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

MELLOW CHOONS VOL.1

Hey gang! I am back in action and feeling better than ever! I have been discovering so much wonderful music lately I simply cannot hold back from telling the world!

One thing in particular that has sparked a lot of energy has been exploring the CHOON platform – its vibe has taken me back to the old SoundCloud days, and I have simply adored lurking around the website for quality music. So to help usher back in this sonic exploration, head over to my Choon page (currently operating under my OHSAURUS moniker) and give a listen to Mellow Choons Vol.1 !

I will be posting more frequently – sounds from the underground as always – from the depths of bandcamp, soundcloud, and anywhere else I can find aural experiments! As always feel free to send your submissions my way – twitter tends to be the quickest way to reach me, however the good ‘ol submission form always works too! Anyways please enjoy, see you on the other side….

Guitar Samples, by DR00

Torontos Legendary Entertainment bring us an interesting new project from producer DR00 – Guitar Samples. An experimental 9 track tape that is, according to the creator, made entirely of guitar samples, sans a few bits of percussion on a track or two. The result is a very organic and interesting listen. The vibe is solid whether the track is pulsing with rhythms like the remixed Oak, or simply blissing out over the possibilities of sonic manipulation on tracks such as Beyond Recognition.

You can grab a CD of the project from Legendary Entertainment, there is also a Cassette release available via Æescape Sounds, but either way you will be doing yourself a favor picking this up!

The Autumn Elegy, by Glowing Swords

Incoming drone goodness via collaborative project Glowing Swords, consisting of Zachary Corsa (Nonconnah, ex Lost Trail) and Scott Cortez (Astrobrite, Lovesliescrushing). The Autumn Elegy brings us 10 tracks of soaring, fuzzy noisescapes that are both lush and withering. A thick haze forms over each track, at some points obscuring the senses entirely in pieces such as Calrn which seem to be performed in some otherworldly etherial cavern, then broadcast to the countryside over AM radio. It’s musty and dusty and I love it.

What really grips me about this album is the hidden melodies my brain finds. There is a very therapeutic and rewarding quality to the blissed-out leads that seem to drift in and out of the mix.  It’s often right when I am beginning to succumb to the world the track is building, the moment disbelief is suspended, that these melodies creep onto the canvas and introduce a whole new vibe! These gems are what make this album a good repeat listen in my opinion; being an album that can be enjoyed both subliminally and intellectually.

You can download the album via Bandcamp or purchase a Deluxe CD edition via Wist Records which looks so cool! It’s got tons of additional goodies

Reminiscence, by Handbook

This May we are blessed by a fresh EP of beats from UK Producer Handbook, released by Frances Cascade Records on May 4th 2018. The project features 7 chilled-out beats with a splash of vocal features for flavor.

In typical Handbook fashion, there is a patience to the instrumentals, demonstrating careful consideration for sonic layout. The percussion floats around the realm of boom-bap to chillhop, tracks like Mango swing so smoothly you can’t help but nod your head. Both live and sampled vocals are tastefully dashed into the mix, keeping the listen interesting from beginning to end.

Read more about the release and purchase a copy via Cascade Records bandcamp page, you can also stream the music on your favorite streaming service!

Good For

• Smoke Sessions
• Midnight Drives
• Study Music

Favorite Track: A Pure Connection

Battle in Nagoya, by Lips and Ribs

Equal parts chiptune madness and funky footwork, Battle in Nagoya is a new cassette tape released through Field Hymns Records by Lips and Ribs. Featuring some truly dense and determined tracks, 16 to be exact, this album drags the listener on a strange and mystical journey. Think – soundtrack to an acid soaked JRPG, with tracks often featuring massively oversaturated percussion and in-your-face synthesizers which are often as cheesy as they are amazing.

The album isn’t for the faint of heart, each track has a unique sense of urgency, resulting in quite a hectic listen. I encourage you to dive right in though, once you succumb to the vibe of the project it really is an amazing project to enjoy from start to finish.

Good For

• Smoke Sessions
• Midnight Drives
• Solo Dance Parties

Favorite Track: 14: Hans

Imaginations, by Alexandre Navarro

Imaginations is an EP of ambient synthesizer music by french producer Alexandre Navarro. 5 tracks packed full of beautiful textures, blipping and buzzing synths combined with tasteful percussion. There is an attention to detail in each sound and tone that only becomes more apparent on repeat listens.

Good For:

• Study Music
• Midnight Drives
• Deep Thought

Favorite Track: 4. Au bord de toi

Far Away Music, by Benjamin Louis Brody

Far Away Music is an contemporary classical/ambient music project by composer and producer Benjamin Lous Brody, and is his first appearance on UK’s Preserved Sound Label.

The album itself is very subtle; built around churning strings and cavernous tones. The arrangements are dense, yet leave something for the imagination to fill in, resulting in a very rewarding listen. The general feeling seems to balance on the line of melancholy and awe, with the orchestra painting a vast and inspiring landscape around the listener.

Good For:

• Study Sessions
• Late Night Chill
• Meditation

Favorite Track: 2. Floating into Infinity

 

DaP Station & Zypher Unlabel Compilation 4

DaP Station Records and Zypher Unlabel have teamed up yet again for a bonkers compilation of spaced-out beats! Continuing the tradition begun years ago of creating genre-defying collections of music, this compilation acts as a reunion of sorts, bringing those producers still active back together for another sonic feast!

Of course there is a shameless plug for my own track in there, but the rest of the album is equally amazing with some truly gnarly beats and treats. Did I mention there is a cassette version which sounds great? Give it a listen…