Skudge & Kontra Musik team up on new SKUM label

Swedish labels join forces for new series – Frak, TM404 and Skudge feature on first release.

Founded in 2005, the Malmo-based Kontra-Musik has become a true force in contemporary techno of all shades, releasing material from both Swedish artists including Agaric, Andreas Tilliander and Jonsson/Alter, and US producers such as Luke Hess and Jus Ed. Skudge’s own label endeavours are much newer in comparison, but have followed a similar path, with their own material emboldened by two further labels in Skudge Presents and Skudge White, both of which have actively advocated a combination of homegrown and international talent.

News of an ongoing collaborative label between these twin behemoths of Scandinavian techno makes for quite a logical step; both have previously been instrumental in promoting Swedish acts of varying vintage in Rivet and Fishermen. MRSK from the latter duo features on the forthcoming SKUM One, presumably the first in a series of releases culled from both the rosters of both labels, alongside Skudge themselves, the ever reliable Andreas Tilliander (in TM404 mode) and Frak.

Available to preview below, the debut SKUM release is deftly split down the middle; the A-side is Swedish techno at its finest with “Absurd” finding Skudge in typically murky mood, drawing out alien chords over an insistent dubby throb, whilst MRSK offers an exercise in exuberant freneticism with “Less Youth (Culture Mix)”. An altogether more cerebral B-side has Tilliander drawing on the same idiosyncratic manipulation of Roland machinery as his excellent TM404 LP with “303/303/303/606/707”, whilst Frak’s well-regarded usage of flatulent analogue machinery and recycled breakbeats is prevalent once more on “Deeper Thoughts”.

SKUM will release V/A – SKUM One on limited 12″ later this month.

Tracklisting:

A1. Skudge – Absurd
A2. MRSK – Less Youth (Culture Mix)
B1. TM404 – 303/303/303/606/707
B2. Frak – Deeper Thoughts