Dan Fallon

Artist: oniKa
Format: CD
Release: limited release

Little did we know at the time that this 2-track 40m live noodling would be our last output together.

1. At Night, rave near the guards compartment, naked, with a blue light
2. Beasty 303
3. Boombox Physics
4. Chemical
5. Enjoy The Contour
6. Interconnect
7. Lil Bit More
8. Napthalene
9. Tribal Bible

1. Chemical Love (ebeneezer mix)
2. Chemical Love (trance mix)
3. Chemical Love (acid mix)
4. Chemical Love (original)

1. Napthalene (break it mix)
2. Napthalene (club mix)
3. Interconnect (Original)
4. Sow New Life
5. Noise
6. Searching
7. Sow New Life (version)
8. Industrial Strength Napthalene

Drawing inspiration from Nine Inch Nails’ releases like “Broken > Fixed” and “The Downward Spiral > Further Down The Spiral,” we set out with the original intention of creating a remix album. However, as we delved deeper into the process, it became increasingly evident that these new versions of our tracks weren’t just improvements—they had evolved into something altogether different, something that felt like the definitive expression of our vision.

The decision to release these versions as the standard representation of our tunes was not taken lightly. Yet, the unanimous agreement among us was that these iterations captured the essence of our music in ways we hadn’t imagined possible.

The timing of the release was strategic, coinciding with our performance at Sensory II. Almost all copies of the album were snapped up on the night, a testament to the resonance these tracks had with our audience and the impact they made in the live setting.

1. Pulse
2. The Turban Trip
3. Hapytun
4. Midlight
5. Thread
6. Beake
7. What Evil Lurks
8. Barbecued Steak
9. This Is Love

In January 2001, after months of meticulous preparation, Breve was primed to host its inaugural large-scale event. Held at the renowned space10 warehouse on Wood St, Newcastle West, “Sensory 1” marked the beginning of an exciting chapter for us.

The event proved to be a resounding success, doubling as oniKa’s debut live performance. To commemorate the occasion, we crafted a 5-track EP to distribute to the crowd during our set.

However, it’s worth noting that none of these tracks were in their final form. They were raw, unpolished creations, and the CDs we handed out likely remain the sole copies of these early versions. Despite their imperfections, they served as a testament to our journey, capturing the essence of our fledgling musical endeavours.

1. Interconnect
2. Napthalene
3. These Blokes are Clearly Bonkers
4. ‘Lil bit more…
5. Thread (remix)

Our first proper release marked a significant milestone for us. Still navigating the realm of music production without having ventured into the party scene, we continued to tinker with ideas using whatever cheap or free software we could lay our hands on, along with the trusty but limited sounds of general MIDI.

This release brimmed with creativity and experimentation, showcasing a diverse array of genre stylings. However, in hindsight, we could admit that the execution fell a bit short of our aspirations.

One afternoon, we huddled at our friend’s house to mix the album, cobbling together our collective vision into a cohesive whole. Once satisfied with the result, we took the plunge and got a pressing of 100 CDs made, complete with cover art based on Iain’s own creations.

Initial sales were sluggish, but through perseverance and word of mouth, we managed to move the majority of the run. These songs, imperfect as they were, laid the groundwork for the oniKa experience: a fusion of high-energy, industrial, progressive trance, and dancefloor tunes that would come to define our sound.

Shortly after the album’s release, fuelled by our newfound confidence, we joined forces with our friend Simon, who had lent his expertise to the mixing process, and another companion from TAFE, Michael. Together, we laid the foundation for what would eventually blossom into Breve Electronica.

1. Pulse
2. The Turban Trip
3. Fellodius Melon
4. Hapytun
5. Midlight
6. Blip Up Funk
7. Thread
8. Beake
9. Blame
10. What Evil Lurks
11. Barbecued Steak
12. This Is Love

In August 1999, the seeds of oniKa were sown by myself and Iain Dowling. Drawing inspiration from the hardstyle sounds of Bloody Fist Records– also from our hometown, Newcastle, as well as the trance and techno beats we had been immersing ourselves in, we embarked on a journey to craft our own distinctive musical style.

Our tools were humble, to say the least. A PlayStation loaded with Music 2000, a Pentium computer running DDclip and Hammerhead, alongside the trusty old Windows recorder, formed the backbone of our creative arsenal. Accompanying these were a dual tape deck and a Casiotone 2-octave keyboard, each contributing its unique flavour to our sonic experiments.

As we transitioned from the rigours of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) into a whirlwind of 18th birthday parties and summer gatherings, we dedicated ourselves to the task of piecing together a 5-track tape to share with our circle of friends.

The initial response was a mixed bag, with some offering words of encouragement while others remained indifferent. Yet, buoyed by the support of those who saw potential in our work, we resolved to press on, undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead.

1. Pulse
2. Beake
3. Thread
4. What Evil Lurks
5. This is Love

Unfortunately I don’t think there is any copies of this still around, certainly none that have been digitised.