IN THE FISHTANK
In The Fishtank is an ever ongoing project of Konkurrent, independent music distributor in the Netherlands. In this collection Konkurrent invites musicians to whom they feel strongly related to record. They are given two days studio time and freedom to do whatever they like musically.
The Fishtank offers a space for expression and experimentation, results may vary but are always surprising.
 
RELEASES
 
SPARKLE HORSE + FENNESZ
Fish 15  
September 2009 CD/LP
Sparklehorse + FenneszEver since 'Endless Summer' we were attracted to the music of Christian Fennesz. Where many laptop artists don’t reach further than idle electronic rumble without engagement, Fennesz manages to create a world of unheard and rich new sounds.
Christian’s idea to collaborate with Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse excited us immediately. The two artists had performed together a couple of times and both felt that there was further mileage in the collaboration.
Just two days in December 2007 were enough to record over 40 minutes of the sublime Fennesz and Sparklehorse combination. Prepared oddities and masses of inspiration make these recordings unique in their style and in this series in particular. Songs and soundscapes of rare beauty with stunning atmospherics, where abstract sounds and wellcrafted traditional songstructure meet and where acoustic instruments and electronics create outstanding ambience.

Tracks
1. Music Box Of Snakes
2. Goodnight Sweetheart
3. Shai-Hulud
4. If My Heart
5. Mark’s Guitar Piece
6. NC Bongo Buddy
7. Christian’s Guitar Piece
 
ISIS + AEREOGRAMME
Fish 14  
September 2006 MCD/MLP
Isis + Aereogramme - Fish 14 Upon first spinning this Fishtank session of Isis and Aereogramme attracts attention with it’s wonderful sound. Where both bands are known for their love of metal and post-hardcore next to experiment and a spheric approach, they not only show these skills here, but on top they reach an impressively high level of purity, roominess and emotion.
Putting two bands together with such different home-bases as Los Angeles and Glasgow in a small town near Amsterdam was a challenge we couldn’t resist. In December 2004 the idea grew concrete that long-time Konkurrent-friends Aereogramme would share the studio with Isis to record a Fishtank and in the following months all directions pointed to July 2005 for action. Isis just finished their european tour, Aereogramme hit the road and the bands played a warming-up show at the Amsterdam Paradiso the night before they entered the studio.
When Konkurrent invited Isis and Aereogramme to do a Fishtank-session, we expected a heavy and loud session not yet heard before in the series. Was it the extremely hot weather? The overwhelming seventies atmosphere in the studio? The shitty hotel the night before?
It’s the analog warmth that makes the songs tender, organic, imminent and fragile. It’s the unexpected that makes this a very successful edition to us.
Tracks
1. Low Tide
2. Delial
3. Stolen
 
SOLEX + M.A.E.
Fish 13  
February 2005 MCD
Solex + M.A.E. - Fish 13Solex doing a Fishtank has been in the pipeline for a very long time. We first spoke about it way back in 1998 when Liesbeth Esselink a.k.a. Solex had just released her debut-album on Matador. She kept her mind open since, looking for the perfect idea to make her Fishtank happen.
In 2003 the multi-media festival Crossing Border invited Solex to do a performance together with the Maarten Altena Ensemble, famous for its contemporary music. For that special occasion Solex made a piece out of Altena's classics while Maarten Altena rearranged a couple of Solex tunes. That seemed the perfect match to take off for a Fishtank-session. Solex and the ten-piece M.A.E. recorded four of the then performed tracks in the mood of 1 + 1 = 11 as one of the compositions is called.
Both Solex and M.A.E. are very disciplined though with different backgrounds. Solex brings in sparkling melodies, nervousness and hooky rhythms, while M.A.E. developed as a strong, experienced, dedicated and stern outfit. It's this almost academic combination that makes this session so interesting; mathematics with an uneasy groove.
Tracks
1. 5 Superstar
2. Go Easy On The Fun Fund
3. 1 + 1 = 11
4. Birthday Superboy
 
KARATE
Fish 12  
February 2005 MCD/MLP
Karate - Fish 12Just after their "Some Boots"-tour, late summer 2003, Karate would have recorded in the Fishtank if not Geoff Farina got ill on the day of the session. Eventually they ended up in the studio one year later.
For this session Karate wanted to play just thematic pieces, all critical of America in some way, as Geoff put it. Songs like the Billy Holiday classic "Strange Fruit", Bob Dylan's "Tears Of Rage", Mark Hollis' "A New Jeruselem" or the four Minutemen up-tempo rockers. However the huge variety in character, all songs fit Karate surprisingly well, like a second skin, as it were.
Instead of taking the opportunity to build enormous impro-walls it's obvious that Karate felt a lot more comfortable in tight measured pieces. Each song they recorded has got a very natural feel, it grooves, it rocks, it's delicate and it shows Geoff as a relaxed and soulful crooner. Karate is in blazing shape with this adeqate material that gives less space for the jazzyness of their recent albums and moves them back to the roots of their early days. In this context these Fishtank recordings became more or less the perfect sparring partner for Karate to prepare themselves for "Pockets", their latest album. Great session.
Tracks
1. Strange Fruit
2. The Only Minority
3. Tears Of Rage
4. Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs
5. Need A Job
6. This Ain't No Picnic
7. Colors
8. A New Jerusalem
 
THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION + SOLBAKKEN
Fish 11
March 2004 MCD/MLP
The Black Heart procession + Solbakken - Fish 11Leadsinger Pall of The Black Heart Procession immediately suggested Dutch prog rockers Solbakken to become sparring partners for their 'Fishtank'-session. Both bands cherished some fine memories of playing together on different occasions over the years, the first time being way back in '98.
In July 2003, when the BHP's had just finished their 'Tropico'-tour, both bands started recording. Apart from the obvious lengthy jamsessions, the guys of Solbakken, knowing their limitations in the improvisational field, prepared a couple of loose ideas to throw at the Black Hearts, who took it all pretty well. Then, years of rock experience and some high speed songwriting were combined with the ever fascinating voice of Pall, the reliable pianohands of Toby added to the unexpected input of Swiss-mystery guest Rachael, where the whole thing was sustained by the nobleness of the musicians, resulting in these here pretty tracks. An attempt was made to hide the lack of lyrics, vocals were recorded through a guitar amp with lots of reverb, but stern-yet-fair master of ceremony Zlaya digitally dug them up and made them sound quite fresh indeed!
Ending up somewhere in the land of Bad Seeds, uncovering a bag of Morricone leftovers, that had been tosssed behind a large container of old new wave favourites, the bands travelled far and wide, still identifiable, sometimes chancing upon an unknown horizon.
Tracks
1. Voiture En Rouge
2. Dog Song
3. Nervous Persian
4. A Taste Of You And Me
5. Things Go On With Mistakes
6. Your Cave
 
MOTORPSYCHO + JAGA JAZZIST HORNS
Fish 10
October 2003 MCD/MLP MLP OUT OF PRINT
Motorpsycho + Jaga Jazzist Horns - Fish 10For many years, Motorpsycho was on Konkurrent's list of wanted bands to do a Fishtank session. But since there was no direct relationship between band and distributor, nothing happened. Luckily this changed when Konkurrent started distributing Motorpsycho's renowned label Stickman two years ago and there was no more obstacle to invite them for a recording session. In the Summer of 2002, crammed in between boring press-days and exciting festivals in Holland and Belgium, Motorpsycho arrived in the studio to record. Along came the horn section of fellow Norwegians Jaga Jazzist, with whom they had done some experimental shows on jazz festivals. A soundcheck was hardly necessary, within a few days the musicians managed to magnetize five groovy tracks. The studio was already buzzing with hypermotivation, dedication and hard Scandinavian labour, when the Jaga's even rented a space to rehearse, a rather unique event in Fishtank history.
What came out is a stunning cocktail of Stax Soul, John Coltrane and obviously, Pharaoh Sanders. Motorpsycho's recent funkiness blends in perfectly with the mesmerizing quality of most of the material and, as always, you can rely on these guys to give an excellent performance.
Tracks
1. Bombay Brassière
2. Pills, Powders And Passion Plays
3. Doffen Ah Hum
4. Theme De Yoyo
5. Tristano
 
SONIC YOUTH + ICP + THE EX
Fish 9
October 2002 CD/LP

Sonic Youth + ICP + The Ex - Fish 9Konkurrent 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

 
WILLARD GRANT CONSPIRACY + TELEFUNK
Fish 8
January 2002 MCD

Willard Grant Conspiracy + Telefunk - Fish 8When 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

 
LOW + DIRTY THREE
Fish 7
2001 MCD/MLP

Low + Dirty Three - Fish 7In 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
Fish 6
1999 MCD/MLP MLP OUT OF PRINT

June Of 44 - Fish 6 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

 
TORTOISE + THE EX
Fish 5
1998 MCD/MLP

Tortoise + The Ex - Fish 5For 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

 
SNUFF
Fish 4
1998 MCD

Snuff - Fish 4The 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.

Tracks
1. Match Of The Day
2. Pen Blywd Happus
3. Bananas
4. Guinevere
5. No Tenemos Bananas
6. Rods' n'Mockers
7. Vi Har Inge Bananer
8. C'mon Let's Do The Head Bang
9. Wir Haben Keine Bananen
 
TASSILLI PLAYERS
Fish 3
1997 MCD/MLP

Tassilli Players - Fish 3Konkurrent 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
Fish 2
1997 MCD/MLP MCD OUT OF PRINT

Guv'ner - Fish 2 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

 
NOMEANSNO
Fish 1
1996 MCD/MLP MLP OUT OF PRINT
No Means No - Fish 1 first pressing  No Means No - Fish 1 second pressing
No Means No and Konkurrent go back a long way. One could almost consider us a married couple. They have always been one of our favourite and most prominent bands in our distribution. Not only are they still making thier unique and beautiful music but they remain one of the few that have managed to retain their principle of independence. For these reasons we are proud that they are the first on this collection.
Tracks
1. Would Be Alive
2. The River
3. Joy
4. You're Not One
5. Big Dick