Archive for March, 2010
Sound Postcard : 003 : Rain
Since I began thinking about this project, it was only a matter of time until I captured one of the most famous field recordings – rain. Of course, the weather is out of my control, and so this event is here now, all on its own. I’m sure there will be plenty more, but I [...]
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Monochromes Vol. 1 is the first volume of archival installations by the Italian multimedia duo, Rossano Polidoro and Emiliano Romanelli, performing under the moniker TU M‘. The name, taken from Marcel Duchamp‘s same titled painting, is a French expression in which the verb is missing (tu m’…). This literally translates to “you [...] me”, where the missing verb [...]
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Tags: ambient, minimal
First of all, I have to ask about your moniker, TU M’, which is named after a Duchamp’s painting. What is the association, if not fascination, with Marcel Duchamp? Tu m’ is a painting whose complexity and mystery has always fascinated us. In 1998 we were struck by that grouping of real and symbolic elements, [...]
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Sound Postcard : 002 : Elevator
It’s 5:30 on a Monday evening, and I shuffle into the elevator on my way home from work. There’s nothing exciting about this one minute descend, yet it is a prelude to my daily commute, which the brain tends to simply filter out. Here it is captured, in all of its mundane glory. Listening closely [...]
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Mix : Cole Pierce – Later
This week we bring you a wonderful selection of modern classical and experimental pieces as compiled by Cole Pierce. Later was originally produced in a unique edition of 60 CDs, featuring a poem by Tyler Carter and packaged with the playlist printed on found paper and were distributed to Cole Pierce’s mix CD mailing list [...]
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Sound Postcard : 001 : Piano
Inspired by Taylor Deupree’s One Sound Each Day project, I set off on my own journey of aural documentation of my life. Except, there are no rules for this one. No scheduled daily search of sound, and no particular beginning or end. These are just my Sound Postcards… From me to you… With no specific [...]
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Cell – Hanging Masses (Ultimae)
Frenchman Alex Scheffer, aka Cell, is an Ultimae regular, having contributed tracks to many of the label’s compilation albums, including the excellent Fahrenheit series. Yet, Hanging Masses is his first album for the label and only his second overall, not counting a couple of notable live releases. I’ve always honed in on Cell’s tracks; he [...]
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Tags: ambient, downtempo, psybient
Alex Scheffer, aka Cell, has been a member of the Ultimae family since 2001, releasing tracks on many of the label’s compilation albums, including the excellent Fahrenheit Project series. We recently reviewed Hanging Masses, Cell’s first full length album for the label and his second overall, not counting a couple of very fine live albums [...]
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The following installment of Sound Bytes comes to us courtesy of Matt Leslie and his selections for Best of 2009. It only makes sense for us to revisit these gems before they get archived on the shelves of past releases. Don’t forget to preview the tracks, which I have embedded for your convenience. Listen and [...]
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Tags: ambient, drone, modern classical
Listening to Slugabed for the first time brings back the memories of hearing the complexity of Squarepusher or the insanity of Venetian Snares who, incidentally, released his sweet venom on Planet Mu as well. But the music of this 19 year old, Bath (UK) based producer, Greg Feldwick, is not the broken rhythms of breakcore [...]
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Tags: dubstep, instrumental hip-hop
How would you describe your sound to my 90 year old uncle? you have a 90 year old uncle? wow. thats old. i would tell him its electronic and loud and he probably wouldnt like it. sorry if ive underestimated him. What does ‘wonky’ mean to you? like, a little bit lop-sided.. asymmetrical. i.e. not [...]
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In the first few months of 2010, Ian Hawgood, the owner of Home Normal, bombarded my mailbox with envelopes full of promos, and my ears with sublime ambient bliss. In 2009, Hawgood managed to publish eight releases, and this year he’s already on the way with another five! I spent a whole weekend enveloped in [...]
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Tags: ambient, minimal, modern classical
Home Normal
Interview with Ian Hawgood, owner of Home Normal by Headphone Commute Hey Ian… How are you today, and what did you do this past weekend? Hi. Yeah, really great thanks. This past weekend I finished mastering some work by some Japanese artists plus the latest Jasper TX work, sent out some shop orders, listened to [...]
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Nest – Retold (Serein)
As the snow blankets the ground, and the earth hibernates in preparation for a new cycle of life, gentle sonic frequencies vibrate our outer shells, to keep us warm throughout the season. The sound of Nest is simple, contemplative, intelligent and incredibly gorgeous. Kicking off 2010, and in a sense a brand new decade, Retold [...]
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Tags: modern classical
First of all, what prompted the first physical release from Serein? Although the music ‘industry’ and how people interact with music is changing a lot, it still felt like the label could only go so far operating as a non-profit venture. Not only is it very difficult to get noticed by press without physical albums, [...]
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Two years ago, in February of 2008, I interviewed Benn Jordan. It felt like a huge undertaking on my part. I was about to interview one of my favorite artists face to face in a casual environment. I didn’t bring a voice recorder and did not take any notes. It was simply a conversation over [...]
Filed under: Artist Interviews, Reflections | 4 Comments
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