Opal Tapes

Opal Tapes is a British label from Newcastle upon Tyne, founded by Stephen Bishop in 2012. »Since I was 16, I have published tapes or CDRs with music by me or others. Not in order to earn cash. Rather in order to show people what we are doing.« The founding of Opal Tapes is based upon the same thoughts, as Bishop puts it, his »creative hobby«. Influenced by DIY thoughts of the hardcore and industrial scenes, in which as a teenager he roamed in, he continuously organises everything himself with the support of his girlfriend. It is not without accompanying cutbacks. »I spend the biggest part of my life with some kind of data-binging, desperately searching for new products to listen to and to learn from. Lately, I have isolated myself and spent a lot of time working on the label and listening critically. I would like to have once again the thirst, which I had at the age of 20. But this may still happen.«

At first Bishop, who also publishes under the name Basic House, was interested in the interface between Noise and Club music. For instance, the nostalgic raver IVVVO began his career here, but abstract designed projects like Wanda Group or Lumigraph are also represented here. So what is the musical guideline of Opal Tapes? »I want to be impressed by the sound«, explains Bishop.» I think sound is an incredibly, interesting energy. It carries so much information and what fascinates me is how I can understand this information and can chase after what I don’t get.« That also explains the stylistic openness, that has only evolved in the last years. In the meantime, thanks to Xosar and Schiahri, he also mixes clever creations of club music into the back catalogue, which has been extended with the sub label Black Opal.

What’s the difference between Opal Tapes and Black Opal, despite the format? Black Opal especially publish on vinyl. »The differences are always getting increasingly smaller«, is the lapidary answer. The main thing is, is that it is interesting. He feels very much at home in his chosen town Newcastle upon Tyne, which he swapped his birth town Teeside for. »I am more in favour of trees than of clubs«, is the dry comment. But that in no way means that the thirst for new sounds is quenched. On the contrary.