Lately, a few people have found The N.E.C. Last Point of Radiation release packages -- following that uptick in demand, I am preparing a very simple order button with updated shipping (I was not prepared for the increase in International Shipping!).
I have some copies of the limited clear Last Point of Radiation issue, as well as a handful of the limited insert art. Enjoy one of the best kept secrets of a prime era for Atlanta psychedelic music!
The N.E.C. Last Point of Radiation (clear LP, 2012)
Travis Bird, Bourgeois Treats (CD, 2013)
Shipping Included, USA Only
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
SUMMER UPDATE
There's a lot of stuff going on for 'Spective artists, just in time for summer! 'Spective HQ are moving, too, so please email spectiveaudio [at] gmail.com if you would like the following merch:
Travis Bird, Bourgeois Treats (CD)
The N.E.C., Last Point of Radiation (Clear)
The Sunny Muffdivers, All Half Evil (CS)
The Leavitt Ours, Return (CS)
Cinchel Upcoming Shows in Chicago!
July 12 (7 pm): Transistor Chicago (w/ Subnaught, Eltarnora, and Max Abstrax. Free / Donation)
July 15 (10pm): WLUW Destination Unknown (w/ Kat-o-rly)
August 9 (6pm): Saki Records (opening Kirstiecat photo show, "Remain in Light.")
August 19 (9pm): Whistler (Gladcloud Ambient Series)
The N.E.C. Tours!
July 12: Bowling Green, KY, Rocky's (w/ Jovontaes)
July 13: Lexington, KY, Green Lantern (w/ Jovontaes)
July 14: Cincinnati, OH, Chameleon Lounge (w/ Harlequins)
July 15: Chicago, IL, Permanent Records (6 pm, w/ Mouthbreathers)
July 16: Chicago, IL, Empty Bottle (w/ Magic Milk)
July 17: Cleveland, OH, Now That's Class (w/ We Are Hex)
July 18: Columbus, OH, The Summit
July 20: Brooklyn, NY, Seanaroo (w/ Sean Bones)
Travis Bird, "Honey and Heat"
Travis Bird's new single "Honey and Heat" bleeds through the ground like the summer overtaking spring, a sudden blow from unexpected storms to muggy slow afternoons stopped still. Following the chiming, layered pop of his debut, Bourgeois Treats, "Honey and Heat" extracts urgency and rawness from those layers. These layers are heavy and steadily pulsing, offering a striking contrast to the brighter tone of the album. From the poisonous head to the purest bourbon smoke, Bird's garage song answers San Francisco's paisley with visions of New Orleans' blues: those basest structures supporting boisterous rumors and suppressed desires, delivered with trades between barbed wire guitars and hazy doubled vocals.
Enjoy!
Travis Bird, Bourgeois Treats (CD)
The N.E.C., Last Point of Radiation (Clear)
The Sunny Muffdivers, All Half Evil (CS)
The Leavitt Ours, Return (CS)
Cinchel Upcoming Shows in Chicago!
July 12 (7 pm): Transistor Chicago (w/ Subnaught, Eltarnora, and Max Abstrax. Free / Donation)
July 15 (10pm): WLUW Destination Unknown (w/ Kat-o-rly)
August 9 (6pm): Saki Records (opening Kirstiecat photo show, "Remain in Light.")
August 19 (9pm): Whistler (Gladcloud Ambient Series)
The N.E.C. Tours!
July 12: Bowling Green, KY, Rocky's (w/ Jovontaes)
July 13: Lexington, KY, Green Lantern (w/ Jovontaes)
July 14: Cincinnati, OH, Chameleon Lounge (w/ Harlequins)
July 15: Chicago, IL, Permanent Records (6 pm, w/ Mouthbreathers)
July 16: Chicago, IL, Empty Bottle (w/ Magic Milk)
July 17: Cleveland, OH, Now That's Class (w/ We Are Hex)
July 18: Columbus, OH, The Summit
July 20: Brooklyn, NY, Seanaroo (w/ Sean Bones)
Travis Bird, "Honey and Heat"
Travis Bird's new single "Honey and Heat" bleeds through the ground like the summer overtaking spring, a sudden blow from unexpected storms to muggy slow afternoons stopped still. Following the chiming, layered pop of his debut, Bourgeois Treats, "Honey and Heat" extracts urgency and rawness from those layers. These layers are heavy and steadily pulsing, offering a striking contrast to the brighter tone of the album. From the poisonous head to the purest bourbon smoke, Bird's garage song answers San Francisco's paisley with visions of New Orleans' blues: those basest structures supporting boisterous rumors and suppressed desires, delivered with trades between barbed wire guitars and hazy doubled vocals.
Enjoy!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Travis Bird, "Bourgeois Treats"
Bourgeois Treats
Stream the songs, and order a CD copy. Now shipping!
Album: Travis Bird, Bourgeois Treats
Format: CD
Label: 'Spective Audio
Release: Forthcoming, early 2013
Americana is as much an attitude as it is tradition. Travis Bird’s americana constantly turns corners from modest folkways to jazz overtones, creating chiming, layered pop on his debut, Bourgeois Treats. Embracing churning tension with the ease of a traveler at home wherever rest finds him, Bird’s america is not rushed, not rusted. But not easy. It reflects that surprising quiet of clear, cold Chicago mornings, as well as the unpredictable humidity of overgrown New Orleans ruins. Between these two homes, Bird situates his vision, reflecting every step from one to the other.
