Video: San Gabriel - “Experimental Forest”.

26 Apr 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Thoroughly stoked on the forthcoming San Gabriel record Volfe, some leftfield, tight electronica so captivating and original that it has been on heavy hard drive rotation basically the whole week now. San Gabriel is the fresh-looking beat project by LA resident Butchy Fuego (what a name), an experimental percussionist who in the past has collaborated with illustrious artists of the SoCal scene such as Julia Holter, Sun Araw, or Nguzunguzu. Below, watch the stellar, Cayetano Ferrer-directed video for EP track "Experimental Forest". Volfe is out May 22 via Time No Place. Also listen to the latest unveiled track off the record, "Batalla Ultima", premiered by Mishka earlier this week: Read more → Thoroughly stoked on the forthcoming San Gabriel record Volfe, some leftfield, tight electronica so captivating and original that it has been on heavy hard drive rotation basically the whole week now. San Gabriel is the fresh-looking beat project by LA resident Butchy Fuego (what a name), an experimental percussionist who in the past has collaborated with illustrious artists of the SoCal scene such as Julia Holter, Sun Araw, or Nguzunguzu. Below, watch the stellar, Cayetano Ferrer-directed video for EP track "Experimental Forest". Volfe is out May 22 via Time No Place. Also listen to the latest unveiled track off the record, "Batalla Ultima", premiered by Mishka earlier this week:

Video: Wil Bolton - “Passing”.

25 Apr 2012 — Henning Lahmann

UK-based experimental ambient artist Wil Bolton's LP Under a Name That Hides Her will be out soon and mark the musician's proper full-length debut, despite already having released a string of EPs on various imprints and under a couple of guises. The record, comprising six expansive tracks with a total running time of 37 minutes, is a slowly meandering piece of intriguing contemplation. It was composed mainly by employing looped electric guitars and unobtrusive field recordings that nonetheless play a crucial role in the overall concept, mostly having been recorded on various sites across Britain - birdsongs in the ruins of a medieval castle in Beaumaris, North Wales, the lapping of waves around a lighthouse in Anglesey, rain on the window of Bolton's flat in Chinatown, Liverpool, and the sounds of a forest in the Scottish Highlands - thereby evoking a faintly and indistinctly nostalgic feel, as if referring to a distant past that probably never actually existed. The LP's title, a quote from The Space of Literature by Maurice Blanchot, is a reference to the tragic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, thus intensifying the sense of loss and unfulfilled yearning. Below, watch the video for closing track "Passing". Under a Name That Hides Her is due late April and will be released by Hibernate. Read more → UK-based experimental ambient artist Wil Bolton's LP Under a Name That Hides Her will be out soon and mark the musician's proper full-length debut, despite already having released a string of EPs on various imprints and under a couple of guises. The record, comprising six expansive tracks with a total running time of 37 minutes, is a slowly meandering piece of intriguing contemplation. It was composed mainly by employing looped electric guitars and unobtrusive field recordings that nonetheless play a crucial role in the overall concept, mostly having been recorded on various sites across Britain - birdsongs in the ruins of a medieval castle in Beaumaris, North Wales, the lapping of waves around a lighthouse in Anglesey, rain on the window of Bolton's flat in Chinatown, Liverpool, and the sounds of a forest in the Scottish Highlands - thereby evoking a faintly and indistinctly nostalgic feel, as if referring to a distant past that probably never actually existed. The LP's title, a quote from The Space of Literature by Maurice Blanchot, is a reference to the tragic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, thus intensifying the sense of loss and unfulfilled yearning. Below, watch the video for closing track "Passing". Under a Name That Hides Her is due late April and will be released by Hibernate.

Karen Gwyer “No Moondoggies for 3 Weeks”.

24 Apr 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Kaleidoscope is the still relatively new imprint founded by London beat mastermind Patten, a venture devoted to cassette offerings that come in preciously tiny editions (accompanied by unlimited, and moreover free, digital versions). After the initial release of the excellent Slime Code by Sculpture aka Dan Hayhurst and Reuben Sutherland (listen to two extracts here and here, and get the highly recommended whole piece here) in February, which out came physically on seven unique C20 cassettes, the label has just announced its second publishing, a C30 by London via Michigan experimental synth artist Karen Gwyer, named I've Been You Twice. This time the tape version is strictly limited to 13 copies, while every single C30 is again unique insofar as Gwyer produced the four tracks in a master version - the one which will be available digitally - that was then dubbed through to tape with additional effects that were recorded live, with the result that no tape sounds like any of the others. Listen to the opening track "No Moondoggies for 3 Weeks" below, a highly intriguing piece of expansive, clear and sharp synth patterns over intricate, multi-layered drum structures. The sonic experience is further augmented visually by the accompanying video which features geometric figures and a series of mysterious objects that resemble colorful totem poles. The 13 C30s and the free unlimited digital manifestation of I’ve Been You Twice will be available through Kaleidoscope from May 2. Read more → Kaleidoscope is the still relatively new imprint founded by London beat mastermind Patten, a venture devoted to cassette offerings that come in preciously tiny editions (accompanied by unlimited, and moreover free, digital versions). After the initial release of the excellent Slime Code by Sculpture aka Dan Hayhurst and Reuben Sutherland (listen to two extracts here and here, and get the highly recommended whole piece here) in February, which out came physically on seven unique C20 cassettes, the label has just announced its second publishing, a C30 by London via Michigan experimental synth artist Karen Gwyer, named I've Been You Twice. This time the tape version is strictly limited to 13 copies, while every single C30 is again unique insofar as Gwyer produced the four tracks in a master version - the one which will be available digitally - that was then dubbed through to tape with additional effects that were recorded live, with the result that no tape sounds like any of the others. Listen to the opening track "No Moondoggies for 3 Weeks" below, a highly intriguing piece of expansive, clear and sharp synth patterns over intricate, multi-layered drum structures. The sonic experience is further augmented visually by the accompanying video which features geometric figures and a series of mysterious objects that resemble colorful totem poles. The 13 C30s and the free unlimited digital manifestation of I’ve Been You Twice will be available through Kaleidoscope from May 2.

