by RAF KATIGBAK

DJ Nivoc and Mateo Murphy are two names synonymous with the Montreal electronic underground. Nivoc's three tech- and house-oriented record labels, Ascend, Default and Consigned, release about 15 shit-hot plates a year internationally. Through his myriad singles, albums and remixes on labels like Consigned, Turbo, Relentless, Hautec and Epsilon Lab, Mateo Murphy is one of the more prolific artists Montreal has to offer. This Thursday night, they're teaming up to launch a fresh tech-house monthly, Stereo Cube, at Mile End Bar.

Mirror: As artists and label owners, how do you guys see the electronic music industry these days?

Nivoc: It's collapsing. It's changing and morphing as well, but it's definitely collapsing - I run three record labels, I see the numbers. Pirating is the end of something but the beginning of something else. People need to realize that if they don't pay for anything, how is their favourite independent artist going to keep on going?

Mateo Murphy: On the other hand, even in the best of times producers have never made that much money on records. A lot of DJs treat their music as a means of promotion, for the sole purpose of getting gigs. Now, with MP3s, musicians are just giving away their music in the hopes that it'll open up opportunities or get them recognition as an artist.

N: But also people tend to forget how much it costs to promote and manufacture music - unless you're Sony Music and you own the radio stations.

MM: Although it's different when you establish yourself and you're used to making money on releases. For the up-and-coming artists it's very different and they're the people that are going to adapt best to what's going on now. Because they're the people who don't have expectations of how things work.

M: So what's your advice to young, bleep-oriented hopefuls out there?

MM: Firstly, never send a demo that you wouldn't buy yourself, and second, don't give up. People who seem to be overnight successes usually aren't. Akufen's a perfect example - he's been making music for 20 years.

N: My only advice is, send me your demos! I'll take care of the rest.

At Mile End Bar tonight, Thursday, Feb. 12, 10pm, $5

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