How do you express animosity within the friendly confines of common expectations? This radical America hides in plain sight, passed by everyday expectations around each corner. With those corners within tradition, the attitude comes with the way one turns them. Bird turns them with a patient hand and sharp vision. The cutting, burning pop of "Julica" and "Both Ways" exemplify the urgency of that vision, while "Wind Blow Your Memory Away" and "Summer of Your Discontent" collapse that vitriol into graceful melodies. Between these boundaries, Bird fills "Honey and Heat" and "Withdrawal" with an easy, churning shuffle that wipes away the sweat. Yet, "Cycle of Love and Release" pushes those dramatic flourishes like a rumbling "L" train piercing that crystal clear cold.
For reference, Bird's America hints at the layered compositions of Television, extending guitar rock tropes. It glazes over with the disquieted comfort of Neil Young's delivery, or the surprising suspense of The Band. Fans of mindful, direct pop songwriting, and the diverse attitudes of American rock that aren't quite punk, Southern, jazz, or folk, will enjoy Bird's unique performances. Previously a member of numerous experimental collaborations as a multi-instrumentalist in Chicago, Bird steps to the fore to deliver his first solo effort.
http://spectiveaudio.blogspot.com
http://www.travis-bird.com
Sunday, May 20, 2012
SPCTV LP10 The N.E.C. "Last Point of Radiation"
300 pressed / 200 clear / 100 black SOLD OUT / LIMITED screenprinted inserts -- approximately 60 / UV spot jackets.
4th LP by prolific Atlanta psych group The N.E.C.! Captures the group's dynamic live sound, reflecting their live shows played in support of their Pineapple and Is albums.
Natural Extension Concept (The N.E.C.) reach the destination of their psychedelic voyage on their forthcoming LP, Last Point of Radiation. This LP is the trio's most direct statement, mixing pummeling, layered rock and expansive desert explorations.
The album reflects the group's powerful live sound, honed throughout their shows supporting their previous releases. The trio’s dynamic focus is enhanced by the recording and delivery of these performances. Recorded on an Ampex AG-440 1” 8-track, the N.E.C. delivered the bulk of these cuts on the first take. Each member of the trio maintains a spirit of structured noise on Last Point of Radiation, resulting in a collection of concise, intense statements.
In the spirit of private press LP releases, Last Point of Radiation will feature deluxe UV-spot jackets, as well as limited screenprinted jackets. These features carry a visual theme throughout the record and its packaging, ensuring that this direct, dynamic musical statement offers each listener a special artifact.
PAYPAL: spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com
Thursday, April 12, 2012
SOLD OUT! The N.E.C. "Six" b/w "Popsicle"
Atlanta's Natural Extension Concept (The N.E.C.) arrive at their destination, after winding their psychedelic voyage through power pop and punk on their last records. In the meantime, this trio played killer live shows, focusing their noisy excursions through driving, dynamic song structures.
That dynamic, driving sound runs throughout concise statements and desert explorations on their forthcoming LP, Last Point of Radiation.
You can get a sneak peak at the sound of that album with the trio's lead single, "Six." The limited pressing of 100 features screenprinted jackets, ensuring that each single is a special artifact for its listener. Spun at 33 rpm, the extended single is loud, focused, and noisy, as The N.E.C. pummel your ears with "Six"'s relentless riff. Truly a monolithic sound, the band unify to drive their parts into oblivion. DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE HERE!
On the flip, exclusive B-side "Popsicle" yields burned-out sunshine pop, equal parts soul and debauchery. One of the strong points of The N.E.C.'s catalog is their ability to maintain soulful rhythms and catchy anthems alongside their noisy counterparts. "Popsicle" is the final stop for that thread in the band's catalog, and the trio counter "Six" with a rowdy, swaggering pop statement.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The N.E.C. "Six" 7" and "Last Point of Radiation" LP
SPCTV LP10 The N.E.C. Last Point of Radiation LP (July 10, 2012)
The Natural Extension Concept, Atlanta’s psychedelic travelers, arrive at their destination this year. ‘Spective Audio is proud to announce its first vinyl releases, The N.E.C. Last Point of Radiation LP and “Six” b/w “Popsicle” single. Flexing their muscle with pummeling, layered rock and expansive desert explorations, The N.E.C. present an opportunity to feel the energy of their powerful live sound on wax.
The N.E.C. drove through the universe of psychedelic music over the course of their last two albums. From the rollicking acid punk of Is through the meandering power pop of Pineapple, the group exploited their strong, soulful rhythms with dreamy atmospherics and left-field excursions.
Last Point of Radiation presents another chapter in their ceaseless journey for mind manifestation with the group’s most direct, immediate statement to date. Beneath the shifts between their previous albums, the trio played blistering live shows that amplified their noise within the immediate constraints of their song structures. Each member of the trio enacts the spirit of that structured noise throughout Last Point of Radiation, maintaining intense, concise statements.
The trio’s dynamic focus is enhanced by the recording and delivery of these performances. Recorded on an Ampeg AG-440 A 1” 8-track once owned by Todd Rundgren, the N.E.C. delivered “Six,” “Dead Man,” Death Training Video,” and the title cut in one take. The remaining songs featured second-take performances, ensuring that Last Point of Radiation is a direct transfer of energy.
This is the mark of the best psychedelic records, as soulful rhythms and dynamic song structures lead effected insanity and explorative jams. “Six” perfectly captures this spirit with monolithic, riff-heavy exercises building to righteous release. The album follows its opening statement, with brilliant, expansive surprises and wicked, direct punches. DOWNLOAD "SIX"
In the tradition of private press releases, this gem of subversive Americana features thematic screen printed inserts and deluxe album jackets. The LP pressing will be 300 (200 clear, 100 black, 33 RPM), and 100 copies of the single will be pressed (black wax, 33 RPM). Limited screenprinted inserts, 7" artwork, and LP labels will carry a visual theme throughout both releases. Together, both pieces will form complete visual and musical themes, offering each listener a special artifact for their mind’s consumption.
Contact spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com for ordering details:
-LP/screenprinted insert/black wax
-LP/screenprinted insert/clear wax
The N.E.C.
