Archive for April, 2010
Released in 2009, An Imaginary Country by Tim Hecker continues to satisfy my aural cravings. From persistent nonchalant two note passages dispersing in reverb, to pulsating bass undertones accented with frequency thick chromatic chords, and concrete layers of sonic treatment placed in all strategic places, designed to hold this fragile structure erect, the architectural plans [...]
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Tags: ambient, experimental
Where is The Imaginary Country, and is there a deeper story behind this album? Nowhere! The second part of that question is a sort of yes and no. Putting ornamentation around a record, like artwork, titles and narrative-stuff, is a sort of appendage that really only takes shape and the end of working on a [...]
Filed under: Artist Interviews | 1 Comment
Three years of music… No… I’m not about to try and summarize all of the amazing albums that have made it to my rotations list – that is nearly impossible. Instead, I want to point my time machine to this exact month of April, over a period of one, two, and then three years, to [...]
Filed under: Reflections | Leave a Comment
Mix : Aldous – Winter’s Worth
Another week, another mix, another special treat! The last entry of April features a pristine selection by Aldous, who shares the same taste in music with Headphone Commute and you! About this exclusive mix, titled Winter’s Worth, Aldous writes: culled from the first quarter of 2010, these songs kept me company during an agonizingly long [...]
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I sat down to cover the latest release from Planet Mu by Kuedo, and my mind migrated over to the bass sounds from Eskmo which then reminded me of an album by VibeSquaD. This is a perfect example of why Sound Bytes makes sense in that nonsensical kind of way. Three releases tied together by [...]
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Tags: bass, dubstep, wonky
Yes, this recording was made in New York’s Grand Central Terminal… But after the typical dense chatter drenched in saturated reverberations something else happens… all completely magical on its own… The musician says “Thank You” as I drop a bill in his case, and then walk away, trapped in my own reality once again…
Filed under: Sound Postcards | 1 Comment
In 2007, I had the luxury of traveling to Cuba for a vacation. I arrived with no real plan other than to try and fit in as much as possible and in order to do that I needed a car. Fully expecting to ride the 1950s Chevy that is synonymous with Cuba, I of course [...]
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Tags: folktronic, neofolk
If there was one instrument in the world that Sam Amidon could embody what would it be and why? a little hummingbird. they are like instruments of humming! Which old American folk song that you haven’t recreated would you like to see resurrected by a Hip Hop artist? And who would that be? it has [...]
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I was actually setting up the microphones to record something else… But instead I [accidentally] captured this moment of a dog… drinking… This is all very simple and to the point. Yet, I think, only dog can make that sound. Drinking and breathing at the same time. Hear the rumbling in his stomach as he [...]
Filed under: Sound Postcards | 1 Comment
About two years ago, Rob Booth of Electronic Explorations has introduced me to the new sound of dubstep. I’ve heard the wobbly sound of the London underground before. But this was something else. Cinematic, ethereal, and incredibly organic, with a rumbling bass and a syncopated beat. I was immediately in love with the output of [...]
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William Basinski – 92982 (2062)
Late in 2009, William Basinski had released his eighteenth album, Vivian & Ondine, on his own imprint, 2062 Records. But my mind still holds on to the haunting melodies of his release prior, simply named after a single day, more precisely September 29th, 1982, culminating in the numerical representation of 92982. This is a document [...]
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Tags: ambient, experimental
92982 is indeed a blast from the past. How much post-production work, if any, have you done on this archived recording? a bit… it’s hard to remember now, but i’m sure i agonized over it. there was some minor editing and possibly a little eqing. my recording technique in those days was atrocious, so it’s [...]
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With this another installment of Sound Bytes, I share with you my latest favorite selections in minimal-dub-tech-house and funky polished beats. First up is a brand new release from Thoughtless which should keep your heads bopping, rolling into the latest from Echocord, and when you’re all warmed up, confidently stepping into the darker territory of [...]
Filed under: Sound Bytes | 1 Comment
Tags: minimal techno, tech house
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Interview with Richard Chartier Hey Richard, thank you for joining us. What did you do this past weekend? this past weekend i bought a huge mid century executive desk designed by Jens Risom for my studio/office. and my partner Robert and i went to see the new ColorForms exhibit and Joseph Albers Retrospective at the [...]
Filed under: Label Profiles | 2 Comments
There’s something special about having a recorder [or a camera] around you all the time. Certain opportunities just present themselves, like Kodak moments, to be captured and preserved. This is a story about one of them… I was walking on the street when I stopped to pet a beautiful dog – a Corgi. I think [...]
Filed under: Sound Postcards | 2 Comments
Mix : HC – Our Shelter, Our Tomb
I am very excited to share this special mix with you! I originally put it together back in February, after I was finished with Headphone Commute’s Best of 2009. It was intended as a follow up to my popular Modern Classical Mix, featuring my favorite selections from 2009. The mix quickly became dark, nostalgic, and [...]
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Infrequency Editions is a sub-label of Dragon’s Eye, the latter owned and operated by Yann Novak himself. The label was originally founded by Jamie Drouin and Lance Olsen, but after a brief hiatus, and introduction to Novak, it merged with Dragon’s Eye. Originally concerned with documenting live performances and sound installations presented through public concerts at a [...]
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Tags: ambient, drone, minimal
The Breeze Blowing Over was recorded during one of the hottest days in Seattle. Tell us about that day. Well that day is kind of a blur, the piece ended up being about that weekend and what led up to it. That day was the hottest day that summer, that summer became my last summer [...]
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Sound Postcard : 007 : Jukebox
Over the weekend I went to visit my friend’s elderly parents at the assisted living facility. In the reception, there was this old jukebox. I got drawn towards it mostly because of its bass. It was deep, tight, and resonated throughout the foyer. No modifications were made to this recording – I preserved the EQs [...]
Filed under: Sound Postcards | 1 Comment
I’ve been a regular contributor to The Music Lobby since the site’s inception back in 2007. I first met Casey Winters on last.fm and was captivated and inspired by his taste in music. And you know that feeling. Instantly you want to pick up and listen to every recommendation, and when each keeps on being [...]
Filed under: Sound Bytes | 1 Comment
Tags: folktronic, instrumental hip-hop, jazzy
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