About Aconit Cult
In 2022, I embarked on a journey to create something extraordinary. Aconit Cult is more than an independent label; it's a passion project that transcends boundaries. It's a celebration of the unique, the obscure, and the unconventional. This is the story of Aconit Cult, a project that started from scratch and has evolved into a fusion of music, cinema, and art.
The Genesis: ACONIT Records
As a graphic designer with a profound love for music and cinema, my journey began long ago. Influenced by rock bands whose aesthetics were inspired by obscure cinema and underground films, I discovered the fascinating world of creative intersections. My lifelong admiration for Marilyn Manson taught me that, as an artist, one can draw inspiration from diverse realms and bridge the gaps between arts and culture.
My quest to understand how musicians created conceptual albums led me to delve into a diverse pool of influences, encompassing music, literature, politics, philosophy, and visual arts. The pivotal moment for Aconit Cult came with the release of the Jenny Torse's album on vinyl. This Belgian duo, discovered during my time in Brussels in 2014, was an enigmatic amalgamation of my influences: the nightmarish essence of David Lynch's films, the eerie ambiance of a roadside strip club, and the unpolished soundscapes reminiscent of old Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids.
Three years later, fate intervened, and I met Guillaume Cazalet, the guitarist of the band, who is now at the helm of the super-group NEPTUNIAN MAXIMALISM. I expressed my desire to collaborate with Jenny Torse on a graphic project, in any form, be it album cover art, a music video, or a poster. It wasn't until 2020 that Guillaume offered me the opportunity to create a music video for one of Jenny Torse's second album tracks.
After a year of painstaking work, crafting every frame using a photocopier, the band shared the exciting news that Jenny Torse's second album was undergoing a transformation into a unique musical project, now known as SOL KIA. Fueled by my obsession to work with Jenny Torse, I proposed releasing their first 2014 album, 'Ex,' in a physical vinyl format. What started as a desire to collaborate with a remarkable group quickly became a personal mission to own this album in vinyl.
Pleased with the results of the video created for SOL KIA, the band granted me creative freedom to design the vinyl cover and the entire artwork. Inspired by this journey, I decided to start from scratch and create Aconit Cult, an independent label with a visionary purpose—to produce music that resonates with cinema in all its forms, regardless of genre. Cinema could be embedded in the themes explored by the bands, the musical textures influenced by certain films, and the overall aesthetic.
Aconit Cult was born.
Aconit Cult encompasses multiple facets. It's an independent label, a merchandise store offering T-shirts inspired by rare and cult films, graphic design services, and video production. It's a project that I wholeheartedly embraced, quitting everything to bring it to life.
My quest to understand how musicians created conceptual albums led me to delve into a diverse pool of influences, encompassing music, literature, politics, philosophy, and visual arts. The pivotal moment for Aconit Cult came with the release of the Jenny Torse's album on vinyl. This Belgian duo, discovered during my time in Brussels in 2014, was an enigmatic amalgamation of my influences: the nightmarish essence of David Lynch's films, the eerie ambiance of a roadside strip club, and the unpolished soundscapes reminiscent of old Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids.
Three years later, fate intervened, and I met Guillaume Cazalet, the guitarist of the band, who is now at the helm of the super-group NEPTUNIAN MAXIMALISM. I expressed my desire to collaborate with Jenny Torse on a graphic project, in any form, be it album cover art, a music video, or a poster. It wasn't until 2020 that Guillaume offered me the opportunity to create a music video for one of Jenny Torse's second album tracks.
After a year of painstaking work, crafting every frame using a photocopier, the band shared the exciting news that Jenny Torse's second album was undergoing a transformation into a unique musical project, now known as SOL KIA. Fueled by my obsession to work with Jenny Torse, I proposed releasing their first 2014 album, 'Ex,' in a physical vinyl format. What started as a desire to collaborate with a remarkable group quickly became a personal mission to own this album in vinyl.
Pleased with the results of the video created for SOL KIA, the band granted me creative freedom to design the vinyl cover and the entire artwork. Inspired by this journey, I decided to start from scratch and create Aconit Cult, an independent label with a visionary purpose—to produce music that resonates with cinema in all its forms, regardless of genre. Cinema could be embedded in the themes explored by the bands, the musical textures influenced by certain films, and the overall aesthetic.
Aconit Cult was born.
Aconit Cult – A Vision Beyond Music
Beyond being an independent label, I envisioned Aconit Cult as a platform that bridges music and cinema, crafting connections that reflect my unique influences. These influences include B-movies, classic horror films, underground cinema, and the rebellious spirit of punk and rock 'n' roll culture.Aconit Cult encompasses multiple facets. It's an independent label, a merchandise store offering T-shirts inspired by rare and cult films, graphic design services, and video production. It's a project that I wholeheartedly embraced, quitting everything to bring it to life.
The Purpose of Aconit Cult
The core purpose of Aconit Cult is to channel my expertise in the field of visual arts to share my profound love for cinema and music. By promoting more mainstream titles, we aspire to guide the audience toward more obscure references and help them discover lesser-known cinematic gems.Aconit Cult as an Artistic Haven
This journey extends beyond music and cinema. Aconit Cult serves as a haven for passionate enthusiasts who appreciate the bizarre, the unconventional, and the extraordinary. In addition to our record label, we've ventured into the world of cult film T-shirts. Being an avid consumer of band and cinema T-shirts, I've crafted designs that you won't find anywhere else. We've handpicked references from films that are often challenging to find in the market. While our references may include obscure cult classics, we've also integrated visuals from more mainstream films, making it accessible to a broader audience.The Boutique of Cult T-Shirts
Our boutique isn't just about fashion; it's a showcase for ACONIT Records and a financial engine that powers our mission. We aim to make our brand financially sustainable, enabling us to create more music and promote lesser-known bands. Aconit Cult isn't just a label; it's an exchange platform for cinema and music enthusiasts who share a penchant for the extraordinary.We also aspire to venture into film projects, including the creation of short films that will culminate in the production of a full-length feature film—a cinematic journey where the soundtrack will be crafted by the musical projects signed under Aconit Records.
This project is the realization of a lifelong dream, and it's founded on the principle of bringing the obscure into the limelight. My journey has been a testament to the power of creative intersections, and Aconit Cult is my canvas for sharing that passion with the world. It's more than a brand; it's an artistic haven where music, cinema, and culture intertwine to redefine the boundaries of creativity.
A Vision of Comprehensive Art
At the heart of Aconit Cult is a vision that relies on my expertise in image creation, my unwavering passion, and my extensive references to construct a platform that transcends boundaries. Our ultimate goal is for the name 'ACONIT CULT' to resonate within the landscape of independent labels, sound production, and visual art.This project is the realization of a lifelong dream, and it's founded on the principle of bringing the obscure into the limelight. My journey has been a testament to the power of creative intersections, and Aconit Cult is my canvas for sharing that passion with the world. It's more than a brand; it's an artistic haven where music, cinema, and culture intertwine to redefine the boundaries of creativity.