Diamond Version

Diamond Version is a meeting between Raster-Noton operator Olaf Bender (aka Byetone) and label associate and fellow experimental techno producer <a href="spotify:artist:3aJZxbrbxP5qfQ755XurHS">Carsten Nicolai</a> (aka Alva Noto). They've been joined by Atsuhiro Ito, who uses the Optron -- an instrument of the musician's making described as modified fluorescent tubes that provide "noisist counterpart." When Bender and <a href="spotify:artist:3aJZxbrbxP5qfQ755XurHS">Nicolai</a> formed Diamond Version, the two already had a long history of working together; beside Frank Bretschneider, they produced several releases under the name <a href="spotify:artist:4DEz49WI2iV3j4z0L1diPr">Signal</a>. Signed to pioneering electronic music label <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Mute%22">Mute</a>, Diamond Version debuted in September 2012 with EP1, a short set of pared-down but muscular techno. Additional numbered EPs of similar construction followed that November and December, as well as the following March and May. <a href="spotify:artist:3NCRrtYVA8JoqzDMKzjUmn">Leslie Winer</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7zGqrkVRbs7O8xAN9Rd4pA">Kyoka</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1dfUmPiIel95MFXvQMUAED">Neil Tennant</a> contributed vocals to a full-length album, CI, issued in 2014. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi