Soft Mirage: “Ionian Dream”.

04 May 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Back in January, we reported about the launch of Montréal-based Kinnta Records, the label founded by Christian Richer aka The Haiduks and Élément Kuuda in order to gather contributions that honor the great tradition of 60s heyday psychedelic pop and the simultaneous evolvement of library music, all in excellent fashion exemplified on the imprint's initial release The Lemon Tape, released in cooperation with fellow Montréal label Hobo Cult. Now, the second Kinnta offering has been unveiled, Ionian Dream by Soft Mirage, a collaborative project of Richer himself and Norm Chambers of Panabrite. Comprising soft, unobtrusive synths and gentle guitars, the ten atmospheric tracks evoke visions of a future that used to be so much brighter and more promising than the present looks today, bringing back images of a distant past when mankind actually knew that possibilities were limitless. Ionian Dream is out now. Order it here. Read more → Back in January, we reported about the launch of Montréal-based Kinnta Records, the label founded by Christian Richer aka The Haiduks and Élément Kuuda in order to gather contributions that honor the great tradition of 60s heyday psychedelic pop and the simultaneous evolvement of library music, all in excellent fashion exemplified on the imprint's initial release The Lemon Tape, released in cooperation with fellow Montréal label Hobo Cult. Now, the second Kinnta offering has been unveiled, Ionian Dream by Soft Mirage, a collaborative project of Richer himself and Norm Chambers of Panabrite. Comprising soft, unobtrusive synths and gentle guitars, the ten atmospheric tracks evoke visions of a future that used to be so much brighter and more promising than the present looks today, bringing back images of a distant past when mankind actually knew that possibilities were limitless. Ionian Dream is out now. Order it here.

Terror Bird: “Cult of Man”.

04 May 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Long-standing Canadian NFOP favorite Terror Bird aka Nikki Never plus whoever wants to play with her are gonna release another LP this coming Monday via Adagio830, named Secret Rituals, as reported before. It's the follow-up to last year's excellent Human Culture and gathers nine songs, some of which have already been put out as limited 7 inch singles in 2011 as well, including the absolute standout "She Kissed Me (And I Fell Ill)", probably Terror Bird's best tune so far, alongside a couple of new songs. Below, take a listen to one of those new tracks, the fabulous album closer "Cult of Man", another perfect reminder of Nikki Never's distinct and unsurpassed knack for lush and opulent, dramatic chamber pop. Order Secret Rituals now over here. Also on Monday, May 7, Terror Bird will start another extensive European Tour, which will bring them to Berlin on two consecutive nights, June 7 (at 33 RPM) and June 8 (at Death Disco). Check the rest of the dates here. In related news, US cassette imprint DZ Tapes has just released another new Terror Bird effort, Lost Forever In Silence, to support Never for her tour. The tape features ten new songs and may be downloaded for free here or (recommended) bought on physical medium right here. Listen to "This Organism" below. Read more → Long-standing Canadian NFOP favorite Terror Bird aka Nikki Never plus whoever wants to play with her are gonna release another LP this coming Monday via Adagio830, named Secret Rituals, as reported before. It's the follow-up to last year's excellent Human Culture and gathers nine songs, some of which have already been put out as limited 7 inch singles in 2011 as well, including the absolute standout "She Kissed Me (And I Fell Ill)", probably Terror Bird's best tune so far, alongside a couple of new songs. Below, take a listen to one of those new tracks, the fabulous album closer "Cult of Man", another perfect reminder of Nikki Never's distinct and unsurpassed knack for lush and opulent, dramatic chamber pop. Order Secret Rituals now over here. Also on Monday, May 7, Terror Bird will start another extensive European Tour, which will bring them to Berlin on two consecutive nights, June 7 (at 33 RPM) and June 8 (at Death Disco). Check the rest of the dates here. In related news, US cassette imprint DZ Tapes has just released another new Terror Bird effort, Lost Forever In Silence, to support Never for her tour. The tape features ten new songs and may be downloaded for free here or (recommended) bought on physical medium right here. Listen to "This Organism" below.

Green & Gold vol 4.

