Shame, Exposure

                                   

There have been a few great re-issues released this year, Small Cruel Party triple CD set on Harbinger Sound and the box sets of "Rising from The Red Sand" and Un-Kommuniti on Vinyl On Demand, as well as the CDR of Nocturnal Emissions live at Brixton Ritzy Cinema in 1983 on We Can Elude Control spring to mind - and up there with them is "Biohazard/Isolation" by Shame, Exposure.
Shame, Exposure was the project of Port Huron, Michigan musician Paul Steinborn. Paul later went on to join Skott Rusch and Lon C Diehl and form Hunting Lodge. Shame, Exposure only appeared on cassette compilations and one cassette on S/M Operations. This is the S/M Operations tape. I didn't know about Shame, Exposure until seeing the name mentioned in the Hunting Lodge box set booklet that came with "Shadows Out Of Time '82-'83" (Vinyl On Demand). "Biohazard/Isolation" is a C60 cassette split into two halves … "Biohazard" sounds like a live recording. Initial copies of this release did come with a 14 page booklet that probably explained recording spaces and track titles etc … but more on that later … Three pieces on Side A that have the distinct "Hunting Lodge" sound of "Nomad Souls", the seminal LP released by S/M Operations in 1984 and re-issued by Side Effekts a year later. It is mainly in the synthesiser sound and tape splicing technique that this is most evident. Track one has the ghost of "God Loves The Rock Stars" about it whereas track two has the drilling synth, tape cut-ups "In the name of jesus" and metal percussion that was so much the Hunting Lodge sound back in 1984. Four pieces on Side B. The first with clean oscillating frequencies, dark synth waves and cheap beatbox that has a sound of early 1980's Italian DIY cassettes and Broken Flag releases. Track two is a live  excerpt of metal percussion and sequencer - plays like a "Nomad Souls" out-take. Two instrumentals finish off the side with the last, a slow funereal paced piece cutting off mid-flow - which is a shame.
A great tape that deserves to be heard - especially if you are an admirer of early 1980's post-industrial sound - Lustmord, Test Department, SPK, Portion Control, Die Form etc. Dark areas are explored here.

But "Heres The Rub" as both Shakespeare and Wishbone Ash once said. Despite being limited to 100 copies and still available at the touch of a button on the Green Record & Tapes web site you will (almost as sure as shit stinks) not get a copy. "Biohazard/Isolation" cassette by Shame, Exposure is a tape I should not own. Released last summer and advertised on the Maniacs Only forum board, I paypal'ed my 18 dollars for a copy (with booklet) but over the coming weeks nothing was sent. So I fired off a few E Mails asking if the tape had been posted etc, but no replies. So approaching cut off time (for getting my dollar back) I gave Green Records & Tapes 24 hours to respond, which they didn't so I filed a claim with PayPal and got my money back. Then came the witless and abusive E Mails from Green Records & Tapes owner, a guy called Knox Mitchell. Knox laid into me with venom, telling me what an annoying fuck I was and that he's been in hospital with a hurt wrist (insert own punchline here) so he couldn't respond to E Mails and I should never have filed a claim with PayPal but seeing that I did he will make sure I never get a copy of the tape or even hear it. Fast Forward to October and I ask my good friend Mark (Idwal Fisher) to buy me a copy, the tape is still for sale and I gathered the wrist of Knox should be on the mend … by the end of November Mark was filing for a PayPal claim as no tape was forthcoming and Knox had not responded to Mark's E Mails. I thought it was time to get in touch with Hunting Lodge and let them know that Knox Mitchell was "ripping off" folk with the attempted sale of the Shame, Exposure cassette. Hunting Lodge were easily contactable via Facebook. Skott was totally unaware of what was happening with the release and was kind enough to mail me one of his artist copies with a copy of the latest Wolf Eyes / Hunting Lodge split live CD! Problem was that the cassette was totally blank. There are possibilities that Knox is just sending out blank tapes. This really pissed Skott so he got in touch with Jeff Chenault (label owner and friend of Hunting Lodge) who mailed me his copy .. which is the copy I have now…the copy in my hands in the photograph above .. the copy I should never own…

It is a great tape, just a shit and a shame it was (un)released by a complete amateur. I posted the fact that I was "ripped off" by Knox Mitchell on the Special Interests forum board and lo and behold out came a few more folk saying this guy had ripped them off over tape & vinyl releases and secondhand effects boxes.
Apparently there are dozens of Shame, Exposure cassettes in Paul Steinborn's possession and hopefully they will be released by some reputable label.

