Tag: Drone

Out Now! James Osland & Finn Kelvin – Don’t Worry, I’m With You

Our physical editions for 2021 begin with a the return of a collaboration between James Osland and Finn Kelvin. Previous releases have appeared on Kate Carr’s Flaming Pines and our sister netlabel Audio Gourmet. Their new album ‘Don’t Worry, I’m With You‘ will be out this Saturday the 20th of February and features a collection of deep treated drones, improvised guitar sounds fed through a series of bespoke pedals.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography provided by Peter Nejedly, in our sleek minimal design template, new for 2021, complete with a vinyl-effect disc.

Our low-run releases will be made available suddenly without official release dates, meaning they’re likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Don’t Worry I’m With You is a new collaborative album between James Osland and Finn Kelvin who first met one another at Bath Spa University, UK. They initially performed as part of the Elm Collective before releasing an EP under their respective names, on our sister netlabel Audio Gourmet. Their debut album ‘Colourless’ was released via Kate Carr’s Flaming Pines label in 2017 and this new record is their follow-up.

This record was created via remote exchanges of material at the beginning of the emerging pandemic. The resulting nine pieces are a set of foggy, atmospheric works which draw reflections from the passing of James’s grandfather at the beginning of 2020. James’s grandfather suffered with dementia for a long time and Don’t Worry, I’m With You explores the dark and unsettling place the mind must go when suffering with the disease, unable to communicate with those who love you.

The album features two very different approaches to sound creating as James focused on a purely digital sound through the complex processing of electronic sound beds, whilst Finn’s parts were guitar performances fed through a series of bespoke pedals. The human glimmers of guitar that are interspersed between layers of confusion, provide twists and turns throughout, as a milieu of contrasting moments.

The odd and unlikely emotions of sadness and relief meld together, as clearly recollected memories are interspersed with a vacant hum of melancholy and occasional paths of darkness. The album finishes to mark James’s grandfather’s passing on the 10th January 2020; the track ‘Your Love, I Don’t Want To Lose’ is a reflection of the final release from this disease.“

credits
Written and produced by James Osland and Finn Kelvin
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Peter Nejedly
CD Packaging Design by Harry Towell

Coming soon…James Osland & Finn Kelvin – Don’t Worry, I’m With You

Our physical editions for 2021 begin with a the return of a collaboration between James Osland and Finn Kelvin. Previous releases have appeared on Kate Carr’s Flaming Pines and our sister netlabel Audio Gourmet. Their new album ‘Don’t Worry, I’m With You‘ will be out this Saturday the 20th of February and features a collection of deep treated drones, improvised guitar sounds fed through a series of bespoke pedals.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography provided by Peter Nejedly, in our sleek minimal design template, new for 2021, complete with a vinyl-effect disc.

The album will be released on Saturday the 20th of February with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

Whitelabrecs low-run releases are likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Don’t Worry I’m With You is a new collaborative album between James Osland and Finn Kelvin who first met one another at Bath Spa University, UK. They initially performed as part of the Elm Collective before releasing an EP under their respective names, on our sister netlabel Audio Gourmet. Their debut album ‘Colourless’ was released via Kate Carr’s Flaming Pines label in 2017 and this new record is their follow-up.

This record was created via remote exchanges of material at the beginning of the emerging pandemic. The resulting nine pieces are a set of foggy, atmospheric works which draw reflections from the passing of James’s grandfather at the beginning of 2020. James’s grandfather suffered with dementia for a long time and Don’t Worry, I’m With You explores the dark and unsettling place the mind must go when suffering with the disease, unable to communicate with those who love you.

The album features two very different approaches to sound creating as James focused on a purely digital sound through the complex processing of electronic sound beds, whilst Finn’s parts were guitar performances fed through a series of bespoke pedals. The human glimmers of guitar that are interspersed between layers of confusion, provide twists and turns throughout, as a milieu of contrasting moments.

The odd and unlikely emotions of sadness and relief meld together, as clearly recollected memories are interspersed with a vacant hum of melancholy and occasional paths of darkness. The album finishes to mark James’s grandfather’s passing on the 10th January 2020; the track ‘Your Love, I Don’t Want To Lose’ is a reflection of the final release from this disease.“

credits
Written and produced by James Osland and Finn Kelvin
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Peter Nejedly
CD Packaging Design by Harry Towell

Out Now! Various Artists – The Home Diaries

We’re delighted to get back to making CDs again after our break over December. It was good to have some down time and to do some planning too but it’s wonderful to be back, with our exciting schedule for 2021.
We’d like to thank all of those who supported us over this period, getting involved with our winter sale. Our stock cupboard is looking lighter and at last there is some space in the drawer for this year’s release schedule!

