Video Premiere: MSOTT - “Synastry”.

23 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Two lovers on a beach, walking along the waterside. Side by side, hand in hand - a romantic scene, obviously, yet still one visually held in rather dark and gloomy colors, and the slow drones and eerie vocals of the piece accompanying the visuals at least could hint at some twisted edges in the picture. What we see here is a audiovisual study about the fundamentals of love: Synastry, we're being told, "is the branch of astrology that studies relationships by comparing natal horoscopes". The song appears on Motion Sickness of Time Travel's new full-length Luminaries & Synastry, out today via Tulsa, Oklahoma imprint Digitalis. Despite a pretty impressive discography (alone and with her husband Grant as Quiet Evenings, who recently dropped their first LP Intrepid Trips via their own label Hooker Vision), Rachel Evans' new album is the official follow-up to her very impressive debut Seeping Through the Veil of the Unconscious, originally put out by Digitalis on tape last year but treated with a vinyl re-release earlier this year. Although Seeping... already was a fabulous effort, Luminaries & Synastry nonetheless marks a big artistic leap ahead for the LaGrange, Georgia-based artist. In general, the songs are notably shorter on the new album, and all in all there is a noticeable step towards more accessibility, the tracks are mostly based on clearer, more firm structures - most decisively on the album's strongest and most beautiful track Day Glow, a song that puts Evans in line with other outstanding female experimental pop artists such as Grimes or Grouper - though this doesn't mean that we're confronted with a straight pop album here whatsoever. To the contrary, the LP is a very distinctly experimental ambient/drone piece, reconfirming Rachel Evans' extraordinary talent in both songwriting and soundscaping, and all in all one of the best albums of the year so far. Luminaries & Synastry is available now directly via Digitalis or (recommended if you're in Europe) via Boomkat. Motion Sickness of Time Travel - Synastry Read more → Two lovers on a beach, walking along the waterside. Side by side, hand in hand - a romantic scene, obviously, yet still one visually held in rather dark and gloomy colors, and the slow drones and eerie vocals of the piece accompanying the visuals at least could hint at some twisted edges in the picture. What we see here is a audiovisual study about the fundamentals of love: Synastry, we're being told, "is the branch of astrology that studies relationships by comparing natal horoscopes". The song appears on Motion Sickness of Time Travel's new full-length Luminaries & Synastry, out today via Tulsa, Oklahoma imprint Digitalis. Despite a pretty impressive discography (alone and with her husband Grant as Quiet Evenings, who recently dropped their first LP Intrepid Trips via their own label Hooker Vision), Rachel Evans' new album is the official follow-up to her very impressive debut Seeping Through the Veil of the Unconscious, originally put out by Digitalis on tape last year but treated with a vinyl re-release earlier this year. Although Seeping... already was a fabulous effort, Luminaries & Synastry nonetheless marks a big artistic leap ahead for the LaGrange, Georgia-based artist. In general, the songs are notably shorter on the new album, and all in all there is a noticeable step towards more accessibility, the tracks are mostly based on clearer, more firm structures - most decisively on the album's strongest and most beautiful track Day Glow, a song that puts Evans in line with other outstanding female experimental pop artists such as Grimes or Grouper - though this doesn't mean that we're confronted with a straight pop album here whatsoever. To the contrary, the LP is a very distinctly experimental ambient/drone piece, reconfirming Rachel Evans' extraordinary talent in both songwriting and soundscaping, and all in all one of the best albums of the year so far. Luminaries & Synastry is available now directly via Digitalis or (recommended if you're in Europe) via Boomkat. Motion Sickness of Time Travel - Synastry

How To Dress Well: “Us in the Sense of Forever”.

23 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Right on time before the magnificence that's waiting for us at Berghain this Saturday, Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well is getting quite prolific again. Only a couple of days after the release of his marvelous Just Once EP of four orchestral versions of his songs, Tuesday saw the unveiling of Us in the Sense of Forever as part of the ongoing Adult Swim free singles series, a brand new and heavily MJ-leaning tune that's as as ghostly and beautiful as ever. If you haven't done so already, head over here to get a ticket for Saturday's show. How To Dress Well - Us in the Sense of Forever Read more → Right on time before the magnificence that's waiting for us at Berghain this Saturday, Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well is getting quite prolific again. Only a couple of days after the release of his marvelous Just Once EP of four orchestral versions of his songs, Tuesday saw the unveiling of Us in the Sense of Forever as part of the ongoing Adult Swim free singles series, a brand new and heavily MJ-leaning tune that's as as ghostly and beautiful as ever. If you haven't done so already, head over here to get a ticket for Saturday's show. How To Dress Well - Us in the Sense of Forever

Premiere: C V L T S - “Mirror Face”.

22 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Very prolific Kansas-based one-man psychedelic noise adventure C V L T S is about to drop another cassette soon via his own Beer On The Rug imprint. Theta Distractions features seven heavily drugged-out cuts of layered drones and distorted synth incursions. A fabulous tape that probably is his tightest and most coherent to date. As of today, you may stream and buy the whole thing digitally over here. Watch this space for updates on the forthcoming physical release. Below, dive deep into the slow-burning eerie soundscapes of Mirror Face, a seriously cinematic track that would serve as the appropriate score for any slightly melancholic horror/mysterie b-movie from the mid-eighties: C V L T S - Mirror Face Read more → Very prolific Kansas-based one-man psychedelic noise adventure C V L T S is about to drop another cassette soon via his own Beer On The Rug imprint. Theta Distractions features seven heavily drugged-out cuts of layered drones and distorted synth incursions. A fabulous tape that probably is his tightest and most coherent to date. As of today, you may stream and buy the whole thing digitally over here. Watch this space for updates on the forthcoming physical release. Below, dive deep into the slow-burning eerie soundscapes of Mirror Face, a seriously cinematic track that would serve as the appropriate score for any slightly melancholic horror/mysterie b-movie from the mid-eighties: C V L T S - Mirror Face

Campfires: “Amelia”.

