Last year I had the pleasure of seeing Sandwell District play at Dekmantel festival. And although it was imbued with sadness after Juan Mendez’ (Silent Servant) tragic death, David Sumner and Karl O’Connor played a great set. Also known as Function and Regis, they had been the main musical forces of the collective either way. But they did talk about how important Mendez (who made all of their graphics) was in this interview for RA.
It’s been 13 years since their only album came out, but in March it was finally superseded by End Beginnings – the title of which was taken from one of Mendez’ artworks. The tribute becomes even more outspoken with the final of the 8 tracks on this LP (out on The Point of Departure), which is called ”The Silent Servant”. It is also my favourite on the record, which was finished with some help from Mønic, Rrose, Sarah Wreath and our local Malmö-based producer Rivet.
Next week Intonal kicks off in Malmö and Sandwell District are set to appear, probably with at least Rivet joining them out of the new collaborators. That is, if he can get a break from his job at the venue. If they will save electronic music from ‘stupidity’, well that remains to be seen. But apparently that was the goal of making the album End Beginnings.
This mix includes some outtakes from the album:
