![]() ![]() rises Drab Majesty, the singular vision of Deb DeMure, the androgynous alter-ego of Andrew Clinco. Kontravoid has made killer remixes for Patriarchy, Schwefelgelb, Utrasunn, and many more. Yet amidst the chaos of this sonic dystopia, melodic synth-pop elements offer a glimmer of hope and a chance to catch one’s breath. Under the guise of composer Cameron Findlay (Crystal Castles, TR/ST), Kontravoid has honed his craft to create a haunting soundscape, where distorted echo vocals emit a deep, underwater growl that evokes both terror and beauty. Hope to see y’all there!! Here are the headliners for this year’s Verboden: Kontravoidįor over a decade, the masked enigma known as Kontravoid has captivated audiences with his dark pop artistry, which deftly balances the opposing forces of EBM, electro, and goth. It’s going to be the best Verboden yet!!! Holy shit!! We went all out this year! An epic line of 50+ artists and DJs! 6 events, including two daytime shows with BBQ food/drinks, two stages and a view of the mountains! We added a multi-room ten-hour after-party with a drag show, vendor market, and visual installations. What, in your opinion, makes this year’s Verboden special? We had to relocate our late-night events less than two months ago!! It’s this sort of bullshit that puts us into the red. ![]() During the planning of Verboden, 2 of our venues were shut down. Its one of the most expensive cities all around in North America, venues, especially DIY underground ones, are rapidly closing due to a conservative city council and corporate developers buying up space to build luxury condos, etc. For an event organizer however, it can be an extremely awkward and harsh city to book events in. There are more artists and musicians living in Vancouver in comparison to any other city in Canada. We have a bustling music scene here in Vancouver. We have a team of 6 amazing organizers and artists putting in a massive amount of work to make this fest happen! Y’all know who u are !!Ĭan you tell us anything about the local music scene in Vancouver? Who else is involved with the organization of Verboden? So, it’s of utmost importance! This is our way of helping to keep the gears of Vancouver’s dark underground scene greased and turning. I’ve dedicated the last eight years of my life to curating/organizing an underground music festival. How vital is underground music culture to you? This fest has always loved the idea of showcasing “up-and-coming” acts. We prefer to work with artists who are on a similar wavelength. We built this fest through the lens of inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. We are a grassroots fest with no corporate sponsors. Is there a mission statement or ethos to what kind of event you want to curate? What are some of your favorite memories of the past Verbodens?īoy Harsher + Light Asylum show was super memorable! The whole audience was buzzing with energy. The name came to me while walking past a high-voltage power station in a back alley in Amsterdam. I was jealous! I had experience with organizing events in Vancouver, and it felt like Vancouver was ready to have a festival like Verboden. In 2015 while on tour in Europe, I noticed that many cities had underground festivals with a focus on showcasing post-punk and dark wave. What led you to organize the first Verboden? His passion for creating a space that nurtures and celebrates the unconventional in music was palpable, as was his commitment to fostering a sense of community. Throughout the conversation, Katerwol offered valuable insights, shedding light on the intricacies of organizing such a festival, the challenges and triumphs along the way, and the vibrancy of Vancouver’s music landscape. ![]() had the opportunity to sit down with Katerwol to delve deeper into the annals of Verboden’s history, understand its unique position in the underground music milieu, and explore the pulsating rhythm of Vancouver’s music scene as a whole. Known for his pivotal roles in Wire Spine and Weird Candle and his intriguing solo project Total Chroma, Katerwol’s musical prowess is varied across the disciplines of several different genres. The Verboden Festival was conceived by the multi-talented Rob Katerwol. The festival features the likes of Void Vision, Patriarchy, Spike Hellis, Leathers, Rue Oberkampf, and many more, making this a must-attend event for fans of dark electronic music. Vancouver venues Rickshaw, Green Auto, and Vault will breathe life into the city from May 12th to 14th as a diverse lineup takes the stage. Once again, Vancouver rises to the occasion as the sixth annual Verboden Festival descends upon the city, a three-day celebration of all things darkwave. ![]()
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