Sunday 25 June 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt radio Broadcast 22:06:2017


Apologies for the delay in posting ...
A broadcast from the last century! Looking through old diaries I noticed that 3 records were released on this day back in 1979-1982. Artery's "Mother Moon" 7"EP, Vice Versa's "Stilyagi" 7" and the Bill Nelson LP "Quit Dreaming And Get On The Beam". I decided to build a playlist around these records and incorporate the sounds of Yorkshire from the period these records were released. A departure from the "norm", but a typical night in here at Hartop Towers! I even had a John Peel moment playing The Human League at the wrong speed.
The programme does come to an abrupt end - the next programme after mine decided to take over the studio with about 10 minutes to go .... so I just stopped ... their programme plays cock-rock and they wear bandanas. No mood to argue. Please take a listen : (Copy & Paste).
https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-22062017/

Playlist:
01: The Anti Group : "Big Sex II" (Anterior Research Recordings) 1994.
02: Cabaret Voltaire : "Seconds Too Late" (Rough Trade Records) 1980.
03: Cabaret Voltaire : "Western Mantra" (Rough Trade Records) 1980.
04: Fad Gadget : "Back To Nature" (Mute Records) 1979.
05: Clock DVA : "Impressions Of African Winter" (Fetish Records) 1981.
06: Artery : "Mother Moon" (Limited Edition Records) 1979.
07: Artery : "Cars In Motion" (Aardvark) 1981.
08: Gang Of Four : "I Found That Essence Rare" (EMI) 1979.
09: The Mekons : "Lonely And Wet" (Virgin Records) 1979.
10: Vice Versa : "Stilyagi" (Democratic Dancebeat Records) 2011.
11: Radio 5: "True Colours" (Rockburgh Records) 1980.
12: Cabaret Voltaire : "Gut Level" (Les Disques Du Crépuscule) 1983.
13: Conspiracy International : "Dancing Ghosts" (Doublevision) 1984.
14: The Human League : "Morale" (Virgin Records) 1979.
15: The Human League : "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (Virgin Records) 1979.
16: They Must Be Russians : "Glory Of God" (Office Box Records) 1983.
17: Surface Mutants : "Anaesthetic" (Clönic Records) 1982.
18: Marc Almond & Friends : "Discipline" (Flexipop) 1982.
19: Bill Nelson : "Eros Arriving" (Mercury Records) 1982.
20: Artery : "Heinz" (Limited Edition Records) 1979.

Next broadcast will be on July 6, and will be mostly set in the century!





Friday 9 June 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 08:06:2017.



And MuhMur Radio is back! After a month making way for the UK General Election and its' various propaganda broadcasts ... MuhMur Radio is back on Election Night, but please "No Mention Of Election Today".
So...No mention of the election, and a great grab bag of strong and stable sounds. A big thanks to Andrew at Aurora Borealis for mailing the new Anji Cheung cassette "Daughter Of Fortitude". The opening piece "440" is taken from this album. Hopefully Anji will supple MuhMur Radio with a "session" soon. (Also expect some exclusive sounds from B○Tong soon).
Please take a listen. (copy & paste).
https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-080617/

Playlist:
01: Anji Cheung : "440" (Aurora Borealis) 2017.
02: Filthy Turd : "Equine Muck #2" (Burslem Crypt Recordings) 2017.
03: Copley Medal : "Impersonal Attraction" (Hanson Records) 2015.
04: Boyd Rice : "Untitled" (Mute Records) 2004.
05: Helm : "Blue Scene" (The Trilogy Tapes) 2017.
06: Sargasso Sea : "Canada Trust" (Penultimate Press) 2016.
07: Aaron Dilloway : "It's Not Alright" (Dais Records) 2017.
08: Aaron Dilloway : "No Eye Sockets (For Otto & Sindy)" (Hanson Records) 2017.
09: Korea Undok Group : "This Fantasy Is Unhealthy" (Penultimate Press) 2016.
10: Neutral : "2-0-1-6" (I Dischi Del Barone) 2017.
11: Neutral : "Japanese Superheroes" (I Dischi Del Barone) 2017.
12: Rema Rema : "Exit" (Inflammable Material) 2015.
13: Con-Dom : "Black And White" (Tesco Organisation) 2001.
14: Michael Barthel : "Heme" (GerauschManufaktur) 2017.
15: Eyeless In Gaza : "Kodak Ghost Runs Amok" (Cherry Red Records) 2016.
16: Gerry + The Holograms : "Increased Resistance" (Cache Cache) 2017.
17: Kevin Harrison : "I Need Help" (Vinyl On Demand) 2016.
18: Altar Of Flies : "Svartåns Mörka Vatten Rinner Genom Mina Vener" (Järtecknet) 2016.
19: Glaxo Babies : "This Is Your Vendetta" (Heartbeat Records) 1980.
20: Godlesstate : "Zika At The Sill" (Hagshadow) 2016.
21: Thorsten Soltau : "Abendrot" (m.m. Label) 2017.
22: Theoretical Girls : "U.S. Millie" (Theoretical Records) 1978.
23: Glaxo Babies : "Nova Bossanova" (Heartbeat Records) 1979.

