Diskono
Anonymous Scottish label behind diverse sound art and controversy.
Diskono is a Scottish independent record label whose members remain anonymous and are based north of the Antonine Wall. They continue multidisciplinary art practices in undisclosed locations within Scotland, and are also thought to operate in Belgium, France, and the United States. The label, along with its subsidiary imprint Penthouse Hotplate, fostered a wide range of work—from location recordings and sound art to minimal techno, sparse piano pieces, abstract explosive noise, and angular punk pop. Diskono is credited with discovering artists like Felix Kubin and Janek Schaefer, and played a key role in deconstructing Detroit techno classics, notably with the release of V/Vm's "String Up Your Wife." The label was also involved in numerous controversial art-world and performance events across the British Isles and Europe during the late 1990s and early 2000s. They are the first and only Scottish artists to receive a major Scottish Arts Council grant submitted under a pseudonym; the resulting exhibition, *Revisionland* with Alejandra and Aeron, went on to win the 2002 Prix Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria. Currently, Diskono is observing the reemergence of artist Jan Van Den Dobbelsteen.
- field
- Record label, multidisciplinary art
- nationality
- Scottish (north of the Antonine Wall)
- known_for
- Discovery of artists such as Felix Kubin and Janek Schaefer; deconstruction of Detroit techno classics; controversial art world and performance situations; winning 2002 Prix Ars Electronica award
Lore & Background
Diskono operates as an independent record label whose members remain anonymous, based in Scotland north of the Antonine Wall. They are also rumored to have bases in Belgium, France, and the United States. Their output spans a wide range of genres, from location recordings and sound art to minimal techno, sparse piano compositions, abstract explosive noise, and angular punk pop, released both under the Diskono name and its offshoot imprint Penthouse Hotplate.
Reader's Guide
Diskono is significant for its role in discovering and promoting artists such as Felix Kubin and Janek Schaefer, as well as for its deconstruction of Detroit techno classics, exemplified by the release V/Vm 'String Up Your Wife'. The label was involved in many controversial art world and performance-based situations across the British Isles and Europe in the late 1990s to early 2000s. Notably, Diskono became the first and only Scottish artists to be awarded a major Scottish Arts Council grant submitted under a pseudonym, leading to the exhibition Revisionland with Alejandra and Aeron, which won the 2002 Prix Ars Electronica award in Linz, Austria. Their legacy includes a continued influence on experimental music and art, with the label currently observing the reemergence of artist Jan Van Den Dobbelsteen.
Did You Know?
- Diskono comprises anonymous artists from Scotland north of the Antonine Wall.
- They are rumored to operate out of Belgium, France, and the United States of America.
- Diskono was the first and only Scottish artists to be awarded a major Scottish Arts Council grant under a pseudonym.
- Their exhibition Revisionland with Alejandra and Aeron won the 2002 Prix Ars Electronica award.
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