04 May 2012 — Holly Friedlander Liddicoat

It’s been a bit unpleasantly dreary this month. Since the torrential rains have subsided and the spatter of floodings more or less evaporated, a steady and biting chill has started to settle in. Keeping inside amidst teetering towers of Uni work, avoiding all trouble with the opposite sex and watching friends succumb to extended periods of stress, is indeed, no fun at all. So, in lieu of a complete and utter mental breakdown, I’ve decided to craft a little “cheer up” mini-mix - something to plug in and turn up on those days when all your hair has fallen out, you’re lying in bed watching The Biggest Loser, devouring a block of supersized chocolate and you just don’t give a shit anymore. Rain Rider, is the immensely fitting track title for the start of this month’s Green & Gold. Local Sydneysider Osiris Glade is known for his aptly crafted, organically nurtured soundscapes, often dabbling in the sadder, softer side of things. With Rain Rider however, Osiris Glade melds his lo-fi qualities with a more up-beat tempo, still harnessing his atmospheric musings and acoustics. Osiris Glade – Rain Rider Named one of the finalists in last years Bleep Filtered competition, alongside other Melbournian Super Magic Hats, Hugo Frederick’s latest track Limber was featured on a rad little mix put out by West in Dust. Heavy bass and intricate sampling, Hugo’s work will without a doubt get you nodding your head and out of your office desk chair. You can also download his crazily energetic r’n’b remixes here. Hugo Frederick - Limber Brisbane-residing Charles Murdoch knows how to encapsulate an overwhelming sense of warmth and optimism in his sonars, a low and all encompassing fuzz mingling with underwater sounds in his newest tune Worth. A beautiful delicacy moderates this track, leaving a sweet aftertaste and a sense of peaceful longevity. Charles Murdoch – Worth A new favourite producer came onto my radar this month, that of Melbourne-based Deez, who dabbles in fun Donkey Kong samples and ridiculously cool beat-tapes.  Whats is a highlight from this young’n, a powerful and nurturing experience from start to finish. While this song is not instantaneously reflective of the “cheer-up” vibes I’m going for, I think the soul-shaking bass and harrowing vocals evoke all the sad memories, bringing them to the forefront, encouraging you to smile through the tears at all the good that once was and all the good that will be again. Whats - Deez Kyson is an Aussie-expat now residing in Berlin, living the dream, and producing phenomenal music when he is able. With his EP to be released soon via Moodgadget, and a brand new label Herbede Records in the works, 2012 is set to be the year for Kyson. The latest instalment in his series of bootlegs, Indian Summer soars over rhythmic sensations, a beautiful crescendo of reverberating Jónsi vocals, bridging the gap between real and ethereal. Jónsi and Alex – Indian Summer (Kyson Bootleg) Perhaps your summer is just around the corner, perhaps for others it’s just that little bit longer. Hopefully you’re dressed weather appropriately, you’re keeping well, avoiding ailments and tuning into the right musical frequencies that keep your ears happy and your head warm. Download the mixtape here.

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It’s been a bit unpleasantly dreary this month. Since the torrential rains have subsided and the spatter of floodings more or less evaporated, a steady and biting chill has started to settle in. Keeping inside amidst teetering towers of Uni work, avoiding all trouble with the opposite sex and watching friends succumb to extended periods of stress, is indeed, no fun at all. So, in lieu of a complete and utter mental breakdown, I’ve decided to craft a little “cheer up” mini-mix - something to plug in and turn up on those days when all your hair has fallen out, you’re lying in bed watching The Biggest Loser, devouring a block of supersized chocolate and you just don’t give a shit anymore. Rain Rider, is the immensely fitting track title for the start of this month’s Green & Gold. Local Sydneysider Osiris Glade is known for his aptly crafted, organically nurtured soundscapes, often dabbling in the sadder, softer side of things. With Rain Rider however, Osiris Glade melds his lo-fi qualities with a more up-beat tempo, still harnessing his atmospheric musings and acoustics. Osiris Glade – Rain Rider Named one of the finalists in last years Bleep Filtered competition, alongside other Melbournian Super Magic Hats, Hugo Frederick’s latest track Limber was featured on a rad little mix put out by West in Dust. Heavy bass and intricate sampling, Hugo’s work will without a doubt get you nodding your head and out of your office desk chair. You can also download his crazily energetic r’n’b remixes here. Hugo Frederick - Limber Brisbane-residing Charles Murdoch knows how to encapsulate an overwhelming sense of warmth and optimism in his sonars, a low and all encompassing fuzz mingling with underwater sounds in his newest tune Worth. A beautiful delicacy moderates this track, leaving a sweet aftertaste and a sense of peaceful longevity. Charles Murdoch – Worth A new favourite producer came onto my radar this month, that of Melbourne-based Deez, who dabbles in fun Donkey Kong samples and ridiculously cool beat-tapes.  Whats is a highlight from this young’n, a powerful and nurturing experience from start to finish. While this song is not instantaneously reflective of the “cheer-up” vibes I’m going for, I think the soul-shaking bass and harrowing vocals evoke all the sad memories, bringing them to the forefront, encouraging you to smile through the tears at all the good that once was and all the good that will be again. Whats - Deez Kyson is an Aussie-expat now residing in Berlin, living the dream, and producing phenomenal music when he is able. With his EP to be released soon via Moodgadget, and a brand new label Herbede Records in the works, 2012 is set to be the year for Kyson. The latest instalment in his series of bootlegs, Indian Summer soars over rhythmic sensations, a beautiful crescendo of reverberating Jónsi vocals, bridging the gap between real and ethereal. Jónsi and Alex – Indian Summer (Kyson Bootleg) Perhaps your summer is just around the corner, perhaps for others it’s just that little bit longer. Hopefully you’re dressed weather appropriately, you’re keeping well, avoiding ailments and tuning into the right musical frequencies that keep your ears happy and your head warm. Download the mixtape here.