Pictures.
1: Shame, Exposure Cassette.
2: Myself with cassette (photograph especially for Knox)
3: Knox Mitchell

MuhMur Radio Festive Programme

Just to let you know that on Sunday January 5 at 13:00 (GMT) I shall be presenting a five hour festive special on SoundArt Radio. (102.5FM / www.soundartradio.org.uk) It is billed as "A Very MuhMur Xmas" on the schedule … so it shall be! The programme will feature exclusive mixes from Column One and Neil Campbell as well as sounds that have come through the doors of Hartop Towers in 2013.  I hope you can drop in for a listen ….

Illustration by Steve Underwood.

Blow By Blow

The other week I managed to find a copy of Human Trapped Rhythms LP "Falling And Drowning In You". I had been after this slab of vinyl for many many years, and it turned up on Discogs. I have mentioned Human Trapped Rhythms before on this blog. Manchester based project from the mid 1980's run by Pete Elliot. He used to release tapes and (one vinyl) album on his own label - Slip Records. HTR were an extension of Pete's political views, I know Pete through Direct Action Manchester (DAM) and the Hunt Saboteurs of the North-West and various meetings I attended (with my then partner who was part of all this "stuff"), we also popped in on Pete on a few occasions where Pete would play me his Whitehouse and Nurse With Wound rarities. Lovely chap.
The same chap who was selling the HTR was also selling the second and final release by Slip Records. "A Single Stroke" by Blow By Blow. I had to buy. A record that I have only seen adverts for in flyer & poster form. Blow By Blow is the duo Anne Stubbs and Pete Whitedog (AKA Pete Elliot). Anne used to be a hairdresser in Hulme (at the time) living on Charles Barry Crescent just a few doors down from me - recently she appeared on the compilation album "36 Aus 430 Von 30" that Berlin based Edizioni Passarotto put out earlier this year … Pete's whereabouts are unknown.
Blow By Blow are very much of the time. The sound (predominantly a Korg MS20) has the hard electronic rhythms of (say) Portion Control or Esplendor Geometrico but also the synth "pop" sound of (say) Bushido or Attrition. Very very very influenced by SPK. The SPK of "Machine Age Voodoo" and Side B of "Auto Da Fe". I think the term used these days is Cold Wave.
The mini-LP opens with "Blow By Blow" where Anne sings and Pete chants sounds like an SPK out-take. "Your Shoes" is Portion Control lite - I can imagine Dean growling out the vocals. "Fire Flies" sees Anne crooning out some Ballardesque lyrics that evokes Soft Cell. Two tracks on Side 2. "Never The Time" is "Synth-Goth" - again SPK circa "Machine Age Voodoo" or "Gold & Poison". The final piece features HTR vocalist Maria Hycz on harmonies. Electric bongos and flute accompany a choral piece sang in Latin.
The LP was recorded at The Kitchen. The Kitchen was a 16 Track studio situated at 511 Charles Barry Crescent. If memory serves it was owned by the band Dub Sex. I did some recordings there as Muhviertel. The engineer(s) were not set up for "experimental" music at all .. Indie was big in Manchester back then. James, Inca Babies, Edward Barton, Big Flame etc (all big `Hulme Favourites").

It would be nice to know what ever happened to Pete. It would be great to see some HTR / Blow By Blow / Slip Records retrospective (if your reading Frank)...

Dangerous Girls Live in 1980.

Had to share this! One of my favourite bands of all times.

Memories (1985)

Last week I bought a copy of the excellent Human Trapped Rhythms album "Drowning And Falling In You", and this made me dig out  some old correspondence I had with HTR main man Pete Elliot, also in the box of letters were some old flyers, magazines, posters, stickers etc … here are a selection that made me smile …

01: Pornosect Flyer.
02: Pornosect Postcard.
03: ESP Kinetic Flyer.
04: Bloedvlagprodukt Flyer.
05: Bloedschande Flyer.
06: Idolise magazine Sticker.
07: Jung Analysts Flyer.
08: Bourbonese Qualk Postcard.
09: Bourbonese Qualk Poster.
10: Man's Hate Productions Flyer.
11: Adventures In Reality Promotions Poster.
12: Cause & Effect Catalogue Cover.
13: Slip Records Poster.
14: Bourbonese Qualk Poster.

