Tag: Electronics

Out Now! Paper Relics – Emersion

We’re pleased to reveal that just over 3 years since ‘The Road Home’, the Paper Relics are back with a new EP named ‘Emersion‘. This project is a collaboration between our label owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. Their sound sits somewhere between post rock and ambient, with hints of folk.

‘Emersion‘ is out now in a run of 50 cassette tapes along with the usual digital formats if you prefer. The tape features cover photography captured by Stuart in a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands and right at the end of each side of the tape is a short bonus ‘loop’. You can also see additional photography captured by Stuart in the gallery below.

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
“Paper Relics is a collaboration between Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. They began recording together back in 2010 at their family home, with an EP on the Audio Gourmet netlabel which was followed by debut album ‘Over Exposure’ on Time Released Sound. I’m 2018 they created ‘The Road Home’ for Whitelabrecs, a record in which Sven Laux also had a hand.

The Paper Relics sound takes Stuart’s guitar and bass performances as the focal point of the compositions, with Harry’s background in creating Ambient and electro acoustic music adding further detail and texture. Each of their infrequent records has an evolving character, as equipment and techniques get updated and their lives change. Over Exposure was a record about photography, reflecting upon faded old family polaroids of life on the farm that their father grew up on. The Road Home moved into a richer more detailed sound palette, themed around the brothers’ new homes.

‘Emersion’ is a four track EP which is the first item in their discography, in which they did not physically sit down to record together. It was created through file-exchanges during lockdown, as glimpses of a life beyond the grip of the pandemic became in sight. As cautious plans were being made and a strange sense of freedom emerging, they reflected on the time-warping effects of their endless days spent indoors throughout the pandemic. They opted for a lo-fi retro sound, which sets out a dusty, degraded aesthetic across the recordings. Reel-to-feel tape decay, radio distortion, vinyl crackle and VHS hiss give a vintage charm to these reflective songs. There is a palpable melancholy which disguises the key message of optimism, with this EP being released on the 19th of July, a day being dubbed ‘freedom day’ in the UK. ‘Emersion’ is a brief space for reflection, in which the dust can settle.

After the album had been finalised, Stuart took a short break in the Scottish Highlands and he captured a series of photographs whilst hiking in the landscape. The EP cover artwork is one of these images, overlooking Loch Ness from a misty vantage point. We’ve created a short run of cassette tapes to tie in with the retro, lo-fi theme and the tape itself is neon yellow; a flash of colour as a stamp optimism.“

credits
Written and produced by Harry & Stuart Towell
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Stuart Towell

Stuart Towell: Guitar, Bass
Harry Towell: Baritone Ukulele, Harmonica, Violin, Mandola, Voice, field recordings, electronics, MIDI keyboard and programming

Coming soon… Paper Relics – Emersion

 

We’re pleased to reveal that just over 3 years since ‘The Road Home’, the Paper Relics are back with a new EP named ‘Emersion‘. This project is a collaboration between our label owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. Their sound sits somewhere between post rock and ambient, with hints of folk.

‘Emersion‘ will be released in a run of 50 cassette tapes along with the usual digital formats if you prefer. The tape features cover photography captured by Stuart in a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands and right at the end of each side of the tape is a short bonus ‘loop’.

Emersion will be released on Monday the 19th of July with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

press release
“Paper Relics is a collaboration between Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. They began recording together back in 2010 at their family home, with an EP on the Audio Gourmet netlabel which was followed by debut album ‘Over Exposure’ on Time Released Sound. I’m 2018 they created ‘The Road Home’ for Whitelabrecs, a record in which Sven Laux also had a hand.

The Paper Relics sound takes Stuart’s guitar and bass performances as the focal point of the compositions, with Harry’s background in creating Ambient and electro acoustic music adding further detail and texture. Each of their infrequent records has an evolving character, as equipment and techniques get updated and their lives change. Over Exposure was a record about photography, reflecting upon faded old family polaroids of life on the farm that their father grew up on. The Road Home moved into a richer more detailed sound palette, themed around the brothers’ new homes.