First up is the double-album Home Diaries compilation, which includes a track from each of the 30 Home Diaries releases from last year. For those unfamiliar, Home Diaries was an invitation to artists to write a record about their situation in lockdown. It was a digital only series, put together to keep our label going after we had to stop releasing CDs.

We know that many prefer a physical edition and so we wanted to create something so that those who do are able to experience this series in some way. So we decided to go all out on the packaging for this one. There is a standard double gatefold edition as well as an ultra deluxe edition, in which the double gatefold CD is contained within a gold foil-printed matchbox, which also includes a booklet which contains a photo of each artist’s home.

There were only around 65 copies of the ultra deluxe to sell after artist allocations, and these have sold out already having been snapped up quickly by our subscribers. However, at the time of writing we have around 50 copies of the standard double album edition, which we feel is still quite a spectacle in itself. It’s complete with the cover artwork, which is an oil painting by Adrian Lane who re-imagined the original series cover.

Our low-run releases will be made available suddenly without official release dates, meaning they’re likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“It’s fair to say that the events of the year 2020 will go down as quite a year and may form a large part of the history curriculum for the children of tomorrow. The pandemic is of course just part of the story, against a backdrop of political unrest, climate change and injustice too.

Whitelabrecs was affected with the closure of our local post office, meaning we were unable to ship our CDs. We also felt we had a duty not to hold up a queue of people and decided to stop production of our catalog. During that time, to make sure we still had a label left to return to, we launched the ambitious Home Diaries series. It ran for 3 months and in that relatively short space of time, the series reached 30 releases!

Home Diaries was an invitation to artists and musicians to create an album or EP to document their personal experience during the lockdown or social distancing conditions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The series reflects a range of sounds, styles and ideas, as each artist portrayed their own reflections uniquely, available as a digital only edition including a bonus interview and photos.
Each of the 30 digital editions in the Home Diaries series is an individual work of art, created to share the varying experiences felt by each artist.

This compilation album pulls together a track from each record, sequenced in a way that flows as a specially curated environment, over the course of two CDs. We have two versions available as follows:

A standard edition, which is a double-disc gatefold vinyl-effect CDr album, featuring a re-interpretation of the original cover artwork, painted by Adrian Lane.

A deluxe matchbox edition, in which the double-disc gatefold vinyl-effect CDr is housed inside a gold foil-etched box, which also contains a booklet which includes a photo from each artist’s home during lockdown. This version serves as a time capsule into the original series; a keepsake which is limited to just 70 copies.

If you opt for the digital version, this also includes the photo booklet as a bonus PDF item.“

credits
Released January 23, 2021

Painting and artwork by Adrian Lane
Booklet images provided by each respective artist
Packaging layout by Harry Towell
Compilation curated by Harry Towell

All tracks mastered by James Edward Armstrong, except:
12 ‘Out In The Open’ Mastered by John Hannon
17 ‘Distance Learning’ Mastered by Michael Southard
29 -‘Stanze e Distanze (part 2)’ Mastered by Francis M. Gri

Out Now! Tropic of Coldness – Human Kindness

Completing the line-up for these two last-gasp October editions, we welcome Brussels-based duo Tropic of Coldness. The artists, David and Giovanni have released with labels such as Cathedral Transmissions, Organic Industries, Shimmering Moods, Glacial Movements and Krysalisound. Their album ‘Human Kindness‘ will be out this Saturday the 31st of October and features improvised guitar drones tread the finest lines: between hope and despair, fragility and strength.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography provided by the artists, a strikingly blue macro water scene with bold, modern typography and complete with a minimal white vinyl-effect disc.

Our low-run releases will be made available suddenly without official release dates, meaning they’re likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Tropic of Coldness is an Italian-US duo both based in Brussels, Belgium. David Gutman and Giovanni La Placa have been recording together since 2011 and have released through labels such as Cathedral Transmissions, Organic Industries, Shimmering Moods, Glacial Movements and Krysalisound. Their live performances have taken them across the Belgian cities as well as London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Frankfurt, and a couple of venues in The Netherlands.

