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Hyperdub to launch new spoken word sub-label, Flatlines

Its first release is an audio essay by sound artist Justin Barton and the late theorist Mark Fisher...

Hyperdub is launching a new sub-label called Flatlines.

The label will focus on spoken word pieces, with its inaugural release coming courtesy of philosopher and sound artist Justin Barton and late theorist and writer Mark Fisher. An audio essay called 'On Vanishing Land', the release, a press release says, "evokes a walk along the Suffolk coastline in 2006, from Felixstowe container port ('a nerve ganglion of capitalism') to the Anglo-Saxon burial ground at Sutton Hoo".

The likes of Raime, Ekoplekz and John Foxx have all contributed newly-composed pieces for the release, and sleeve notes have been written by Barton himself. The vinyl release will also includes photos taken by Fisher.

The idea for Flatlines came from the monthly Ø club nights that Hyperdub has been putting on at London club Corsica Studios since early 2017. The events see label signees and friends DJing and playing live in addition to installations and exhibitions by various theorists and artists. 

'On Vanishing Land' was presented as an installation at the February 2018 edition of Ø. Its roots lie in a commission by The Otolith Group and London gallery The Showroom, and it was first shown in 2013. 

Flatlines will release 'On Vanishing Land' on July 26th.

Last week, Hyperdub released a new two-track EP from Burial. The label will also release a collaborative record from DJ Lag and Okzharp next month.