The next programme will be on June 22.

Friday 12 May 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt radio Broadcast 11:05:2017.


This programme is mainly built of new releases that have come through the door of MuhMur Radio in the past couple of weeks. Stephen Cornford's "Pinched Tapes #1" on Geräuschmanufaktur label starting the proceedings … A (nearly) 15 minute piece combining a John Cage string quartet and a found story tape of "Jack & The Beanstalk". Originally released in 2009 on ArtEx Sonora. The tape manipulations follow with a piece from Stuart Chalmers pulled from the excellent "split" CD with BBBlood + Posset. Phil Julian recorded the air conditioning in a New York hotel and turned it into a sonic masterpiece! The Peter Fengler track is from a limited one sided lathe cut 7", hence the lo-fi sound.
April saw the release of the new LP from Aaron Dilloway. "The Gag File" on Dais Records. Side A ends the broadcast. A great discovery over the past couple of weeks has been Filtro. An Italian project on Upside Down Recordings. I know little about this project - and big thanks to UDR for mailing it!
37 years ago to the day SPK released "Mekano / Slogun" on Industrial Records.

Last weekend I met up with J. Karpov of MNEM in London. I have known Juri now for nigh on 20 years, and seeing that he was close by (in Leuven, Belgium) we decided to meet halfway (in London) for a tour of London's secondhand vinyl shops and pubs. It made me dig out my copy of the MNEM CD "For Delta Relics" and play a track.


                                                Drinking at The OTO with Juri Karpov.



Take a listen to the broadcast here: (Copy & Paste).
https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-11052017/        
                   
Playlist:
01: Stephen Cornford : "Pinched Tapes #1" (GeräuschManufaktur) 2017.
02: Stuart Chalmers : "Birth Of The Bamboo Medusa" (Crow Vs Crow Editions) 2017.
03: Phil Julian : "Aperture" (Entr'acte) 2017.
04: Peter Fengler : "Vegetarians" (Ultra Eczema) 2017.
05: S.P.K. : "Metal Field" (Walter Ulbricht Schallfollen) 1983.
06: Gonzo : "Radio Kampala" (Discrepant) 2017.
07: Ramleh : "Phenol" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
08: S.P.K. : "Mekano" (Industrial Records) 1980.
09: Troum : "Nahtscato" (Paranoise Records) 2005.
10: Big Sky : "Woodlawn Snake" (Divergent Series) 2017.
11: MNEM : "The Late Nuance" (Kaos Kontrol) 2003.
12: Filtro : "Riflesso Part One, Perno" (Upside Down Recordings) 2017.
13: Aaron Dilloway : "Ghost" (Dais Records) 2017.
14: Aaron Dilloway : "Karaoke With Cal" (Dais Records) 2017.
15: Aaron Dilloway : "Inhuman Form Reflected" (Dais Records) 2017.
16: Aaron Dilloway : "Born In A Maze" (Dais Records) 2017.

Sunday 30 April 2017

Notes From The "Popside" #8.









So it has come to the final match of the season, after a fair to middling start and a disastrous middle to end, Torquay United need to win to stay in the National League, The Conference as us old men call it. Lose or draw and their fate was in the hands of Guiseley York City and Braintree United. Squeaky bum time indeed. There is also talk (locally) of Torbay Council selling the ground and Torquay United moving to the outskirts of town. Relegation would only speed up this process. (At the time of typing Torbay Council is run by the Conservatives & UKIP). 
Todays opponents were the already relegated North Ferriby United. I like North Ferriby, a lovely little town on the route from Goole to Hull, being in the National League was them obviously kicking above their weight…..
And Torquay United won. A quite convincing victory. For the first time (I have seen) this season Torquay United played well. Kept the ball on the ground, passing in triangles, through the passages and in to space. Tracked back and kept it all tight, fighting for the loose ball and no fancy dans or showboating. Really good stuff! For Torquay United Rowe-Turner, Aman Verma and Myles Anderson kept a tight defence, a wall and Jordan Lee in midfield had (probably) his game of the season. The one player who seemed out of sorts was Brett Williams. Lacklustre, not wanting to chase the ball or get it back when he lost it (very easy to go to ground). I couldn't work out if he was a centre forward or playing in the hole or even centre half. He did have a cracking shot - a 25 yarder - that hit the North Ferriby woodwork in the first 10 minutes or so, but after that …. Still, the win was a great team effort with great headed goals from Verma and Anderson. 
The first goal (in the second half) saw a wild pitch invasion, flares and policemen running around like headless chickens. Never seen that at Plainmoor before! 
North Ferriby did have a couple of decent players who'll probably be moving on .. Connor Oliver in midfield and Sam Topliss as a right wing back were handy, it was just Torquay United were on top of their game. 
And at the end of the match there was the obligatory and good humoured pitch invasion. Players held aloft, chants of the managers name and the great "We're Staying Up" as if playing shite most of the season but well in the final 3 games was a reason to celebrate. This match was Torquay United's cup final! And we shall return next season (Oscar my erstwhile companion) but this time I'll make sure we're in Bristow's Bench (stand). I had never been in there before but the Family Stand was "Sold Out" so I had to pay a little bit extra - but what a view! The twin spires of St. Marychurch and Hay Tor (on Dartmoor) in the distance, glistening in the sunshine and clear blue sky. majestic. 
So, to next season - bring on AFC Fylde, bring on the "O's".

