Label Feature: The Weird DIY World of John Steam Records
John Steam Records is a DIY tape label from Germany, with each release offering a unique glimpse into their genuine, obscure musical world.
Are you the kind of person who buys/trades tapes (but also vinyl, CDs, and the occasional VHS) just to stack them up to the ceiling, barely finding time to listen to music at all while actively purchasing more tapes, or are you a normal person?
Well, you’re reading an article on DIY Conspiracy, so I’m going to take a wild guess. If so, you know the thrill of serendipitously finding small independent labels. In some cases, though, you don’t find the label. The label finds you.
People who introduce you to new music are important, and so are people who go to the hassle of putting music out into this apathetic world. So kudos to Gary Flanell for sending me an email asking me to review some tapes from his John Steam label. I love tapes and I love DIY labels that make tapes, so I said “Sure, let’s do it.” Some time later I got three tapes in the mail. I put them on the shelf. And completely forgot about them until about a year later… Gary, if you’re reading this, I’m really sorry it took me so long to pen this.
In my defense I would say life happens, my pills aren’t working, I’m not getting any younger and I really shouldn’t have done all these things when I was younger, better late than never, and when you think about it, it’s only like 2 weeks in dog years, dude!
1 Lutzilla – First we Tape Manhattan
Kicking things off, I’m putting the Lutzilla’s First we Tape Manhattan tape on the deck, a debut that’s as bold as its title suggests. But don’t let the word debut fool you that they’re newcomers. This Berlin-based trio, seasoned by years in the scene, serves up a delectable mix of indie rock and post-punk. This tape spreads over eight tracks, each one a fuckin’ gem. It feels like you’ve happened to be at a friend of a friend’s band rehearsal, and you get to hear something very close and personal. Nicely done edition, the cover art is awesome and the tape sounds pretty good. What I love about this recording is how this raw, angular, lo-fi punk sound of the instruments almost clashes with how effortlessly catchy these songs are. Highly recommended, as it hasn’t left my player in a week.
Favorite track: “So Hollywood”
2 Atomvulkan Britz – Privilegoland
Next in line is Privilegoland by Atomvulkan Britz. Also a first official foray into the realms of the DIY music landscape. This Berlin duo has managed to carve out their own niche with this limited edition tape. I’m not sure if you missed this completely on tape, but for the digital aficionados, Edelfaul recordings has got you covered.
Favorite track: “Privilegoland”
3 Gary Flanell – Thank You Gary Much
Last but not least we have Gary Flanell’s tape Thank You Gary Much. Gary runs the label and is also the distributor of the (now hibernating) Renfield-Zine, as well as a musician in bands like Esel, Sceptic Jazz, Ella Chord & Gary Flanell, Atomvulkan Britz.
I deliberately left this tape last, but it was definitely the most curious piece of the bunch for me. The man behind the label steps into the spotlight and delivers the goods over 11 tracks.
If you are open minded, you are in the right place. This whole tape is a journey through the rough edges of punk, adorned with melancholy and a great lo-fi feel. From straight-up punk songs to more experimental and electronic escapades, this recording is eclectic yet very human and homogeneous. The whole tape is in German, and I slept through most of my German lessons in school, so I didn’t get shit, but I can say that there’s a lot going on, from authentic melancholy to anger.
Favorite track: “Woher ich komme”
Each of these tapes is great on its own, but together they really give you a glimpse into John Steam Records—another DIY label that is vibrant, pure, and genuine in its obscurity.
If you’ve made it this far in this review, take it as a sign from the Universe to keep looking for small bands, labels and collectives that are still pushing original music, regardless of genre. And keep buying/trading obscure DIY tapes.
It hardly gets any cooler than that.
