Crónica Electrónica, also known as Crónica, is an independent media-label based in Porto, Portugal. Founded in 2003 by Miguel Carvalhais, Pedro Tudela, Lia, João Cruz, Paulo Vinhas and Pedro Almeida, it publishes experimental sound and visual artists. Originally formed around a small group of Portuguese artists, Crónica eventually expanded its roster to include international musicians and sound artists. Since 2005, Crónica organizes a free annual event in Porto which is "simultaneous the celebration of the label's anniversary, a gathering of friends and lovers of experimental music and an offer to the city" it operates in.
Releases Although many releases adhere to the standard CD format, among its outputs one can find two main alternative series that try to explore and expand the curatorial role of a music label and the potential of digital distribution.
Unlimited The Unlimited release series are digital-only releases, available either as free downloads or as commercial editions from online retailers.
Limited The Limited releases present physical goods which come in diverse formats, ranging from prints to objects or hand-cut vinyls. All of these are numbered and signed by the artist and are available in very limited quantities.
Broadcast
Futurónica Futurónica was a radio program produced by the label, broadcast fortnightly by Rádio Zero (from 2009 to 2017) and Rádio Manobras (from 2011 to 2017).
Crónicaster From 2005 to 2016, Crónica published 122 releases of a podcast, Crónicaster, in which were presented label-related pieces, such as radio broadcasts, live performances and remixes.
Recognition Although the notability in Portugal, beyond a circle of musicians and some attentive followers of the label's activity, is diminished, the European and international panorama is quite different. It has become a reference in European experimental music and sound art.
Crónica has been praised for being a well curated label. It was compared to Mego, but the distinction became clear over time; Crónica uses noise without making noise music, and stands on a smaller, more targeted niche.
Their catalogue has been described as sharp and demanding,
encompassing a diverse genres, such as electro-acoustic music, ambient, minimal music, improvised jazz and field-recordings.
In 2006, Crónica was present at the Sónar Festival in Barcelona. Miguel Carvalhais and Return (João Cruz) performed a set that showcased future releases.
Artists
@c agf Alessio Ballerini Àlex Reviriego Alexander Rishaug Alfredo Costa Monteiro Ana Guedes André Gonçalves Angélica Salvi Arlene Tucker Artificial Memory Trace Arturas Bumšteinas Attilio Novellino Autodigest Boca Raton Bruno Duplant Budhaditya Chattopadhyay Cáncer Carlos Santos Cecilia Quinteros Cem Güney Christof Migone Coeval Daniel Bisig Dan Powell Darius Čiuta David Lee Myers David Maranha Davor Mikan Dawn Scarfe Diogo Alvim Drumming GP Durán Vázquez Edu Comelles Emidio Buchinho Emitter Emmanuel Mieville Enrico Coniglio Ephraim Wegner Eric La Casa Fernando Godoy Francisco López Freiband Gigantiq Gilles Aubry Gintas K Giuseppe Cordaro Graeme Truslove Guido Flichman Guy Dowsett Haarvöl Hannes Strobl Heimir Björgúlfsson Helgi Thorsson Hugo Olim Ifs Ilia Belorukov Isabel Latorre James Eck Rippie Janek Schaefer Jazznoise Jérôme Noetinger Jim Haynes João Castro Pinto John Grzinich Jonas Ohlsson Jos Smolders J.L. Maire Julia Weinmann Jura Laiva Kunrad Lawrence English Lemures Lia Longina Luca Forcucci Lucas Alvarado Luís Antero Luis Marte Machinefabriek Mad Disc Marc Behrens Marius Watz Marla Hlady Martijn Tellinga Máquina Magnética Mathias Delplanque Matilde Meireles Mestre André Miguel Flor Miguel A. García Miguel Leal Mikel R. Nieto Mise_en_scene Monrhea Monty Adkins Morten Riis Mosaique Nicola Di Croce Nicolas Bernier o.blaat Ok.Suitcase Oriol Rosell Oscar Martin Øyvind Brandtsegg paL Paulo Raposo Pawel Grabowski Pedro Rebelo Pedro Tudela Philippe Petit Philip Samartzis Pimmon Piotr Kurek Porcje Rosołowe Pure Quarz Ran Slavin Return Ricardo Guerreiro Richard Eigner Roel Meelkop Rutger Zuydervelt Sara Pinheiro Saverio Rosi Simon Cummings Simon Whetham Síria Sound Meccano Stephan Mathieu Stephen Vitiello Stefan Nussbaumer Sumugan Sivanesan Sun Dog TAMTAM Tarab tilia The Beautiful Schizophonic Trondheim EMP TU M' Tuulikki Bartosik UBERMORGEN.COM Ulrich Mitzlaff Vacuamoenia Viktorija Makauskaitė Vitor Joaquim Xoán-Xil López Yiorgis Sakellariou
Cover artists
Alessandro Segalini Aki Onda Andrea Bolognino Andy Fullalove Arménio Martins Barbara Says… Bruno Duplant C.E.B.Reas Chris Kondek Christina Vantzou Clovis Vallois David Lee Myers David Muth Estelle Chaigne Heitor Alvelos Helen Cho Hugo Olim Hugo Oliveira Insert Silence (Amit Pitaru & James Paterson) Jan Robert Leegte Jan Rohlf Jewboy Co. João Cruz José Carneiro Julia Weinmann Lia Maite Mugerza Marc Behrens Mário Moura Marius Waltz Matilde Meireles Miguel Leal Pedro de Sousa Pereira Pedro Tudela (Maia Gusberti)
Rosemary Lee Rui Vitorino Santos Rutger Zuydervelt Simon Whetham Skurktur Stephen Harvey Steve Roden Tami Wiesel
Catalogue