Proudly pressed and printing with Gotta Groove Cleveland and Stoughton Printing.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Sawi Lieu / I\D CDr
I first had the chance to hear this split CDr between Indonesian artist Sawi Lieu and Singapore's I\D while reviewing the disc through Foxy Digitalis. The extreme filters, synthetic layering, improvization, and joyful experimentation immediately captured me. I think there's definitely an audience for this type of experimental music in America, and I\D was kind enough to send some copies to me.
Sawi Lieu's contribution to the disc is an extended synthetic loop or series of layers, which are extremely filtered. Completely unpredictable filter sweeps interrupt the signal at points, invoking the feeling of joyously recording at home and mashing all he effects one can find. However, this isn't simply filter mashing; Sawi Lieu effectively builds synthetic layers by introduced new parts atop his repetitions, ultimately creating the image of a blissful, endless sonic blast.
I\D contrast Sawi Lieu's synthetic layers with series of live drum propulsions and wild, unrestrained guitar work. There are other synthetic elements and unclassifiable noises throughout the two parts of I\D's suite -- "Four Horesemen of the Apocalypse," and the electronic elements are as extreme as the filters on the wah-wah guitar. As the second part enters, the ensemble insanity cools, and I\D present hypnotic, cleaner guitar sequences. I\D present a distorted, interrupted version of completely free improvisation that nevertheless portrays a clear vision through their interaction.
CDr: Sawi Lieu / I\D split (self-released) $7 ppd US / $10 ppd world
I\D back catalog
I recently received copies for distribution of the Sawi Lieu and I\D split CDr, to showcase the collaboration between noisemakers from Indonesia and Singapore. I also received a few copies of two previous releases from experimental group I\D.Midnight Hot and Elite, Kvlt, Irrevocably Tr00 showcase I\D's penchant for unrestrained experimentation between noise and completely free jazz. As a result, the group present tracks that are percussive and intense along some surprising displays of space, loose arrangements, and disconcerting stops.
At their very best, I\D play a type of acid-fusion, building their abstract elements into tense crescendos and structured jams driven by drums and guitar. Overall, the development of their noise is blissful, experimental, and completely free -- there is a willful feeling of exploration and creation. Yet, it's not simply outsider jazz or unfocused wanking; the driving, start-and-stop explorations display willful explosion of genre expectations while establishing their own parameters through their instrumental interaction.
I\D produce personal, challenging improvizational and structured explorations of noise, free jazz, and electronic/synthetic manipulation.
CD: I\D, Midnight Hot (2009, self-released, 32 minutes), $10 ppd US / $15 ppd world
CD: I\D, Elite, Kvlt, Irrevocably Tr00 (2007, self-released, +60 minutes), $10 ppd US / $15 ppd world
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
SPCTV CS7: Emporium, Vision Tape (Home)
Finally mastered! A personal set from 'Spective proprietor Nicholas Zettel, featuring a culmination of summertime drone exercises and tape manipulation. Opening with ethereal atmosphere, this set of four songs meanders through two-channel follow-and-response folk, followed by reverb circuitry manipulation and backwards tape exercises. In order to amplify extreme echo patterns and manipulate decay time, these tracks were recorded in the red and mastered loud. Two-channel interactions showcase disparate stories and opposing sounds, invoking conversation/silence, soul/body, surreality/reality.
Spirit Death by Nicholas Zettel
Each tape will be home-dubbed onto commercial tape for now; between $3.50 US PPD and $5 US PPD donation recommended for American orders. International shipping negotiable. Please contact [spectiveaudio] at [gmail] dot [com] if interested.
Spirit Death by Nicholas Zettel
Each tape will be home-dubbed onto commercial tape for now; between $3.50 US PPD and $5 US PPD donation recommended for American orders. International shipping negotiable. Please contact [spectiveaudio] at [gmail] dot [com] if interested.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thanksgiving Update
Happy up-coming Thanksgiving everyone! I am thrilled about how this year turned out for personal and musical reasons alike. I'll say it's a great sign for the number of quality records released that I continually trade back my old music and find ways to get as many new LPs as possible. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
'Spective Audio News
(1) If you're interested, I am releasing a set of semi-improvised tape manipulation/reverb-circuitry manipulation recordings on limited, hand-dubbed (commercial grade) tape. These recordings were compiled on my nearly-dead Tascam and featured intensely textured experiments with infinite decay and infinite echo, along with lots of backwards droning. These will be $5 PPD US (international shipping negotiable), or other offer. As always, email spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com.
I will be more than happy to negotiate shipping, prices, and trades.
(2) The N.E.C. have been busy with dates and their new LP, Pineapple, available from Pretty Ambitious and fine record stores. This one showcases the band's power pop sensibilities as much as their ability to dive into exceptional droning textures, and at their best, they combine both. The N.E.C. place yet another notch in their psych belts, but the driving backbone and soul sensibilities are never far from the group's strangest excursions.
Copies of the group's B-Sides cassette remain available, featuring oddities and rarities recorded over a several-year span from Million Minks and Is. The tape is full of extended wild, noisy breakdowns, short rockers, and surprising ambient segments -- it spans the full spectrum of N.E.C. sounds, and you'll hear a lot of the band's current elements in utereo. C45, translucent red tape, artwork by Cyrus Shahmir, $5 PPD US (international negotiable).
(3) The Vital-Sound groups have amazing music out this year (or on the way).
As mentioned, The N.E.C. just released Pineapple, and the Great Society Mind Destroyers' Spirit Smoke received its rightful vinyl incarnation. Soft Opening produced a mind-bending instrumental journey.
Killer Moon's Tunnel Vision is on the way, and Rabble Rabble followed up Bangover with their ripper, "Why Not" b/w "Long Hook." Implodes' much-anticipated Black Earth also saw the light this year, following the group's visionary cassette from a few years back.
All The Saints' next LP Intro to Fractions will be released in January 2012, following their life-changing Fire on Corridor X (that LP probably opened the door to more than half of my psych obsessions).
Brainworlds continue to release cassettes at a furious pace, and The Sunny Muffdivers introduced their tape All Half Evil, also on 'Spectivehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif.
Copies of Vital-Sound are available for a suggested donation of $7 PPD US (international negohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftiable).
(4) Cinchel has a handful of copies of drone.dump remaining, as do Milwaukee Ave. Reckless, Permanent, and Discogs.
Cinchel also has many other recordings available, including his Feedback Loop release Ritual Habitat.
(5) The Leavitt Ours are now officially in Cleveland and New Orleans, after many individual journeys across the United States this year. Travis Bird toured with Evan Lindorff-Ellery and Jaap Pieters, and also put together ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif solo tour earlier in the summer. Dense Reduction, the pastoral, textured noise duo of Travis and Evan, come highly recommended, for obvious personal and musical reasons, and so does their label, Notice Recordings.
Copies of Return by The Leavitt Ours are available for $7 US PPD suggested donation (which includes the tape, artwork by Evan, and individually sewn, handmade cases by Kelley Crawford).
Thank you for an amazing year, everyone -- bands, friends, and everyone who ordered tapes and sold them at stores. I never dreamed that these tapes would be across Europe, Canada, and the United States -- but it still feels like a close-knit group of people who like psych, outsider, experimental music.
Recent Obsessions
(1) Notice's Ben Own tape, Birds and Water, 1, totally kicked my ass. There are some serious depths of frequency captured on this cassette. One of my year-end favorites for sure.
(2) Bad Drugs produce some of the best heavy music I've heard this side of Cacaw. Rotted Tooth have had an amazing year of releases, bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut Raw Powder is blowing my mind continuously with shifting structures and brutal noise.
(3) Thee Oh Sees are going to make me go broke. Obviously everybody loves Carrion Crawler/The Dreamhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif, and so do I. Exceptional acid rock; I feel like Thee Oh Sees are rewriting chapter after chapter of the Sonics/Nuggets/freak folk tradition in American rock.
(4) Sloow Tapes blew my mind this year, from The Great Society Mind Destroyers tape, to their compilation of Belgian psych, to their recent batch of traditional folk/psych tapes. Those tapes really took a lot of time away from the "Phono" setting, but when my belt and needle work beyond their expected life, I'll have these tapes to thank.
(5) As for Foxy Digitalis material, I've been re-listening to a bulk of material I reviewed earlier this year, and there are a lot of standout releases this year. Jasper TX Black Sun Transmissions and Phaedra The Sea remain among my favorites. Recent material I've heard by Food Pyramid, Cut Hands, Moonwood, Muscle Drum, and Blue Sausage Infant is going to make end of year lists nearly impossible.
(6) Old music obsessions: Echo and The Bunnymen, Ocean Rain, The Beatles Yesterday and Today, The United States of America, The Byrds, Mr. Tambourine Man, Tegan and Sara Sainthood, U.S. Maple, etc., etc.
Thank you for reading! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving...let everyone who needs peace have peace, and let's continue to share music for the rest of this year and all of the coming ones.
'Spective Audio News
(1) If you're interested, I am releasing a set of semi-improvised tape manipulation/reverb-circuitry manipulation recordings on limited, hand-dubbed (commercial grade) tape. These recordings were compiled on my nearly-dead Tascam and featured intensely textured experiments with infinite decay and infinite echo, along with lots of backwards droning. These will be $5 PPD US (international shipping negotiable), or other offer. As always, email spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com.
I will be more than happy to negotiate shipping, prices, and trades.
(2) The N.E.C. have been busy with dates and their new LP, Pineapple, available from Pretty Ambitious and fine record stores. This one showcases the band's power pop sensibilities as much as their ability to dive into exceptional droning textures, and at their best, they combine both. The N.E.C. place yet another notch in their psych belts, but the driving backbone and soul sensibilities are never far from the group's strangest excursions.
Copies of the group's B-Sides cassette remain available, featuring oddities and rarities recorded over a several-year span from Million Minks and Is. The tape is full of extended wild, noisy breakdowns, short rockers, and surprising ambient segments -- it spans the full spectrum of N.E.C. sounds, and you'll hear a lot of the band's current elements in utereo. C45, translucent red tape, artwork by Cyrus Shahmir, $5 PPD US (international negotiable).
(3) The Vital-Sound groups have amazing music out this year (or on the way).
As mentioned, The N.E.C. just released Pineapple, and the Great Society Mind Destroyers' Spirit Smoke received its rightful vinyl incarnation. Soft Opening produced a mind-bending instrumental journey.
Killer Moon's Tunnel Vision is on the way, and Rabble Rabble followed up Bangover with their ripper, "Why Not" b/w "Long Hook." Implodes' much-anticipated Black Earth also saw the light this year, following the group's visionary cassette from a few years back.
All The Saints' next LP Intro to Fractions will be released in January 2012, following their life-changing Fire on Corridor X (that LP probably opened the door to more than half of my psych obsessions).
Brainworlds continue to release cassettes at a furious pace, and The Sunny Muffdivers introduced their tape All Half Evil, also on 'Spectivehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif.
Copies of Vital-Sound are available for a suggested donation of $7 PPD US (international negohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftiable).
(4) Cinchel has a handful of copies of drone.dump remaining, as do Milwaukee Ave. Reckless, Permanent, and Discogs.
Cinchel also has many other recordings available, including his Feedback Loop release Ritual Habitat.
