The astute and diligent reader may notice that there is a new entry in the Projects menu: Sound Design Tools. I spent some time this weekend sorting through old demo recordings from BentPedals.com, culling samples for the Gurdonark-requested circuit bent sample library. I’m not entirely satisfied by the site’s current navigation structure, so I kicked around a few ideas this morning on how I could clean it up. Ultimately I decided that what I have is the best I’m going to get with WordPress, for the time being. But, rather than add another entry to the Projects menu, I opted for a general Sound Design Tools page to include Unnatural Spaces, as well as the upcoming library. While poking around the server, I discovered that I still had copies of Aural Piercing, A Deep, Dark Place and The Threshold available. It all came together rather fluidly, like a jigsaw puzzle of jagged glass pieces, and thus these severely old and dated libraries are being re-introduced (yet again) for your grabbing pleasure. I’m updating the ZIP files with the appropriate CC licensing information, which is taking a significant amount of time. I’m also going to dig around my backup drive when I get home and see if I still have a copy of Drone Structures somewhere. If so, I’ll get that up tomorrow.
Author: john ingram
This iteration of John Ingram was created in response to increased demand in global John Ingramness. Previous incarnations were less suited to fulfill this need.
Seism – 777 Experiment
Looking to expand my exposure to Seism, I did a little digging around and struck upon 777 Experiment. Seism’s approach to texturing and layering is less like an artist’s brush, on this release, and more like garden rake made of broken glass and ice picks. A harsh, dissonant cacophony ensues as the album opens and layers of sampled broadcasts and conversations pile upon one another, stumbling drunkenly over backing tracks of aimless and atonal synth noodling. The album’s longest track, “Bretaellitio”, briefly flirts with epic grandeur, inspired by a melodramatic build to a pure noise meltdown, before settling into the agitated milieu of the closing track, “Heamoiteriolli”.
Not as refined as other Seism material I’ve encountered, but worth the listen.
[Rating:3/5]
A Maizing Session with Mystahr, Ian Linter and Anton Mobin
Disregarding the back story on this release, and the phenomenal abstract art that serves as its cover, this is an amazing live set in its own right, produced by three very talented purveyors of sound. When various aural worlds collide, the results can be breathtaking, and A Maïzing Session is a perfect example of such a collusion. Mystahr, Ian Linter and Anton Mobin draw on their distinct individual talents to contribute to an incredible 45-minute amalgam of electroacoustic and synthesized sounds. The track rests quietly in the background, menacing from the shadows, never quite getting loud enough or abrasive enough to overwhelm, but never faltering in its slowly creeping malevolence.
[Rating:4.5/5]
Apparently my kids are creepy.
http://kroq.radio.com/2010/08/17/creepy-ginger-kids-sing-nine-inch-nails-in-the-bath
Their mother shot this video of them a few months ago and posted it on YouTube for her friends and family. It got picked up by some yahoo, who posted it on his Facebook wall for some other yahoo who works at KROQ. And now the ginger bashers are out trying to discredit how awesome my kids are by claiming that they’re “creepy” and have no “souls”. Well, fuck them. If a soul is what makes your hair a dumb and boring color, then I don’t want one.
Just because my kids are different doesn’t mean that they’re not better than you. Face.
Also, last night Sean informed me that he was, in fact, a 20 year old red arm, named Zak. Since red arms can’t talk, that was the abrupt end to our conversation.
litmus0001 – Hikikomori
The latest release from litmus0001, Hikikomori features a lavish and exquisite density and luxurious ethereal quality. Drawing on the Japanese term for the condition of social anxiety and the people who pull away from society as a result, this three-track release harnesses the solitude and quiet tension of reclusion. Occasionally bordering on drone, with the inclusion of just enough strained hints of melody to prevent the album from decaying into the completely atonal, Hikikomori embodies a restful unease in its softly lulling ambiance.
[Rating:4/5]