Pictures:
01: The Programme (an advert for Torquay Tattoo Parlours).
02: The hottest tickets in town!
03: Just before kick off.
04: Final Whistle.
05: North Ferriby United Steve Housham console his players.
06: Oscar takes part in the pitch invasion!
07: Gilbert Gull celebrates!

Friday 28 April 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 27:04:2017.





Back after 4 weeks! Thanks to all who came along and supported the Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life gig at Exeter Phoenix on the 13th. Much appreciated.
Springtime walk to the radio station, birds singing along the River Dart, the aroma of wild garlic drifting from the ancient woodland … beautiful.
This programme features a 47 minute live piece from Wax Infant. Recorded in November 1995 at the International Bureau Of Recordist Investigation on Ossington Avenue, Toronto. Wax Infant were Jim DeJong (Chronic Remorse / Infant Cycle) + William A. Davison (Six Heads / Phycus / The Bim Prongs). They released a tape on William's Disembraining Songs label in 1994, then did a series of Window performances. The piece here is an extract from "Window Performance #3" and improvised performance that saw Jim on "Feedback Machine" & Tapes and William on Casio SK-1, Microphones, Toys and Tapes. This is the first time the recording has been heard outside the I.B.R.I.
Also played some tracks by Mika Vainio. I heard of Mika's passing on the night of the Steve Ignorant gig. I have known of Mika and his work since the late 1980's when he was a pen/tape pal with my old friend Dave. We exchanged tapes, he and Ilpo were great supporters of Dieter Müh. Encouraging and promoting. Early Müh recordings were featured as part of a Sähkō Radio Installation back in 1983. I have an old TDK marked "Demos 1992. Helsinki" that Mika sent … I don't know if any tracks saw the light of day, if the track I play sounds familiar then please let me know …
Also slipped in a track from X-TG because over the past 2 weeks I have been reading the Cosey Fanni Tutti autobiography. It's quite a fun read - unputdownable …
Please take a listen: (Copy & Paste).
https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-27042017/

Interesting exhibition at Dartington Space Studio at the moment. Work by London based artist Myka Baum is really attractive. "Worm Series". I have included a couple of pictures. (above).

Playlist:
01: Six Heads : "Wallboard" (Black Horizons) 2016.
02: The Wax Infant : "Window Performance #3" (Not On Label) 1995.
     (Exclusive Recording for MuhMur Radio)
03: Unknown Singing Objects : "Die Kulturevelle Revolution" (Not On Label) 2017.
04: All The Dead Pilots : "Invocations #1" (Karmakosmetix) 2016.
05: X-TG : "All That Is My Own" (Industrial Records) 2012.
06: Ø : "Untitled Piece #1" (Not On Label) 1992.
07: Bill Nelson's Red Noise : "Don't Touch Me (I'm Electric)" (Harvest) 1999.
08: Gonzo : "Skull Cave" (Discrepant) 2017.
09: FRKSE : "Lucid" (Divergent Series) 2014.
10: Grykë Pyje : "Temple Of Perceptions" (Ikuisuus/Hyster Tapes) 2016.
11: Tactile Vs. Ø : "Intervention 2" (Rawkus) 1996.
12: Ø : "Absuntola" (Sähkō Recordings) 1994.

Next programme is May 11.

Friday 31 March 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 30:03:2017.







Tonights programme was a very special broadcast. It featured the work of Max Kuiper (Les Horribles Travailleurs). Max is a Dutch artist based in Arnhem and been producing sound/art since the early 1980's. He operates the r\a\w\f\o\r\m\s label as well as the Z\W\A\R\T Magazine. 
His work can be found here : https://maxkuiper.com and http://rawforms.blogspot.co.uk (Please copy + paste). Max provided 12 pieces lasting 61 minutes. Here is a breakdown of the pieces : 

Soundworks by Les Horribles Travailleurs \ Max Kuiper.

Arnhem, The Netherlands, 15 march 2017

All soundworks on this cdr are from collaborations: planned releases of collaborative projects ;
live performances ; improvisations ; a sound installation.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. 'Vox Catuli' (composition 1) - 14:07
('The Voice of the Young')

One of the two composition of 'Vox Catuli', part 2 of: 'The Reineke | Reynart Dilogy (2014—2017)' by Max Kuiper & Thorsten Soltau.

Part 1 is released in november 2016, the released of part 2 is planned for this year.


2. 'Lait Noir' - 4:40
('Black Milk')

Part of a current collaboration with 'This honourable fish' (Germany), consisting of Anja Kreysing and Helmut Buntjer.

Both read (in German) a poem by Paul Celan. Sounds by Les Horribles Travailleurs.

There will be a live performance in may in Münster, Germany -  and a release of the material of this collaboration.


