DARKTUNES: The Archangel And His Legion
DarkTunes Artists: Agnis, Paula Yu Simon (Her Own World), CZARINA, and Freak Injection at the European Dark Dance Treffen, Mannheim, Germany. November 2023. Photo by Visionathor.
Written by Vero Faye Kitsuné (CZARINA)
Happy New Year, Everyone!
2023 gave us some incredible records across the dark music and alternative genres which include: Dead Light's infectious modern EBM-infused, 80's gothic glam synthpop LP entitled Glitterspit; Polish Industrial-Metal band Her Own World's otherworldly and allegorical debut LP, Tales From Another Life; Moscow dark electro artist Apnoie's vibrant yet rebelliously secularist, chic darkpop offering, Ivory Tower.
Although very different in styles, these releases - which received nods and waves from critics, dark music lovers and authorities alike, landing in some of the best year-end lists - all share something in common: They're all part of the German gothic label, DarkTunes Music Group.
My introduction to DarkTunes was a memorable one. A few weeks after moving to Spain from New York 4 years ago during the pandemic, I got a message from the French-German DarkTunes CEO, Raphael Beck - or simply "Raph", asking if I would be interested in joining their roster. The timing seemed perfect. Along with the move to Galicia, I was also going through some changes with my music and art, being heavily inspired and reinvigorated by my new home and lush surroundings. I have been wanting to move forward from my neon-tinged synth soundscapes, explore a new epic sound and return to some of my dark rock and progressive roots. I decided to look up DarkTunes' website to see if this would be the proper alignment for me. It led me to a landing page covered with photos of Raph hanging out at an animal shelter with some cute puppies, looking blissfully happy and radiant, and being a true embodiment of the seraphic nature of his name. Some weeks earlier, the label had just raised funds for Tierschutzverein Heidelberg from the very first DarkTunes online festival featuring DarkTunes acts and other members of the dark alternative online community. Raph was hand-delivering the donation to the animal shelter himself.
Being a huge animal and doggo lover myself, I took all of this as a massive sign that indeed, these are my people without any doubt. After phone meetings over contracts and agreements, I signed with the label and became their first Asian-American dark music artist-producer, and their first artist out of Spain. But my relationship with the label is not just that of an artist-producer, but also as a fan, an avid spectator, and also similar to that of a student navigating the world of dark music.
DarkTunes CEO Raphael Beck, CZARINA, and DeadlyKawaii at the European Dark Dance Treffen, Mannheim
With over 10 years of music industry experience and expertise in the actual business of music and online marketing, Raph launched DarkTunes Music Group in 2013. The label has become one of the fastest-growing, most diverse labels with the most diverse roster in the dark music and alternative community, with genres spanning across industrial, numetal, darkwave, synthpop, dark electro and monster hellektro, goth and gothic rock, dark pop, dark ethereal fantasy and mysticism; with artists and bands hailing from all over Europe, the UK, parts of the US (including Puerto Rico), and South America. Armed with a growing YouTube Channel of over 145K subscribers strong, a long list of the most loyal Bandcamp supporters, some of the most popular Spotify dark playlists, and a refined, tried-and-true strategic approach in growing his talents, Raph prides the Baphomet-logo’ed label as a vanguard, a flourishing spring grotto and safe haven for his carefully hand-selected, unique and very vast array of dark music artists and bands, along with their distinctive qualities and respective vision. In the giant (and sometimes harsh, cruel, toxic and downright bitchy) world of dark alternative music, Raph's vision cuts through the deep dark sludge like a blazing pillar of laser centered around a carefully cultivated international landscape where dark creatives and visionnaires from several different backgrounds can thrive and intellectually feel safe.
DarkTunes bands and artists may be vastly different and unique from each other, yet they are ultimately united by certain notable characteristics and mission. A great number of talents the label nurtures are women or women-led. Along with each band and artist's unrelenting commitment to their own individual artistry, and high-caliber music and video productions that amplify the DarkTunes channel's notoriety with each release, the artists seem to enjoy their own flourish while nestled under Raph's giant wings. He's referred to as the Archangel by his talents. Yet despite being quite the celestial figure of his own dark legion, Raph is hardly the cult-like leader anyone would expect. Strong, firm, wise yet gentle and soft-spoken in his demeanor while dispersing guidance, the Extize and Basszilla frontman and DJ does not carry an ounce of the pedantic, high Machevellian and dark triad airs unlike others who reign over similar positions of leadership. Raph remains humble, dutiful, hardworking and laser-focused on the objectives and best interests of his artists and their projects, starves the oxygen of any potential drama, consistently maintaining a lighthearted, positive and cherubic attitude while allowing the artists he's fully invested in complete free reign and full creative control over their own respective projects. Always available for every single one of his talents, he is only a WhatsApp or Facebook Message away. His unique amalgamated positive approach to leadership couldn't help but inspire and foster a greater sense of family and camaraderie amongst DarkTunes artists.
