Week in Review #101
#1 – 1.4.2016 – Denver based hyper-realist David Winkler, aka julien — who appeared on the recent Wasabi Tapes comp we mentioned in last week’s review — shared a brisk but vibrant preview mini-mix for his upcoming cassette with Orange Milk. It’s the first I’ve heard of the tape and a pretty fun ride unto itself, so keep your ears peeled on Orange Milk for updates if they weren’t already. While we’re on the subject, it malso worth mentioning that OM is also now in the midst of a month-long sale. -DP
#2 – 1.5.2016 – Spool’s Out Radio did a new episode focused on their and one of our favorite labels of the past year, Monofonus Press’ unstoppable free-jazz imprint Astral Spirits, “imagined Italian movie scores, Polish synthesizer improvisations, and harsh midwestern noise. Astral Spirits has it all…” Indubitably. Listen via the Spool’s Out MixCloud. -DP
#3 – 1.5.2016 – RVNG Intl.’s so far relatively discrete storefront and lifestyle arm, Commend — something on the craftier end of recent market phenomena, comparable to Ghostly’s growing presence as a domestic brand — unveiled SIDES, a new audio series for sharing mixes, live recordings, and talks courtesy of the extended multimedia family involved with the group. Their first offering is a refreshing mix courtesy of New York synthesist John Also Bennett, aka Seabat and one of three gentleman responsible for Forma. Get a tracklist and read a smidge more about the series here. -DP
#4 – 1.5.2016 – The Quietus shared an “ace” pay-what-you-want label compilation courtesy of Russia’s Full of Nothing, timed to be an earthy post-holiday companion (for lonely northerners presumably), and features new tracks from six artists represented in their catalog this year; Moa Pillar, HMOT, Tikhie Kamni, Erik Lavender, Kvien & Sommer, and Suokas. Click through to the Quietus to read more and the Full of Nothing Bandcamp to download. -DP
#5 – 1.6.2016 – Northern Spy’s Adam Downey shared news that they’re hosting a new show to NY-based Little Water Radio, called Test Press, and naturally focused on upcoming tunes. From Downey, “I love music that came out yesterday and that came out last year and that came out last half-century. Music is still exciting after it comes out. But it’s exciting before it comes out, too.” Check the show out on Little Water on Wednesdays from 6-8pm, keep up with show playlists here, and stream the first episode via MixCloud. -DP
#6 – 1.6.2016 – First released via The Wire’s Below The Radar compilation, edition #21, Notice Recordings unveiled Chris Strickland’s crinkly and droning 10-minute acousmatic curveball, In the Neck of Time – featuring field recordings from another Nick Storring, another name Decoder readers may recognize. Stream it below or click through to Bandcamp to download the composition, and keep your eyes peeled on Notice for upcoming full releases from both Strickland and Storring. -DP
#7 – 1.7.2016 – Fire Talk and Lillerne Tapes are joining forces to release Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk’s next album, appetizingly titled Burritos. The first single, “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love,” sees the band retaining their distinctive fuzzy warmth while highlighting their honed skills in building harmonies and concentrated, cozy layers. Stream the track below and head over to either Fire Talk or Lillerne to pre-order the tape, out March 4. You can also catch the band live today if you’re in or near Brooklyn! -LP
#8 – 1.7.2016 – Beyond Beyond is Beyond unveiled a new single from Eerie Wanda (a relatively new project led by singer Marina Tadic, with help from Bram Vervaet, Jasper Verhulst, and Nic Niggebrugge, who are also in Jacco Gardner’s live band.) “To Dream Again” is a delightfully coy, slightly twee track about “running away with someone,” according to Tadic, and the tight, catchy rhythm section seems to fit that narrative well. Stream the single below and head over to BBiB to pre-order a copy before it officially comes out Feb. 26 — it’s available on royal blue & bone splatter vinyl, and be sure to also grab one of the beautiful hand-risographed posters made by Tadic herself! -LP
#9 – 1.8.2016 – Craft Singles announced their next release, an EP titled Out by Montreal’s Jo Passed (aka Joseph Hirabayashi, formerly of Sprïng). The first single, “Lego My Ego,” is about “loving someone even if it means accepting that they are essentially non-accepting. This is definitely a recurrent theme on Out… I wanted things to sound like they were dry and driving… things are burning up and hot, and you aren’t quite sure whether what you are seeing is a desert mirage or if it’s real,” writes Hirabayashi. Bask in the heat from “Lego My Ego” over at Paste (don’t get scorched by that underlying riff) while we wait for the rest of the EP, due January 22nd. -LP