3. 'Secret Science 1' - 3:06

From a collaboration between Jacob DeRaadt (Sterile Garden, USA) and Max Kuiper.

An album (duration 37:12) with eight soundworks is completed in 2016. We hope it will be released this year.


4. 'Entités et leur connectivité' - 2:37
('Entities and their connectivity')

One of the eight soundworks of 'Huit fièvres \ Huit villes'  ('Eight Fevers \ Eight Cities') - an album that will be released on the USA label Sinneslöschen of Shane Bartlett.

The soundworks are based on synthesizer sounds that seven people sent me on request.


5. 'Reworked improvisation 1' - 3:27

This soundwork is constructed by Max Kuiper from the material of an improviation in the studio of Frans de Waard on July 2016, in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, by Jacob DeRaadt, Frans de Waard and Max Kuiper.

A series of reworks by Frans de Waard and Max Kuiper of this improvisation will be released.


6. 'Secret Science' 2 - 2:53

From a collaboration between Jacob DeRaadt and Max Kuiper.

See 3.


7. 'Reworked improvisation 2' - 4:12

This soundwork is constructed by Max Kuiper from the material of an improviations in the studio of Steven Vinkenoog during 2016 in Arnhem, The Netherlands, by Floris van Rijswijk, Steven Vinkenoog and Max Kuiper.


8. 'doode stad - verborgen leven' - 3:02
('dead city - hidden life')

One of the eight soundworks of 'Huit fièvres \ Huit villes'  ('Eight Fevers \ Eight Cities')  - see 4.


9. 'Reworked improvisation 3' - 3:59

See 5.


10. 'Portrait of Transmute24' - 4:26

A combination of pre-recorded material, live improvisations with 8 cassetterecorders and of the projection of  a video.
September 2016, ruru huis, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Collaboration with visual artist Gijs Verhoofstad, who made the video.
Transmute24 is the name of a long term art project in a former militairy building. Several artists respond on the decay of the building.
Gijs Verhoofstad and Max Kuiper organised an interactive sound installation in the building.
The video and the soundwork are a portrait of the buidling and the art projects.


11. 'Splendor' - 4:08

Sound installation in a former lightbulb factory, by Steven Vinkenoog, Floris van Rijswijk and Max Kuiper.
Nov. 2017, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Recordings made in the building are reworked at home and presented on 16 locations in the staircase of 4 floors.

During the presentation, visitors could make a composition by walking the staircase up and\or down, from the cellar to roof.

This soundwork is an untreated recording during a walk up and down the staircase.


12. 'Transcontinental Soundevent' - 10:49

Reworking of recordings of a live performance on 12 July 2016, ruru huis, Arnhem, The Netherlands.

Perfomers were Jacob DeRaadt, Jan Warnke (Germany, owner of the label Geräuschmanufaktur) and Max Kuiper.
Thorsten Soltau was not present but contributed with a soundwork that was integrated in the performance.

Part of the 'Transcontinental Collaboration' between Jacob DeRaadt and Max Kuiper.

This summer, Sterile Garden and Les Horribles Travailleurs will perform in some countries in Europe - the European 'Cityproject' tour -  together with Lavas/Magmas.
The 'Cityproject' consists of 'Psychogeographic soundcollages', and has sounds of cities intergrated in the sets.

Take a listen here: https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-max-kuiper-broadcast-march-30-2017/ (Please copy & paste). 



 Also featured is a track from The Dead Mauriacs from their cassette release "A L'Heure De Belvérdėre" which appeared in an edition of 10. Also "On this day" in 1981 two great LP's were released. Pere Ubu's "390 Degrees Of Simulated Stereo" and The Birthday Party's "Prayers On Fire". The programme celebrates the fact. I also played a piece by Michael Muennich as he came to visit me at the weekend (all the way from Hamburg)!



Please copy & paste : https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-max-kuiper-broadcast-march-30-2017/

The next MuhMur Radio will be on April 27th. This is because I am going to see Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life perform live in Exeter.

Playlist:
01: The Dead Mauriacs : "A L'Heure De Belvérdėre, Le Gagaku N'est Pas Impérial" (NPH) 2016.
02: Les Horribles Travailleurs / Max Kuiper : "SoundWorks" (Not On Label) 2017.
      (Exclusively produced for MuhMur Radio. Full track listing is above).
03: Michael Muennich : "Sekvenser (For Joel)" (Fragment Factory) 2013.
04: Pere Ubu : "Heart Of Darkness (Live)" (Rough Trade Records) 1981.
05: Phantom Plastics : "Elephant Dead Rat" (Phantom Archives) 2016.
06: Max Kuiper & Thorsten Soltau : "Animi Sub Volpe Latentes" (Chondritic Sound) 2016.
07: The Birthday Party : "King Ink" (4AD Records) 1981.

All pictures above (apart from the first one) by Max Kuiper.
The final picture is of Michael Muennich in Torquay! (2017).

Friday 17 March 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 16:03:2017.



For the first time in 2017 I was able to walk to the radio station along the River Dart. Surrounded by birdsong, and the warning signs for killer toads!
Tonights broadcast was a mixture of new releases, latest arrivals and old favourites. March 16 also marks the 37th anniversary of The Pop Group's second album "For How Much Longer … Do We Tolerate Mass Murder?". Also managed a few more tracks from the upcoming "Harbinger Sound Sampler" compilation (double) LP.
Due to the programme that usually precedes MuhMur Radio not turning in for their shift I was able to start about 5 minutes earlier than usual so topped and tailed the programme with Grant Evan's "Manson Loop". Apologies for the croaky voice too (not a reference to killer toads!), just recovering from a chesty cough….
Anyway, Please take a listen here : (Copy & Paste) :
https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-16032017/

Playlist :
01: Grant Evans : "Manson Loop" (Not On Label) 2017.
02: Modelbau : "Nearly" (Attenuation Circuit) 2017.
03: Theme : "Enough Is Never (Parts 1 - 3)" (Idioblast) 2014.
04: Copley Medal : "Ger Lopig" (Ideal Recordings) 2016.
05: Pawel Grabowski : "Cirr's Song 2" (Drone Records) 2005.
06: brb>voicecoil : "Vent 2" (MuzaMuza Records) 2017.
07: The Pop Group : "Blind Faith" (Rough Trade Records) 1980.
08: The Pop Group : "Justice" (Rough Trade Records) 1980.
09: Crisis : "Frustration" (Aardkor Records) 1980.
10: Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life : "Your Day Will Come" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
11: Sleaford Mods : "Fat Tax" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
12: Sleaford Mods : "Big Trouble In Little Costa" (Rough Trade Records) 2017.
13: Concrete : "Steven Judy" (Concrete Productions) 1981.
14: Circuit Breaker : "Duplicate" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
15: Felt : "My Face Is On Fire" (Cherry Red Records) 1982.
16: Massicot : "Koktails" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
17: Pisse : "Drehtür" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
18: Karies : "Es Lachte" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
19: On On On : "Floppy World" (Trim Tab tapes) 2016.
20: Joy Division : "These Days" (Factory Records) 1980.
21: Coldsore : "Pollutant" (Totes Format) 2017.
22: Soviet France : "Music For A Spaghetti Western (Scene 4)" (Klanggalerie) 2005.
23: Dave Phillips : "?#1" (Heart & Crossbone) 2010.
24: Grant Evans : "Manson Loop" (Not On Label) 2017.

Next broadcast will be on March 30 at 20:00 gmt.

Sunday 5 March 2017

brb>voicecoil





Over the last few days (great band) I have been listening to the latest release from brb>voicecoil. A cassette release on the MuzaMuza label.
The last time I heard brb>voice coil was on the 2010 split album release on Harbinger Sound, they shared the LP with Spoils & Relics. On this LP, brb>voicecoil bring a side long piece called "Valmara 69". It's a good track with sounds that seem to be travelling somewhere, slowly starting the journey and then coming to a sudden halt….and it's back to the beginning.
Strangely enough the end of "Valmara 69" sounds a lot like the beginning of "Cloth White Skin" the title track of the new cassette, and covering the whole of Side A. (But more about that later)…

brb>voice coil is the brainchild of Kevin Wilkinson from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Back in the 1990's Kevin started the label MuzaMuza with releases from Cathedra, Drill, Jazzfinger, Mlehst and Big Road Breaker. Big Road Breaker was Kevin's project in the 1990's. (BRB…geddit?). Around the turn of the century Big Road Breaker became brb>voicecoil, and after a six year hiatus he is back with "Cloth White Skin". "Cloth White Skin" is a C24 tape on MuzaMuza.
As mentioned earlier it all starts where "Valmara 69" left off on the abandoned factory floor. A factory of old automaton machines. The sound of rolling metal and clanking of rusting machines. Clockwork. Put me in mind of what The New Blockaders "Unplugged" album would sound like…..without realising a distortion has melted into the scenario..crashing and crescending. Then, rather like the construct of "Valmara 69" it all ends with minimal fuss as the room empties out and all the sounds have gone. Side 2 begins with "Crack Vessel". A staggered impulsive scratch with the manipulated sound of dripping liquids. It's irritable and internal. "Vent 2" is similar, a rhythmic pulse has replaced the irritable scratch and the dripping liquids have been distorted to sound like a voice screaming for help through an off-tuned AM radio. It's a great effect, with the addition of electric worms escaping at every chance …. The pulse beat ends the trauma.
Excellent cassette release and good to hear brb>voicecoil after so many years of silence.

There are moments of Muennich, Krube, Spoils & Relics and Mark Durgan littered throughout. It's available through MuzaMuza at https://muzamuza.muzamuza.com or through Alt.Vinyl Shop.

Pictures:
01 :"Cloth White Skin" cover.
02: "Cloth White Skin" Cassette.
03: "Valmara 69" (Harbinger Sound) LP 2010.
04: Kevin Wilkinson.

Friday 3 March 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 02:03:2017.







