We are excited to have the opportunity to dive into the realms of Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX, the second compilation from Eskimo Recordings. Curated by the talented Berlin-based Musician and DJ Luca Venezia, widely known as Curses, this collection delves into the darker side of club music. With a staggering 49 tracks spread across 3CDs and three 2LPs, Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX masterfully connects the dots between early industrial pioneers like Throbbing Gristle, the legends of EBM such as Nitzer Ebb, and the boundary-pushing post-punk experiments of Malcolm McLaren and Big Audio Dynamite. Alongside these iconic names, Curses presents an array of exciting contemporary artists like Boy Harsher, Nuovo Testamento, Years of Denial and Soft Crash. While the first chapter of Next Wave Acid Punx was a personal journey for Luca during the lockdown, DEUX celebrates the liberation of this music, the exhilaration of live performances, the immersive ambiance of smoke-filled clubs, the sharing of the dance-floor and the exceptional talents of the artists that grace those stages. We asked Luca a few questions on this extraordinary compilation and about his upcoming plans.
1. Hi Luca and thanks for dedicating some time to answer my questions; Can you tell me about the inspiration behind compiling and curating Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX?
The first NWAP Compilation was a bit of a biographical personal musical journey, influences etc, while DEUX is more of a celebration of like-minded artists who mix electronic with live in the darker, romantic spectrum. Think of the comp as a night out; you go hearsome live bands, then hit another spot with some DJ’s, and then end up at the warehouse rave till sunrise.
2. What was the main drive for you to explore the darker side of club music for this specific release?
I am always swimming in the deep end of dark club music, DEUX is just about sharing others who embrace a similar sonic taste..
3. How did you go about selecting the artists and tracks that would be included in the compilation?
The first chapter is comprised of influential tracks from the past, late 70’s to 80’s electronic acts like Throbbing Gristle to D.A.F…. while Chapter 2 and 3 invites a lot of artists who I consider good friends and peers I admire. Whether it’s someone prolific like The Hacker, or new and up and coming like Dame Area, every artist shares a unique but similar influence and sound that always leads back to early E.B.M, Electro, Acid, Punk or Wave.
4. Are there any memorable experiences or night stories that influenced your choices for this compilation?
After moving to Europe in 2014, I noticed more of a symbiosis between live music and electronic. A dark wave band could be performing at midnight and a DJ would play after in the same venue, the sort of parties MILK-ME do at Urban Spree are a good example of this in Berlin, or Night Terrors and SC&P in London.
5. How would you describe the overall atmosphere you aimed to capture with Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX?
Dark and romantic, of course
6. What are your feelings and thoughts about the whole project after its completion?
Response has been overwhelmingly good, which feels really great because it took a lot of blood sweat and tears! My favorite reaction is when people discover this music for the first time… I am envious of that moment, because the first time is always the best.
7. What’s next?
I’ll be dropping a 12″ on Megabreakz from Barcelona’s Ombra Fest and Oraculo crew, under the Tutto Vetro alias, and also mixing down the next Curses album, which is scheduled to drop in summer 2024! More news soon on that as we will be bringing the live show on the road again in May.
Tales of Psychofonia 