This year, the Minimal Wave label celebrates its 18th year since forming in 2005. https://ra.co/events/1721090”>Minimal Wave 18 Years II is the second in a series of parties to celebrate 18 years as a record label, releasing over 80 albums of under-recognized electronic music from the 1970s-1990s. On July 15th, the label’s founder, Veronica Vasicka, will spin 5 hours of Minimal Wave records beginning with its first release the Oppenheimer Analysis s/t EP, and ending with its most recent release Deux ‘Let’s Go !’ EP, at an undisclosed location in Brooklyn, NY. In the middle of her set, there will be a rare live show by famed Cititrax artist, Berlin-based An-i (Douglas Lee), celebrating his third and 29th release (‘Rabble’) on MW sub-label Cititrax.

Reissues of obscure ‘80s acts may be common these days, but this certainly wasn’t the case in 2005, when Veronica Vasicka launched Minimal Wave with a timeless single from Oppenheimer Analysis. The lifelong New Yorker’s role in reviving the minimal synth sound came about naturally. She played ‘80s obscurities she found at record fairs and in cut-out bins on her weekly East Village Radio show. When enough people asked how they could get these records, she tracked down the artists and assembled beautiful vinyl reissues.

As one of the founding members of East Village Radio, she managed the station during its pirate days and began collecting obscure and long-forgotten gems that fell somewhere between the cold-wave, post-punk, industrial, and synth-pop genres. Not knowing how to classify these bands, she coined the term Minimal Wave and set up the website minimalwave.com as an online resource to share her finds with the rest of the world. The music released on the label ranges from stripped-down, D.I.Y. synth-pop to pioneering industrial electronics.

Vasicka retains an uncanny ability to unearth and revive little-known gems— recently Minimal Wave released new music by cult heroes Martin Dupont, an EP by romantic synth-pop duo Deux called Let’s Go !, and a reissue of V/A The Hidden Tapes. Further down the pipeline, more gems are slated for a 2023 release. In addition to running Minimal Wave, Veronica runs a sub-label Cititrax as a way to expose newer synth-based acts, including inspired new music from the likes of Schwefelgelb, An-i, Marie Davidson, Broken English Club and soon Cosmetics and Op Art (Andrew Clinico’s new project!). Celebrate An-i’s ‘Rabble’ EP release, showcasing his ongoing love affair with machines, and see him live in action on July 15th, 2023.

Copies of An-i’s highly anticipated new Rabble 12” EP will be available on the night, as well as an exclusive sake courtesy of Hana Makgeolli, another local business. Note: please buy tickets in advance via the RA ticket link as tickets will not be available at the door. Hope to see everyone on the dance floor!

Tickets > https://ra.co/events/1721090

*Venue location will be announced on the day of the show*

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