This programme begins with a 53 minute live recording from Anders Børup and Claus Poulsen. It was performed on the 27th January this year at the EliasKirken in Copenhagen. Anders and Claus make up two thirds of Danish trio CAM. Claus also performs in Star Turbine and Small Things On Sundays.  The recording is exclusive to MuhMur Radio, as are the two pieces from Grey Park. This is their second MuhMur Radio "Session" with "Left Hand Electronics" + "Meet The Ancient". Although Grey Park are a fluid co-operative I think Nosfe + Plaa are involved in these tracks. With these exclusive recordings I decided to complete the playlist with Scandinavian sounds … including the whole of Side A of the new LP from Wagner Ødegard. "Nidvintern". The Treriksröset track comes from the new Harbinger Sound Sampler. A double LP out on March 23.
Please copy & paste : https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-02032017/

Playlist.
01: Anders Børup & Claus Poulsen : "EliasKirken. 27:01:2017" (Not On Label) 2017.
     (this piece is exclusive to MuhMur Radio).
02: Wagner Ødegard : "Stympad Och Steglad" (Not On Label) 2017.
03: Grey Park : "Left Hand Electronics" (Not On Label) 2017.
     (this piece is exclusive to MuhMur Radio).
04: Grey Park : "Electric Robot" (Not On Label) 2000.
05: Grey Park : "Melt The Ancient" (Not On Label) 2017.
      (this piece is exclusive to MuhMur Radio).
06: Small Things On Sundays : "Lost Beacon" (Frozen Light) 2017.
07: Nolls : "Alley" (Lucked Out Tapes) 2016.
08: Nolls : "Young" (Lucked Out Tapes) 2016.
09: Nolls : "Told You" (Lucked Out Tapes) 2016.
10: Nolls : "Flowing" (Lucked Out Tapes) 2016.
11: Nolls : "Rapport" (Lucked Out Tapes) 2016.
12: Nolls : "Nerve" (Lucked Out Tapes) 2016.
13: Nolls : "Batteries" (Lucked Out tapes) 2016.
                 (All Nolls tracks from the LP "Strange Attitude").
14: The Leo Bugariloves : "Hyrysysy" (Longplay Music) 2011.
15: Treriksröset : "Blurred Lines" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.

Outside the radio station, on the wall of the Space Studios is an exhibition by Exeter based artist Richard Rochester. The charcoal drawing of "Newton Woods" and the grave headstone rubbings are from the exhibition. If you visiting Dartington Hall it is well worth a look.


Friday 17 February 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 16:02:2017.






Back after 4 weeks away … Apologies for the "no show" on February 2 but I was on my way to see COUM Transmissions perform in Hull and meet up with some old friends. (Aaron, Neil, Paul + Steve). A great weekend … Hopefully the mandarins of SoundArt Radio filled my slot with something tasty.
Tonights programme is filled with new arrivals and an old favourite. Lucky to get hold of an advanced copy of the forthcoming Harbinger Sound Sampler and I will be playing selected pieces over the forthcoming programmes. Tonight it was Sudden Infant (live), Phil Julian and John Paul. Also played some highlights of the recently released "Redux333" DVD from the Chicago based NO PART OF IT label. It's a compilation released where artists remix, remodel and reinterpret the work of Arvo Zylo's "333" album. Olivier from The Dead Mauriacs kindly mailed a CDR of Jacques Brodier live in Le Havre in 2013. Brodier is new to my ears and like very much. An interesting composer. Apart from a double album on Penultimate Press I don't think he has released anything else. February 16th 1980 was the date Rough Trade Records released the 3 track EP "Let's Build A Bridge" by Swell Maps. Too easy and very BBC 6Music to play the "A" Side. "Big Maz In The Country" is a highlight of the EP and (as Alice pointed out) sounding very much like Massicot.
The MuhMur Radio Posse were back, Alice + Dave and can be heard chatting in the background!
Please take a list. Copy & Paste.
https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/muhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-16022017/

Playlist:
01: Anji Cheung : "It Was Easier When I Imagined You" (Audio Visuals Atmosphere) 2017.
02: The Dead Mauriacs : "Jetz/Jetzt" (NPH) 2017.
03: Machine Listener : "Centre Of Mass Animated" (SKSK) 2014.
04: Helm : "Rawabet/Downtown Rubble" (Alter) 2017.
05: Marlo Eggplant : "Arvo" (NO PART OF IT) 2016.
06: Sudden Infant : "1 2 8 9 6" (NO PART OF IT) 2016.
07: Michael Muennich : "Klamm/heimelig" (Recordings For The Summer) 2017.
08: Herpes O Deluxe : "Kauend Hinter Mauern" (Divergent Series) 2013.
09: Sudden Infant : "Father (Live)" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
10: Kein Zweiter : "Genitalmetamorphoseovid" (90% Wasser) 2016.
11: Dave Phillips : "Zylovester Anfang" (NO PART OF IT) 2016.
12: Jacques Brodier : "Live In Le Havre" (Not On Label) 2013.
13: Jasmine Guffond : "Live In Berlin 2015" (Beartown Records) 2017.
14: Phil Julian : "Blanking" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
15: John Paul : "Sissy & Ada (Red Version)" (Harbinger Sound) 2017.
16: Swell Maps : "Big Maz In The Country" (Rough Trade/Rather Records) 1980.
17: Unknown Singing Objects : "Anarchy In The U.K. (And Beyond)" (Not On Label) 2016.

