# Jan Robbe > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jan_Robbe > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jan_Robbe.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Robbe > Source revision: 1317778776 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Belgian electronic musician}} {{unreliable sources|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Jan Robbe | image = Atomhe12.jpg | caption = Jan Robbe performing as Atomhead at the 2008 "Only the Hard Survive" festival in [Waregem](/source/Waregem), Belgium | birth_name = Jan Robbe | alias = Atomhead, Erratic, UndaCova, Diagnostic | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1980|6|14}} | birth_place = [Ghent](/source/Ghent), Belgium | death_date = | origin = [Ghent](/source/Ghent), Belgium | instrument = Synthesizer, [electronics](/source/Music_technology), laptop, computer, [sampler](/source/Sampler_(musical_instrument)) | genre = [Electronic music](/source/Electronic_music) | occupation = Musician, [record label runner](/source/record_label), [remix](/source/remix)er, [sound engineer](/source/sound_engineer), [graphic designer](/source/graphic_designer), [game designer](/source/game_designer) | years_active = 1999–present | label = Entity, Hive Records, [Hangars Liquides](/source/Hangars_Liquides), Dyslexic Response, Mystery Sea, [Mirakel Musik](/source/Mirakel_Musik), [Enough Records](/source/Enough_Records), [Autoplate](/source/Thinner_(netlabel)) | associated_acts = [Duncan Avoid](/source/Jan_Robbe), xE Phalanx, Pandemia | website = }} '''Jan Robbe''' (born 14 June 1980 in [Ghent](/source/Ghent), [Belgium](/source/Belgium)), otherwise known by his music project aliases '''Atomhead''', '''Erratic''', '''UndaCova''' and '''Diagnostic''', is an [electronic music](/source/electronic_music) artist. He founded the [experimental](/source/experimental_music) [netlabel](/source/netlabel) Entity in 2003 with friend Nico de Gols (aka Kaebin Yield). Jan Robbe is known for expressing various musical styles under different pseudonyms. ''Atomhead'' and ''UndaCova'', his two most prominent projects, focus on fractured [industrial](/source/industrial_music) beats and densely textured [DSP](/source/Digital_signal_processing) [sound design](/source/sound_design) techniques, whereas ''Erratic'' is a vehicle for pursuing more minimal long-form [ambiental](/source/ambient_music) directions."[http://home.scarlet.be/~chalkdc/IL.htm MYSTERY SEA 31 {{!}} erratic {{!}} the invisible landscape] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603173518/http://home.scarlet.be/~chalkdc/IL.htm |date=3 June 2008 }}", Scarlet.be, 2006. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. The most recent (2018) ''Diagnostic'' project explores [experimental](/source/Experimental_music) sound design, [glitch](/source/Glitch_(music)) and [noise](/source/Noise_music) structures, combining digital and [modular](/source/Modular_synthesizer) synthesis. Robbe has released music on distinguished labels such as Dyslexic Response and [Hangars Liquides](/source/Hangars_Liquides), and collaborated with artists who operate in similar aesthetic domains, including La Peste, Neurocore, Subskan and Xanopticon. Besides his activities as music producer, Robbe is also known for creating [generative](/source/Generative_art) (mostly [fractal](/source/Fractal_art)) graphic design as '''FRAMEofMIND'''{{Cite web|url=http://frameofmind.be/|title=FRAMEofMIND|website=FRAMEofMIND|access-date=2018-11-27|archive-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110171910/http://frameofmind.be/|url-status=live}} and as an [indie game developer](/source/Independent_video_game_development) responsible for creating '''Hyperspace Invaders''','''{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/397690/Hyperspace_Invaders_II_Pixel_Edition/|title=Save 90% on Hyperspace Invaders II: Pixel Edition on Steam|website=store.steampowered.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-27|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809153636/https://store.steampowered.com/app/397690/Hyperspace_Invaders_II_Pixel_Edition/|url-status=live}}''' a [bullet hell](/source/bullet_hell) [shmup](/source/SHMUP) with [audiovisual](/source/audiovisual) and [generative gameplay](/source/generative_gameplay) characteristics. ==Projects== ===UndaCova=== In 1999 Jan Robbe adopted the name "UndaCova" to release [IDM](/source/Intelligent_Dance_Music) experiments using [FL Studio](/source/FL_Studio), which remains one of his favourite programs."[http://www.entity.be/undacova/about.htm Personals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611072232/http://www.entity.be/undacova/about.htm |date=11 June 2007 }}", Entity.be. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. These include ''S-T-U-C-K'' (2001) on the Arghprkl netlabel, and a series of meditative [brainwave synchronizers](/source/brainwave_synchronization) released on Theta. An [illbient](/source/illbient) split with Affective Disorder entitled ''Study of a Ladybug on a Rope'' was later released on [Autoplate](/source/Thinner_(netlabel)). Robbe's influences at this time included the [post-rock](/source/post-rock) and [trip hop](/source/trip_hop) genres, as well as old [video game music](/source/video_game_music), which inspired the ''Metamood Katalyst'' 12" released on Pleemobil. Say Vegin of ''Freestyle Magazine'' drew comparisons in the album's sound to [8-bit](/source/8-bit_(music)), calling it a collection of "hard-tek cut-ups, textured polygons and hypnotizing synths".Vegin, Say. "[http://www.freestylegrooves.com/docs/review/rev271.htm Freestyle review: UndaCova] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006131537/http://www.freestylegrooves.com/docs/review/rev271.htm |date=6 October 2008 }}". ''Freestyle Magazine'', 2002. Retrieved on 29 December 2008. By the end of 2002, Robbe had founded the xE Phalanx project, a joint collaboration with artists from around the world. UndaCova would go on to participate in two xE Phalanx albums; 5E Phalanx's ''Pragmatic Impulse'' and 7E Phalanx's ''Pulse'', both released on the Entity netlabel. A dramatic shift in sound occurred in 2003 with the self-released [power noise](/source/power_noise) EP ''Human Nature''. This period was marked by dark [soundscaping](/source/soundscaping) and assaulting beat constructions,"[http://www.isolaterecords.com/undacova.html UndaCova] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820110601/http://www.isolaterecords.com/undacova.html |date=20 August 2008 }}", isolaterecords.com culminating in 2006 with the release of ''Intrusion'' on Isolate Records. The music of ''Intrusion'' is noted for its hyper-intensity, sonic density and high production values.Downton, Chris. "[http://www.groovesmag.com/review_detail.php?id=00000357 UndaCova: Intrusion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115024453/http://www.groovesmag.com/review_detail.php?id=00000357 |date=15 November 2007 }}". ''[Grooves Magazine](/source/Grooves_Magazine)'', 2006. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. It contains remixes by [Polish](/source/Polish_people) cybercore artist Neurocore and Belgian musician [Imminent](/source/Imminent_(music)). Luca Maini of ''Igloo Magazine'' summarized the album's sound as "Somatic Responses mangled and speeded up to create a teeth-grinding industrial monster, ultra processed and with thousands of razor sharp beats packed together. .... This is the perfect music if you like [Richard Devine](/source/Richard_Devine) but you think he should stick to the smashing stuff he performs live, or maybe you think [Venetian Snares](/source/Venetian_Snares) is a genius but he's gone too melodic."Maini, Luca. "[http://www.igloomag.com/reviews::1319::Undacova_Intrusion_Dyslexic_Response_Isolate_CD_ Undacova :: Intrusion (Dyslexic Response / Isolate, CD)]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}". ''Igloo Magazine'', 2006. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. UndaCova has remixed tracks by Danny Kreutzfeldt, White Nois Stasis and [Diagram of Suburban Chaos](/source/Diagram_of_Suburban_Chaos), and is also featured on the Mirex ''Carbon'' compilation, [Thinner](/source/Thinner_(netlabel))'s ''Recore'' remix album, Somia's ''Miad'', and the ''Polymorphik Piece'' series released on PuZZling Rec. The project went undercover in 2007. ===Atomhead=== Atomhead was founded in 2004 as a means to evolve the sounds already explored with the UndaCova moniker. Often compared with the [cyberdelic](/source/cyberdelic) flashcore experiments of [La Peste](/source/Hangars_Liquides),Weinel, Jon. "[http://www.spannered.org/music/1181/ Flashcore: Earth, Atomizer, Let's Go!]". Spannered.org, 2007. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. Atomhead released ''Spiral Field Velocity 2.0'' in 2005 on La Peste's [Hangars Liquides](/source/Hangars_Liquides) label, the main stable behind flashcore and experimental [speedcore](/source/speedcore). Atomhead has also been likened to 60's-era [Iannis Xenakis](/source/Iannis_Xenakis) and [power electronics](/source/power_electronics_(music)).[http://redzeroradio.net/audio/decibel_breach_djwrongspeed_2_12_07.mp3 Words and Tears Mix]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Decibel Breach Podcast''. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. Atomhead appeared on numerous compilations throughout 2007 and 2008, including ''Vortex'' on Entity, ''Delayed Reaction'' on Peace Off, and ''We Are The Music Breakerz'' on Reconfiguration Records. Atomhead has remixed tracks by Sedarka, Ronny Ragtroll, Xanopticon, and [Prometheus Burning](/source/Pr0metheus_burning), among others. ===Erratic=== 2003 saw the inception of Erratic, a side-project for abstract, "highly immersive soundscapes"Maqqi, Euqenio. "[http://www.chaindlk.com/reviews/index.php?category=0&search=soundscapes&sheet=10&type=music Erratic]", ''Chain D.L.K.'', 2007. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. and [psycho-](/source/psychoacoustics)/[electro-acoustic](/source/electroacoustic_music) sound art. The aim of Erratic is to "unify sound with thoughts and imaginary visual landscapes"."[https://web.archive.org/web/20031217115827/http://www.entity.be/undacova/about.htm About Erratic]", Entity.be, Retrieved on 17 October 2008. For most of Erratic's output, Robbe eschews computer-generated beats and rhythms in favour of "exotic instruments" and [contact microphone](/source/contact_microphone)-derived sounds, which are subsequently manipulated using various [audio editors](/source/audio_editors). The results often sound organic in nature, with comparisons drawn to [mediterranean](/source/mediterranean) and oceanic settings, as well as the [drone](/source/drone_music) and [microsound](/source/microsound) genres.Fischer, Tobias. "[http://www.tokafi.com/newsitems/cd-feature-erratic-the-invisible-landscape/ CD Feature/ Erratic: "The Invisible Landscape"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821170652/http://www.tokafi.com/newsitems/cd-feature-erratic-the-invisible-landscape/ |date=21 August 2008 }}", ''Tokafi'', 2006. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. In 2004 Erratic and ambient artist Hackeronte joined to form Pandemia. On the day of the [transit of Venus](/source/Transit_of_Venus%2C_2004) in 2004, they released the self-described "spacetexture journey" ''Venus Urania'' on Entity, in an attempt to capture a fitting sonic environment for the event. The same year, Erratic released ''Presence'' on [Mirakel Musik](/source/Mirakel_Musik); a 50-minute composition of "richly textured" field recordings intended to accompany the listener to sleep."[http://www.mirakelmusik.se/releases.php?rel=mir003 Erratic – Presence] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20060622054713/http://www.mirakelmusik.se/releases.php?rel=mir003 |date=22 June 2006 }}", mirakelmusik.se. Retrieved on 17 October 2008.Johnson, Larry. "[http://www.earlabs.org/release/label.asp?labelID=17 Mirakelmusik] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070719084610/http://www.earlabs.org/release/label.asp?labelID=17 |date=19 July 2007 }}", Earlabs.org, 2006. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. Erratic has also collaborated with music artists [Andrey Kiritchenko](/source/Andrey_Kiritchenko) and fellow Belgian [Lina](/source/Lina), visual artists Jesper Bentzen and the [Farbrausch](/source/Farbrausch) demogroup,{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} and has released ''Activation Fields'' on Entity (2004), ''The Invisible Landscape'' on Mystery Sea (2006), and contributed to compilations on Con-v, AntmanuvMicro and [Soulseek Records](/source/Soulseek_Records). ===Duncan Avoid=== Duncan Avoid was a collaboration between Entity-founders Jan Robbe and Nico de Gols. The project's goal was to defy [musical genre](/source/musical_genre) as well as technical limitations."[http://timeless-network.com/puzzling/index.php/artists Artists – Puzzling] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908024003/http://www.timeless-network.com/puzzling/index.php/artists |date=8 September 2008 }}", ''Timeless Network'', 2006. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. Their first album ''Cybernetics'' was released in 2003 on [Enough Records](/source/Enough_Records); a [concept album](/source/concept_album) concerned with [transhumanism](/source/transhumanism) and [emerging technologies](/source/emerging_technologies). The album is unique among other releases on the Enough imprint for its extensive use of [microtonality](/source/microtonality) and unresolved [atmospherics](/source/atmospherics),McGuire, Erik. "Duncan Avoid – Cybernetics. ''Hypothemic Magazine'', 2003-03-08. Retrieved on 29 December 2008. described by one journalist as "a spacious, complex, and arguably psychoactive menagerie of integrated electronic soundscapes. .... a purely abstruse composition of sonic nomogenetics, synthetic coils and unfurling digital helices, producing from the ether intangible imagery of high technology newly conjoined with anthropomorphic sentience". ''Cybernetics'' was followed by appearances on Kirdec's ''Stadskantoor Zero'' and d.compose's ''Analysis EP'', for which Duncan Avoid imparted a ''Cybernetics''-esque remix of d.compose's "Thresn 54-231001". Duncan Avoid was also performing throughout Europe at this time, including two shows at the [Cabaret Voltaire](/source/Cabaret_Voltaire_(band)) with [Shitmat](/source/Shitmat) and Chevron, the 2003 [Fuckparade](/source/Fuckparade) in Berlin, and the 2004 Polymorphik Festival in [Liège](/source/Li%C3%A8ge), Belgium."