Deskbound Complex monogram DESKBOUND COMPLEX

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THE MFA

Role
FOUNDERS
File
STAFF 001–002
First filed
2004 (BORDER COMMUNITY 03BC)
Status
ON FILE

The MFA are Alastair Douglas and Rhys Evans, founders of Deskbound Complex.

Their ‘The Difference It Makes’ was filed as Border Community 03BC in 2004, though James Holden had opened his Balance 005 mix with it months before it was even released. Kompakt licensed it in (the first record the Cologne institution ever licensed) for a Superpitcher remix that Pitchfork filed at #43 in its singles of 2005. Further filings followed with Bpitch Control, EQ, Precinct and Traum (including the 2023 album ‘Lights Out’), plus remix work for Ellen Allien, Télépopmusik and Duoteque. In 2025 they opened the complex, and refiled the record that started it all as DBC001: remastered, and remixed by Joe Goddard, Nathan Fake, and themselves.

FILE ATTACHMENTS

EXHIBIT A: CD-R of the first ever MFA live performance. The Foundry, 05.04.2002.
EXHIBIT A: CD-R of the first ever MFA live performance. The Foundry, 05.04.2002.
First gig as The MFA. Before Ableton existed.
First gig as The MFA. Before Ableton existed.
Operator at the terminal. Print survives undated; the filing system came later.
Operator at the terminal. Print survives undated; the filing system came later.
Cutting the original 'The Difference It Makes', c. 2004. Quality control from the sofa.
Cutting the original 'The Difference It Makes', c. 2004. Quality control from the sofa.
Turnmills, London, 2004.
Turnmills, London, 2004.
Soundcheck, Miami, 2005. Two laptops, one mixer, no spare.
Soundcheck, Miami, 2005. Two laptops, one mixer, no spare.
With the Bpitch Control and Border Community crews. Miami, 2005.
With the Bpitch Control and Border Community crews. Miami, 2005.
Rex Club, Paris, 2005. Lighting conditions: red.
Rex Club, Paris, 2005. Lighting conditions: red.
Mazzo, Amsterdam, c. 2005.
Mazzo, Amsterdam, c. 2005.
Live at Nitsa, Barcelona, 2006.
Live at Nitsa, Barcelona, 2006.
Rhys signing a copy of 'The Difference It Makes', 2006.
Rhys signing a copy of 'The Difference It Makes', 2006.
The deskbound complex itself, recording the 'Lights Out' album.
The deskbound complex itself, recording the 'Lights Out' album.
Field office: recording 'Lights Out' at Can Jay Studios, Ibiza.
Field office: recording 'Lights Out' at Can Jay Studios, Ibiza.
Jean Marie's basement studio, Les Diablerets, Switzerland.
Jean Marie's basement studio, Les Diablerets, Switzerland.
Equipment inventory, Les Diablerets.
Equipment inventory, Les Diablerets.
Business travel, 19.08.2023. Destination: Cologne.
Business travel, 19.08.2023. Destination: Cologne.
Artheater, Cologne. Traum Schallplatten's 25th anniversary, 20.08.2023. The #23 Remix was born on this stage.
Artheater, Cologne. Traum Schallplatten's 25th anniversary, 20.08.2023. The #23 Remix was born on this stage.
Mastering DBC001 with Jason Goz. Transition Studios, 18.07.2025.
Mastering DBC001 with Jason Goz. Transition Studios, 18.07.2025.
Field office assembly: Moat Farm Festival.
Field office assembly: Moat Farm Festival.
The commute.
The commute.
Staff meeting, current. Minutes were not taken.
Staff meeting, current. Minutes were not taken.

FIELD SIGHTINGS

Full register →

The MFA on file in the field. Sightings are filed once and cross-referenced here.

FIELD REPORT 005. INTERNAL FOOTAGE: Staff 001 and 002, release day, 28.10.2025. 'It's finally here.' The complex opens for business.
FIELD REPORT 005. INTERNAL FOOTAGE: Staff 001 and 002, release day, 28.10.2025. 'It's finally here.' The complex opens for business. View footage →

FILED UNDER

The MFA, The Difference It Makes (DBC001) cover artwork

DBC001

THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES
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