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isolate background.


spring 1995: The first stage of our history was a live ambient PA performed by Matrix (the artist now named Optic) at the Gothic-Industrial club A Winter Gone By in San Francisco, California. This first performance/event was intented to bridge the region between the "darkwave-industrial" scene and that of the "ambient-techno" sound that evolved from the UK rave scene. Imagine that: a chill-out room at a gothic club! (hehehe... well, we tried!)

summer - winter 1995: Matrix was comissioned to record and completed a soundtrack for an astronomy education group that was never released. It was due to this faulty contract that we decided that DIY music and releases is what its all about.

early 1996: We established a futuristic ambient-lounge called the Isolation Zone in Berkeley, California. Unfortunately, due to varying circumstances including lack of support, after taking 4 months to setup, we shut down after 2 month of operation. We believe that the concept ofthe space was ahead of its time: musically, conceptually,and decoratively. It was neither a bar, cafe, club, or rave... but something different. A social and forward thinking environment for people to hear music in. Maybe we will try again in the future, who knows!

late 96: After extensive months in the studio, Isolate Productions released its first tape series by Optic. It was a full length entitled "Hardcore Indie Punk Music For Angst Filled Rebellion!" which was limited to approximately 50 home-dubbed cassetes.

May 97: Eyeslit Productions throws its first full on rave event which was named 'Frequency Modulation'. We believe it was the FIRST rave in the SF area focusing specifically on dark and experimental electronic music (rather than house, trance, techno or jungle.) Amazingly enough, many ravers and breakdancers showed up to the party! And, it was at this point that we realized that even "experimental" could have a broader appeal than most elitists would assume...

summer 97: ESP started doing weekly underground events in Berkeley. Not only was the music "underground", the partyitself was literally "Underground" and presented Hardcore, ambient, noise, dark "IDM", and all that weird shit that we couldn't really describe!!! Though, none of the events drew much more than 100 people.... They were memorable in that we never played shit that was heard in the huge SF party scene, and that we never charged ONE cent for the series of parties. The DJs involved were Aneurysm, Audiotactix and Ken Q.

fall 97 - spring 98: ESP crew hooked up with a new independant rave crew called 'Swadeshi'. With this new party coalition, we help throw a series of underground raves at the intimate Swadeshi Warehouse in Oakland, California. At the parties, ESP helped organize and provide chill out rooms at the parties which presented a variety of danceable and dancelble styles from hard jungle to abstract ambient noise, to minimal electro-techno. The series of parties were very successful, and brought a nicely diverse, yet positive crowd. The price for most of the parties was 5-10 dollars, and indeed a demonstration of what the true "rave" spirit is all about. More than anything, the Swadeshi parties were a load of fun! :)

Remember, the underground STILL survives.

early 98: Along with the members of Swadeshi, ESP/Isolate Productions decided to open Isolate Records retail store in Downtown Berkeley. The store, attempting to bring elements from both the Isolation Zone and Swadeshi continued to bring some of the most cutting edged electronic sounds to Northern California! Our goal was (and we believe successfully) to provide cool music to bay area underground music audiences sick of the typical dancefare.

summer 98: Members of ESP and Isolate engaged on a three month National US tour with Technostate. It was quite an experience to travel across the country, playing music to kids that probably had never heard hardcore or experimental electronics before. It was quite worth it just for the positive feedback from the kids who told us they drove over 100 miles just to see us play. It was cool, and we met a lot of cool folks!

summer 1999: Unfortunately, due to the cost of vinyl and CDs, the rather miniscule profit margin, and the large bills and expenses that come with running a retail shop, we decided to shut down. To be honest, we were confused by what the stores direction was doing to our original idealism. Fortunately, the closure of the Isolate retail shop, allows us to focus on our main goal, which is to MAKE MUSIC. Please check out our current and upcomming releases! We have some cool things coming soon to speakers near you.

Isolate Records