Moon Tides, by Mzungu

Excerpt taken from Bandcamp relaese page.

Sitting, trying to study I looped a sample I had been working on in my DAW. This sample stayed playing for approximately 30 minutes – on repeat. I stumbled upon ‘Moontides’, named after the complicated interplay between moon and tides. Rhythmically massive, the relationship is nevertheless tangible and can be seen at work on any coastline.

In this work I have taken sounds and stretched and manipulated them, warping tempo and rhythmic structure. All of the samples start at the same time, but due to their differing lengths they never ‘complete’ together. Combined with volume automation this allows for a release of constraint. Take, for instance, traffic noises in the early morning mingling with the sound of birds outside your window. The two sounds merge, relate to one another. They are not pre-planned, but are rather rhythmically spontaneous – the rhythm emerging as it becomes. This symbiosis, this rhythmic chance, is allowed to develop in the repeated playing of samples.

There exists, nevertheless, a structure. The song ‘wraps around’ as a bar (or a complete rhythmic unit) as the piece finishes. Therefore, each element never sits parallel, but rather its position to other elements shifts continually. Frankenstein’s monster, a complete butchery of beauty. Notes, preludes, sonatas and other flotsam and jetsam. It came out of an idea (an attempt) to do away with scales and notation and see what happened. All of the keys and scales are by ear, elements are pitched according to feeling, not rule. Tones clash, do battle and drift apart falling into harmony then dissaray.

Doing away with working within a Western theoretical understanding of music is not novel, and I do not pretend it is. This is purely a piece of pretentious imagination. However, the musical bastard – as I have so named this project – exists and is out here for your pleasure or pardon

– Jonah Hebron aka Mzungu

released September 4, 2018

Sick Day, by Gould ’72

the band:
fairlight cmi, moog lpt, farfisa vip-233, gem sprinter, casio mt-140, roland space echo, acetone rhythm ace, alesis hr-16, fender strat, prs se custom, big muff pi, small stone phaser, mxr m234 chorus, behringer desk mixer, plugins, laptop©2019 ATF Sound
atfsound@gmail.com

released January 14, 2019

October #1

Hello ET readers!

Before I start loading this post up with links, I wanted to take a second to thank anyone and everyone who has supported this project from the beginning – I am inspired every day by seeing artists and collectives still producing and curating amazing content, along with a whole new generation of content creators pulling the underground scene into new directions and uncharted territories.

It is in this spirit that I am announcing a slight shift in the blog format to better accommodate both the current underground climate as well as my own personal habits and responsibilities. Moving forward, I will be focusing on posting “Lists” of recommended listens, opposed to individual “Quick Picks” of my findings. I feel this is a logical step, and also one that will be beneficial to both the readers and the artists featured. So without further explanation or excuse, here is the first list to kick off October 2018 – please enjoy browsing and exploring this batch of recommended underground music!!

 

Last Dayz ov Zummer – by Reflections From Nowhere

Released October 5th, 2018 – DMT Tapes FL

The ever-busy DMT Tapes Florida has graced us with another beautiful, meandering release from Reflections From Nowhere – tinged with a slight melancholy and dystopian vibe, the 13 tracks seem to drip from one to the next, laced with droning synths and keys, dusted with downtempo grooves and textures. The tape on a whole is quite a satisfying listen, as I found myself going back for a repeat listen 2/3 times whenever I pressed play… 🛰

 

Rum River Ramble – by Marcus Eads

Released September 30, 2018 – Self Released

Longtime readers will know that I am a fan of Marcus Eads’ stripped back, “Primitive” Americana compositions – so it is no surprise that I am both excited and pleased with his latest offering, Rum River Ramble. In traditional Eads fashion, the album is a peaceful homage to archaic sounds, featuring vibes ranging from swinging mellow melodies to thoughtful blues. Throughout the record, Marcus utilizes not only the Acoustic Guitar, but a peppering of unique instruments like the Dulcimer and Autoharp! Quite the enjoyable listen for a relaxing morning coffee. ☕️

 

Vault of Glass EP – by Doctor Jeep

Released October 5th, 2018 – Self Released

Dark and atmospheric Drum & Bass from UK’s Doctor Jeep – featuring collaborations with Fixate and Cirrus, with remixes from Hyroglifics and Sinistarr). Wonderfully satisfying dark club grooves with flavors of dub and world sounds. 🌍

