Datenverarbeitung

About

Datenverarbeitung—a fleeting yet potent fragment in Germany's early '80s experimental landscape. With its primary medium being the cassette, the label functioned as a dynamic conduit for abstract compositions and collaborative soundscapes. Between 1981 and 1983, Datenverarbeitung's 23 releases carved out a raw auditory terrain, a labyrinth of tape manipulation and found sounds. The roster was eclectic, a constellation of interdisciplinary voices. Cultural Amnesia's "Video Rideo" (1983) emerged as a key marker, a cassette that seemed to process the very essence of cultural decay through its sculptural sound. Meanwhile, "Germany - A Bain Total Sampler" (1983) showcased a diverse array of artists, a microcosm of the label's exploratory spirit captured on tape. Die Klopferbande's "die Fliegen - Ein Soundtrack" (1982) provided a sonic narrative to an imagined, liminal film—a testament to the label's embrace of conceptual soundscapes. Hunting Lodge also found a home here, their "Exhumed" (1983) release a fractal of noise and rhythm. Esplendor Geometrico's singular contribution, "EG-1" (1982), punctuated the catalog with industrial precision. Despite its ephemeral existence, Datenverarbeitung's impact lingers. Each release, a process-driven artifact, defies mainstream appeal, instead inviting the listener into a liminal zone where sound and concept intertwine. In the broader context of its era, Datenverarbeitung remains obscure, yet its commitment to the cassette format and the radical diversity within its releases continue to resonate with collectors and sound artists alike.