“Noise à Noise”
What [is this about]?
Noise à Noise” is an open-community and independent, artist-run record label operating between Iran and Germany, with its roots in Tehran. Established in 2019, the label serves as a platform for experimental and noise music artists from these regions, as well as for those who have a connection to this culture or the broader art scene. The label prioritizes and values meaningful intercultural activities and creative approaches to both theory and art.
The idea for starting this community was sparked during a series of translation projects on sound theory around January 2019, which later evolved through studies on Soundscapes in Tehran and the use of archives. The primary concepts revolve around a counterpoint approach, applicable to any medium, not limited to a specific sub-genre of music. This approach often involves using noise elements as the building material in composition, though it is by no means the only method employed.
How [and Why]?
This open community also aims to fill certain gaps between academic music and the art scene. This involves maintaining close contact with the academic sector and local live acts. The community has adopted a focus on subjects like composition, and preferred techniques or methods for inscribing music scores, utilizing more developed contemporary notations for music, video, and light. These notations are designed to be easily understood and performed by trained performers, even in the absence of the author when a performance is required.
Noise music spans a wide range of ideas and concepts, with a few serious practitioners and many unexplored territories. The rich philosophy behind the term and the ambiguity of its boundaries leave the definition open to interpretation. Noise, as a concept or entity, is an area that requires in-depth research, and a considerable amount of effort is needed to establish a sonic dialogue among its creators and makers across various fields.
This label also recognizes the artists as the true legal owners of their works and is committed to raising awareness of copyright rules and regulations, ensuring that their pieces are properly copyrighted. This requires the use of essential literature and accurate translations of jargon.
We look forward to establishing meaningful intercultural relationships across countries and continents, most notably through workshops and one-to-one instruction residency programs. This community has a more scientific-research orientation and strives to act as a platform for creative artists by providing opportunities for releasing and performing their works. This category includes Iranian artists and researchers, or those connected to the community of Iranian experimental musicians. They are either interested in, or have already performed and developed, pieces related to the people and culture of Iran. This includes a broad range of sub-genres, from contemporary and modern classical music to ambient, harsh noise, and rhythmic noise, along with tags like field recording or sound collage.
When? and Who?
We are proud to host a number of sound artists, enthusiasts, and established musicians who are interested in receiving label support at an administrative level. This support is provided by simplifying the procedures for active artists who practice these forms of art, or who plan to dedicate parts of their future careers to similar activities. Given the diverse origins of experimental and contemporary music compared to mainstream media, this often involves studying similar disciplines in art or science.
Our team consists of a few individuals and a limited number of independent and like-minded collaborators and friends who assist with planning and executing events. Our head/director board includes people who help with decision-making challenges and who are vital for addressing aesthetic and technical demands and concerns.
