Bernays Propaganda. Photo courtesy of Moonlee Records.
Founded in 2004, Ljubljana-based indie/noise label Moonlee Records filled a gap in the DIY-scene of the Former Yugoslavian countries. Although there was already a big tradition of independent music in the region, there was no single label that released contemporary bands from the regional scene.
The name Analena was deeply connected to the work of Moonlee Records from the very beginning. The members of this Slovene-Croatian post-punk band earned huge recognition on the European punk scene with their amazing mix of Fugazi- and Shellac-influenced guitar noise and the impressive screaming female vocals of singer Ana. Three full-length records, a split-LP with Austrian hardcore band Unison and a bunch of 7inches comprise the output of the band so far. Although they haven’t released a record since Inconstantinopolis came out in 2009, Analena remain active within the scene.
While Analena was the very first band to sign for Moonlee, other interesting acts like punk singer/songwriter Damir Advic, Hot Water music-followers Debeli Precjednik or the bizarre metal-core nerds Hesus Attor followed soon after and defined the eclecticism of the label’s roster, all within the context of the DIY-network.
Analena. Photo courtesy of Moonlee Records
But what of DIY? The idea behind these three big letters is quite simple. It is not only a nice label for sweet handcrafted socks and gloves, but also a way of releasing and distributing your music exactly the way you want it.
Instead of waiting for the big record label to give you the opportunity to release your stuff, create your own label. Instead of renting an expensive studio, do your recordings in your living room. And instead of hiring an expensive graphic designer, you can try to realize your very own ideas for the cover artwork by yourself – for example with the good old method of cut and paste. The result might not be perfect the first time around, but at least you had full control over your release.
The history of DIY is much older than punk or hardcore but it has a much bigger relevance within these scenes than in other genres. This is connected to the fact that punk has always been very critical of the work of institutions and record companies, and from the very beginning strove instead for autonomy and independence in all aspects of the music.
Have a look at labels like Dischord from Fugazi’s Ian McKaye, Alternative Tentacles run by Ex-Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra or even Fat Wreck Chords from Fat Mike of NOFX; behind these labels were bands and musicians who wanted to release their music without submitting to a big label boss.
Moonlee Records fits perfectly into this picture. Label founder Miran is also a member of Analena, without whom this proactive Slovenian label would not exist.
Without a doubt one of the label’s most interesting releases comes from Macedonian indie rockers Bernays Propaganda, named after the pioneer of modern propaganda, Edward Bernays. Releasing two records within the last two years, the band mixes Gang of Four-like basslines with the rhythms of The Gossip and impress with smart and reflective lyrics. You might not know a lot of bands from this small Balkan country, mostly known for the never-ending and quite absurd naming dispute with with Greece, but Bernays Propaganda at least give Macedonia a band that can hold its own on an international level.
Bernays Propaganda gained significant attention on the European DIY-punk scene with their first two albums Happiness Machines and My Personal Holiday, because their sound was different to the usual crust/grind/hardcore-noise performed on the stages in the squatted houses of the world. Singer Kristina sings exclusively in her mother tongue and if you’re not familiar with the Macedonian language, you need only take a closer look at the English translations of the lyrics to see they are more sophisticated than your average punk band. The list of influences on their Myspace site shows that these four individuals are deeply rooted in early punk and hardcore ethics. They don’t only play the danceable style of indie music so beloved by hipsters from big capital cities, but combine it with intelligent messages and a political awareness that avoids preaching. You can dance, enjoy yourself and still have the good feeling that it means something more.
2011 brought a bunch of new releases from the Moonlee HQ in Ljubljana: Bernay’s Propaganda side-project Xaxaxa came up with the debut Tango Revolucioner, followed by Our World Died Yesterday by Slovenian noise-rock trio Nikki Lauder and ambient post-rock band Storms from Zagreb with their first LP We Are Storms, itself born out of the ashes of another Moonlee act, Don’t Mess With Texas.
All Moonlee releases are released on LP, CD or as MP3-download and if you like to check out the noisy side of Balkan music beyond the that of Turbofolk and Kusturica soundtracks, Moonlee is definitive worth a try.