Their new album ‘Human Kindness’ has been inspired by the current social and political framework, in particular the rise and mainstreaming of far-right political movements with their disheartening racism, authoritarianism, intolerance, bigotry and science-denialism, just to name a few of their contributions to the regression of mankind.

It is also dedicated to all the people who, everywhere in the world, are trying to peacefully resist and oppose the deterioration of our societies by being kind, empathic and helpful towards their fellow human beings.

In this sense, each song title is the outcome of a reflection on one of the above mentioned issues or has been inspired by a particular event. The sounds are slow and evolving as a long process of fully improvised guitar patterns are finely tuned into cathartic drones.

These pieces are landscapes that tread the finest lines: between hope and despair, fragility and strength. In between these lines are each one of us and the choices we make.“

credits
Recorded and mixed in Brussels by Tropic of Coldness between September 2018 and December 2019.
Mastered by Alessandro Rorato in December 2019.
Artwork by Tropic of Coldness
Packaging design by Harry Towell

Out Now! Glacis & Gavin Miller – Nothing Hurts Forever

We’re just about to head into the penultimate month of a crazy 2020 and we will do so, with our penultimate batch of two releases. First up, due out this Saturday the 31st of October is a collaboration between British artists Glacis and Gavin Miller. ‘Nothing Hurts Forever‘ was originally planned for the early part of this year before we halted our catalog and somehow, summer didn’t feel the right time to release this. The tail-end of October on the other hand is perfect… expect raw and honest piano accounts from a family home, joined by textured strings, licks of guitar and the occasional drone.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography by Ali Safavi against a minimal white border, with dark green inner panels with contrasting text and a beautiful gold vinyl-effect disc.

Our low-run releases will be made available suddenly without official release dates, meaning they’re likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can join our mailing list by clicking HERE.

 

press release
“Glacis is Euan Millar-McMeeken, originally from Dundee but currently residing in London after a recent move South. Gavin Miller is an artist from Bradford, a city tucked away in the shadow of Leeds and he also records as Worriedaboutsatan. This British duo have released solo records through labels such as Lost Tribe Sound, Sound In Silence, Fluid Audio, Facture and Shimmering Moods to name but a few and in ‘Nothing Hurts Forever’ they have undertaken an exercise of collaboration, to sensitively compliment one another’s sound.

The result is a raw and intimate set of ten pieces for piano, strings, guitar and drone, which stop just short of what you might call modern classical music. Euan’s piano compositions retain an authentic character which deliberately documents the original recording environment, as marks are left on this album by creaking chairs, scraping floors and a family environment. Gavin’s strings and guitar adornments add a richness to these, emphasising texture and heightening a melancholic mood.

‘Nothing Hurts Forever’ is free from a clear concept, as Euan wrestled with homesickness having moved to England and was looking for a creative outlet in which to channel his feelings, or perhaps escape them. He was struck one day whilst listening to Frightened Rabbit, whose lead singer Scott Hutchinson had passed away in 2018. He recalled words that were said back then: ‘nothing hurts forever’. He remembered thinking at the time of Scott’s death that this wasn’t always true, as some things do in fact hurt forever. Perhaps this statement is more useful, to provide reassurance during a period of discomfort or unease. Adapting to changes, such as moving home or changing jobs for example. For bigger things, perhaps the hurt can lessen or fade over time or perhaps it never truly goes. From this point, the record felt like a follow-on to the previous Glacis album ‘The World Is A Little Lonelier Without You’, a tribute to his father.

With the adaptation and sensitive expansion of Euan’s piano environments, Gavin has retained all of the personal character which is so important to his peer. Yet the stories are given an extra dimension and something so personal becoming a collaboration opens this out to be a space for our own interpretation as the moods and track titles provide food for thought.“

credits
Written and produced by Euan Millar-McMeeken
Mastered by Gavin Miller
Photography by Ali Safavi
Packaging Design by Harry Towell

Coming soon…Tropic of Coldness – Human Kindness

Completing the line-up for these two last-gasp October editions, we welcome Brussels-based duo Tropic of Coldness. The artists, David and Giovanni have released with labels such as Cathedral Transmissions, Organic Industries, Shimmering Moods, Glacial Movements and Krysalisound. Their album ‘Human Kindness‘ will be out this Saturday the 31st of October and features improvised guitar drones tread the finest lines: between hope and despair, fragility and strength.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography provided by the artists, a strikingly blue macro water scene with bold, modern typography and complete with a minimal white vinyl-effect disc.