"For us DarkTunes is like living in a wonderful great family of brilliant artists and personalities. We want to thank Raph for supporting us to make our dreams and creativity come to life," says Heiko Lachmann of the German Industrial-Darkwave band, TOAL.
This united front does not simply exist on social media, but it finally came to full fruition last November when several DarkTunes acts were invited to share the stage and perform during two of the biggest nights at the European Dark Dance Treffen in Mannheim, Germany, creating possibly one of the most memorable moments in DarkTunes' history: Toal, Agnis, CZARINA, Her Own World, White Ritual, Freak Injection, Cattac, Dead Lights, and Basscalate. The artists and bands meeting in person for the first time forged, solidified and reinforced the values they each already carry at the core of the label, amplifying the alignments they all share in full evidence of why they were hand-selected to become part of DarkTunes.
Adrian Adrianowski at Dark Dance Treffen, Mannheim. Photo by Visionathor
Kamila Louve at Dark Dance Treffen, Mannheim. Photo by Visionathor.
"Raphaël is a great strategist, businessman and friend. He has a good sense of selecting and promoting bands. Everyone in the label can count on help, support and a good friendly word. He can take care of every brand he publishes. Privately, darkTunes is not only a label and a business machine, but also a family!" exclaims Adrian Adrianowski of Her Own World.
Kamila Louve of Her Own World adds that the "Darktunes label is a very special group that gathered amazing artists and creators of the most positive energy and magic. I am grateful for being part of this."
"DarkTunes is not just a music group. It’s a group of family like friends who can count on each other. But most importantly: we have our own angel watching over us: Raphael," says Polish Darkpop and Witchpop artist, Agnis.
"We are proud to work with Raph from DarkTunes. He is a well of musical science, very invested in his label and his groups. He has succeeded in bringing groups from his label from the 4 corners of Europe for the Dark Dance Treffen and our bonds are stronger than ever!" exclaims Lily of White Ritual
Heiko Lachmann of Toal, Agnis, CZARINA, DeadlyKawaii, DJ Reaktor-4, Visionathor | European Dark Dance Treffen 2024, Mannheim.
In April of 2024, DarkTunes will have its very own festival called DarkFest: Monsters of Electro Vol. 1 in Bochum, Germany featuring top hellektro acts Extize, Synth Attack, Dead Lights and Antibody. A multi-city DarkTunes festival tour with several DarkTunes acts are also currently in the works, as well as DarkTunes' participation in the iconic gothic festivals such as Castle Party in Bolkow, Poland (featuring Extize, Blackbook and CZARINA), Wave Gotik Treffen in Liepzig and more in 2024.
In the ever-changing music industry landscape where independent artists become more and more vulnerable, DarkTunes under Raphael Beck's leadership shines the light on a special path that exemplifies that there is not only power and perseverance in unity, but a profound and meaningful artist experience that can change the shape of artists-label and artist-to-artist relationships going into the future. The Archangel and his legion are leading the flight towards even greater and higher roads with heart and passion in diverse unity while serving a higher purpose from the shadows and a promise of longevity.
“Since 8 years of collaboration between Omnimar and darkTunes we sincerely believe this is a perfect fit, our union is about honest relations and trust, about reaching goals while staying in our comfort creative zone. Thanks to our united efforts we could achieve great results as multimillion YouTube views, participation in big dark festivals, recognition in the international dark scene. I can clearly see that being an artist at darkTunes means being respectful to each other, putting human and art above business and social imbalance, growing together, feeling like a part of a strong united family."
- Maria Mar, Omnimar
“My experience with darkTunes has been transformative. The artists on the label all have an individual sound and own where they are from and their story. What I love most about working with Raph is his mixture of raw honesty and unique perspective on vision. I look forward to working with darkTunes and other artists on the label in 2024.”
Her Own World at European Dark Dance Treffen, Mannheim. Photo by Visionathor.
"Apart from all the advantages of Raph's character, he is also a great businessman and professional when it comes to running a music label. As a band, we feel cared for and appreciated for our music and we love his modern approach to promotion. Personally, Raph is not only a friend to me, but also a role model in the music industry."
- Paula Yu Simón, Her Own World
DarkTunes is more than just a label for us. We are infinitely happy to be part of this large international family, and we want to thank Raphael for seeing the potential in us and continuing to believe in us, charging us with energy and lighting the flame in us.
- Roman Munster, Dance My Darling
"I have been in the gothic scene since the mid-1990s and have been active as a DJ since 2001. What makes DarkTunes so great is the variety of different genres and the great bands. In every one of my DJ sets there is always a big darkTunes special set."
- Dirk Jordan aka DJ [Reaktor-4]
For the complete list of DarkTunes Artists and their works, visit: https://darktunes.bandcamp.com/artists
