Fremdtunes is a Dutch independent recordlabel/collective. Our main focus is on (instrumental) producer-based music, from triphop to dub to rare groove to hiphop. From funkjazz and skweee to electro and turntablism. Danceable music with beats that move both the crowd and critics.
RELEASES
Fremdtunes’ first release was the album Fremdkunst by DJ Mace. Fremdkunst was initially released independently in 2007 and was re-released in a new and revamped style. Fremdkunst was the main inspiration for starting Fremdtunes, so it’s only right that this album was the label’s first release. Other releases include music by artists like DJ Optimus, Kelpe, OptiMace, Coco Bryce, Kid Sundance, Fremdkunst, Soosh, DJ Devastate, Boulaone, Jameszoo, DJ Vindictiv, Saccage and Solo Moderna.
DESIGN
Design is truly important to Fremdtunes. The music and design of each release are complimentary and showcase the music’s quality, authenticity and creativity. We work with renowned designers/artists such as Adam Oostenbrink, Klaas Verplancke and Henk Loorbach (Superelectric).
PHILOSOPHY
We want to share good music with the world. Good, to us, does not mean ‘contemporary’, ‘conceptual’ or ‘by the rules’. It also doesn’t mean ‘because everybody likes it’. We mean: music with character. Music with an edge. Conservative tunes that go mental. Experimental music which sounds pretty normal after all. Tunes that are made in a way we can relate to (so to those who chop, splice, cut, paste, sequence, cut, scratch and stretch: send us your demos). Made with a clear or very vague purpose or with no purpose at all. Made by persons who are looking for a rebel base of like-minded individuals, a pit-stop or a breathing space. Inspired by new theories on the consciousness, Cube, Darwin’s dangerous idea, Soukous, DJ Premier, Yoga or late-night reveries.
INITIATORS
Fremdtunes was initiated by Rogier van Hout (’s-Hertogenbosch) and Neels Smeekens (Rotterdam). These gentlemen combine over 30 years of experience as producers/DJ’s (as DJ Mace and DJ Optimus) in the hiphop-, beats- and jazzscene. Mace and Optimus have worked with a vast variety of artists such as singer and songwriter iET, producer/DJ Solo Moderna, jazztrio Aka Moon, Coco Bryce, saxophonist Erwin Vann, trumpetplayer Eric Vloeimans and numerous rappers such as El da Sensei (The Artifacts), Gumshoe (The Proov) and Rasco (Stonesthrow).