Stream Suum Cuique’s “Ascetic Ideals” in Full.

03 May 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Suum Cuique is the solo project of Demdike Stare's Miles Whittaker, an opportunity for him to pursue sonic experiments that may sometimes come close to the offerings of his main venture as regards darkness and bleakness (Boomkat reports that it was "crafted in between sessions for the Elemental album"), yet that dive even deeper into pure and blunt, gritty noise emissions. See for yourself and stream the record in full below. Ascetic Ideals is out now on Modern Love. Get it over here. Read more → Suum Cuique is the solo project of Demdike Stare's Miles Whittaker, an opportunity for him to pursue sonic experiments that may sometimes come close to the offerings of his main venture as regards darkness and bleakness (Boomkat reports that it was "crafted in between sessions for the Elemental album"), yet that dive even deeper into pure and blunt, gritty noise emissions. See for yourself and stream the record in full below. Ascetic Ideals is out now on Modern Love. Get it over here.

Video: Ilyas Ahmed - “Skin In Circles”.

03 May 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Our friends over at Tiny Mix Tapes just premiered the video for Ilyas Ahmed's "Skin In Circles", the song which we had debuted a while ago and which is part of the breathtaking record With Endless Fire, without doubt one of the truly outstanding albums so far this year. Watch it below. With Endless Fire is out via Immune Recordings. Highly recommended. Previously: Ilyas Ahmed - Skin In Circles Read more → Our friends over at Tiny Mix Tapes just premiered the video for Ilyas Ahmed's "Skin In Circles", the song which we had debuted a while ago and which is part of the breathtaking record With Endless Fire, without doubt one of the truly outstanding albums so far this year. Watch it below. With Endless Fire is out via Immune Recordings. Highly recommended. Previously: Ilyas Ahmed - Skin In Circles

ILLLS: “Bathroom Floor”.

03 May 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Brand new track by Oxford, Mississippi's Cats Purring affiliates ILLLS, whose ramshackle and rough guitar pop we first featured a couple of months ago. After "Teeth", "Bathroom Floor" is another song that will be part of the group's debut EP Dark Paradise, out on June 17 via British label The Sounds Of Sweet Nothing. Pre-order it now over here. Read more → Brand new track by Oxford, Mississippi's Cats Purring affiliates ILLLS, whose ramshackle and rough guitar pop we first featured a couple of months ago. After "Teeth", "Bathroom Floor" is another song that will be part of the group's debut EP Dark Paradise, out on June 17 via British label The Sounds Of Sweet Nothing. Pre-order it now over here.

Video: Future Shuttle - “Opal Star”.

03 May 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Last November, we reported about an upcoming Future Shuttle cassette on Rotterdam-based imprint Samling Recordings, featuring "Opal Star", a lush and expansive excursion into retrofuturistic synth netherworlds. An appropriately psychedelic, blurry and enigmatic video was unveiled yesterday in order to mark the eventual arrival of the tapes. Watch it below and order the six-track effort Étude Study over here. You may also download it digitally for free right here. Read more → Last November, we reported about an upcoming Future Shuttle cassette on Rotterdam-based imprint Samling Recordings, featuring "Opal Star", a lush and expansive excursion into retrofuturistic synth netherworlds. An appropriately psychedelic, blurry and enigmatic video was unveiled yesterday in order to mark the eventual arrival of the tapes. Watch it below and order the six-track effort Étude Study over here. You may also download it digitally for free right here.