On Test Label Profile - 11th Hour Technology

Hailing from London in the UK, On_Test has undoubtedly inherited some flavouring from the club-style Techno scene there. However, On_Test’s style of sound is harder to pin down so precisely, in just the same way as the sound of label founder and co-ordinator, dj Brenda Russell, is hard to pin to a single genre. Sometimes minimal, sometimes not - House, Tech-House, Techno, or any permutation of the latter descriptions are all apparent. The only common ground, or the closest to a music policy that you can assign to On_Test, is that the music is always funky.

Brenda has occupied a busy international dj schedule for more than 10 years, and has over six years experience in club and radio promotion for Techno and Experimental music. She started DJ'ing in 1991 at a small wine bar in London. Following this, a semi-residency at "KNOWLEDGE", which was co-promoted by Colin Faver, Colin Dale and Jane Howard. In 1993 when "KNOWLEDGE" finished, she joined the two Colin's to organise and promote "DEEP SPACE" parties in central London until 1997.

Global travels have seen her perform at Ultimate Base, Open to Torture, Lost and Atomic Jam in the UK Other gigs have included the Mayday event, The Omen and Tresor (Germany), Rex Club (France), Twilo (USA), to name a few! Also at gigs in Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, Portugal, Hungary, Crotia, Slovenia, Czechoslovakia, Israel, USA, and Japan.

Not content with only DJ'ing in clubs, Brenda has gained experience in radio presentation. This has included a 3 hour show on KISS 100 FM London, Brazen Radio's "Women in Music Festival" and Euronet Weekend Rave, (on satellite and cable networks). Interviews and her live mixes have also been aired on ORF (Vienna), KISS FM (Berlin), B-92 (Belgrade/Serbia), GAIA LIVE and GROOVETECH on the internet.

Between 1994 and 1998 Brenda worked at Phuture Trax, where she was responsible for Club and Radio Promotions on Techno and Experimental music. A few of the projects she worked on were Carl Cox's FACT 1 compilation, (which she was awarded a BP Disc for sales of over 100,000 copies), Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier, The Advent, Steve Stoll and Slam.

Her contribution to the scene and determination to succeed led her to compile 4 compilation albums and produce one track to date.

Compilations
Biosphere 2 - Event Records Austria - 2000 (mix cd available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
Mirai - The Future - Kickin - 1999
Techno Nations 8 - Kickin - 1998
Innovators - Future Techno - Breakdown - 1995

Production
Sista from another galaxy feat Darkstar - Space Hopper - Opium
(licensed to Mayday - Lowspirit/Germany and Obsession - XXX/Austria 1995/1996)

With all this experience under her wing she decided to use some of the knowledge and started her own label On_Test. The label is a new platform for unknown, up and coming, as well as better-known producers that fitted with her own musical ethos. The project first made its appearance in September 2000 with the release of the ‘Underground Compositions EP’ by Bristol based dj and producer, Jamie Anderson. On_Test to is distributed internationally by Integrale Muzique.

Brenda herself is in the process of mastering the art of the studio, and has intentions to release her own self-styled productions in the future.

Brenda will be hosting bi-monthly ON_Test label parties from March 2001 @ the Zulu Club near Salzburg/Austria, where she will showcasing the artists on the label and guest dj’s. Also watch out for On_Test parties at BASE, the Velvet Rooms, Charing X Road, London, where Brenda is a resident alongside Jim Masters & Trevor Rockcliffe.

On_Test’s broad style is reflected in the choice of artists that have been signed for releases. The first release was by Jamie Anderson, owner of Artform records and well known for his Latin approach to House percussion. He also records for NRK Sound Division and is in high demand for remixes. The second was by London Techno duo Access 58. Other than running their own self-titled record label (which Brenda helped to create) Access 58 have also recorded for Belgium’s Music Man, and tear up dancefloors across the world with their blisteringly hard and funky live shows. Also present in On_Test’s catalogue are dj-producer Mark Williams (of Artificial Vinyl and Dark House Music fame), and Surefoot (the collaboration between Geushky club resident Dave Saunders and musical partner Barney Pratt). Surefoot’s ‘Rucksack EP’ caused and indeed still causes a stir in the clubs.

To obtain more information visit the On_Test web site (www.ontest.co.uk) or e-mail Brenda at info@ontest.co.uk. Any demo’s should be sent to: PO Box 13521, London, W9 3ZY, UK. Alternatively, check out On_Test’s distributor Integrale’s web site for any additional information regarding distribution (www.integralemuzique.com).