On one of 2023’s Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX Curses compilations, the Berlin-based musician and DJ explored the darker side of club music. Bringing together 49 tracks that connected the dots between early industrial pioneers, EBM legends and post-punk bands with some of today’s most exciting artists, it was a celebration of the kind of raw electronic music best performed live on smoky clubs.
We have had the pleasure of interviewing Curses and this has been the result.
1. Please introduce yourself. Where are you from and how did you get into music?
Good evening, My name is Luca Venezia. I’m a Musician and DJ from NYC, based in Berlin , known as Curses to some..
I have always been musically driven, playing guitar and singing in Punk and new wave bands as a teenager paired with going to illegal rave parties and skateboarding spawned my love affair with music.
2. Who have been your main inspirations (both musically and in «life»)?
Both of my parents are visual artists. Photography and Abstract painting, but music and art was always loud in our home. they have been my biggest influence when it comes to creating, being brave and patient when it comes to expressing yourself through art. Musically, the gradient is wide: from Sisters of Mercy to Front 242, DJ Shadow and Ennio Morricone
3. And how have they affected your sound?
This is probably why my music always shares a common thread of electronics and organic instruments coming together. Drum machines and guitars, voice and synth.. but also this varied genre of influences is why I tend to traverse between so many different styles at times. If it’s dark, in a romantic way I’m drawn to it.
4. How would you define your sound? And how has your sound evolved so far?
Over the years I have definitely embraced the importance of song versus tracks for the club. I hate giving music too distinct of a title or genre. When you name it, you risk killing it. It’s why I titled the compilation series such a ridiculous title as Next Wave Acid Punx. It’s open to everyone’s interpretation, making the meaning personal to each listener.
5. What inspired you to curate the Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX compilation?
When making a follow up, a sequel, a part two to anything- an album, a movie, an art piece…. The pressure to not repeat or imitate the debut weighs strong. For DEUX, I approached the comp as if it were telling a story of a night out.
Focusing more on the band elements dark and romantic electronic music. I wanted to share the music that inspired me to make what I make today, but also celebrate artists that I admire and respect who share similar interests as me musically, but all approach with a unique and independent character.
6. Can you tell us about the journey of putting together this compilation? Any challenges or memorable moments during the curation process?
Putting together compilations of this size are truly a lot of work, I will not downplay that haha. Licensing old and rare 80’s or 90s tracks is always the trickiest deal to lock. Pioneering remix collectives like Razormaid are some of the most impactful drum programmers on me as a producer to this day, but everytime I’ve tried to license something it’s fallen through. The enigma of who did what in the studio back then can be somewhat hazy I guess in 80s New York, ha!
7. What criteria did you use to determine which tracks made it onto the main compilation and which ones became part of the Secret Cuts bonus tracks?
I mean…. 3 chapters and 6 vinyls is A LOT, of music. You have to be super calculated and strategic with the lengths of each track to match to the lengths of the vinyls. Sadly that meant a lot of music didn’t make it on the vinyl, but those songs were too powerful to leave in the dust. Hence, the secret cuts!
8. How do you perceive the intersection between electronic music and punk attitude within the tracks on the compilation?
Whether it’s a new beat inspired song or a post-punk song, electro or EBM, each and every on the comp embodies a punk and live element to club music. Vocals; guitars, Analog synths… the power of vulnerable and simple emotional music, without sacrifice.
9. What role do you see compilations playing in preserving and promoting underground or lesser-known artists and sounds?
It’s important to open doors for young musicians and Dj’s. I get many people coming to my concerts and parties bringing me a copy of the comp to sign. They tell me it’s opened their world to darkwave, goth rock, postpunk, new beat, and beyond. That’s exciting to me. that is what I thrive to achieve with the comps. To share that same impact the music has on me with others. I think the same happens for up and coming artists who are part of compilations. It alligns them with artists who have maybe been around a bit longer, and without any force, naturally puts them in the same environment and affiliation. Like a badge of honor, ha.
10. Do you feel like the underground scene will continue to persist?
Of course. Underground is the response to what’s popular. To revolt and rebel and make something different and exciting. There will always be rebels in the world of music as long as bad pop and EDM music persists. And sadly I don’t see that bubble popping anytime soon with the explosion of AI generated music.
11. What projects are you working on right now?
I’ve got a lot of exciting projects this year.
Did Vocals for a new Ede single dropping on Running Back, also did vocals on the new Ame album and my own new album will be dropping in October with Dame Bonnet on bass featuring Marie Davidson, Patriarchy and others. I’m also scoring a documentary with close friend fellow guitarist, Skelesys. Besides studio, lots of live tours planned this year to promote the new album.. EU all of May, stay tuned!
PIC: NASTYA PLAYINOVA
