Diamond Version

The project Diamond Version unites Raster-Noton operator Olaf Bender, known as Byetone, with the label's associate Carsten Nicolai, who produces experimental techno under the alias Alva Noto. Atsuhiro Ito has also become part of the lineup, performing on the Optron, an instrument he constructed from modified fluorescent tubes to deliver a "noisist counterpart." Bender and Nicolai brought extensive prior collaboration experience to the formation of Diamond Version, having issued multiple recordings as Signal alongside Frank Bretschneider. Under contract with the influential electronic music imprint Mute, the group introduced itself in September 2012 via EP1, consisting of concise yet powerful techno tracks. Further sequentially numbered EPs sharing this approach appeared in November and December of that year, plus March and May of the next. Vocals on the 2014 full-length release CI came from Leslie Winer, Kyoka, and Neil Tennant.