Mort Aux Vaches

Mort Aux Vaches

Profile:
Mort Aux Vaches is a critically-acclaimed sublabel of Staalplaat, launched circa 1994 as a joint venture with a Dutch national broadcasting corporation, VPRO, and featuring a series of live recordings commissioned by VPRO Radio 5 for a now-discontinued daily culture program, "De Avonden" (The Evenings), and more recently, "Zeldzaam.Dwars." Most of the sessions were recorded during the VPRO broadcast; however, Mort Aux Vaches also featured some pre-recorded concerts and shows.

The label released CD albums in limited editions of 500-1000 copies in custom trifold packaging (with a copper split-nail holding the disc in the center), often made of unusual materials: foam, plastic, copper foil, PVC vinyl, sandpaper; some editions were hand-numbered. The only exception was Ryoji Ikeda's Mort Aux Vaches. Second Edition clear vinyl 12" reissue in 2002. The same year, Staalplaat also released the sole 2xCD edition in the series, a Raster-Noton "showcase" featuring three different live shows from Carsten Nicolai, Olaf Bender and Frank Bretschneider.

Between 1994 and 2011, Mort Aux Vaches produced over 60 albums by prominent and distinguished experimental, ambient, and noise artists, including Merzbow (Japan), Muslimgauze (UK), :zoviet*france: (UK), John Duncan (USA/Japan), Stilluppsteypa (Iceland), Ultra Milkmaids (France), Aube (Japan), CoH (Sweden), Oren Ambarchi (Australia), Kevin Drumm (US), and Tim Hecker (US/Canada), gaining a solid reputation and cult following; having a Mort Aux Vaches release became a career milestone and an unofficial "award" for underground musicians. Dan Burke's project Illusion Of Safety is the only artist that appeared in the Mort Aux Vaches series twice, with albums released in 1996 and '99.

One of the early editions, Scanner's '96 Mort Aux Vaches: Accretions CD, was canceled at the demand of the artist due to an unauthorized hidden bonus track. Staalplaat had to destroy most of the original pressing, to the label's great dismay. In 2005, Goodiepal's Mort Aux Vaches stirred controversy after the artist self-released several "official bootlegs" of the album concurrently with Staalplaat's CD, all with varying contents. The release carried contradicting liner notes in English and Danish, crediting the material to different live shows (neither was accurate). Subsequently, Kristian Vester expropriated 'Mort Aux Vaches' brand for a long-running series of releases, lectures and events known as 'Mort Aux Vaches Ekstra Extra' (MAVEE), completely unrelated to Staalplaat. Some artists that had VPRO radio commissions never appeared on Staalplaat and released the sessions on their own, like Sol Invictus with '98 In Europa CD on Tursa label in the UK or Frankie Sparo with Arena Hostile (VPRO Radio Recordings) CD EP, recorded at VPRO 'De Avonden' in January 2001 and released by Canadian label Constellation.

The sublabel's name "Mort Aux Vaches" (translates as 'Death to Cows' in English) is a common French insult to police and uniform officers, originating in the 1870s. During the Franco-Prussian War, German troops had guard posts with "WACHE" (meaning 'GUARDS') signs on occupied territories. Disgruntled French people began shouting "mort aux vaches" to offend the enemy, switching the German word 'wache' for a French homonym 'vaches' (cows), i.e., "death to cows" instead of "guards." It's an equivalent to similar derogatory phrases in other languages: "Death to Pigs" or A.C.A.B (All Cops Are Bastards) in English, "CHWDP / HWDP" (Chuj w dupę policji, or "Fuck police in the ass") in Polish, and С.Л.О.Н. (Смерть Легавым От Ножа, meaning "Death to cops by the knife") in Russian.

