The rise and fall of Innovative Communication, a focus on the ambient music mirage lasted thirty years.

- IC History by year -

1978 The Innovative Communication label was founded by member of the electronic bands Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel Klaus Schulze, and the music journalist Michael Haentjes.

1980 The label came to the mind of the wide audience after the release of the debut album of the band Ideal (number three on the German charts), one of the founders of the Neue Deutsche Welle.

1983 With bands and musician like Software, Steve Roach, Mind over Matter, Megabyte and Quiet Force that joined the label, and the coming of Mark Sakautzky that serve as creative consultant with Michael Weisser, IC created his peculiar trade-mark.

1990 The million-turnover was reached and the IC DigIt Music GmbH was founded.

1994 Mark Sakautzky sold his shares in the company and Michael Weisser directed the company together with the Pallas Group, the new partner.

2002 DA MUSIC, the distribution company of the label since the beginning, took over Weissers shares and build a new team for the label. The entire stock of CD-labels was destroyed under existing contracts.

Nowadays DA MUSIC is releasing selected masters on a DVD series called Universal Fantasies and will revive some of the historic releases in a new version. However, the catalog of new releases is full of trash like "Jog-O-Motion" or "Water Symphonies". Music to lose weight or to contemplate the growth of your chinese gardenias.

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An example of the big care in the (past) IC imaginary is the cover of Software's album, Digital Dance.

In 1981, Nelson L. Max produced his film Carla’s Island further demonstrating not only the new power of computer graphics, but Nelson’s combined visual and sound sensibility. A few years later, IC choose a still of Carla's Island to adorn the front cover of Digital Dance release. In the booklet it also features a short poem on ethical manifesto of the band.

Software was founded by Peter Mergener and Michael Weisser in 1984. Inegal but still enjoyable, their Digital Dance release evolves and moves away from the hypnotic robotic sounds of debut. They soften their music by widening their instrumental palette: bells, saxophone and an electric guitar very reminiscent of Froese's playing on Tangram. Digital Dance is globally very relaxing, but different from the yuppie's new age stuff because produced from the intriguing mind of an author of three science fiction novels (Michael Weisser) and a virtuoso strumentist and sound sculptor (Peter Mergener).

Last time we visited with Luke Temple was two and half years ago when he stopped by the studio with Here We Go Magic. This time around we met up with solo Luke to chat about why touring by yourself is the pits and more importantly, why you should keep your girlfriend away from Fred Durst.

While Ted has been actively crazy creeking in the Catskills this Summer, Luke’s kept busy these past couple years—constantly touring, recording a few Here We Go Magic albums, and visiting a wine country nudist colony. By the grace of goodness himself, Luke made time to produce some pretty primo folk music. Most recently, he’s released Don’t Act Like You Don’t Care—9 songs recorded 3 years ago.

Even before Here We Go Magic’s first release, "Don’t Act Like You Don’t Care" was in existance. Why is it just coming out now, you ask? Simple: one day Luke felt the plates shifting, the earth rumbled, mercury was maybe in retrograde, and when the air got heavy, he knew it was time.

And by gum, we’re glad it’s finally here. Luke shared tracks “Weekend Warrior,” “So Long So Long,” “You Belong To Heaven,” and “How Could I lie.” Listen to Luke and Ted compete for the title of “most laid back.” The vibes are so chill and Luke’s voice is goddamn golden.

Written by Kati Corbett

Tune in today at Noon for Luke Temple Me + You!

How Could I Lie by Viva Radio

Wow. I'll say it again. Wow. Canadian hard rock heavy metal legends Anvil graced the mighty Flatbush Pavilion last week and boy did we have a hoot. I'm glad they didn't play all terrible metal bands as well. It's too bad I didn't get Stephen Tanner in the studio that night. I'm sure the two of them could have had a field day cranking the best of Cactus for three hours. Needless to say we torched up some classics!

Lips and Rob Reiner of Anvil were basically your 80's metal dream come true. They sold out thousands of rock shows and shared stages with your classics like AC/DC and the Scorpions. Here comes the shocker. They suddenly fell to obscurity after greedy managers and record labels swindled their savings. Fast forward to 2008 and these fine Canucks are suddenly blasted back to notoriety through the very encapsulating documentary, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil"

Even when I was calling them a car on Flatbush Avenue that night it didn't take more than five minutes for two kids to recognize them. "Hey, when are you guys playing again?" exclaimed a young man hopping on the B-41. I was pretty stoked they played really solid jams. In fact I would love to give them a show on Viva Radio if they were interested. Without further adieu I give you one of the best, sweatiest, pot fueled, hazed out late Summer mixes of 2011! Tune in today to Anvil on Naked Fridays at 4pm!

SILENT KILLERS – Sometimes we feel like slippery kelp in the tide and it can be awful hard to hang on to each other. It is my belief Elena Reimeryte understands this and via her Viva program bridges the disenchanted with the enchanted. Black-market schlop-pop abounds. Check out Silent Killers every Thursday at 9pm

CHUBBY DISCO FINGERS – You may ask yourself “What makes a great mood altering playlist?” Sorry I can’t help you. But had you asked “Who?” I could give you the E-Z answer: Matt la Kat

A 100% classic hip-hop radio show on Viva? This wins the great idea award for August 2011. These playlists beg for repeat listens. Super Bueno every Tuesday at 6pm