Label Focus – Mecanica

The Polish label bringing you the toughest industrial gear about

WHAT’S THE NAME OF YOUR LABEL, AND WHO RUNS IT?

It’s just Mecanica and is run only by me (César) with the support of some collaborators.

WHEN & WHY DID THE LABEL START?

Mecanica started in 2013 in Mexico as an extension of a record shop over there.  Actually, there was never the purpose to begin a record label, only to support some bands releasing their work in North America. However, some other releases came and all of a sudden it became a real thing.

GIVE US A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU’VE RELEASED SINCE THEN….

We have worked on re-releases by Dive, Absolute Body Control, Die Form, Revolting Cocks, Pailhead, Aviador Dro, The Force Dimension, Robotiko Rejekto, Vomito Negro, Carlos Perón and also some new works of Randolph & Mortimer, Andi and group A.

WHAT QUALITIES ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE MUSIC YOU RELEASE?

The label has been focusing to revival of classic EBM, industrial, techno and other electronic stuff. Anyway, there is always a small space open for some new music. We try to keep a balance between our own tastes and something that would be interesting for the music lovers.

WHAT KIND OF VISUAL IDENTITY DOES THE LABEL HAVE (ARTWORK, VIDEOS, ETC)?

We look to keep minimalistic aesthetics. We make lot of re-issues and we always try to keep the original design or prepare something inspired by old-time style. For this reason, we work together with people who share our taste and ideas, not only in terms of graphic design but also audio treatment and other aspects.

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SELLING RELEASE TO DATE?  TELL US A BIT ABOUT IT AND WHY YOU THINK IT WAS SO POPULAR.

I have a few in mind but I would like to mention Nihon No Wave. This is a compilation of Japanese minimal-synth-wave from the ’80s that we released on limited double vinyl and digital in 2018.

There is an increasing interest in Europe and America for obscure Japanese music and the release appeared when this tendency was starting to grow. The demand for this compilation was really overwhelming and sold out in a few weeks. There will definitely be a new pressing coming soon and a second part is already in the process.

NAME ONE RELEASE THAT YOU THINK DESERVED TO GET MORE ATTENTION THAN IT DID               

Definitely the re-release of Fragmentos De Ocio En El Hocico Del Cerdo by the Mexican outfit Ford Proco. This album originally from 1993 is a surrealistic and sublime melt of industrial, techno and sonic experimentalism.

Ford Proco is considered a pioneering act of advanced electronic music in Mexico, combining such diverse and disparate influences as Cabaret Voltaire, Coil or Meat Beat Manifesto. We re-released this album in 2019 as double vinyl with extra tracks and a bonus CD including a selection of experimental industrial cuts from their first demo tapes.

IF YOU COULD SIGN ANY ARTIST, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I would definitely love to re-release something by Front 242. Just because it is a personal favourite.

WHICH OTHER LABELS DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?

If we are talking about background and influences, Wax Trax! Records takes the top position because of the countless seminal bands they released and the cult following this label created. There are other classic labels that had such a big impact on me in terms of music and/or image like 4AD, Zoth Ommog, Antler-Subway, Hyperium, Cri Du Chat, etc. More recently, I like the work done by Vinyl-On-Demand, Ant-Zen, Northern Electronics, Minimal Wave and the early years of Dark Entries.

WHAT CAN WE LOOK TO FROM YOUR LABEL NEXT?

We are working on some re-releases of early stuff from bands as divergent as Front Line Assembly, Deutsch Nepal and Boytronic. There are also planned some releases by Dive, Recall IV, Schneebezen, Tomo Akikawabaya and Schicksal.

Mic Sheehy