‘Emersion’ is a four track EP which is the first item in their discography, in which they did not physically sit down to record together. It was created through file-exchanges during lockdown, as glimpses of a life beyond the grip of the pandemic became in sight. As cautious plans were being made and a strange sense of freedom emerging, they reflected on the time-warping effects of their endless days spent indoors throughout the pandemic. They opted for a lo-fi retro sound, which sets out a dusty, degraded aesthetic across the recordings. Reel-to-feel tape decay, radio distortion, vinyl crackle and VHS hiss give a vintage charm to these reflective songs. There is a palpable melancholy which disguises the key message of optimism, with this EP being released on the 19th of July, a day being dubbed ‘freedom day’ in the UK. ‘Emersion’ is a brief space for reflection, in which the dust can settle.

After the album had been finalised, Stuart took a short break in the Scottish Highlands and he captured a series of photographs whilst hiking in the landscape. The EP cover artwork is one of these images, overlooking Loch Ness from a misty vantage point. We’ve created a short run of cassette tapes to tie in with the retro, lo-fi theme and the tape itself is neon yellow; a flash of colour as a stamp optimism.“

credits
Written and produced by Harry & Stuart Towell
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Stuart Towell

Stuart Towell: Guitar, Bass
Harry Towell: Baritone Ukulele, Harmonica, Violin, Mandola, Voice, field recordings, electronics, MIDI keyboard and programming

Out Now! blochemy – aithem

Our second release for June sees us welcome back another artist that we worked with last year, as Czech Republic based artist blochemy follows ‘nebe‘ with a brand new album.

‘aithem‘ is a set of 9 tracks, each a glistening electro-acoustic reflection full of texture and charm, not to mention plenty of tape decay. The sound here will appeal to those who enjoy music on the likes of 12k or Dauw.

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
“We’re pleased to present the next album by Czech Republic based artist blochemy who released ‘nebe’ with us in 2020. As an artist, blochemy has also released music with Hibernate recordings, Shimmering Moods Clean Error Records and Sun Sea Sky Production. He has been developing his sound since the mid nineties, informed by a curiosity that has seen his musical taste branch into IDM and Ambient styles. blochemy’s work in recent years, inside his home studio, is seen as a means to escape the daily routine, to allow himself the time to explore his own ideas and practice an unhurried self-expression.

‘nebe’ was released in February 2020, at a time of uncertainty as the pandemic had only begun to take hold. Its central theme revolves around the sky, as the cover artwork and dreamy sound places the head into the clouds. ‘aithem’ was created during the pandemic, with its time worn, eroded melancholy textures perhaps reflecting the worries for the future and social distancing which have become all too familiar for many.

The clean and minimal sound allows the listener to be conscious of the future as we look ahead with optimism. Whereas the decaying tape recorder aesthetic urges you to also reflect back upon the past, over half-forgotten memories. Yet the hushed tones of these pieces still the mind, to create an environment where you can just be present, within the moment.“

credits
Written and Produced by blochemy
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by blochemy
Art and design by Andrew Heath

Out Now! Pruski – Whispers

We’re returning to deep, sleepy drone music for the summer as we welcome back Krakow, Poland based artist Pruski who released a Home Diaries contribution and a CD release ‘Playground’ with us in 2020.

‘Whispers‘ is an album containing 6 minimalist ambient drones, created using a modular synthesizer and inspired by walks in woodland, away from the noise of a vibrant city.

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
“In 2020 we released both the physical album ‘Playground’ and Home Diaries piece ‘I Need Space’, from Krakow, Poland based artist Pruski. Aside from these releases, other material has been made available through labels such as Four Tapes and KrysaliSound.