Six Heads #2

Hartop Towers is William A Davison central at the moment. Whilst he was in the UK last month playing at the Colours Out Of Space festival in Brighton he mailed a package of his latest releases and now I am slowly devouring and savouring them all. His Six Heads project is a sextet of improvised sounds brought from unconventional places. Last years album "Cardboard Oracle" on Wantage Records & Tapes was a highlight of 2012. 2013 brings "Toothless Pronouncements" a C30 (could be C35) cassette on Readymades Tapes.
Improvised music with six folk … dangerous proposition as each person tries to grab their sound. That doesn't happen with Six Heads. Each piece is allowed to breathe and grow "organically", each listen brings something new to the ear. It's wonderful stuff. Side A is "Harmonica Solo In A Black Bean Sauce/Necretized Organ Favourites. The sounds are built from harmonica and organ, and there are guitars, chains, de-tuned radio and tape splices all in the swill. A great vocal sample loop of : "I know who did it"….."Who did it old lady" ends the piece. Humour is large in the work of William A. Davison either with punnery in the titles or samples. Check out "The Popeye Scat" tape. Side B of this tape brings "Cartoon Crematorium", a ghostly incidental soundtrack with tuneless banjo plucking and a looped back beat. It all ends in a symphony / cacophony of cartoon noises and special effects.

If I did album of the year lists Six Heads "Toothless Propositions" would be on there.
There's no contact for Readymades Tapes but go to www.recordism.com and travel around the world of William A. Davison.

MuhMur SoundArt Radio Broadcast: 12/12/2013.

It gives me great pleasure to play the sounds of William A. Davison, mentioned throughout this blog and the last post! Also played a trio of pieces by the recently deceased Aube (Akifumi Nakajima). He died in September this year but news of this is only now appearing on the Internet. Please note the SCKE//. 7" was played at the "wrong" speed, according to Ben of SCKE//, but I disagree .. both sides sound great at 33rpm.
I do not know when the next broadcast will be. The station closes for Xmas and New Year on the 22nd but there still has to be a limit of "live broadcasts" and I have put my name forward so to speak - I have some exclusive Column One & Neil Campbell to share. I shall keep listeners updated via the blog. Last nights show is already uploaded on to MixCloud - fast work…I have just returned from seeing Scooch live in Torquay!
http://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-soundart-radio-broadcast-12122013/

Playlist.
01: Six Heads : "Smaller, Larger, Lighter (Incantation Of The Naugahyde Witch)" (Wantage Records) 2011.
02: Songs Of The New Erotics : "Bobby" (Disembraining Songs) 2006.
03: Gastric Female Reflex : "Untitled #18" (Gold Soundz/Hum Bug/Absurd/Beniffen Editions) 2006.
04: William A. Davison : "New Works Studio" 2005
      (Exclusive piece for MuhMur Radio).
05: Aube : "Reminded Elements" (Kaon) 1997.
06: Spoils & Relics : "Sins Of Omission #1" (Harbinger Sound) 2013.
07: John Duncan : "Workboy" (All Questions Music) 1980.
08: SCKE//. : "Ornaments No. 2" (Kiks/Girlfriend) 2012.
09: Aube : "Into Haze" (EE Tapes) 1998.
10: Medium Medium : "Them Or Me" (Apt Records) 1979.
11: Bodychoke : "Suffer" (Freek Records) 1994.
12: Peter Fengler : Deep Cuts & Auditory Matters 2" (De Player/Les Albums Claus) 2011.
13: Dronaement : "Gestern Nacht" (EE Tapes) 1998.
14: Aube : "Untitled (Using Material From Blazen Y Sharp)" (Solipsism) 1997.

Pictures:
01: Showing my Gastric Female Reflex!
02: William A Davison CDR

STACTOR Live @ Epsilonia

Dieter Muh on IEM Radio

                                               

http://iem.rpod.ru/313705.html

Above is the link for a podcast on Moscow based radio station IEM. It is operated by Dmitry who also runs the excellent Monochrome Vision label. I am honoured to have an hour programme dedicated to Dieter Muh … I hope you enjoy.

Mika Vainio & Joachim Nordwall

"Not What I Expected" as the great Crispy Ambulance once said. A new brace of releases from one of the finest Swedish labels, Belaten, included a collaboration project between Joachim Nordwall and Mika Vainio.
I am not that familiar with the work of Mika Vainio, I haven't heard any of his releases in nigh on twenty years. Bits & pieces pop up here and there and I did have a copy of the Panasonic / Alan Vega album on tape, but I wasn't keen. Way back in the 1980's Mika used to correspond with a friend of mine called Dave. They met through the Bill Nelson Fan Club. Dave and Mika swapped cassettes etc, he had a project called Corporate 09, they produced an album on the To The Finland Station label. It was good stuff, then Mika either joined or formed Sahko Records and with Ilpo became Panasonic / Pan Sonic and the rest (as they say) is history. Mika mailed me a copy of his 1994 CD "Metri", minuscule electro glitch stuff..then there was a collaboration with Noto, again sparse and "glitchy". Then Mika and Dave stopped corresponding so I never heard anymore…..
Joachim is an artist I have only been "getting into" recently with his Alvars Orkester and Skull Defekts projects. I have yet to hear something by Joachim I don't like … Well, until this release.
"Monstrance" is a re-issue of a 2013 CD originally put out by Touch. Recorded in one day in a Berlin studio in 2010. To my knowledge this is the second re-issue put out by Belaten, earlier this year came the excellent Sutekh Hexen "Monument Of Decay" double cassette. As mentioned, the sound is not what I expected.
I was expecting electro, sparse dance beats twitching through distortion and loops. Belaten have been releasing some fine electro-pop, dance beat, post punk tapes in the past. The sound of Panasonic meets Alvars Orkester.
Seven tracks that play like sketches, unfinished and in some cases half-hearted ideas. "Alloy Ceremony" kicks off with prepared piano before moving in to a throbbing electric bass guitar pulse and free-form electric guitar that dips and builds on feedback. First impression was of Psychic TV and their "Themes" work but then it didn't do anything…thoughts of Skullflower and Total. Second piece is similar with its' buzz saw tone and guitar feedback. Track three "Midas In Reverse" is made of bells and strings through a multifarious amount of effects in reverse. Fast editing gives it a sound of chance. "Irkutsk" ends side one. I think "Irkutsk" is Scandinavian for "filler".
Side two opens with "Prasedymum". Guitar and vibraphone. (There must've been one hiding in the studio). This is bland. It ends like a track from a Pete Bardens conceptual album from the 1980's. It begged the question - is this experimental "noise" for folk who read The Wire or Mojo magazine? "Promotheium" had to be fast forwarded until it came to a Hammond Organ drone piece with tempered electric guitar feedback.
A release that should never of happened - or maybe have been a CDR that was passed amongst friends … A shame as expectations were aroused. The first glitch in an otherwise outstanding catalogue of releases. (And a reminder why I don't listen to or buy Touch stuff). Also released was a cassette by Johan G. Winther. Yet to play this one…I think there was a Proiect Hat side project called Wintheer - I wonder if they are related?

Michael Muennich #2

Have been spending a pleasant while listening to the latest release from Hamburg based sound artist Michael Muennich. "Abbitte" (Atonement to us English speakers) is a C22 cassette released by American label Banned Production.
The last Muennich release, "Zum Geleit" was very elemental, very wide open sound and using the elements to create a magnificent sound-piece, side one of "Abbitte" is more "domestic" and leaning towards musique concret. A few weeks ago I was in the house of Muennich and chatting about recording techniques when the door to his living room closed with a slow "creak" … "I have recorded that" said Michael and then went on to describe other places around the house and appliances that he had sampled and used. I am uncertain to whether or not these recordings are on "Abbitte" side one but the sound is very contact microphone based so I can only guess that I can hear the creaking doors, dripping taps, the rummaging through the sock drawer and sizzling mushrooms. Very much in the realm of Spoils & Relics, Mark Durgan and Column One.
I was expecting the same again for side two, and I would not have been disappointed if that was the case, but side two is a psychedelic looped wall of sound that takes me on a journey and never to the same place twice. Out of the blue and incredibly addictive. Think classic Dilloway and it is not far from…..More of this please Mr. Muennich!
Both sides are 10 minutes and a few seconds a piece. A great release. I have no idea about the limitation but try www.bannedproduction.com or (in Europe) www.fragmentfactory.com and bag a copy. Side two is certainly one of the best sounds I have heard this year.

Vagina Dentata Organ - The Administration Of Physique

After last years superb releases on Tochnit Aleph and Harbinger Sound Records comes this years Vagina Dentata Organ live document release. To celebrate (and document) the VDO performance at the C.I.A. Gallery in Hong Kong earlier this year in July, the Hong Kong based label Ultra Mail Productions have released the 7" single "The Administration Of Physique".
It's a split single with UK performance art troupe New Noveta who also appeared on the evening. New Noveta is Keira Fox & Ellen Freed whose noise is a harsh wall with frantic screaming. Vagina Dentata Organ brings us smashing glass, cello, rhythmic beating of the drums and chaos. The sounds have been edited / compiled by Michael Gillham and mastered by the master, Phil Julian.  All pressed on lovely clear vinyl. With the 7" comes a 3" DVD - again a split affair with the New Noveta performance and a documentary of the 2012/2013 actions by Vagina Dentata Organ. The VDO footage is compulsive and beautifully shot in black & white and intense colour. Just a shame it only is 11minutes and 11 seconds long.
Initial copies are available as a lavish gatefold box set that includes a hand numbered & signed "mugshot" by Jordi Valls and a collage of detritus that was collected from the C.I.A. Gallery floor post performance. Both are beautifully housed behind glass, but the box does smell - burnt tyre rubber and industrial glue - I haven't found a decent case to display my copy yet, and every time I want to spin the record or admire the artwork I have to light the incense sticks!
Truly is a great artefact, and only 50 of the box set will see the light of day, I do not know the limited number of just 7"/3" DVD. Worth having. For enquiries try E Mailing Wah Yuen at ultramailprod@yahoo.com.hk

Pictures.
1: Mugshot.
2: Collage.
3: Gatefold Box (open).
4: DVD.
5: 7" Single Cover.
6: Gatefold Box (closed).

MuhMur SoundArt Radio Broadcast 28/11/2013

This evenings broadcast was an Anla Courtis "Special" and features a 28 minute piece especially presented to MuhMur Radio by Anla. It is an untitled piece recorded live in Serial Space, Sydney Australia in February 2011.
It was a strange evening with no Dave to act as engineer - and take the obligatory photo! Therefore a bit of the previous show bleeds into the MixCloud download, and for that I apologise, just fast forward about 5 minutes.
The programme is now on Mixcloud. Please take a listen.

http://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-soundart-radio-show-28112013/

Playlist:
01: Dual : "Klanik" (Drone Records) 1999.
02: Ralf Wehowsky & Anla Courtis : "Tenia Arronette" (Ultra Mail Prod.) 2013.
03: Ditterich Von Euler-Donnersperg : "Schnullerbar Des Kleinen Fritz" (Walter Ulbricht         Schallfollen) 2006.
04: Amnertia : "Glimpse The Twitching Of Veils" (Transient Constellations) 2013.
05: Ure Thrall : "Premonition 9/11" (Drone Records) 2003.
06: Anla Courtis : "Untitled"
      (Exclusive piece for MuhMur Radio).
07: Culver-Courtis : "Aurraei-Ravena #1" (Riot Season) 2004.
08: Leif Elggren : "Twenty One Twenty Two" (Fragment Factory) 2013.
09: W>A>S>P>S : "Untitled Number Track & Curves" (Nunwsp) 2013.
10: Ralf Wehowsky & Anla Courtis : "Rekmos Ursten Lonco" (Ultra Mail Prod.) 2013.
11: Duncan Harrison : "Honeying" (412 Recordings) 2009.
12: Wire : "Mr. Suit" (EMI/Harvest) 1977.
13: Plain Characters : "Man In The Railings" (Final Solution) 1979.
14: Current 93 : "Lucifer Over London" (Durtro) 1994.
15: Vagina Dentata Organ : "The Administration Of Physique" (Ultra Mail Prod.) 2013.
16: Ralf Wehowsky & Anla Courtis : "Epiwchig Telan Etrenora" (Ultra Mail Prod.) 2013.
17: Anla Courtis : "Onco Cecilido" (Quasi Pop Records) 2013.
18: Reutoff : "Veiled" (Drone Records) 2000.
19: Sudden Infant : "Iranian Boy In Vienna" (Quasi Pop Records) 2013.

Next programme will be broadcast live on December 12, I have no idea what the playlist will be - depends what I get for my birthday!!!!

Astral Social Club #13

A clutch of new releases from Neil Campbell AKA Astral Social Club, AKA one of the busiest men in show business! First to play on the hi-fi is the 23 minute CDR "Glamanimals". This is the third in an ongoing series of Astral Social Club extended plays that also includes "Scudding" and "V.E.N.U.S".
"Glamanimals" kicks off floating somewhere between a Chris & Cosey studio out-take from the late 1980's, elevator muzak, Popol Vuh and the chill out room at G-A-Y Disco. Around a third of the way in to the journey and the sound morphs. We are now riding the Japanese bullet train. Locomotive rhythms and electro-noodles. Half way along and we're squelched and travelling backwards, back on to the Mirfield dance floor. Throbbing bass beats and handclaps. Slowly it all descends in to a disco fug. "Glamanimals" ends beatless as machines talk amongst themselves Neil Campbell - a 21st century schizoid man - recordings of automata - manifesto for astral socialism. Superb.

Astral Social Club has a big cartel page - go and buy. Neil has also put up his back catalogue on band camp and is available for donations. Be generous - this man's a treasure!

Amnertia

At the beginning of 2010 I was invited to play a gig in London, well not exactly London per se but a pub in the district known as Nunhead. The Ivy House. An old Victorian theatre turned in to a pub. Not a bad little venue but just a tad … remote. The evening was being organised by an outfit called Transient Constellations, an outfit that included Max Leonard Hitchings. Max was also in the group Lion Lies Down who were on the bill that night.
Over the next few years Transient Constellations have put on some interesting evenings in and around London, they've also become a small and compact label.
Amnertia is the solo project of Max Leonard Hitchings and "Spider Hashish" is his first release. A 22 minute 3" Cdr. The Cdr is accompanied with a small piece of fiction called "Luman". The two pieces are linked but can be digested separately .. which is good because although I have played the sounds a few times I have yet to start the book, I am a notoriously slow reader and "Friedrich" by Hans Peter Richter" is taking my time. The synopsis of "Lumen" is such;
"Lumen is a disquieting insight into the mind of a man for whom the boundaries between waking life and dreams become blurred in such a way that notions of free will, sanity and even the basic command of motor functions are seemingly replaced by paralysis, possession and delirium - all due to a moment of 'inspiration'."
The sounds are quite conceptual, very visual and very "electronic".
Four pieces beginning with "Glimpse Of The Twitching Veils", a slow starter where a synthetic insectual sound probes and makes spaces before becoming a huge groundswell, a tsunami of sound. Wailing ends the piece. "Spider Hashish" (great title) is a meeting of looped and random electronics. It is how I imagine circuit bending to sound like. A chaotic and addictive piece. "Limen" follows with (again) the sound of insects. A sense of unease. I mentioned the sound as visual, "Limen" brings in the carcass or corpse of a dead animal being devoured by insects shot in fast frame / rapid motion film. Seven minutes plus and very intense. "The Return, Changed" comes in with no respite or chance to gasp fresh air. This finale sounds like the previous three pieces layered and mixed as one.

Great sounds from an interesting man. Better than Lion Lies Down! I shall be playing some of this release on my next radio show on the 28th. I do not know if the release is limited but take a trip to www.transientconstellations.co.uk and have a look.

Murder Cult

Another fine cassette (to assist the Aspa cassette) is "The Bridge" by Murder Cult. As a rule I would pass on a project called Murder Cult but this cassette was recommended on the Idwal Fisher blog, and a general rule of thumb is that if Mark Wharton raves about it - then it's worth a listen.
Murder Cult are from Nottingham and consist of Ben Hallatt and Rashan Sabet. Ben also releases material under the moniker of SCKE// and Wasps. (Not The Wasps of "Teenage Treats" fame but Wasps - sometimes spelt W>A>S>P>S).
"The Bridge" is a c20 (maybe c23) tape consisting of two parts, both recorded live in London. Part One and bells,bowls,cylinders and junk metal are all hit to create a magickal sonic pattern. Very slow tempo that is almost touching Gamelan, the piece journeys on at a steady pace - no rise and fall or crescendos - a lovely meditative piece. I say "touching" because the rhythms are very "Western" .. if that makes any sense? Part Two is more ritualistic and builds to a fast tempo, I feel some instruments are introduced here - maybe glockenspiel or prepared acoustic guitar (?). Fantastic stuff and well worth investigating, as are Wasps. I got the split 7"EP with Nacht Und Nebel the other week too. High class electronics. Please pay www.kiksgfr.net and/or www.waspswasps.blogspot.co.uk a visit.
(Sorry about the poor image scan),

Aspa

I have just spent a pleasant while listening to the latest release by Aspa. Not (surprisingly) a solo or side project from Grunt mainman and freak animal Mikko Aspa, but a Hungarian project from Mate Karolyi-Kiss. Aspa are based in Budapest.
This album is available for download at www.aspa.bandcamp.com/album/1 and also available as a cassette, limited to 25 copies. I have the cassette. It is a beauty. Excellent cover photograph that describes the sound perfectly. Abandonment and discovery. I am linking this sound to another project I have listening to recently, the Bulgarian outfit Mother Spit. They are both working in the same areas. Anyway, Aspa provide a 4-Track cassette (would be lovely as a 10"EP), starting with "Encircled" and the sound of melting snow, the sound of snow underfoot. Certainly an amount of contact mic'ery going on. I once saw BBBlood live in Bristol create a similar sound using mic'ed up bubble wrap. There is a generated tone in there too. "Eweilicht" has a beautiful resonance. A very visual sound, a sound of attempt, a sound of old machinery waking. I have a distant memory of being told a story of a chap called Dave who lived in Texas. Dave had a beat up Chevrolet car in his front yard and there were mornings that he would just turn the ignition key and meditate on the sound of the car turning over. The machine was way past starting. I thought about this whilst listening (first time) to "Eweilicht".
Side two starts with "Raureif" (are these Hungarian titles)? Decaying static and random signal tones. Very visual. "Akovita" is a sad lament. A dirge on Harmonium with the sound of automata surrounding. Conjures up the sound of Column One.
Aspa are a great discovery and deserve to be heard, so please visit the bandcamp page and download. I think it is 2 Euro or something similarly as daft!

Notes From The Popside #4

Thee last time I went to see Torquay United, it was a pre-season friendly against local rivals Yeovil Town who had just been promoted in to the Championship and quite surprisingly Torquay played Yeovil off the park, and won 2-0 in the process. The season has not started well for Torquay United, hovering just above or in the "relegation zone" for the season so far. So, myself with my son, Oscar and his best friend Jack, we decided to take the short walk to Plainmoor and give them our support. Crowds have been dwindling …
The opponents were Chesterfield (The Spireites … I love that nickname) who have been doing the complete opposite to Torquay United and have been nestled in the top three or four for the season. Since the pre-season friendly Torquay seem to have changed their tactics a little and decided not to play it to feet … no more pass & go just hoof the ball away from "our" goal. The players looked unfit. Jak McCourt playing in right midfield looked knackered from kick-off, and the centre half Aaron Downes looked frightened of the ball (a bit like the last time I saw Fellani play .. he must be a role model for old Aaron). The captain Lee Mansell argued with the referee more than trying to urge his team on and give support. A real bottom of the league scrap for Torquay who (in the end) came out two-nil losers.
Chesterfield were OK, they were just running in to a nine man wall, very little wing (or wide) play, but they were able to pass & move.
Attendance was announced at over two thousand, I would have thought half of that myself, perhaps they were counting season ticket holders who didn't show? At this rate I shall be enjoying Torquay United play Lincoln City next season. I told Oscar we shall go to a game over the Christmas Holiday, I wonder if Alan Knill will still be the manager …

Pictures;
1: Programme.
2: Oscar & Jack in the stands.
3: A grey sky looms over Plainmoor.

MuhMur SoundArt Radio Broadcast : 14/11/2013

Apologies for the delay in posting this, quite a hectic week here at Chez MuhMur with gigs, Theatre trips and a trip to Plainmoor to see the mighty Gulls later this afternoon …
There was a technical glitch during this programme. The "recording" device was accidentally switched off during transmission for about 15 minutes, so Dave (SoundArt engineer extraordinaire) is patching and editing the programme over the coming days and when I get a copy I shall archive on MixCloud, posting the link below.
http://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/november-13-programme/
Thanks for listening.
Next programme is on November 28 and will feature Anla Courtis with 30 minutes of "exclusive" material recorded for "MuhMur".

