10 Labels And Clubs Sustaining Athens Nightlife In Hard Times
athens-guide-2017
September 08, 2017
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# 10 Labels And Clubs Sustaining Athens Nightlife In Hard Times
I've never left Greece. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous for a guy
who loves "experimental" club music, but I just haven't. I grew up in
Larisa, a town in central Greece, and came to Athens in 2008 for
studies. I fell in love with Athens because, in my eyes, it seemed like
London or Berlin or any other culture capital. Below I've compiled a
list of people and places that, for me, keep Athens alive and special
despite the pretty well-known difficulties.
## Hypermedium
[SoundCloud Track][1]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
You'd be a bit crazy to start a label focused on the more
"forward-thinking" side of club music in Athens---yet these guys did it.
You can't help but admire Hypermedium for its vision, dedication,
on-point visual identity. Future releases are coming from the gquom
group Audioboyz and Mexico's Siete Catorce.
## Boiler
Few bars can host such a diverse program of club nights and DJs and make
it seem "normal." You may catch a local indie/psych/rock live DJ at
Boiler one day and a footwork one the next, but you'll always find a
crowd that's happy to dance no matter who's on stage. Not many bars and
clubs have tried that approach in recent years.
## Lower Parts
[SoundCloud Track][2]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
This is another uncompromising label from Athens with a strong back
catalog of 14 releases. Recent highlights consist of [Tendts][3]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"}' bright house, [Ioannis Savvaidis][4]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"}' hypnotic ambient excursions and
Galaxian's fierce electro. Big things are coming in the future from
Lower Parts, so keep an eye on it.
## Fasma Festival
[SoundCloud Track][5]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
[Fasma][6]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is probably the only
festival in Athens that can pride itself on consistently promoting
"underground" club music. Recent editions have showcased a variety of
international artists, from DJ Stingray and [Actress][7]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"} to [Livity Sound][8]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} and [Lee Gamble][9]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.
Another important element of Fasma is the equal promotion of both
established and up-and-coming local artists.
## Phormix
[SoundCloud Track][10]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
Industrial/EBM sounds must be big everywhere, but Athens has a
particularly soft spot for them. Morah's Phormix series is responsible
for an impressive run of nights, podcasts and cassette releases that
push such sounds. Additionally, Morah already has many releases under
his name on labels like Berceuse Heroique, Lux Rec and [Helena
Hauff][11]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}'s Return To Disorder. His
latest one is on [Modal Analysis][12]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"},
an Athens label that's equally important to the industrial explosion.
## Sonic Playground
[SoundCloud Track][13]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
[Sonic Playground][14]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is creative
space that many people call home. Nikos Triantafyllou is the man behind
it, and without his vision and endless energy the "rock" scene in Athens
wouldn't be the same. For about 15 years now, Sonic Playground has run a
magazine, record label and recording studio, organized concerts and club
nights and worked closely with festivals. Some of the most exciting
young talents have begun at Sonic Playground, and alumni like [A Victim
Of Society][15]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} [Devamp Javu][16]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and [Colorgraphs][17]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} set the bar high. Last but not least, it's a fair point
to make that Nikos is possibly the best cook in the city.
## Bios/Romantso
I have a big respect for these spaces since most of my favorite nights
took place at one or the other. It's really important to experience the
music you love in a space where it's meant to be played. I was lucky
enough to see a lot of my favorite artists, like [Mala][18]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, [Autechre][19]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"}, [Actress][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, Africa
Hitech, [Objekt][20]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and
[Pangaea][21]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} on Bios' Funktion-One
sound system. Additionally, their activities don't stop at music events,
as [Bios][22]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is also a cultural
center for exhibitions, screenings, theater performances and other
functions.
## Black Athena and Runner
[SoundCloud Track][23]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
These restless promoters present a lot of UK-flavored sounds.
[Runner][24]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is the host of the
Dimensions Festival Athens launch parties, and his [Paranoise
Radio][25]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} show is a must-listen.
Black Athena have recently started a label under the same name and also
have a regular show on [Athina 9.84 FM Radio][26]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"}. They're also preparing to curate a stage of
[Plisskën][27]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} Festival along with
[NTS Radio][28]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} for the second time.
## Nutty Wombat
[SoundCloud Track][29]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
Nutty Wombat is the fresh label of [Ice\_Eyes][30]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"}, an experimental club music group that has put out great
stuff on various formats. The latest label release is a remarkable
compilation featuring 17 diverse artists on a pill-shaped USB
stick---hence the title *Pill Sessions*.
## Jay Glass Dubs
[Sleepless Dub - Jay Glass Dubs -][31]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
This is one of the many personal projects of [Dimitris Papadatos][32]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, a sound artist based in Athens. Jay
Glass Dubs is focused on the bare ingredients of dub music. So far, he's
put out an impressive number of albums on labels like Bokeh Versions,
The Tapeworm and Seagrave. I can't see him stopping.
*BoneBrokk's [Hollow Systems EP][33]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}
is out in late October on Trial & Error. Pre-order it on Bandcamp
[here][34]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.*
**Read more: [How a top Greek festival survived the economic
crisis][35]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}**
[1]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/2278883
[2]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/2794866
[3]: https://soundcloud.com/tendts
[4]: https://lowerparts.bandcamp.com/album/nsa-trusted-networks-2
[5]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/140189277
[6]: https://www.facebook.com/fasmafestival/
[7]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/actress/
[8]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/hodge-big-ups-kowtons-versatile-utility-lp/
[9]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/lee-gamble-gets-deep-with-philosopher-robin-mackay/
[10]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/71482821
[11]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/return-to-wave-helena-hauff-talks-to-veronica-vasicka/
[12]: https://soundcloud.com/modal-analysis
[13]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/19487799
[14]: http://sonicplayground.gr/
[15]: https://innerear-avictimofsociety.bandcamp.com/
[16]: https://www.facebook.com/devampjavu/
[17]: https://youtu.be/2f4XyQ8qogk
[18]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/vivien-goldman-mala-conversation/
[19]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/underground-artists-pick-their-favorite-autechre-tracks/
[20]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/objekts-first-release-3-years-enigmatic-berlin-club/
[21]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/played-out-pangaea/
[22]: https://www.facebook.com/biosathens/
[23]: https://api.soundcloud.com/users/67760
[24]: https://soundcloud.com/intarunner
[25]: http://www.paranoiseradio.com/
[26]: http://www.athina984.gr/liveplayer984/
[27]: http://www.plisskenfestival.gr/
[28]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/meet-the-women-who-are-killing-it-in-online-radio/
[29]: https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/325552859
[30]: https://soundcloud.com/ice_eyes
[31]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA33KAfhUt4
[32]: http://iamku.net/
[33]: https://soundcloud.com/trialanderrorsound/sets/tne001-bonebrokk-hollow
[34]: https://trialnerror.bandcamp.com/album/tne001-bonebrokk-hollow-systems
[35]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/reworks-festival-2016-greece/
---
id: fcbbf7ed-80eb-4de5-90c5-6c4726c8cdc5
blueprint: article
title: '10 Labels And Clubs Sustaining Athens Nightlife In Hard Times'
date: 2017-09-08T10:54:20+02:00
wp_id: '139398'
slug: athens-guide-2017
teaser_image: legacy/athens-guide-2017/Bonebrokk-Photo-2-copy.jpg
contents:
-
type: text
text: |-
<p>I’ve never left Greece. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous for a guy who loves “experimental” club music, but I just haven’t. I grew up in Larisa, a town in central Greece, and came to Athens in 2008 for studies. I fell in love with Athens because, in my eyes, it seemed like London or Berlin or any other culture capital. Below I’ve compiled a list of people and places that, for me, keep Athens alive and special despite the pretty well-known difficulties.</p><h2>Hypermedium</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/2278883" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p>You’d be a bit crazy to start a label focused on the more “forward-thinking” side of club music in Athens—yet these guys did it. You can’t help but admire Hypermedium for its vision, dedication, on-point visual identity. Future releases are coming from the gquom group Audioboyz and Mexico’s Siete Catorce.</p><h2>Boiler</h2><p>Few bars can host such a diverse program of club nights and DJs and make it seem “normal.” You may catch a local indie/psych/rock live DJ at Boiler one day and a footwork one the next, but you’ll always find a crowd that’s happy to dance no matter who’s on stage. Not many bars and clubs have tried that approach in recent years.</p><h2>Lower Parts</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/2794866" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p>This is another uncompromising label from Athens with a strong back catalog of 14 releases. Recent highlights consist of <a href="https://soundcloud.com/tendts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tendts</a>’ bright house, <a href="https://lowerparts.bandcamp.com/album/nsa-trusted-networks-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ioannis Savvaidis</a>‘ hypnotic ambient excursions and Galaxian’s fierce electro. Big things are coming in the future from Lower Parts, so keep an eye on it.</p><h2>Fasma Festival</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/140189277" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fasmafestival/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fasma</a> is probably the only festival in Athens that can pride itself on consistently promoting “underground” club music. Recent editions have showcased a variety of international artists, from DJ Stingray and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/actress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Actress</a> to <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/hodge-big-ups-kowtons-versatile-utility-lp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Livity Sound</a> and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/lee-gamble-gets-deep-with-philosopher-robin-mackay/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lee Gamble</a>. Another important element of Fasma is the equal promotion of both established and up-and-coming local artists.</p><h2>Phormix</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/71482821" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p>Industrial/EBM sounds must be big everywhere, but Athens has a particularly soft spot for them. Morah’s Phormix series is responsible for an impressive run of nights, podcasts and cassette releases that push such sounds. Additionally, Morah already has many releases under his name on labels like Berceuse Heroique, Lux Rec and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/return-to-wave-helena-hauff-talks-to-veronica-vasicka/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Helena Hauff</a>‘s Return To Disorder. His latest one is on <a href="https://soundcloud.com/modal-analysis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Modal Analysis</a>, an Athens label that’s equally important to the industrial explosion.</p><h2>Sonic Playground</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/19487799" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p><a href="http://sonicplayground.gr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sonic Playground</a> is creative space that many people call home. Nikos Triantafyllou is the man behind it, and without his vision and endless energy the “rock” scene in Athens wouldn’t be the same. For about 15 years now, Sonic Playground has run a magazine, record label and recording studio, organized concerts and club nights and worked closely with festivals. Some of the most exciting young talents have begun at Sonic Playground, and alumni like <a href="https://innerear-avictimofsociety.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Victim Of Society</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/devampjavu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Devamp Javu</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/2f4XyQ8qogk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colorgraphs</a> set the bar high. Last but not least, it’s a fair point to make that Nikos is possibly the best cook in the city.</p><h2>Bios/Romantso<br>
</h2><p>I have a big respect for these spaces since most of my favorite nights took place at one or the other. It’s really important to experience the music you love in a space where it’s meant to be played. I was lucky enough to see a lot of my favorite artists, like <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/vivien-goldman-mala-conversation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mala</a>, <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/underground-artists-pick-their-favorite-autechre-tracks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Autechre</a>, <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/actress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Actress</a>, Africa Hitech, <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/the-feed/objekts-first-release-3-years-enigmatic-berlin-club/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Objekt</a> and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/played-out-pangaea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pangaea</a> on Bios’ Funktion-One sound system. Additionally, their activities don’t stop at music events, as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/biosathens/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bios</a> is also a cultural center for exhibitions, screenings, theater performances and other functions.</p><h2>Black Athena and Runner</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/users/67760" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p>These restless promoters present a lot of UK-flavored sounds. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/intarunner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Runner</a> is the host of the Dimensions Festival Athens launch parties, and his <a href="http://www.paranoiseradio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paranoise Radio</a> show is a must-listen. Black Athena have recently started a label under the same name and also have a regular show on <a href="http://www.athina984.gr/liveplayer984/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Athina 9.84 FM Radio</a>. They’re also preparing to curate a stage of <a href="http://www.plisskenfestival.gr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Plisskën</a> Festival along with <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/meet-the-women-who-are-killing-it-in-online-radio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTS Radio</a> for the second time.</p><h2>Nutty Wombat</h2><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/325552859" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><p>Nutty Wombat is the fresh label of <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ice_eyes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ice_Eyes</a>, an experimental club music group that has put out great stuff on various formats. The latest label release is a remarkable compilation featuring 17 diverse artists on a pill-shaped USB stick—hence the title <em>Pill Sessions</em>.</p><h2>Jay Glass Dubs</h2><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA33KAfhUt4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sleepless Dub - Jay Glass Dubs -</a></p><p>This is one of the many personal projects of <a href="http://iamku.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dimitris Papadatos</a>, a sound artist based in Athens. Jay Glass Dubs is focused on the bare ingredients of dub music. So far, he’s put out an impressive number of albums on labels like Bokeh Versions, The Tapeworm and Seagrave. I can’t see him stopping.</p><p><em>BoneBrokk’s <a href="https://soundcloud.com/trialanderrorsound/sets/tne001-bonebrokk-hollow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hollow Systems EP</a> is out in late October on Trial & Error. Pre-order it on Bandcamp <a href="https://trialnerror.bandcamp.com/album/tne001-bonebrokk-hollow-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p><p><strong>Read more: <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/reworks-festival-2016-greece/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How a top Greek festival survived the economic crisis</a></strong></p>
---
Chunk #1 (Position: 0)
# 10 Labels And Clubs Sustaining Athens Nightlife In Hard Times I've never left Greece. I know that sounds a bit ridiculous for a guy who loves "experimental" club music, but I just haven't. I grew up in Larisa, a town in central Greece, and came to Athens in 2008 for studies. I fell in love wit...
Chunk #2 (Position: 1)
I fell in love with Athens because, in my eyes, it seemed like London or Berlin or any other culture capital. Below I've compiled a list of people and places that, for me, keep Athens alive and special despite the pretty well-known difficulties. ## Hypermedium [SoundCloud Track][1]{: target="_bl...
Chunk #3 (Position: 2)
You can't help but admire Hypermedium for its vision, dedication, on-point visual identity. Future releases are coming from the gquom group Audioboyz and Mexico's Siete Catorce. ## Boiler Few bars can host such a diverse program of club nights and DJs and make it seem "normal." You may catc...
Chunk #4 (Position: 3)
## Boiler Few bars can host such a diverse program of club nights and DJs and make it seem "normal." You may catch a local indie/psych/rock live DJ at Boiler one day and a footwork one the next, but you'll always find a crowd that's happy to dance no matter who's on stage. Not many bars and club...
Chunk #5 (Position: 4)
Recent highlights consist of [Tendts][3]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}' bright house, [Ioannis Savvaidis][4]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}' hypnotic ambient excursions and Galaxian's fierce electro. Big things are coming in the future from Lower Parts, so keep an eye on it. ## Fasma Festi...
Chunk #6 (Position: 5)
Recent editions have showcased a variety of international artists, from DJ Stingray and [Actress][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} to [Livity Sound][8]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and [Lee Gamble][9]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}. Another important element of Fasma is the equal prom...
Chunk #7 (Position: 6)
Additionally, Morah already has many releases under his name on labels like Berceuse Heroique, Lux Rec and [Helena Hauff][11]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}'s Return To Disorder. His latest one is on [Modal Analysis][12]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, an Athens label that's equally importa...
Chunk #8 (Position: 7)
Some of the most exciting young talents have begun at Sonic Playground, and alumni like [A Victim Of Society][15]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} [Devamp Javu][16]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and [Colorgraphs][17]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} set the bar high. Last but not ...
Chunk #9 (Position: 8)
I was lucky enough to see a lot of my favorite artists, like [Mala][18]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, [Autechre][19]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, [Actress][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, Africa Hitech, [Objekt][20]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and [Pangaea][21]{: target="_b...
Chunk #10 (Position: 9)
Black Athena have recently started a label under the same name and also have a regular show on [Athina 9.84 FM Radio][26]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}. They're also preparing to curate a stage of [Plisskën][27]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} Festival along with [NTS Radio][28]{: target="_...
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