Electronic music duo Humans released their EP Traps on Hybridity Music last spring.
The Vancouver-based Hybridity really came to light in 2012, overseen by Malcolm Levy and working closely with Sarah Cole-Burnett the two work on conceptualizing different art projects and music that come out of the label. At the same time working with a team of designers, programmers, artists and obviously musical artists around the overall vision in the different projects that they’re up to. “Hybridity’s name came from the idea that I thought was very essential in terms of describing culture & art and the state of where we’re at in terms of being a fusion of how things are formed today,” explains Malcolm.
The roots of Hybridity stem from the foundation of work the two have been up to in previous years involving new media installations, visual art and curating electronic music at different events. After spending a lot of time as a DJ, Malcolm eventually turned further in the direction of visual art and curation, for instance New Forms Festival, where he was able to see what was happening in the scene for producers and the music being created. “I felt there was something needed in changing that, and Sarah was completely on board and agreed, and I think it was important to us to do something completely different that looked at music and art as one. With Hybridity as an artist run label every piece of music is curated and discussed in what we do and how we do it.”
With such emphasis on bringing all aspects of artistic showcasing to the foreground the collaboration with Victoria based group Sub|division makes complete sense and was achieved with such ease. “I think with Subdivision in terms of Hybridity it just seemed a natural fit when Chris was looking to figure out an interesting way to release groups but within the context of partnering labels and ideas around that,” Malcolm explains, “I’ve always had a lot of respect for everything he’s done in Victoria, the work he’s put into it, the music that’s come out of that, and the scene itself. I think a lot of people have.”
September in Vancouver will be housing one of the best festivals the West Coast offers, New Forms Festival; one Malcolm has a heavy hand in as director, and is sure not to disappoint this year seeing as it is one of the best festivals to date. One that could not be organized and held all from one man’s hard work, “Scott, Cedric, Michael and Chris curating it with Sarah and I is fantastic. I’m really excited about the line-up and everything about it, we have an incredible team this year and it’s going to show, not just with music and art but the overall spirit.”
As busy as Malcolm and Sarah are they will not let up and the future for Hybridity looks plentiful and something people should be keeping an attentive ear honed in on. The rest of 2012 looks good for the collective. From the lips of Malcolm himself came a glimpse of what is coming up next, “There’s going to be releases by Dreamboat, Monolithium, Thomas Cade, and another album by Humans in the fall & winter are what I can say for sure.”
New Forms Festival will be hitting Vancouver September 13-16 with the theme of ‘Living Labs’. It’s going to be good.
By Jamie Goyman