Playlist:
01: Stephane Garin & Sylvestre Gobart : "Krupp AG, Arms Factory, February 22nd 2006" (Bruit Clair/Greunrekorder) 2011.
02: Throbbing Gristle : "Auschwitz" (Tin Toy) 2000.
03: MB : "Auschwitz" (Strut) 2013.
04: White Stains : "Underworld Initiation" (Monochrome Vision) 2009.
05: B*Tong : "First Kiss Of The Lady Of Initiation" (Attenuation Circuit) 2012.
06: Andrea Borghi : "Vetrale #6" (Observatoire) 2013.
07: Maldur Atai : "Alarm" (Autarkeia) 2010.
08: Origami Arktika : "Innstev" (Ignis/Komkol Autoprod) 2000.
09: Dieter Muh : "Stella Polaris: (EE Tapes) 2002.
10: Andrew Chalk : "Mutzu No Hana" (An'Archives) 2013.
11: Vincent Bondey/Cedric LeRouley : "Asphodeles #2" (COmma) 2004.
12: Zyrtax Vs. Sudden Infant : "Aloka 04" (Dead Mind Records) 2007.
13: Public Image Limited : "No Birds" (Virgin Records) 1979.
14: Public Image Limited : "Chant" (Virgin Records) 1979.
15: The Transmitters : "Curious" (Step Forward Records) 1979.
16: Optic Nest : "Two Moons" (Moptaco Discs) 2013.
17: Ditterich Von Euler-Donnersperg : "O Du Frohliche" (Meeuw Muzak) 2007.

Picture.
01: Transmitting with The Transmitters.

Optic Nest

I have spent the last few days (great band) listening to lots of drones and Dilloway, and then I slipped on the new LP by Swedish project Optic Nest and it completely took me by surprise. A new kind of noise.
Optic Nest is the solo project of former Member Of Tinnitus and half of Cryme Daniel Fagerstrom. His latest LP is "Ride On Silver" - as in silver horses. "Ride On Silver" is a concept album. That's different from a themed album - this album is conceptual. Daniel is a silver horse riding through past times marking the moments that have changed his life.
I have heard some of Daniel's solo work before on the "Tapeworks" compilation cassettes that his partner in Cryme Mattias Gustafsson released a year or so ago, but this is my first exposure to Optic Nest. Opening with the title track the sound is very much of The Residents, Renaldo & The Loaf … Ralph Records. This "feel" lasts through Side A with its swirling synthesisers and floating flutes with a disguised (and sometimes incomprehensible) vocals. The LP does contain a lyric sheet - which is helpful as the vocals almost disguise the fact. Side B and the side is more "Eastern". The opening instrumental "Energy Organ Farce" takes us through a North African bazaar with its bongos and conga percussion (and a sequencer rhythm that is quite close to a DAF song whose title escapes me)…. "Two Moons" is undoubtedly the stand out track on the LP. The single off the album. And the first time the vocals are coherent. Again, a sultry "Eastern" feel with an excellent saxophone sound. The closing piece "Chromosphere" is rooted in Jimi Tenor territory. Very "prog".
The sleeve reminds me of a Jimi Tenor / Aavikko style release and mix that with the sound of The Residents, Tuxedomoon and Snakefinger and you have "Ride On Silver". I have no other LP that sounds like this, a well produced / constructed labour of love. Recommended.
I'm uncertain who is distributing this in the UK, but get in touch with the label at www.moptacodics.com  - P+P rates from Sweden aren't that bad.

The LP comes with a "free" CD version - and is printed on mirror foil card.

Dieter Muh #52 (Dartington : Studio 20)

SoundArt radio (102.5 FM) celebrated its' seventh birthday last night and invited a handful of artists to perform a live show to celebrate. I was fortunate to be asked. Studio 20 is a space beneath the SoundArt studio, in the grounds of Dartington Hall.
As mentioned the evening was broadcast live on FM and streamed live across the Interweb.
The evening began with Grymbart (featuring Marg & Byrt) creating a wall of noise with percussive auto-harp, flutes and whistles before presenting the SoundArt Birthday cake. The Oima Orchestra followed … Dave and Maggie with a tableau of electronic gizmo's and boxes to make a greater meditative noise. Tongues were spoken and Tibetan bells were stuck before Alice Kemp performed a sonic seance. I entered the evening by playing some conversations, half heard words and looped rhythms. The whole evening was rounded off by Shokku (from Plymouth). A collaboration between visual artist Hannah E Drayson and Baconhead main man Ben Hudson. Crushing techno beats and "break core". (probably). Good stuff.
I have no idea whether or not the evening will be archived on MixCloud, or released as document - a shame if not as all performers created some quite magical sounds …
Hopefully I'll be around to celebrate the eighth birthday.

Pictures.
1: Open Door.
2: Seven Candles For SoundArt.
3: Grymbart.
4 & 5: The Oima Orchestra.
6: Germseed (Alice Kemp).
7: Dieter Muh (Picture by Tamsin Cammack).
8: Shokku.