 

Mental Disorder – by Hybrid Boy

Released October 5th, 2018 – Self Released

New Belgium producer Hybrid Boy presents us with an energetic and bold 3-track EP as a first release on the scene – each track is packed with atmosphere and energy, utilizing extraordinary drumwork and soundscape crafting. Definitely excited to hear more from this young producer in the future! 🌀

 

• CHOON FINDS – Saint Elsewhere •

“Experimental Trip Hop from Vienna/AT” – Saint Elsewhere strings together chilled electronics, downtempo beats and blissful vocals in a small collection of songs uploaded to Choon. Quite interesting stuff, subtle and worth multiple listens 🤙

Listen: Self-Titled 6 Track Album

The Gloom & The Glowing

The Gloom & The Glowing is the first full-length album from the prolific ambient duo now known as Nonconnah ( Lost Trail ). Though on the surface, TG&TG might seem quite similar to the duos former work, but within the folds there are greater forces at work.

The title alone alludes to a theme many people can relate to in these strange times; darkness and light, good and evil, joy and despair. The expressive depths and heights achieved within TG&TG is nothing short of astonishing. The moment when music surpasses mental satisfaction and achieves spiritual satisfaction is both uplifting and grounding.

The album itself is a solid 13 tracks. Throughout, synths churn and bellow between one-another, providing a near constant motion within the drone. The effect is an engaging and easy listen, with songs moving past beautifully like unknown towns through your car window. Tones evoke nostalgia, melancholy, humble warmth and old wisdom. A delicate balance of pain and purity, wistfully guiding the listener in a tour of emotion.

Listening to The Gloom & The Glowing was a rich and satisfying experience for me several times through, and I honestly look forward to enjoying it again many times again. You can have a listen yourself via Bandcamp, or do your stereo a favor and purchase a CD!

Varsovie, by Odes Of The Kabatians

British-Colombian Label Silent Season brings us a chilled out ambient-techno treat in the form of Varsovie, by Odes of the Kabatians.

Varsovie is a part of the Labels “SSX“, or Silent Season 10-Year Anniversary, series, which focuses on textural ambience and geography. This installment is no disappointment, with 5 expansive tracks that are all both deep and delicious.

You can grab the digital download via the Labels Bandcamp page, or head over to Juno Records for a copy on wax.

Silent Season 10 Year Collection 2007-2017 [SSX10]

The Silent Season 10 Year Anniversary collection celebrates a decade of deeper electronic music. This special edition vinyl series features artists whose music continues to inspire the Silent Season journey from 2007-2017.

silentseason.com/ssx10/

The SSX series showcases elemental textures found in the nature surroundings of Vancouver Island. The collection features 2 different sleeve colour editions: Dark & Light. The first 5 EPs for Winter share a dark smoke transparent vinyl in a custom 10th anniversary black sleeve emboldened with the Silent Season Tree of Life.

The first 5 x 12″s will be available at Juno and other fine record shops starting Spring 2017. The vinyl series will roll out over the year with the remaining 5 eps coming out in the Fall.

++ VINYL ++

www.juno.co.uk/products/odes-of-the-kabatians-varsovie/637283-01/

credits

released May 24, 2017

French artists PVNV and Amandra work together under the project Odes Of the Kabatians. They are cofounders of Taapion Records and Ahrpe Records. The Varsovie EP has been produced in Amandra’s studio in Warsaw, Poland.

Springthaw I & II, by Coppice Halifax

Dayton Ohio’s Coppice Halifax brings us two long-form projects to ease us into the coming summer. Springthaw is a unique and robust project, utilizing live recordings and improvisation to create vivid soundscapes. With all 4 tracks from the 2 EP’s played back to back, it results in nearly 2 hours of dense sonic exploration, reaching into the dark corners or ambience, electronics and dub tendencies.

Both EP’s are available via bandcamp either as Digital Downloads or Compact Discs.

Initially conceived as a more open-ended project, Springthaw manifested itself as four near-half-hour pieces that herald the arrival of Spring. This second volume contains the third and fourth pieces recorded for the project – Dark Room and Wind Hues – both bubbling over with organic textures and floral hiss. Deep dub techno basslines and rhythms anchor a drifting pastoral landscape of melting ice, blossoming color and bounding green hills.

