VA - A Strangely Isolated Place - 2020 (Label Compilation) (2020)

A showcase of tracks from our 2020 releases including a special 'mixed' version available in a limited Mix CD run (including additional tracks).
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2020. What a year on many fronts. Without getting way off-topic, the label had one of its strongest years to date in terms of output. Returning ASIP artists kicked off 2020, with Leandro Fresco & Rafael Anton Irisarri; then Merrin Karras a few months later; and Christian Kleine propping up the latter half of the year. However, the bulk of the year’s physical releases hosted debuts on the label- Blinkar från Norr, Wanderwelle, Gastón Arévalo, Quiet Places, Damm and Gadi Sassoon. It was a year when we embraced a few more digital releases too, as a result of Bandcamp Friday, Olga Wojciechowska, Markus Guentner and Merrin Karras sneaked in some unexpected, yet welcome music.

On a personal level, I was very proud to see several ASIP artists returning with second albums in 2020, and 2021 will continue this theme. In addition, we were able to release music by several artists that pushed us into slightly new and interesting directions - something I am always looking to do. March 2020 would’ve seen our very first event in London if it wasn’t for everything being shut down - I’m gutted I didn’t get to meet even more people in person as a result, but there’s still plenty of time to make it happen...

I hope the (continuous) year-end mix will become a regular occurrence going forward. Many of you will know a big part of my inspiration and passion lies in DJ’ing and classic mix CDs. If the label momentum continues and releases keep coming as planned, then each year I’d like to invite a DJ to select and mix tracks from the label - make an annual tradition out of it. I didn’t think it would be as hard as it was to whittle down tracks from this year and make something relatively cohesive and enjoyable, but I think it does a good job in showing the many styles of ambient and electronic music we like to embrace as a label, in one continuous sitting. Here’s to what’s next.