IA fka Intruder Alert is a collective and label from Warsaw. While the projects is at home in the Polish capital, IA’s aim is as much to be a platform for artists from their homeland as to present music from the the world’s many different scenes. With this approach, the label has released music by the likes of Nuji, Ditchdog, Lilly Kane, and NON co-founder Chino Amobi. As for a common denominator of these artists, one could refer to an exploration of the primitive sounds of music that may enhance what’s candid and embrace an imperfect side of things. Accordingly, the visual language accompanying IA’s aesthetics takes inspiration from the industrial side of Warsaw, which is in constant construction.
On the occasion of the release of Love Songs, the label’s second compilation, Kasia Jaroch met up with Kry and B.yhzz, two of the brains behind IA. Together, they discussed the projects development so far.
Kasia Jaroch How did the idea of releasing music come about for you?
Intruder Alert When IA—back then still Intruder Alert—began in 2016, it was about inviting the world’s underground artists to Warsaw for events. Our first output as a label, BURST;BATTLE, a split EP from B.yhzz and My Sword, was released three years ago. Back then, we would have never said we were going to keep running this as a label on a daily basis… A lot has changed since 2016, we have managed to find our path and our own sound, which is less digital and more human.
Although we may have expanded as a label, we still resist the idea of fixed names, when it comes to IA. The key is not to define it. Today, we encourage artists to add a text or a poem, a random thought about a release. It helps us present their respective work and aesthetics in a widened way. Each release is taken separately and represents endeavors to give a personalized context for the output. Photos by Lola Banet, for example, as well as other visual materials, build a proper “ambient” before the release of the actual music.
KJ What are other examples of this content that goes beyond the music?
IA Sentinel wrote a poem that nicely reflected the general mood of Larum, our first compilation, while Constellation Botsu dedicated his painting for the cover of his EP 曲中泊. They’re both very talented artists that work with mixed media. Lilly Kane, whose EP Incognito we released and who collaborated with B.yhzz, visited Europe last summer. We got to know her, hung out in Berlin and did a photoshoot for the release. In Tokyo, we met with BIKッIN. He took us to his favorite spot in the city, where we shoot the press photos. Whenever we can, we meet with people whose work we want to release and we’re trying to spend time together.
KJ If you were to talk about the most important motifs of IA, what would they be?
IA It’s an intuitive search and often an accidental discovery. It’s a feeling or a somehow absolute belief—even after only a few seconds of listening—that the sound is precisely IA. We are searching for artists who seem to communicate in a comparable misty and dimmed natural language. What can be found in all our releases, which was particularly evident in 2019, is imperfection, and honesty. We therefore think that each EP or album is very expressive. It feels amazing when you realize that your releases are corresponding to each other, and similar ideas are permeating through the releases.
KJ Do you think the music you release with IA is independent of its space? And what about its time?
IA It may look like that from the outside, but Warsaw influenced the character and very likely also the sound of Intruder Alert. The city’s buildings also inspired the scenography that Neho Tigra creates for some of the events we host here. It’s what he sees on the streets: fences, barriers, tin wares, nets, grates, and debris. Some of the construction sites of Warsaw could be transferred one-to-one to the venues. We do derive our aesthetics from Warsaw. With time, it has changed—just like the city changed.
KJ What were recent developments with regards to the events you have been hosting?
IA Last year, we premiered an event at the Śmierć Człowieka gallery in Warsaw. For this evening—the release party of B.yhzz’s Rejection, Blessing—people like Astma, KRY, and Oxhy have performed on a floor in the middle of the gallery space, while candles illuminated the room. The environment was very intimate. With this event, we started a series of open concerts held at It Me Studio, Chmury, or Chłodna cafés focusing solely on showcasing music coming from the label.
But there is not one specific approach to all IA releases, events, or any of our creations. It’s a different frame every time. This idea of refusing to give a universal solution, giving no simple answers, is a difficult situation for most people because everybody is so used to getting ready to “consume” culture as a given product. Creating bodies of work that are even slightly more challenging seems repulsive for most.
KJ The newest frame is present in the compilation Love Songs. What’s the main idea behind the project?
IA It’s our second compilation to date. The first one, Larum, released in 2017, contained 18 tracks from musicians like Sentimental Rave, Alobhe, and Terribilis. Although these people have been dear to us, we wanted to go further with Love Songs and emphasize IA’s relations with artists very close to us. The compilation wants to present people who have contributed or will contribute to the label. Furthermore, the idea behind Love Songs is that every track carries the element of voice in it. And last but not least, these artists and their songs for the compilation still represent fringe territories both musically and geographically.
Love Songs, featuring by Bokugo ,MM’99, Ditchdog, Lilly Kane, Ephemeral Harms, Chino Amobi, and Nuji, as well as B.yhzz and Kry, is out now via IA.Proceeds from the compilation will go to The EDGE of Existence program (see here).
The pictures featured in the article as well as the featured image were taken by IA’s Rafael.