(5) The Leavitt Ours are now officially in Cleveland and New Orleans, after many individual journeys across the United States this year. Travis Bird toured with Evan Lindorff-Ellery and Jaap Pieters, and also put together ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif solo tour earlier in the summer. Dense Reduction, the pastoral, textured noise duo of Travis and Evan, come highly recommended, for obvious personal and musical reasons, and so does their label, Notice Recordings.
Copies of Return by The Leavitt Ours are available for $7 US PPD suggested donation (which includes the tape, artwork by Evan, and individually sewn, handmade cases by Kelley Crawford).
Thank you for an amazing year, everyone -- bands, friends, and everyone who ordered tapes and sold them at stores. I never dreamed that these tapes would be across Europe, Canada, and the United States -- but it still feels like a close-knit group of people who like psych, outsider, experimental music.
Recent Obsessions
(1) Notice's Ben Own tape, Birds and Water, 1, totally kicked my ass. There are some serious depths of frequency captured on this cassette. One of my year-end favorites for sure.
(2) Bad Drugs produce some of the best heavy music I've heard this side of Cacaw. Rotted Tooth have had an amazing year of releases, bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut Raw Powder is blowing my mind continuously with shifting structures and brutal noise.
(3) Thee Oh Sees are going to make me go broke. Obviously everybody loves Carrion Crawler/The Dreamhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif, and so do I. Exceptional acid rock; I feel like Thee Oh Sees are rewriting chapter after chapter of the Sonics/Nuggets/freak folk tradition in American rock.
(4) Sloow Tapes blew my mind this year, from The Great Society Mind Destroyers tape, to their compilation of Belgian psych, to their recent batch of traditional folk/psych tapes. Those tapes really took a lot of time away from the "Phono" setting, but when my belt and needle work beyond their expected life, I'll have these tapes to thank.
(5) As for Foxy Digitalis material, I've been re-listening to a bulk of material I reviewed earlier this year, and there are a lot of standout releases this year. Jasper TX Black Sun Transmissions and Phaedra The Sea remain among my favorites. Recent material I've heard by Food Pyramid, Cut Hands, Moonwood, Muscle Drum, and Blue Sausage Infant is going to make end of year lists nearly impossible.
(6) Old music obsessions: Echo and The Bunnymen, Ocean Rain, The Beatles Yesterday and Today, The United States of America, The Byrds, Mr. Tambourine Man, Tegan and Sara Sainthood, U.S. Maple, etc., etc.
Thank you for reading! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving...let everyone who needs peace have peace, and let's continue to share music for the rest of this year and all of the coming ones.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Mastering
Analog masters for a few personal releases due soon. Email (spectiveaudio) at (gmail) dot (com). Each cassette personally dubbed onto commercial tape for now. Exercises in tape manipulation, infinite echo/infinite decay. Tape distortion, repetition.
Spirit Death by Nicholas Zettel
Friday, September 9, 2011
SPCTV CS5: Vital-Sound I *UPDATED*
Recent Press
The Chicagoist
The Chicago Reader
C64 on opaque red cassette with handmade artwork. Order Paypal: [spectiveaudio] at [gmail] dot [com]. Suggested $7 ppd donation for tape and artwork, $5 ppd otherwise. International shipping negotiable / please email.
October 5 Update:
Copies are available in Chicago at Permanent Records and
Reckless Records locations!
Permanent Records is at 1914 W. Chicago in Ukranian Village, off Damen bus and Chicago bus, as well as walking distance from the Damen Blue Line.
Reckless Records are at 3126 N. Broadway (Broadway bus, Belmont bus, Belmont Brown/Red L), 1532 N. Milwaukee (Milwaukee bus, Damen bus, Damen Blue Line), and 26 E. Madison (Madison/Wabash L, Dearborn (Blue) subway, State subway (Red), and tons of Loop buses!)
As always, please do support your local record stores!
Copies are also available online at Discogs.
All bands on the compilation should have copies soon, too.
This one is going to blow your mind -- 'Spective proudly announces an intracontinental psychedelic battle, with Atlanta bands on one side and Chicago bands on the other.
ATLANTA
A1: Sovus Radio "I Am Temper"
A2: Soft Opening "Untitled"
A3: The N.E.C. "Death Training Video (Excerpt)"
A4: All The Saints "Closer/Owner"
A5: Brainworlds "Hypergnosis"
A6: The Sunny Muffdivers "TORN08ATL"
With the help of Cyrus Shahmir of The N.E.C. / Sunny Muffdivers, the Atlanta side features cuts from those two projects, as well as songs by All The Saints, Sovus Radio, Soft Opening, and Brainworlds. The side spans the entire spectrum of insane, unfettered rhythmic noise, refined psych pop, ambient soundscapes, and almost everything in between. It's everything you'd come to expect from Atlanta, represented well in recent years by the popular Deerhunter / Louts Plaza / Atlas Sound constellation, as well as The Black Lips, among others: loud, nuanced, refined, bratty, driving, spacious, it just doesn't stop.
Sovus Radio starts things off with a driving paisley psych tune, full of sunshine and modulated vocal lines that are matched by instrumental riffs and a rolling snare. Depending on who you ask in Atlanta, Sovus Radio are the inspiration or impetus for several contemporary Atlanta groups, and the group has numerous recordings of their soulful, dynamic psychedelia that will hopefully see the light of day.
Soft Opening follows with an raving sequence working around a blistering, tremolo guitar and a workhorse rhythm section. Nearly incomprehensible vocals fight through deep reverb as the song builds intensity through its meandering kick-ins. Also available from the group is their self-titled LP (Humdinger; After Science / Family Night / Sex Cow, 2011).
