Diskono (collective)
Founded in July 1998 and existing until the first days of 2003, Diskono were a collective (aged 25-32) from Scotland who organised cardboard horse rodeo contests, one legged dog racing, blindfold cinema outings and glass bottle smashing contests. "Diskono is a now sadly dysfunctional label, which used to have one of the strongest profiles in European computer music. Every release explored brand new territories in sound, packaging, design and distribution, and one could not blame them for comprising. Artists recording for the label were a real "who is who" of electronic musicians, which a look at their discography clarifies. Around 2003 the label seemed to fall apart with its members moving on to other fields in the arts. A great label, which is sadly missed and is starting to become very collectible." - Tide, 2006 "Diskono never ceases to amaze us with their activities" Vital Weekly (NL) Listing their hobbies as "sleeping, waking up, smoking, throwing things" the past members of Diskono were Joseph Sergej Velez aka His Cigar Smoke Was Unmissably Subtle, Klaus Oldanburg, Findo Gask, Dr Barnes Advocaat, Jabes Labelle, Ruth Random, Dr. Barnes Advocaat, Kosten Koper, Ttocshagg Forfib, Joel Ongthorne ; although these may be pseudonyms for the same person or people. Together or alone, they / he / she operated a record label releasing sound art & "avant garde flicks of the wrist" as well as curating exhibitions (most notably 'Revisionland' by Alejandara & Aeron which was a Prix Ars Electronia winner), playing and promoting concerts. Diskono released music by figures such as Felix Kubin, Alejandra & Aeron, Kid 606, Pimmon, Nomex, Ashtray Navigations, People Like Us, Francisco Lopez, Goodiepal, V/vm, Hrvatski. From 1999 - 2001 Diskono infamously held sporadic "physical remix" club nights in which the audience were encouraged to bring along records, deface them and then DJ with them. "Physical Remix" was a neologism coined by an illiterate postman, "physical remix" works combine non-synchronous film, the surface noise of vinyl records and the mechanics of turntables with physically enacted spontaneous composition to instigate a "de-constructive analysis that is capable of releasing renewed tensions between artist, product and audience". This research manifested itself through a performance & lecture piece entitled "Play Wow", a film made with Glasgow artist Rob Kennedy entitled "You're Not Blank" (2002) and two 7' vinyl record releases (1999 & 2001); wherin original sounds by artists Janek Schaefer and Todd Carter were "physically remixed" by over 200 visual and sound artists worldwide. (Glasgow University Press review of Diskono 'physical remix' evening 14.11.99):
"For too long popular culture has been about homogenous clubs that treat the individual as if they're no better than cattle. Diskono provide the chance for you to get involved at the most basic level. So, the set up for the night includes two 'open-access' decks situated next to a large pile of records. It's here that the audience become performers as they 'personalize' various pieces of kitsch, and rare club classics, with lighters and Stanley knives. Once placed on the decks these records jump around in seemingly random patterns, creating complex, undulating rhythms that only start making sense somewhere in the middle of your head."kostenkoperworks.blogspot.com/2001/12/misc-diskono-1998-2001.html