Springthaw was improvised and captured live in the White Pillar Workshop, using a Gemini PDT-6000 turntable to select sides of heavily processed vinyl (solo piano pieces and chamber music) which set an atmospheric tone above/below a Korg ER-1 drum machine, Yamaha QY-70 sequencer, Grass S10CTCMA and a Unisonic “Chippendale” 8-track receiver (channeling local AM radio stations), augmented by FX units including three Moogerfoogers, Alesis Quadraverb, Pioneer spring reverb box, Boss RV-3, SL-20 & RC-20 and a Behringer US600. Everything was mixed on a Peavey FX24 hybrid mixer, and resident collaborator John-Paul Kramer (Coal, Casio Commander) assisted with pitch and modulation of the vinyl sides during three of the four performances.

Springthaw is (at present) a two-volume set, much like the previous Earthworks, Autochromata and the as-yet-unpublished Cedar Mastodon. Time, and seasonal change, will tell whether or not there will be further installments next year. The two volumes make a solid companion/postscript to the recently reinstated 24xCD-R set Dripping Earth, which also venerates Spring in its own way.

released May 30, 2017

W/P by Brian Grainger. Recorded live at White Pillar Workshop, March 2017. Assisted by John-Paul Kramer on “Dark Room”. Mastered by The Analog Botanist, April 2017. Photograph by Brian, Dayton 2017. This is Milieu Music number ABX63.

 

Concepto Hipnotico Five Years Anniversary

Concepto Hipnotico celebrates their 5-year Anniversary with one heck of a compilation. 22 tracks strong, you can purchase the album via bandcamp.

Deep Diversity Vo. 5 – Various Artists

From the Netherlands Deep Electronics Label comes this massive compilation of dubbed-out tunes. Featuring 17 tracks from a slew of producers, each with their own unique style, grace the tracklist of this album. Best of all, you can pick this up at the price of your choosing. What are you waiting for!!

The Tales of the Sagebrush Wind, by Atmeo

Energostatic Records of Kiev brings us a phenomenal little project from Marc Atmost / Atmeo, The Tales of the Sagebrush Wind.

Only 3 tracks long, this little EP is simultaneously packed with pulsing energy and relaxing vibes. The long-form tracks fluctuate and evolve between textural ambience and hypnotic rhythms. Such as the first track, which takes a full 8-minutes to ramp-up to a serious groove, only to be whisked off into the aether. All in all it is quite satisfying, and I certainly wish it were a longer project! You can grab the digital download via Bandcamp.

“If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.”

stasis043 “Marc Atmost pres. Atmeo – The Tales Of The Sagebrush Wind”

Written, produced and mastered by Marc Atmost / Atmeo.

released May 19, 2017

Void XII, by Chihei Hatakeyama

Brilliant new ambience from Japanese Producer Chihei Hatakeyama, owner of White Paddy Mountain Label. Void XII is quite a meditating experience, representing the essence of relaxing yet captivating drone. Grab the digital download via Bandcamp.

Void XII is new songs of chihei hatakeyama.

Chihei Hatakeyama is a sound artist , an organizer and mastering engineer who was born in 1978, and lives in the Tokyo. He has performed for years under his given name and also as one half of the electroacoustic duo Opitope, along with Tomoyoshi Date. Hatakeyama got involved in playing music through strumming a electric guitar in a few rock-oriented bands in his teenage years. Subsequently a laptop computer superseded his bands as his main platform. Hatakeyama polychromes memory- evoking soundscapes with various recorded materials of acoustic instruments such as guitars, vibraphone, and piano; mostly played by hand and processed time and time again via laptop. His first album Minima Moralia was commissioned for release by the Chicago-based label kranky in early 2006.
Since then his many album was released by Room 40, Under The Spire, Hibernate Records, Magic Book Records, Home Nomal, OwnRecords, Spekk, Dronarivm, Constellation Tatsu, Glacial Move- ments Records and his own label White Paddy Mountain. In 2013 Hatakeyama founded the record label White Paddy Montain, which since then has released over 40 recordings by some of the most accomplished musicians and modern ambient musicians, Shoegazer and folk musicians in Japan.
Recent years Hatakeyama continues to evolve his sound by analog synthesizer, modular synthesizer and compact guitar effector. Hatakeyama approaches some modular synthesizer and electric guitar drone project with an expectation of new directions.
www.chihei.org chihei-mastering.com

released May 9, 2017

Mix and Mastering by Chihei Hatakeyama