music of Aoki Takamasa. I found he is one of the most interesting addittions to the music scene these past years.


Apart from Progressive Form I discover last sonar other japanese artists and I was curious about a label called Atak ,a japanese journalist recommend it to me but I havent listened to it yet.
6. what do you think about future of electronic music?

I think you are asking me about the use of visuals and all these multimedia stuff that is now very trendy. I found the association between music and visuals is allright. People is fascinated with screens. I am more interested in the music. As a visual artist I dont see the point often to most of the video projections in clubs and festivals.

A music environment understanding it as a climate that someone create to enjoy more the music is more interesting. I remember the installation Brian Eno did at the RCA in London for the Sonic Boom show. It was really good. In terms of production its quite difficult to do it as usually live acts are for the masses and not intimate at all.


7. do you have any interests in current music scene?

Yes ,I have interest in current electronic scene. Recently I am not listening surprising music. Last year I was impressed with Murcof, Einoma, Codec Scovill, Silex, Fiat600, Aoki Takamasa, Loscil...

I think its difficult to consume all the music is release and for those fortunate enough to have the chance to listen to most of it, its everyday more difficult to find gems among all the stuff.

I am now lsitening loads of non electronic music. From Jazz to Indian classical music to composers like Arvo Pt, Terry Riley or Anouar Brahem.
8. if you have something to add, feel free.

I think I said enough Keep working and lets push the creative boundaries. We need a world in peace , to get rid of Bush and his mad squad like the spanish president Aznar, awful guy.
And I agree with Aoki , you should quit smoking soon.


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