Taking a hard left turn, The N.E.C. offer their entry for the compilation, a blast of pure noise that showcases the most extreme aspect of their musical approach. Blown out recording/sound levels color this track, creating booming drums and instrumental sounds more extreme than feedback. A layered, effected collection of pop songs, drones, and jams is forthcoming from the group (Pineapple, Pretty Ambitious). Along with their B-sides cassette on 'Spective (CS1), the group also has a set of releases available on Double Phantom / [ove:evo] (most recently, Is, 2010).
You probably remember them from their debut LP, Fire On Corridor X (Touch and Go; Killer Pimp, 2008), full of hazy and nuanced dirges and anthems. All The Saints adequately frame the heavier side of Atlanta's psych spectrum, and they continue their thoughtful, metallic, shimmering riff-rock with their contribution to the A-side. I can safely say that they were one of the bands that kicked my love of dark, layered psychedelia into motion, and as far as I can see, their follow-up LP remains forthcoming. You can also find an All The Saints track on a split single with These Arms Are Snakes (Touch and Go, 2009).
After a succinct showcase of song-oriented psych, displaying a range of ambient, noisy, and bright structures, Brainworld and The Sunny Muffdivers close the side with extended repetitive instrumental segments.
Brainworlds are no strangers to the world of experimental cassette releases, and their entry here is an extended, swelling ambient composition that intensifies over minimal electronic rhythms. The group has a set of live releases, as well as a handful of tapes that are named in numerical order. Sonic Meditations released ... and ..... in 2010 and 2011 (also on CDR), and Hooker Vision released .... in 2010.
'Spective sludge instrumentalists The Sunny Muffdivers return to the world of insanely repetitive, captivating noise with their side-closing track. No lies in the title -- this one was actually recorded during a tornado! Feedback squalls and random noises appear at times, but this one is mainly driven by one distorted, pulsing passage. Also available from the group is their All Half Evil cassette ('Spective CS4), which is yet another blissful instrumental endurance test.
CHICAGO
B1: Implodes "Reverser"
B2: The Great Society Mind Destroyers "Space Station On Fire"
B3: Rabble Rabble "You"
B4: The Leavitt Ours "Ripped"
B5: Killer Moon "The Dark Rift"
From repetitive kraut jams to expansive progressive themes to frantic burners, Chicago features an eclectic gang of bands that might not best be described as a scene, but a heavy immersion in the tradition of mind-manifestation, with the obvious repercussions following those spiritual notes. Like the Atlanta side, this one only scratches the surface of the city's psychedelic talents.
Chicago's side opens with a new entry from Implodes, which might surprise some fans of the group's Kranky LP, Black Earth. No stranger to ambient leanings, the group fully indulges their potential for working intense, unfolding passages. Hypnotic drumming, swelling, infinitely decayed guitars, and rich bass found this song, holding things over before a sweeping lead guitar line takes over. Just as heavy as the best moments on their LP, but with more space to breathe. Previous releases include their 2009 self-titled PlusTapes cassette.
Following the atmospheric opener, The Great Society Mind Destroyers rave up in cosmic proportions, leaning heavily on their penchant for winding guitars and a driving, relentless rhythm section. Reminiscent of a speedy ride through the future or a distant galaxy, the group works their steady rave up to its boiling point, only to reveal an unsettling, distant instrumental twist to close the song. Also available from the group is their 2011 cassette Spirit Smoke (Sloow Tapes; LP forthcoming), a split 7" with Dark Fog (Galactic Zoo, 2010), and a split release with Rabble Rabble (Commune, 2009).
Rabble Rabble keeps the pace with a killer acid blues take. Rowdy vocals mimic guitar lines throughout the first half and the drums take over the tempo to lead a fast-paced outro. Self-described flower-punk, Rabble Rabble's track is an uncompromising counterpart to the group's previous releases, including their most recent single, "Why Not" (2011) and their 2010 LP Bangover (Commune). Other releases include a 2009 PlusTapes entry (Jailbait and a set of releases on Commune Records.
The Leavitt Ours crawl through a layer of hiss to work through an experimental pop entry driven by low-range synth bass, eclectic drums, and instrumental trade-offs. Smoky vocals take over as the song intensifies, culminating in a loose, repetitive jam to close the track. Also available from 'Spective is the 2011 cassette Return (CS6), and the group previously released an improvised instrumental cassette on Notice (Movement, 2010).
If I can be honest, Killer Moon close this compilation because there simply was nothing to follow their brutal statement of acid doom. Heavily low-tuned bass and guitar riffs open the song alongside energetic drum parts that return the riffage. Intense, rapid lead lines eventually give way to a brief calming interlude, only to have the group return to form to send the compilation off in style. Truly a power trio, the instrumental group has a forthcoming LP, Tunnel Vision.
The Chicagoist
The Chicago Reader
C64 on opaque red cassette with handmade artwork. Order Paypal: [spectiveaudio] at [gmail] dot [com]. Suggested $7 ppd donation for tape and artwork, $5 ppd otherwise. International shipping negotiable / please email.
October 5 Update:
Copies are available in Chicago at Permanent Records and
Reckless Records locations!
Permanent Records is at 1914 W. Chicago in Ukranian Village, off Damen bus and Chicago bus, as well as walking distance from the Damen Blue Line.
Reckless Records are at 3126 N. Broadway (Broadway bus, Belmont bus, Belmont Brown/Red L), 1532 N. Milwaukee (Milwaukee bus, Damen bus, Damen Blue Line), and 26 E. Madison (Madison/Wabash L, Dearborn (Blue) subway, State subway (Red), and tons of Loop buses!)
As always, please do support your local record stores!
Copies are also available online at Discogs.
All bands on the compilation should have copies soon, too.
This one is going to blow your mind -- 'Spective proudly announces an intracontinental psychedelic battle, with Atlanta bands on one side and Chicago bands on the other.