The next programme will be on March 2 and will feature the second MuhMur Radio session from Finnish Lo-Fi industrialists Grey Park.

Pictures:
01: Playlist.
02: Jacques Brodier.
03/04/05: "Posse Shots" (Steve, Alice & Dave).

Wednesday 15 February 2017

Harbinger Sound Sampler 2xLP




Out and in the shops on March 24 comes the double LP "Harbinger Sound Sampler". The third compilation release from Harbinger Sound label after "….And The Vultures Miss Nothing" (2005) and "Eight" (2007) … I am not counting the 2013 vinyl re-issue of the old Broken Flag cassette "Le Couperet".
There is of course the missing compilation "Standing Still Like A Humming Bird" .. but we don't speak of that these days as Harbinger Sound has moved on, moved with the times, after a time in the mid noughties releasing scatter shot sounds from the likes of Hair Police, Prurient, Carlos Gifoni, Dieter Müh and Smegma, Harbinger Sound has become more focused and relevant to it's time. Caught the zeitgeist (they were a good band).
So now in 2017 comes the new manifesto. Statement of intent. Two albums for the price of a pint (in a 'Spoons and in the North) £3.99. Only available in shops too … there will be a few mail order outlets, that's how the world turns these days .. but not available from the label direct.

 Toylettes kick off the proceedings with a track called "Omi (Version)". Toylettes are a punk band from Berlin, they sound like they should have been on Rough Trade Records in 1978. They sound like Kleenex. Mark Wynn keeps the energy going with a track about Frank Sinatra being in payment of the mafia and Michael Buble's slippers all played on Fisher-Price instruments. Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life make an appearance with "Your Day Will Come". I remember this song from seeing Steve live a couple of years back in Bristol. Studio sound is acoustic and very "lounge lizard". Years ago (late 80's) I went to see Gavin Friday & Man Seezer play at the Royal Northern College Of Music in Manchester. After years of seeing Virgin Prunes and Gavin being threatening on stage, it was kind of funny to see him as a chanteur singing songs of love and sexuality whilst wondering around candlelit tables smoking French cigarettes. This is what I am reminded of every time I hear this song … Sleaford Mods follow with "Fat Tax". A tongue tripping trip hop slow motion journey that just whets the appetite for the forthcoming "English Tapas" album. Side A ends with the incredibly shouty shouty Consumer Electronics. "And At Any Rate, It's Already Too Late" is a verbal attack by a petulant irritant with spastic noise rendering it all unlistenable.
Side Two is kicked off by Phil Julian. Former Cheapmachine and New Blockader brings us his abstract, avant-garde celestial electronics with "Blanking". The sound is almost medical and plays like a Nitschian soundtrack. Phil's Harbinger Sound album "Trace" was a highlight of 2014. From PJ to JP. John Paul. If you are familiar with Sleaford Mods then you know John Paul. Poet, Plumber and a dab hand at Sticky 13! "Sissy And Ada (Red Version)" plays like a Mods track, looped samples, dropped beats, dope rhythm etc … and the voice of John Paul … it's all too short. New to these ears Future Commuter follow. I think these chaps are from Brighton (Could be wrong, I did ask Steve but was very drunk at the time). There's twenty tracks by twenty artists on this compilation and it is within the laws of probability that I ain't gonna like all of them. I don't like this track and don't really know what it brings to Harbinger Sound. Self indulgent prog rock and the reason why punk rock was invented. Thank goodness for Circuit Breaker. I have liked Circuit Breaker since I heard their 12" EP on Tombed Visions back in 2014, then their superb "My Descent Into Capital" LP a year later. "Duplicate" is a slow funereal industrial dirge, whose vocals contain that "shiver down the spine" effect. It's bleak and masterful, and again the appetite is whetted for the forthcoming album. Side Two is finished off by Sudden Infant and a live version of "Father". This is Sudden Infant as a trio, the powerful bass of Christian Weber, the percussion of Alexandre Babel sounding like a one-man Einstürzende Neubauten and the questioning voice of Joke Lanz. A great document for those who saw Sudden Infant live in 2016.
Harbinger Sound stalwart and former Putrefier mainman Mark Durgan opens side three with "Singsong Generator". It's musique concret, abstract, it's half a dozen contact mic's rustling around a Sainsbury's shopping bag. A thunderdome battle royale. The battle continues with Japanese artist and Incapacitant Pain Jerk. Battling sine waves to a para bellum beat. 20 years ago Harbinger Sound released its first record "Spifire" by Pain Jerk. Massicot follow with "Koktellis". Massicot are a punk band from Switzerland, a connection with Sudden Infant. A great song with stream of conscience vocals and delicate sound interaction between violin, bass guitar and drums. It's a really uplifting unpretentious sound. Raw and honest and this sound continues over the next two pieces. The Pisse piece has the same motorik beat / timing. Pisse are a punk band from Hoyerswerda (Germany). Karies bring the side to a close with "Es Lachte". Karies have already put out a couple of singles on Harbinger Sound, and closely await the forthcoming LP. The sound of post-punk Stuttgart. This track brings the 1981 4AD catalogue back to life in a kind of In Camera, Sort Sol, Mass kind of way. Excellent.
Side Four is mainly punk rock. Old school punk, the kind of stuff Steve Underwood (MC of Harbinger Sound if you did not know) listens to on long car journeys. Los Angeles punks The Urinals open with "The Girl Before". I don't know if this is an old recording from the Urinal archive or a new piece for the LP, bloody good though. Frustration carry on the theme with their 1978/79 style post-punk rock. High energy staggering guitar and high end bass line. A piece called "The Drawback". Frustration are a band I know nothing about. They could be from the 1970's, they could be from Germany? Hopefully they'll have something out on Harbinger Sound soon. The Lowest Form bring "5" to the album. UK Hardcore. Not a style, genre I listen to but after hearing the recent LP "Personal Space" and the freshness and energy contained therein my ears have opened. Helm mastermind Luke Younger plays bass too. Amazing. Bristol cider punks and a band who I will always associate with leather pop punks Vice Squad Chaos U.K. follow. "Impose". Foot stomping anarchy-punk, big in 1984, big in Japan now … The only way to complete the four sides is with a mammoth piece by Treriksröset. The sound of collapsing morals. Tommy Carlsson brings it all to a glorious end, it sounds like the previous 19 tracks layered and manipulated in to one great beast. A great closure.