RxGibbs: “Silver (Bam Spacey Remix)”.

24 Apr 2012 — Tonje Thilesen

Originally on Ja Ja Ja Music Cascine, our dear label friends housing Scandinavian names such as The Whendays and Shine 2009, is also the home of Michigan's experimental outfit RxGibbs, who put out the splendid Futures EP a few months ago. Uh oh, we're almost leaving our Scandinavian link behind here, but don't you worry: the Malmö based minimal house producer Bam Spacey got a brand new remix out today, a delightfully deep electronic production that will have you longing for the weekend already. Read more → Originally on Ja Ja Ja Music Cascine, our dear label friends housing Scandinavian names such as The Whendays and Shine 2009, is also the home of Michigan's experimental outfit RxGibbs, who put out the splendid Futures EP a few months ago. Uh oh, we're almost leaving our Scandinavian link behind here, but don't you worry: the Malmö based minimal house producer Bam Spacey got a brand new remix out today, a delightfully deep electronic production that will have you longing for the weekend already.

Hype.

24 Apr 2012 — Henning Lahmann

This has happened while we were sleeping: Which shouldn't be a surprise for anyone of you as it has already been reported by basically everyone else, too. But of course there's a reason for it. Purity Ring aka our dear friends Megan James and Corin Roddick make some of the freshest, most exciting and above all most original pop music in 2012, music that sounds so "now" that we should be thankful for this fact alone. Seriously, think about it. The duo's highly anticipated debut Shrines is due July 24 via 4AD. But you already knew that. So just listen: Purity Ring - Obedear Read more → This has happened while we were sleeping: Which shouldn't be a surprise for anyone of you as it has already been reported by basically everyone else, too. But of course there's a reason for it. Purity Ring aka our dear friends Megan James and Corin Roddick make some of the freshest, most exciting and above all most original pop music in 2012, music that sounds so "now" that we should be thankful for this fact alone. Seriously, think about it. The duo's highly anticipated debut Shrines is due July 24 via 4AD. But you already knew that. So just listen: Purity Ring - Obedear

Video: Birthdays - “Howolding Girls”.

24 Apr 2012 — Tonje Thilesen

I was lucky to catch two amazing gigs with NFOP favourite Birthdays as I visited Boston a month ago, the moniker of FMLY local Samuel Yager, making excellent, psychedelic pop songs from the decks of his portable suitcase setup. As given to us by Altered Zones (RIP) back in 2010, "Howolding Girls" (that once upon a time was available on 7 inch) has finally gotten itself some slick visuals, directed by loroto below. To our Japanese readers: Birthdays is heading to Japan in just a few days, playing a total of four sets in select Tokyo venues. If you're around at one of these dates, we highly recommend you to drop by. And Boston locals, you know where to be on Wednesday. 4/25 Boston, MA | Gay Gardens (Birthdays' birthday show) 4/29 Shibuya, Tokyo | Festival Express Tokyo 5/01 Tamachi, Tokyo | Studio Cube 326 5/02 Kouenji, Tokyo | UFOclub 5/06 Tokyo | Studio Familia Read more → I was lucky to catch two amazing gigs with NFOP favourite Birthdays as I visited Boston a month ago, the moniker of FMLY local Samuel Yager, making excellent, psychedelic pop songs from the decks of his portable suitcase setup. As given to us by Altered Zones (RIP) back in 2010, "Howolding Girls" (that once upon a time was available on 7 inch) has finally gotten itself some slick visuals, directed by loroto below. To our Japanese readers: Birthdays is heading to Japan in just a few days, playing a total of four sets in select Tokyo venues. If you're around at one of these dates, we highly recommend you to drop by. And Boston locals, you know where to be on Wednesday. 4/25 Boston, MA | Gay Gardens (Birthdays' birthday show) 4/29 Shibuya, Tokyo | Festival Express Tokyo 5/01 Tamachi, Tokyo | Studio Cube 326 5/02 Kouenji, Tokyo | UFOclub 5/06 Tokyo | Studio Familia

Video: Thug Entrancer - “Netrun”.

23 Apr 2012 — Jesse Thompson

Ryan McRyhew makes enjoyable, conceptually ambitious electronic songs as Thug Entrancer using analog drum machines and synthesizers to carve out a cyber punk alternate reality on the south side of Chicago. Below is the digitally pleasing video for Thug Entrancer's song "Netrun", created by Denver-based multimedia artist Milton Melvin Croissant. The track is part of Tropics of the Mind Vol. 2, (you'll find Vol. 1 & 3 on McRyhew's bandamp). You should also check out Thug Entrancer's newest track, "Ready to Live", which, according to McRyhew, asks the question: What if Biggie had survived? If that's not enough to peak some interest, I don't know what to tell you. Read more → Ryan McRyhew makes enjoyable, conceptually ambitious electronic songs as Thug Entrancer using analog drum machines and synthesizers to carve out a cyber punk alternate reality on the south side of Chicago. Below is the digitally pleasing video for Thug Entrancer's song "Netrun", created by Denver-based multimedia artist Milton Melvin Croissant. The track is part of Tropics of the Mind Vol. 2, (you'll find Vol. 1 & 3 on McRyhew's bandamp). You should also check out Thug Entrancer's newest track, "Ready to Live", which, according to McRyhew, asks the question: What if Biggie had survived? If that's not enough to peak some interest, I don't know what to tell you.