Since 2020, most Mort Aux Vaches editions have been reissued in digital format via Bandcamp.
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Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
jk_mav_04 Jazzkammer* - Mort Aux Vaches Jazzkammer* Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches jk_mav_04 Netherlands 2005 Sell This Version
MAV 034 Pimmon - Mort Aux Vaches Pimmon Mort Aux Vaches(8xFile, WAV, RE) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 034 2020
MAV 039 Troum - Mort Aux Vaches: Sen Troum Mort Aux Vaches: Sen(2xFile, FLAC, Album, RE) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 039 2020
MAV 050 Jazzkammer* - Mort Aux Vaches Jazzkammer* Mort Aux Vaches(File, WAV, RE) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 050 2020
MAV053CD Goodiepal - Mort Aux Vaches Goodiepal Mort Aux Vaches (Album) MAV053CD Netherlands 2005 Sell This Version
MAV 054 Machinefabriek - Mort Aux Vaches Machinefabriek Mort Aux Vaches(3xFile, WAV, RE) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 054 2020
MAV_057 Mahmoud Refat - Mort Aux Vaches Mahmoud Refat Mort Aux Vaches(File, WAV) Mort Aux Vaches MAV_057 2020
MAV058 Tarek Atoui - Mort Aux Vaches Tarek Atoui Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV058 Germany 2008 Sell This Version
MAV059 Machinefabriek - Mort Aux Vaches Machinefabriek Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches MAV059 Netherlands 2008 Sell This Version
MAV060 My Cat Is An Alien - Mort Aux Vaches My Cat Is An Alien Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV060 Netherlands 2009 Sell This Version
MAV 061 My Cat Is An Alien - Mort Aux Vaches My Cat Is An Alien Mort Aux Vaches(3xFile, WAV, RE) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 061 2020
MAV061 Yellow Swans - Mort Aux Vaches Yellow Swans Mort Aux Vaches (Album) MAV061 Netherlands 2009 Sell This Version
MAV062 Vernon & Burns - Mort Aux Vaches Vernon & Burns Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV062 Netherlands 2010 Sell This Version
MAV 063 Novi_sad - Mort Aux Vaches Novi_sad Mort Aux Vaches (Album) MAV 063 Netherlands 2009 Sell This Version
MAV063 Veldhoven W van* - Mort Aux Vaches Veldhoven W van* Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV063 Netherlands 2009 Sell This Version
MAV064 Mudboy - Mort Aux Vaches Mudboy Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV064 Netherlands 2009 Sell This Version
MAV064 Peter Broderick And Machinefabriek With: Kleefstra, Bakker, Kleefstra* And Nils Frahm - Mort-Aux+Vaches Peter Broderick And Machinefabriek With: Kleefstra, Bakker, Kleefstra* And Nils Frahm Peter Broderick And Machinefabriek With: Kleefstra, Bakker, Kleefstra* And Nils Frahm - Mort-Aux+Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV064 Netherlands 2011 Sell This Version
MAV 066 Ignatz - Mort Aux Vaches Ignatz Mort Aux Vaches (Album) MAV 066 Germany 2010 Sell This Version
MAV 067 Jodi Cave - Mort Aux Vaches Jodi Cave Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 067 Germany 2011 Sell This Version
MAV 068 Mark Templeton - Mort Aux Vaches Mark Templeton Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches MAV 068 Germany 2011 Sell This Version
MORTKIDI Kozo Inada - Mort Aux Vaches : l[] Kozo Inada Mort Aux Vaches : l[](File, FLAC, Album, RE) Mort Aux Vaches MORTKIDI Netherlands 2015
none Kozo Inada - Mort Aux Vaches : l[] Kozo Inada Mort Aux Vaches : l[](CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2004 Sell This Version
none TV Pow - Mort Aux Vaches: Being Nice Is Funny TV Pow Mort Aux Vaches: Being Nice Is Funny(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2000 Sell This Version
none Stilluppsteypa - Mort Aux Vaches Stilluppsteypa Mort Aux Vaches(CD, EP, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
none Troum - Mort Aux Vaches: Sen Troum Mort Aux Vaches: Sen(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2000 Sell This Version
none Pan Sonic, Charlemagne Palestine - Mort Aux Vaches Pan Sonic, Charlemagne Palestine Pan Sonic, Charlemagne Palestine - Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2000 Sell This Version
none Scanner - Mort Aux Vaches: Accretions Scanner Mort Aux Vaches: Accretions(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1996 Sell This Version
none Mitchell Akiyama - Mort Aux Vaches Mitchell Akiyama Mort Aux Vaches none Germany 2005 Sell This Version
none Pimmon - Mort Aux Vaches Pimmon Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2003 Sell This Version
none Tim Hecker - Mort Aux Vaches Tim Hecker Mort Aux Vaches (Album) none Netherlands 2004 Sell This Version
none Mahmoud Refat - Mort Aux Vaches Mahmoud Refat Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Germany 2008 Sell This Version
none Colleen - Mort Aux Vaches Colleen Mort Aux Vaches (Album) none Germany 2006 Sell This Version
none :zoviet*france:* - Mort Aux Vaches: Feedback :zoviet*france:* Mort Aux Vaches: Feedback(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
none Contrastate - Mort Aux Vaches Contrastate Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1996 Sell This Version
none CoH - Mort Aux Vaches CoH Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2002 Sell This Version
none Jorge Reyes - Mort Aux Vaches Jorge Reyes Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1996 Sell This Version
none Maeror Tri - Mort Aux Vaches Maeror Tri Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1997 Sell This Version
none Goodiepal - Mort Aux Vaches Goodiepal Mort Aux Vaches (Comp, Album) none Netherlands 2005 Sell This Version
