Konkurrent and Sonic Youth have been related throughout the years. At first more indirectly, through The Ex, with whom Konkurrent are closely connected and with whom SY are acquainted with since their very first shows in Holland in the early eighties. Right now we carry SY's individual labels 'Smells Like Records' and 'Ecstatic Peace' as well as their own experimental output on 'SYR'. In June 2001 Sonic Youth played at the Holland Festival, performing pieces of contemporary composers. A great opportunity to invite them for a Fishtank-session. They immediately proposed to also invite the Dutch ICP-jazzers Han Bennink, Ab Baars, and Wolter Wierbos, plus Luc and Terrie of The Ex. It took them only one day to record, inbetween two hectic HF shows. The result was as unpredictable as we hoped for; delicate, abstract and elusive. Miniatures that fit in the tradition of jazz rather than they fit in the frame of pop-music; based on sounds, instant composing and fantasy. As if the music went out on a stroll without a specific direction, open for surprises and unexpected turns. Feel free as a listener to join this music's walk into a little adventure.
Tracks
1. III
2. IV
3. V
4. VI
5. II
6. VIII
7. IX
8. X

When Willard Grant Conspiracy & Telefunk emerged from the studio after doing their Fishtank session, a lot of equipment had remained unused. Alas, time was too short to record all thier ideas. For years on end, Telefunk had stalked Konkurrent for a session, but we thought it would be more interesting if they could drag along an artist of substantial international fame. Telefunk's Simone and Arnoudt decided to invite Willard Grant Conspiracy for their singer Robert had produced two albums for legendary dutch band Cords, of which Simone and Arnoudt were founding members. Robert and the rest of the Conspiracy were immediately excited about Telefunk's plans and hit upon the idea of doing a couple of traditionals from around 1900. For the first time in Fishtank-history rehearsals took place before the material was taken into the studio. Both bands came up with with three traditionals; from a german singalong to the famous classic 'Dig A Hole'.
The expected soundclash - acoustics versus electronica - didn't happen, instead Telefunk supported the warm, smooth 'n' tender sound of the Conspiracy with a dark upright bass, a tunable sampler and rather subtle analogue noise.
Tracks
1. Twistification
2. Cuckoo
3. Grün Grün
4. Near The Cross
5. Just A Little Rain
6. Dig A Hole In The Meadow

In November 1999 Konkurrent invited Low to record one of Konk's in house Fishtank-sessions. Low, being familiar with the series, accepted. In the spirit of 'In The Fishtank' Low took things a step further and extended the invitation to their friends Dirty Three to collaborate on the session which took place when both bands played the multi-media festival Crossing Border in Amsterdam.
One can imagine that this created quite a hectic scene when the actual recording took place. While Low where soundchecking, Dirty Three got off the plane on Schiphol Airport. And when Dirty Three were busy doing overdubs, Low did a wonderful show at the festival. Through it all both bands kept their legendary cool, and recorded, faster than anyone could have guessed, six basic songs. The combination of Low's open, desolate sound and the melancholic yet folky violin of Dirty Three's Warren Ellis inspired Mimi to indulge in a more crooning way of singing and Alan to play some amazing banjo. Low's open minds and the way Dirty Three perfectly fit in, makes this Fishtank the record you would expect from such wonderful bands.
Tracks
1. I Hear… Good Night
2. Down By The River
3. Invitation Day
4. When I Called Upon Your Seed
5. Cody
6. Lordy

June Of 44 had just finished the recordings for their brand new album when they embarked on a tour through Spain, France and Italy. Without any further ado, they went straight on to do their Fishtank-session. They are used to work on songs over a short period of time, then record them immediately: a method of working that we appreciate very much and recognize in our own field.
The extensive touring would leave some traces (Sean was ill for a day), but the band was eager to get all their ideas on tape. They kept going, whether it was night or day. Although June of 44 experienced the studio as a bunker, the equipment that was accidently available appeared to be very useful: an old organ, a tube radio-set that had been lying around, even sound engineer Zlaya was incorporated to generate some tone.
In retrospect, one could consider this 'In The Fishtank' as the missing link between their albums 'Four Great Points' and 'Anahata', in the sense that it combines their adventurous 'rock' with the experimental jazzy musicality - six exclusive songs that make you sail off into the sunset.
Tracks
1. Pregenerate
2. Generate
3. Henry's Revenge
4. Modern Hereditary Dance Steps
5. Every Free Day
6. Good Day
7. Degenerate

For our fifth 'In The Fishtank', Konkurrent invited Tortoise from Chicago to contribute some of their hypnotic, catchy instrumental pieces to our series. They gladly accepted and asked The Ex to join them. Both bands begin from very different points when constructing songs. The Ex work with dynamics and tension building while Tortoise work at a more introspective and subdued level, adding layers and texture to their sound. Where they meet is in how they work with repetition and introduce very specific atmospheres into their songs. They also both possess an intuitive approach to their music and an openness to allow things the time they need to take shape. The music was slow to emerge not really fully forming till late on the second day of recording, but as John from Tortoise commented: 'all good things take time'. An unlikely combination you might think, which is why we liked the idea so much.
Tracks
1. The Lawn Of The Limp
2. Pooh Song
3. Central Heating
4. Pleasure As Usual
5. Did You Comb?
6. Huge Hidden Spaces

The fourth edition of 'In The Fishtank' concerns a band we've been working with for almost ten years, just like No Means No. We helped them out with shows, released their second album 'Reach' and forced them to finish that tour in 1991 in which they broke up. When they got back together in 1994 their style of music had become incredibly popular through bands like Green Day and the Offspring, who mentioned Snuff as a big influence in many interviews. Snuff themselves just carried on where they left off, preaching blah blah in a fast and poppy singalong way.

Was scheduled to be released on vinyl, but the choice between d7" and mlp was never made, hence cd only.

Konkurrent is very fond of this new school of British dub style music and invited Tassilli Players to be part of the Fishtank collection. Along with the Power Steppers, the Tassilli Players are produced by Zion Train and run their own label: 'Universal Egg'. Although they might use the most advanced digital techniques in the making of the music, the songs themselves sound very warm and human, a welcome counterpoint to hectic daily life. Having a bad day? Play it loud!
Tracks
1. Into The Grey Area
2. The Hempster Meets The Grim Reefer In Dub
3. The Wobbler
4. Uit Het Grijze Gebied

Guv'ner is the second band in this mini album series. Not second as a matter of grade, but based purely on the coincedence that they happened to be on tour over here at the end of '96. Their music is very honest, personal and beautiful. There is something special about it, something that you've never heard before. Just like walking along a strange path, with every step you take you wonder what the surface will be like, or what strange creature may appear. It may suddenly change from solid ground to quicksand, from a straight to a slippery road... Apparently it's Guv'ner's world. Very pure and very pleasant.
Tracks
1. Concorde Jets
2. Help Me
3. Now Is Not The Time To Love Me
4. Whose Eyes
5. Jungle Bells
6. You Lie