22 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

"In celebration of the summer solstice", Chicago's Jeff Walls aka Campfires sent over the link to this marvelously splendid jangle pop tune that was obviously made right on time for those lush days ahead of us. Amelia, which will appear on the forthcoming Two Syllable Records compilation, is a perfectly psychedelic aural wonderland, appropriately hazy and melodic, tailor-made for just about every summerish pastime. Campfires' latest (and highly recommended) Dusty Mansions 7 inch is still available via Small Plates Records. (Photo by Neil Krug) Read more → "In celebration of the summer solstice", Chicago's Jeff Walls aka Campfires sent over the link to this marvelously splendid jangle pop tune that was obviously made right on time for those lush days ahead of us. Amelia, which will appear on the forthcoming Two Syllable Records compilation, is a perfectly psychedelic aural wonderland, appropriately hazy and melodic, tailor-made for just about every summerish pastime. Campfires' latest (and highly recommended) Dusty Mansions 7 inch is still available via Small Plates Records. (Photo by Neil Krug)

Melted Toys: “Rose Again”.

22 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Since announcing their permanent collaboration, my two favorite French labels La Station Radar and Atelier Ciseaux are tremendously kicking it. Latest in their ongoing series of impeccable 7 inch releases is a split between two of the finest San Francisco outfits, Dominant Legs (the awesome twosome of Hannah Hunt and Girls guitarist Ryan Lynch) and our dearest mildly psych scuzz poppers of Melted Toys, whose Rose Again just tenderly carried us into this sunny Wednesday morning. Grab one of the 300 copies now over here. (via) Melted Toys - Rose Again Read more → Since announcing their permanent collaboration, my two favorite French labels La Station Radar and Atelier Ciseaux are tremendously kicking it. Latest in their ongoing series of impeccable 7 inch releases is a split between two of the finest San Francisco outfits, Dominant Legs (the awesome twosome of Hannah Hunt and Girls guitarist Ryan Lynch) and our dearest mildly psych scuzz poppers of Melted Toys, whose Rose Again just tenderly carried us into this sunny Wednesday morning. Grab one of the 300 copies now over here. (via) Melted Toys - Rose Again

Video Premiere: Clearing - “Part 1”.

21 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Epic, absolutely stunning video made by Broken Machine Films for Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based Joseph Volmer's project Clearing. The vintage VHS collage-style visuals perfectly accompany the contemplating, warm and fuzzy yet strangely twisted ambient drone sounds that are based on some heavy tape manipulations, wide-spanning soundscapes for some seriously sundrenched vibes. Cassette music par excellence for all your late June summerish temptations. Clearing's fantastic Tape Drag c48 is out soon on Kansas-based imprint Solid Melts, coming on pro-dubbed and pro-imprinted cassette tapes in an edition of 100. Pre-order here. Read more → Epic, absolutely stunning video made by Broken Machine Films for Murfreesboro, Tennessee-based Joseph Volmer's project Clearing. The vintage VHS collage-style visuals perfectly accompany the contemplating, warm and fuzzy yet strangely twisted ambient drone sounds that are based on some heavy tape manipulations, wide-spanning soundscapes for some seriously sundrenched vibes. Cassette music par excellence for all your late June summerish temptations. Clearing's fantastic Tape Drag c48 is out soon on Kansas-based imprint Solid Melts, coming on pro-dubbed and pro-imprinted cassette tapes in an edition of 100. Pre-order here.

NFOP Presents: How To Dress Well.

21 Jun 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Insanely proud to have the honor to present - together with our gloomy pals over at Gucci Goth, and in corporation with the fine folks of a2n - some massive late night glory at Berghain Kantine this Saturday: last year's favorite NFOP darling Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well is coming to town for his only show in Germany, supported by a performance by marvelous Paris/Berlin songstress Laura Butterclock and a DJ set by oOoOO. We'd love to celebrate this wonderful evening together with you. The whole thing starts at 9. Tickets available over here. Get yourself in the mood: Poster design by Tonje Thilesen. Based on a piece of citylights II and dead places special 1.0 by Florian Reischauer of Pieces of Berlin. Both prints are available for purchase at his page. Read more → Insanely proud to have the honor to present - together with our gloomy pals over at Gucci Goth, and in corporation with the fine folks of a2n - some massive late night glory at Berghain Kantine this Saturday: last year's favorite NFOP darling Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well is coming to town for his only show in Germany, supported by a performance by marvelous Paris/Berlin songstress Laura Butterclock and a DJ set by oOoOO. We'd love to celebrate this wonderful evening together with you. The whole thing starts at 9. Tickets available over here. Get yourself in the mood: Poster design by Tonje Thilesen. Based on a piece of citylights II and dead places special 1.0 by Florian Reischauer of Pieces of Berlin. Both prints are available for purchase at his page.