none Muslimgauze - Mort Aux Vaches Muslimgauze Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1997 Sell This Version
none Ryoji Ikeda - Mort Aux Vaches Ryoji Ikeda Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1999 Sell This Version
none Origami* vs. Manipura by: B9 (2) / Nocturnal Emissions - Mort Aux Vaches Origami* vs. Manipura by: B9 (2) / Nocturnal Emissions Origami* vs. Manipura by: B9 (2) / Nocturnal Emissions - Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2000 Sell This Version
none Andrey Kiritchenko - Mort Aux Vaches Andrey Kiritchenko Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Germany 2007 Sell This Version
none Piano Magic - Mort Aux Vaches Piano Magic Mort Aux Vaches(CD, EP, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1999 Sell This Version
none Senssurround Orchestra - Meltdown Of Control Senssurround Orchestra Meltdown Of Control(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches, Staalplaat none Netherlands 2000 Sell This Version
none Tin Foil Star - Mort Aux Vaches Tin Foil Star Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1999 Sell This Version
none Dan Burke & Kevin Drumm - Mort Aux Vaches Dan Burke & Kevin Drumm Dan Burke & Kevin Drumm - Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2003 Sell This Version
none Flying Saucer Attack / Main / White Winged Moth - Mort Aux Vaches Flying Saucer Attack / Main / White Winged Moth Flying Saucer Attack / Main / White Winged Moth - Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2000 Sell This Version
none Beequeen - Mort Aux Vaches: Stet Son Beequeen Mort Aux Vaches: Stet Son(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1997 Sell This Version
none Tarentel - Mort Aux Vaches Tarentel Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2002 Sell This Version
none David Shea - Mort Aux Vaches David Shea Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
none In Slaughter Natives / Deutsch Nepal - Mort Aux Vaches In Slaughter Natives / Deutsch Nepal In Slaughter Natives / Deutsch Nepal - Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1994 Sell This Version
none Massimo (2) - Mort Aux Vaches Massimo (2) Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2001 Sell This Version
none Greg Davis - Mort Aux Vaches Greg Davis Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2003 Sell This Version
none John Duncan - Mort Aux Vaches: Seek John Duncan Mort Aux Vaches: Seek(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1997 Sell This Version
none Oren Ambarchi - Mort Aux Vaches Oren Ambarchi Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2002 Sell This Version
none Merzbow - Mort Aux Vaches: Locomotive Breath Merzbow Mort Aux Vaches: Locomotive Breath(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1996 Sell This Version
none Illusion Of Safety - Mort Aux Vaches Illusion Of Safety Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1996 Sell This Version
none Don Joyce - Mort Aux Vaches Don Joyce Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands Unknown Sell This Version
none Lionel Marchetti / Jérôme Noetinger - Mort Aux Vaches Lionel Marchetti / Jérôme Noetinger Lionel Marchetti / Jérôme Noetinger - Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2001 Sell This Version
none Étant Donnés - Mort Aux Vaches: Le Sang Est Le Mur De L'Étoile Étant Donnés Mort Aux Vaches: Le Sang Est Le Mur De L'Étoile(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
none Goem - Mort Aux Vaches Goem Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1999 Sell This Version
none Philip Samartzis - Mort Aux Vaches Philip Samartzis Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2003 Sell This Version
none Main - Exosphere (Mort Aux Vaches) Main Exosphere (Mort Aux Vaches)(CD, EP, Ltd, Num) Staalplaat none Netherlands 2003 Sell This Version
none Kapotte Muziek - Mort Aux Vaches Kapotte Muziek Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1997 Sell This Version
none Ultra Milkmaids - Mort Aux Vaches Ultra Milkmaids Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
none Aube - Mort Aux Vaches: Still Contemplation Aube Mort Aux Vaches: Still Contemplation(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1998 Sell This Version
none AU - Mort Aux Vaches AU Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2004 Sell This Version
none Alva Noto / Signal / Byetone / Komet - Mort Aux Vaches Alva Noto / Signal / Byetone / Komet Alva Noto / Signal / Byetone / Komet - Mort Aux Vaches(2xCD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2002 Sell This Version
none Roger Rotor - Mort Aux Vaches Roger Rotor Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2001 Sell This Version
none Tape - Mort Aux Vaches Tape Mort Aux Vaches(CD, EP, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2005 Sell This Version
none Illusion Of Safety - Mort Aux Vaches Illusion Of Safety Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1999 Sell This Version
none Zeitkratzer - Mort Aux Vaches: Random Dilletants Zeitkratzer Mort Aux Vaches: Random Dilletants(CD, Album, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 2003 Sell This Version
none L.O.S.D. - Mort Aux Vaches (The Man Who Made Radio) L.O.S.D. Mort Aux Vaches (The Man Who Made Radio)(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1997 Sell This Version
none Fm3 - Mort Aux Vaches Fm3 Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Album, Ltd) Mort Aux Vaches none Germany 2005 Sell This Version
none Kreidler - Mort Aux Vaches Kreidler Mort Aux Vaches(CD, Ltd, Num) Mort Aux Vaches none Netherlands 1999 Sell This Version