The album will be released on Saturday the 31st of October with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

Whitelabrecs low-run releases are likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Tropic of Coldness is an Italian-US duo both based in Brussels, Belgium. David Gutman and Giovanni La Placa have been recording together since 2011 and have released through labels such as Cathedral Transmissions, Organic Industries, Shimmering Moods, Glacial Movements and Krysalisound. Their live performances have taken them across the Belgian cities as well as London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Frankfurt, and a couple of venues in The Netherlands.

Their new album ‘Human Kindness’ has been inspired by the current social and political framework, in particular the rise and mainstreaming of far-right political movements with their disheartening racism, authoritarianism, intolerance, bigotry and science-denialism, just to name a few of their contributions to the regression of mankind.

It is also dedicated to all the people who, everywhere in the world, are trying to peacefully resist and oppose the deterioration of our societies by being kind, empathic and helpful towards their fellow human beings.

In this sense, each song title is the outcome of a reflection on one of the above mentioned issues or has been inspired by a particular event. The sounds are slow and evolving as a long process of fully improvised guitar patterns are finely tuned into cathartic drones.

These pieces are landscapes that tread the finest lines: between hope and despair, fragility and strength. In between these lines are each one of us and the choices we make.“

credits
Recorded and mixed in Brussels by Tropic of Coldness between September 2018 and December 2019.
Mastered by Alessandro Rorato in December 2019.
Artwork by Tropic of Coldness
Packaging design by Harry Towell

Coming soon…Glacis & Gavin Miller – Nothing Hurts Forever

We’re just about to head into the penultimate month of a crazy 2020 and we will do so, with our penultimate batch of two releases. First up, due out this Saturday the 31st of October is a collaboration between British artists Glacis and Gavin Miller. ‘Nothing Hurts Forever‘ was originally planned for the early part of this year before we halted our catalog and somehow, summer didn’t feel the right time to release this. The tail-end of October on the other hand is perfect… expect raw and honest piano accounts from a family home, joined by textured strings, licks of guitar and the occasional drone.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography by Ali Safavi against a minimal white border, with dark green inner panels with contrasting text and a beautiful gold vinyl-effect disc.

The album will be released on Saturday the 31st of October with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

Whitelabrecs low-run releases are likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Glacis is Euan Millar-McMeeken, originally from Dundee but currently residing in London after a recent move South. Gavin Miller is an artist from Bradford, a city tucked away in the shadow of Leeds and he also records as Worriedaboutsatan. This British duo have released solo records through labels such as Lost Tribe Sound, Sound In Silence, Fluid Audio, Facture and Shimmering Moods to name but a few and in ‘Nothing Hurts Forever’ they have undertaken an exercise of collaboration, to sensitively compliment one another’s sound.

The result is a raw and intimate set of ten pieces for piano, strings, guitar and drone, which stop just short of what you might call modern classical music. Euan’s piano compositions retain an authentic character which deliberately documents the original recording environment, as marks are left on this album by creaking chairs, scraping floors and a family environment. Gavin’s strings and guitar adornments add a richness to these, emphasising texture and heightening a melancholic mood.

‘Nothing Hurts Forever’ is free from a clear concept, as Euan wrestled with homesickness having moved to England and was looking for a creative outlet in which to channel his feelings, or perhaps escape them. He was struck one day whilst listening to Frightened Rabbit, whose lead singer Scott Hutchinson had passed away in 2018. He recalled words that were said back then: ‘nothing hurts forever’. He remembered thinking at the time of Scott’s death that this wasn’t always true, as some things do in fact hurt forever. Perhaps this statement is more useful, to provide reassurance during a period of discomfort or unease. Adapting to changes, such as moving home or changing jobs for example. For bigger things, perhaps the hurt can lessen or fade over time or perhaps it never truly goes. From this point, the record felt like a follow-on to the previous Glacis album ‘The World Is A Little Lonelier Without You’, a tribute to his father.

With the adaptation and sensitive expansion of Euan’s piano environments, Gavin has retained all of the personal character which is so important to his peer. Yet the stories are given an extra dimension and something so personal becoming a collaboration opens this out to be a space for our own interpretation as the moods and track titles provide food for thought.“

credits
Written and produced by Euan Millar-McMeeken
Mastered by Gavin Miller
Photography by Ali Safavi
Packaging Design by Harry Towell