ATLANTA
A1: Sovus Radio "I Am Temper"
A2: Soft Opening "Untitled"
A3: The N.E.C. "Death Training Video (Excerpt)"
A4: All The Saints "Closer/Owner"
A5: Brainworlds "Hypergnosis"
A6: The Sunny Muffdivers "TORN08ATL"
With the help of Cyrus Shahmir of The N.E.C. / Sunny Muffdivers, the Atlanta side features cuts from those two projects, as well as songs by All The Saints, Sovus Radio, Soft Opening, and Brainworlds. The side spans the entire spectrum of insane, unfettered rhythmic noise, refined psych pop, ambient soundscapes, and almost everything in between. It's everything you'd come to expect from Atlanta, represented well in recent years by the popular Deerhunter / Louts Plaza / Atlas Sound constellation, as well as The Black Lips, among others: loud, nuanced, refined, bratty, driving, spacious, it just doesn't stop.
Sovus Radio starts things off with a driving paisley psych tune, full of sunshine and modulated vocal lines that are matched by instrumental riffs and a rolling snare. Depending on who you ask in Atlanta, Sovus Radio are the inspiration or impetus for several contemporary Atlanta groups, and the group has numerous recordings of their soulful, dynamic psychedelia that will hopefully see the light of day.
Soft Opening follows with an raving sequence working around a blistering, tremolo guitar and a workhorse rhythm section. Nearly incomprehensible vocals fight through deep reverb as the song builds intensity through its meandering kick-ins. Also available from the group is their self-titled LP (Humdinger; After Science / Family Night / Sex Cow, 2011).
Taking a hard left turn, The N.E.C. offer their entry for the compilation, a blast of pure noise that showcases the most extreme aspect of their musical approach. Blown out recording/sound levels color this track, creating booming drums and instrumental sounds more extreme than feedback. A layered, effected collection of pop songs, drones, and jams is forthcoming from the group (Pineapple, Pretty Ambitious). Along with their B-sides cassette on 'Spective (CS1), the group also has a set of releases available on Double Phantom / [ove:evo] (most recently, Is, 2010).
You probably remember them from their debut LP, Fire On Corridor X (Touch and Go; Killer Pimp, 2008), full of hazy and nuanced dirges and anthems. All The Saints adequately frame the heavier side of Atlanta's psych spectrum, and they continue their thoughtful, metallic, shimmering riff-rock with their contribution to the A-side. I can safely say that they were one of the bands that kicked my love of dark, layered psychedelia into motion, and as far as I can see, their follow-up LP remains forthcoming. You can also find an All The Saints track on a split single with These Arms Are Snakes (Touch and Go, 2009).
After a succinct showcase of song-oriented psych, displaying a range of ambient, noisy, and bright structures, Brainworld and The Sunny Muffdivers close the side with extended repetitive instrumental segments.
Brainworlds are no strangers to the world of experimental cassette releases, and their entry here is an extended, swelling ambient composition that intensifies over minimal electronic rhythms. The group has a set of live releases, as well as a handful of tapes that are named in numerical order. Sonic Meditations released ... and ..... in 2010 and 2011 (also on CDR), and Hooker Vision released .... in 2010.
'Spective sludge instrumentalists The Sunny Muffdivers return to the world of insanely repetitive, captivating noise with their side-closing track. No lies in the title -- this one was actually recorded during a tornado! Feedback squalls and random noises appear at times, but this one is mainly driven by one distorted, pulsing passage. Also available from the group is their All Half Evil cassette ('Spective CS4), which is yet another blissful instrumental endurance test.
CHICAGO
B1: Implodes "Reverser"
B2: The Great Society Mind Destroyers "Space Station On Fire"
B3: Rabble Rabble "You"
B4: The Leavitt Ours "Ripped"
B5: Killer Moon "The Dark Rift"
From repetitive kraut jams to expansive progressive themes to frantic burners, Chicago features an eclectic gang of bands that might not best be described as a scene, but a heavy immersion in the tradition of mind-manifestation, with the obvious repercussions following those spiritual notes. Like the Atlanta side, this one only scratches the surface of the city's psychedelic talents.
Chicago's side opens with a new entry from Implodes, which might surprise some fans of the group's Kranky LP, Black Earth. No stranger to ambient leanings, the group fully indulges their potential for working intense, unfolding passages. Hypnotic drumming, swelling, infinitely decayed guitars, and rich bass found this song, holding things over before a sweeping lead guitar line takes over. Just as heavy as the best moments on their LP, but with more space to breathe. Previous releases include their 2009 self-titled PlusTapes cassette.
Following the atmospheric opener, The Great Society Mind Destroyers rave up in cosmic proportions, leaning heavily on their penchant for winding guitars and a driving, relentless rhythm section. Reminiscent of a speedy ride through the future or a distant galaxy, the group works their steady rave up to its boiling point, only to reveal an unsettling, distant instrumental twist to close the song. Also available from the group is their 2011 cassette Spirit Smoke (Sloow Tapes; LP forthcoming), a split 7" with Dark Fog (Galactic Zoo, 2010), and a split release with Rabble Rabble (Commune, 2009).
Rabble Rabble keeps the pace with a killer acid blues take. Rowdy vocals mimic guitar lines throughout the first half and the drums take over the tempo to lead a fast-paced outro. Self-described flower-punk, Rabble Rabble's track is an uncompromising counterpart to the group's previous releases, including their most recent single, "Why Not" (2011) and their 2010 LP Bangover (Commune). Other releases include a 2009 PlusTapes entry (Jailbait and a set of releases on Commune Records.
The Leavitt Ours crawl through a layer of hiss to work through an experimental pop entry driven by low-range synth bass, eclectic drums, and instrumental trade-offs. Smoky vocals take over as the song intensifies, culminating in a loose, repetitive jam to close the track. Also available from 'Spective is the 2011 cassette Return (CS6), and the group previously released an improvised instrumental cassette on Notice (Movement, 2010).