Like great compilations of old, the "Pillows & Prayers", the "Pay It All Back" and "Cash Cows" this double LP sells for the bargain price of £3.99. It'll mainly be bought for the Sleaford Mods and maybe Consumer Electronics,but it'll be in the major shops and it's going to be great to see what folk think of Treriksröset, Mark Durgan and Circuit Breaker. Harbinger Sound Records seem to be finding direction with Karies, Pisse, Massicot, Circuit Breaker and Mark Wynn. It's not just a load of noise bands stuck together without thought or meaning this is the sound of an evolving, growing and developing label and it's great that it sticks by artists like Pain Jerk, Mark Durgan and Phil Julian who have been there for the past 20 years too …

Cargo are distributing in UK, Germany and USA. It's up for pre-order now via Rough Trade and Norman Records (Leeds), and at £3.99 it's going to go fast.



Saturday 21 January 2017

MuhMur Radio SoundArt Radio Broadcast 19:01:2017.




A freezing cold night in Devon. Clear star studded sky and a walk along the river in darkness to the radio station. A beautiful winters evening … and the first "regular" two hour MuhMur radio broadcast of 2017. Thanks to Dave Mutch for being there.
In the playlist is a piece from the forthcoming cassette release by Modelbau on Sentimental Productions. MuhMur Radio was fortunate to get an advance copy. I have no idea when it will be released.
The two Contrastate tracks are from their latest album "No Eden Without Annihilation". It's a live album with pieces recorded in 2012 at The Fylkingen in Stockholm where Dieter Müh were support alongside White, Dusa and Kristian Olsson.
Please take a listen: https://www.mixcloud.com/muhsteve/mhmur-radio-soundart-radio-broadcast-19012017/   (Copy & Paste).

Playlist:
01: Amalgamated : "Bending The Last Blind Leg" (Bicephalic Records) 2015.
02: Contrastate : "Predestination" (Tesco Organisation) 2016.
03: Contrastate : "Return Of Son Of Sam" (Tesco Organisation) 2016.
04: Modelbau : "Malfunction" (Sentimental Productions) 2017.
05: Altar Of Flies : "Tom Rum" (Sentimental Productions) 2017.
06: The Shining Path : "The Price Of Freedom" (Anna Logue Records) 2016.
07: Bourbonese Qualk : "New Jerusalem" (Vinyl On Demand) 2016.
08: The Shining Path : "Gunship" (Anna Logue Records) 2016.
09: Severed Heads : "Lower Than The Grave (Live)" (Vinyl On Demand) 2008.
10: Godlesstate : "Vedic Transference" (Hagshadow) 2016.
11: AntiChild League : "Fight With No Dreams" (Obsessive Fundamental Realism) 2016.
12: AntiChildLeague : "Guilty Women" (Hagshadow) 2016.
13: First Law : "Holy War" (StateArt) 1997.
14: Praying For Oblivion : "Untitled" (Final Judgement) 2001.
15: Hum : "Crucible" (Drone Records) 2004.
16: Noise-Makers Fife : "Intervisage (Part One)" (Drone Records) 1997.
17: Ultravox! : "Dangerous Rhythm" (Island Records) 1977.
18: Crispy Ambulance : "From The Cradle To The Grave" (Aural Assault Records) 1980.
19: Crispy Ambulance : "Four Minutes From The Frontline" (Aural Assault Records) 1980.


The next programme will be on Thursday February 16 at 20:00 gmt. I am taking a break as I will be in Hull in a couple of weeks. The UK City of Culture 2017 is hosting a performance by COUM Transmissions. If anyone reading this is there … please say hello!

Pictures:
01 : Playlist.
2 & 3 : Studio Shots.