Vertex by Various Artists

In collaboration with ∄ and for its second birthday, Standard Deviation presents ’Vertex’ – a compilation of eight artists that contributed in shaping the sound of the Club over the course of the last year. A vertex is a point where several lines or objects meet and intersect with each other. It is synonymous to a node – a fundamental unit that consists of a set of edges that form a greater structure. The concept of a vertex is symbolic to both the Club’s and Label’s approach: connecting the dots between countercultures, bringing together local and international artists to form an inclusive dialogue.

An exchange of ideas, cultures and perspectives remains our main endeavor, and the main idea behind this special release. The compilation features four local and international artists – friends and collaborators, in conversations mediated by Mariana Berezovska, Berlin based Ukrainian journalist and founder of Borshch Magazine. The project is illustrated with a series of ceramic artworks by a Kyiv-based artist Emptyland.
Long-term friend of the Club and Label – Nene H talks with ∄ resident and music teacher – Nastya Vogan, uprising talent and Mala Junta co-founder – DJ Tool comes together with protagonist of Kyiv’s queer scene – Gael, new Label prospect Omon Breaker – with Herrensauna resident Salome as well as Augsburg based, queer party ’HAMAM’s organisator – Sedef Adasi with ∄ resident-since-the-start – Recid.

The compilation is club tailored, ranging from vocal-infused Tech House, Acid and Electro to fast Techno, Trance and EBM. The wide array of styles represented in the compilation is reflective of ∄’s identity, while the artists featured on this release have been shaping the sound of the club during these monumental two years. Special collaborations like Nene H’s vocally explicit work with Nik Mantilla and Omon Breaker’s piece, created in collaboration with Ukrainian EBM group Garden Krist exemplify the label’s stance on shifting genre borders and encouraging experimentation.

In coherence with the last years compilation ’Intermission’, we have asked Emptyland to reinterpret the small Sigma symbol (the mathematical equation of Standard Deviation) according to her own vision of this project. She created five versions of the symbol, each symbolizing the bond between the artists featured on the compilation. The artworks are sold at ∄ only.

Established in 2020, Standard Deviation is a multidisciplinary label platform, working on the intersection of music, art and publishing. We aim to foster creative collaborative exchange between an aspiring Ukrainian scene and a global community.

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