If I can be honest, Killer Moon close this compilation because there simply was nothing to follow their brutal statement of acid doom. Heavily low-tuned bass and guitar riffs open the song alongside energetic drum parts that return the riffage. Intense, rapid lead lines eventually give way to a brief calming interlude, only to have the group return to form to send the compilation off in style. Truly a power trio, the instrumental group has a forthcoming LP, Tunnel Vision.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
SPCTV CS5 Update
The cassettes for Vital Sound I are being pressed, and the artwork is in the works!
The pressing will be approximately 120 copies, with special artwork by Chicago guitar artist / drone master Cinchel for one dozen copies. Artwork includes watercolor, acrylic, and ink. Cinchel's watercolors were featured in the Chicago Reader recently, as part of a fine Three Beats contribution by Leor Galil that also featured quotes from The N.E.C. / Sunny Muffdivers' own Cyrus Shahmir.
Feel free to email spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com if you would like to reserve a copy. I expect to ship these cassettes at the end of August / early September.
Monday, August 8, 2011
SPCTV CS6: The Leavitt Ours, "Return"
A1. "Body Death"
A2. "Vitalist"
A3. "Ripped"
B1. "Touch Fetish"
Beneath the shadows of Chicago's fuzzier and heavier psychedelic sounds, The Leavitt Ours perform experimental pop in the private press tradition. In order to develop and produce their own reflective spaces and musical statements, the trio embrace aggressive ambient soundscapes, synthetic guitar tones, eclectic percussion rhythms, and driving keyed bass and synthesizer backbones.
This release celebrates a return from hiatus that scattered the band members across the globe for a few months, with some factions hiding in Chicago, others engaging in experimental music projects across the United States, and another writing in exotic corners of the universe. After working on opening gigs around town for the latter half of 2009 and early 2010, the group recorded for the remaining months of 2010. The recordings for this cassette are drawn from those sessions, marking a transition from that raucous, scattered group you saw at Ronny's, to a more expansive, experimental, ambient future yet to be realized.
Return is a C26 that celebrates the discovery of something presumed lost, finding once again what was buried beneath the surface. To complete this perfectly private, expansive, remote artifact or gift, the cassette features artwork by Evan Lindorff-Ellery (Notice Recordings, Dense Reduction) and handmade cases by Kelley Crawford.
Suggested $7 total for cassette/artwork; minimum $5. Postage included. PayPal: spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com
Sunday, June 26, 2011
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
Updates
The Leavitt Ours tape is being pressed as we speak, and will be available approximately mid-June. Holding the cassette will be a handmade case and artwork by our good friend Evan Lindorff-Ellery of Notice Recordings.
Vital Sound 1 is one song away from being completed, it's going to be a full-on psychedelic enslaught with the Atlanta side featuring All the Saints, Sovus Radio, The N.E.C., Sunny Muffdivers, Soft Opening, and Brainworlds. That side is full of ambient, driving psych, and some serious drone. The Chicago side features Rabble Rabble, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Killer Moon, and The Leavitt Ours thus far, along with one further guest on the way. Mind bending hard psych and no nonsense acid blues is the flavor of this side, with some eccentric aspects to boot.
Please feel free to inquire about either release at spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com.
While you're at it, check out one of the most recent installments of A.V. Club Chicago's Tapes'N'Tapes series. Leor was nice enough to stop by and interview yours truly, and here's the result....enjoy!
Vital Sound 1 is one song away from being completed, it's going to be a full-on psychedelic enslaught with the Atlanta side featuring All the Saints, Sovus Radio, The N.E.C., Sunny Muffdivers, Soft Opening, and Brainworlds. That side is full of ambient, driving psych, and some serious drone. The Chicago side features Rabble Rabble, Great Society Mind Destroyers, Killer Moon, and The Leavitt Ours thus far, along with one further guest on the way. Mind bending hard psych and no nonsense acid blues is the flavor of this side, with some eccentric aspects to boot.
Please feel free to inquire about either release at spectiveaudio [at] gmail [dot] com.
While you're at it, check out one of the most recent installments of A.V. Club Chicago's Tapes'N'Tapes series. Leor was nice enough to stop by and interview yours truly, and here's the result....enjoy!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tapes Update!
A few updates on 'Spective Releases:
-Tomentosa Records will be selling the Cinchel tape. His site is an excellent resource for out of print and rare noise/experimental/psychedelic music. Check out the site here.
-Cinchel tapes are basically sold out at the source. As far as I know, copies are available at Reckless Records, Permanent Records, and with the artist himself, as well as Tomentosa (as mentioned above). You can see Cinchel live in Rogers Park in February, more details soon. Buy some tapes at your local stores or from your local guitar artist!
-As far as I know, the Sunny Muffdivers and The N.E.C. tapes are still available at Permanent Records. I have copies of both these tapes available through PayPal as well.
-Tomentosa Records will be selling the Cinchel tape. His site is an excellent resource for out of print and rare noise/experimental/psychedelic music. Check out the site here.
-Cinchel tapes are basically sold out at the source. As far as I know, copies are available at Reckless Records, Permanent Records, and with the artist himself, as well as Tomentosa (as mentioned above). You can see Cinchel live in Rogers Park in February, more details soon. Buy some tapes at your local stores or from your local guitar artist!
-As far as I know, the Sunny Muffdivers and The N.E.C. tapes are still available at Permanent Records. I have copies of both these tapes available through PayPal as well.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Permanent Tapes
The N.E.C. B-Sides and Sunny Muffdivers All Half Evil are both going on sale at Permanent Records.
Check out the cassettes and support your local record store while you're there!
Check out the cassettes and support your local record store while you're there!
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