[http://www.webflyers.co.uk/Flyer/1035 Aural Addiction vs Chaosphere, Cabaret Voltaire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719221036/http://www.webflyers.co.uk/Flyer/1035 |date=19 July 2011 }}", webflyers.co.uk, 2004. Retrieved on 24 October 2008."[http://timeless-network.com/puzzling/index.php/2004/03/12/13-polymorphik-festival Polymorphik Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105162454/http://www.timeless-network.com/puzzling/index.php/2004/03/12/13-polymorphik-festival |date=5 January 2009 }}", ''Timeless Network'', 2004. Retrieved on 24 October 2008. In 2004 the duo released their [magnum opus](/source/Masterpiece) ''[Metaphysics](/source/Metaphysics_(Duncan_Avoid_album))'' on Hive Records. Many have found the album's fusing and traversing of disparate styles difficult to categorize,Sodergren, Stephen. "[http://www.regenmag.com/Reviews-199-Duncan-Avoid-Metaphysics.html Review:: Duncan Avoid – Metaphysics]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}", ''ReGen magazine'', 2004. Retrieved on 17 October 2008.Eklund, Anders. "[http://www.movinghands.net/reviews/detail.asp?id=883 Duncan Avoid "Metaphysics"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011221537/http://www.movinghands.net/reviews/detail.asp?id=883 |date=11 October 2006 }}", ''Moving Hands Music Magazine'', 2004. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. with one reviewer calling it "so innovative it sounds almost entirely novel, almost totally devoid of obvious influences, to the point of being a new form without a ready frame of reference.""{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120729194613/http://www.auralpressure.com/review/d/duncan_avoid_metaphysics.html DUNCAN AVOID – METAPHYSICS]}}", ''Aural Pressure'', 2005. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. Similar sentiments were expressed by others, with descriptions ranging from "punchy [breakcore](/source/breakcore) freneticism coiled tightly around endlessly twisted ambience and hectic experimental sound sculpture","[http://www.stormingthebase.com/details.asp?ProdID=1841 Duncan Avoid – Metaphysics Review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211145133/http://www.stormingthebase.com/details.asp?ProdID=1841 |date=11 February 2005 }}", ''Storming the Base'', 2004. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. to "a gaseous contrail of solar noise and ice particles where ambient breaths of watery melodies get heat-flashed into steam, and software-driven drum programming is savaged by extended processor cycles."Propek, Mat. "[http://www.igloomag.com/doc.php?task=view&id=848&category=reviews Duncan Avoid :: Metaphysics (Hive, CD)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016223247/http://igloomag.com/doc.php?task=view&id=848&category=reviews |date=16 October 2006 }}", ''Igloo Magazine'', 2005. Retrieved on 17 October 2008. Prolific [polystylist](/source/polystylism) C-drik and [Ukrainian](/source/Ukraine) [noise](/source/noise_(music)) artist Kotra provided remixes of "Auditory Arms" and "Parallel Grounds", respectively. Duncan Avoid also lent tracks to Enough Records' ''Retork'' compilation and the limited edition ''FUCK'' compilation released on Hive. The project has since been put on an indefinite hiatus. ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://www.entity.be/undacova/ Jan Robbe's official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005033000/http://www.entity.be/undacova/ |date=5 October 2008 }} * [http://www.entity.be/duncanavoid/ Duncan Avoid's official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211051229/http://www.entity.be/duncanavoid/ |date=11 February 2009 }} *[https://www.discogs.com/artist/485962-Jan-Robbe Jan Robbe's discography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127064805/https://www.discogs.com/artist/485962-Jan-Robbe |date=27 November 2018 }} *[http://frameofmind.be FRAMEofMIND official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110171910/http://frameofmind.be/ |date=10 November 2018 }} *https://store.steampowered.com/app/397690/Hyperspace_Invaders_II_Pixel_Edition/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809153636/https://store.steampowered.com/app/397690/Hyperspace_Invaders_II_Pixel_Edition/ |date=9 August 2018 }} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Robbe, Jan}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:Ambient musicians Category:Belgian experimental musicians Category:Intelligent dance musicians Category:Belgian industrial musicians Category:Belgian remixers Category:Demosceners --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jan Robbe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Robbe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Robbe?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.