Pruski’s background has been informed by nineties electronica including much of the legendary Warp catalog and it’s from here that he became very interested in the technical side of making music himself. This is both in terms of hardware but also, functional processes and mathematics. His current taste in quiet music has been informed by labels such as 12k , Japanese ambience and many of his peers within the ambient community.

Returning to our catalog, Pruski has created ‘Whispers’, a series of organic drones created using an OP-1 modular synthesiser which has been a key source of experimentation, discovery and evaluation for several years. Part of the production process fell during lockdown, in which there were limitations on travel and human interaction. On the other hand, Pruski started walking a lot in the forests around him, allowing him to listen and connect with nature; he would encounter the rustle of leaves that began to resemble whispers. It was from here that he had the idea of nature’s constant whisper, evident all around us, if we choose to listen. Each track represents a whisper from the natural world, which combine as a whole to be a metaphysical journey.“

credits
Written and Produced by Paweł Pruski
Mastered by Miniature Records
Photography by Morzena Nowak
Art and design by Andrew Heath

Coming soon… blochemy – aithem

Blochemy - Aithem CD digital artwork

Our second release for June sees us welcome back another artist that we worked with last year, as Czech Republic based artist blochemy follows ‘nebe‘ with a brand new album.

‘aithem‘ is a set of 9 tracks, each a glistening electro-acoustic reflection full of texture and charm, not to mention plenty of tape decay. The sound here will appeal to those who enjoy music on the likes of 12k or Dauw.

aithem will be released on Saturday the 26th of June with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

press release
“We’re pleased to present the next album by Czech Republic based artist blochemy who released ‘nebe’ with us in 2020. As an artist, blochemy has also released music with Hibernate recordings, Shimmering Moods Clean Error Records and Sun Sea Sky Production. He has been developing his sound since the mid nineties, informed by a curiosity that has seen his musical taste branch into IDM and Ambient styles. blochemy’s work in recent years, inside his home studio, is seen as a means to escape the daily routine, to allow himself the time to explore his own ideas and practice an unhurried self-expression.

‘nebe’ was released in February 2020, at a time of uncertainty as the pandemic had only begun to take hold. Its central theme revolves around the sky, as the cover artwork and dreamy sound places the head into the clouds. ‘aithem’ was created during the pandemic, with its time worn, eroded melancholy textures perhaps reflecting the worries for the future and social distancing which have become all too familiar for many.

The clean and minimal sound allows the listener to be conscious of the future as we look ahead with optimism. Whereas the decaying tape recorder aesthetic urges you to also reflect back upon the past, over half-forgotten memories. Yet the hushed tones of these pieces still the mind, to create an environment where you can just be present, within the moment.“

credits
Written and Produced by blochemy
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by blochemy
Art and design by Andrew Heath

Coming soon… Pruski – Whispers

Pruski - Whispers digital final

We’re returning to deep, sleepy drone music for the summer as we welcome back Krakow, Poland based artist Pruski who released a Home Diaries contribution and a CD release ‘Playground’ with us in 2020.

‘Whispers‘ is an album containing 6 minimalist ambient drones, created using a modular synthesizer and inspired by walks in woodland, away from the noise of a vibrant city.

Whispers will be released on Saturday the 26th of June with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

press release
“In 2020 we released both the physical album ‘Playground’ and Home Diaries piece ‘I Need Space’, from Krakow, Poland based artist Pruski. Aside from these releases, other material has been made available through labels such as Four Tapes and KrysaliSound.

Pruski’s background has been informed by nineties electronica including much of the legendary Warp catalog and it’s from here that he became very interested in the technical side of making music himself. This is both in terms of hardware but also, functional processes and mathematics. His current taste in quiet music has been informed by labels such as 12k , Japanese ambience and many of his peers within the ambient community.

Returning to our catalog, Pruski has created ‘Whispers’, a series of organic drones created using an OP-1 modular synthesiser which has been a key source of experimentation, discovery and evaluation for several years. Part of the production process fell during lockdown, in which there were limitations on travel and human interaction. On the other hand, