Stream: Ashan “Breathknow”

04 Jun 2014 — Noah Klein

I personally admire contributors within our music community who involve themselves with public programs like Girls Rock Camp and Dublab, labels like Orchid Tapes and Elestial Sound, and community arts organizations like the Silent Barn and Vera Project. I find that thirst for creating something constructive in this world, larger than one’s own expression, is infinitely inspiring. So today I'm very enthused to introduce Ashan, a definite contributor to this #feel. Ashan, *cough* Sean Conrad, is a curator behind the pacifist, experimentalist cassette regime Inner Islands, has released more than a dozen serene albums with gkfoes vjgoaf, mist connections, Nearone, River Spirit Dragon, and today Constellation Tatsu releases his latest collection, Breathknow.

Recorded as an ode to the natural world, a ballad for the forest, Breathknow began as a series of field recordings in the hills of Berkeley. Gestures in the blades of grass, the rustling of leaves, and strength within water currents developed into a transformative album crafted by wildlife. Slices of vocal patterns interwoven with finely affected field recordings, hand drums, flutes, bells, and blissful, unrecognizable guitar are the ear candy, but on a more intimate level Sean explained to me that,

“Ashan is actually derived from these teachings that my dad’s friend channeled back in 1980 called ‘Ashan: The Gentle Way’. They mostly talk about how to approach one’s life with love, other teachings go into the creation of the universe and its trajectory, but Ashan is the sound of the universe’s vibration. For me it’s just a recognition that I am a part of everything and that I am living out of love.”

That approach to sound-crafting is immediately recognizable in his compositions. Whether he manipulates the forest into a rhythmic orchestra or meditates on a chant, Sean deals in revelation, and finding that salvation makes Breathknow a stunning journey. The Zelda references don’t hurt either. Purchase this gem on cassette from Constellation Tatsu (or get it digitally here) because it’s a devastating tape from a beautiful label and maybe we’ll listen to it at the same time and ascend together.

NFOP Recommends: Nils Frahm x UNA CORDA at Michelberger

02 Jun 2014 — Henning Lahmann

Hardly someone to be content with simply sitting at his piano playing some of his intricate compositions, as proven during his latest live performances all across the world, Berlin's own wunderkind Nils Frahm is about to take this one (logical) step further by coming up with his very own, custom-made piano. UNA CORDA, so its name, was conceived by the gifted musician in collaboration with renowned, southern Germany-based piano maker David Klavins, who may claim eminence in his field not least since designing and building the M 370, the tallest piano in the world (aka The Giant, which has even managed to be turned into a virtual instrument and sample library by Berlin-based Native Instruments).

UNA CORDA will be presented at Friedrichshain's Michelberger Hotel next week on Tuesday, June 10. Things will start at 7pm and it's a free event, so make sure to be there early!

NFOP Recommends: unrender #2

28 May 2014 — Johanne Swanson

Keep your eyes peeled and ears perked this Friday, May 30 at LEHRTER SIEBZEHN. In the second installment of their unrender series, CDM is curating a unique collaboration between audio and visual artists. The show debuts 'Creatures', an AV project between André Uhl and Jem the Misfit. View the haunting teaser below. Joining them is a slew of multidisciplinary experimental artists, including NFOP sweethearts in residence Kohwi and Caroline Rose Whitley. Oh, and did we mention there's installations? Sure to be an evening reeling with the thump thump of Berlin's best (see recent Berlin via Amsterdam transplant Nenad Popov) that will leave you feeling woozy – in a good way! Find the full lineup and more at the Facebook event. 

Of course if your mood's mellow, our editor Henning Lahmann will be DJing at Das Gift the very same evening. Penny pinchers welcome; both are free events. Wherever Friday takes you, my friends.  

NFOP Presents: TOYS w/ Dauwd & Trikk at Prince Charles

28 May 2014 — Henning Lahmann

Though sort of last minute, in case you don't have any plans yet for this pre-father day (ugh) night (and in case this here is not your thing), we'd love to guide you towards Kreuzberg's Prince Charles which is going to host another night of TOYS, this time featuring London via Porto upstart Trikk and the highly talented Dauwd, whose recent Kindlinn EP on Cologne's esteemed Kompakt has been on constant rotation over here for the last couple of months, and has already gained a solid, recurring spot in our own DJ sets. As per usual, the line-up will be completed by TOYS founders and mainstays CutOff!CutOffǃ and Asa 808.

Things start tonight at 11pm. Find out more essential details over here.

Kimekai “Chinese Live in Caves” (exclusive)

28 May 2014 — Kelsie Brown

Out of Croatia, producer Marko Vuković makes music as Kimekai. Under this name, he makes the sort of dreamy, nostalgia-ladden music that sounds especially fitting this time of year when the air outside begins to brighten. "Chinese Live in Caves" is a short, concise piece brushed with a hint of psychedelia over the strummed background beat. Vaguely tropical, vaguely upbeat, and definitely addictive.

Kimekai's debut full-length album Coral Dreams is out June 23 via Hush Hush Records digitally and with a limited release cassette run (including a bonus track). Listen to "Chinese Live in Caves" below:

White Blush “Ether”

28 May 2014 — Kelsie Brown

Los Angeles-based Carol Rhyu, aka White Blush, makes some of the best synth pop nowadays. Her reverb-drenched vocals and dreamy synths have a certain intoxication to them, something that makes her music so addictive and emotional. The aptly-titled "Ether" follows this even more so than usual, creating an even more haunting mood, reminiscing at points the best shoegaze bands. It's one for headphones and hiding under the covers.

The new White Blush EP is called Loves Park, and it's available as a free/name-your price download on bandcamp. Stream "Ether" and other recommended track "Summer" below:

Watch: Holy Strays “Pathless March” (exclusive)

27 May 2014 — Henning Lahmann

Parisian artist Sebastien Forrester aka Holy Strays' nocturnal soundscapes have been haunting us for a good while, yet he still surprises us with his curiosity that allows him to ever develop his style, pushing previously invisible boundaries. Release after release, Forrester further carves out his very own style, refining his unique knack for unsettling arrangements that may soundtrack your own personal nightmare, without however insincerely hiding his influences. The video for the latest Holy Strays single "Pathless March" – surely one of Forrester's most elaborate compositions yet, built around unobtrusive sax samples and bleary vocal snippets (there's more to be told about the track, found over here) – seamlessly melds into the music's theme. Created by Lliesse, who had already been responsible for the superb visualisation of "Chasm", the piece is as puzzling and inconclusive as it is strangely captivating despite its incoherent array of images. Watch the premiere of the video below.

Get the digital single via Atelier Ciseaux over on bandcamp.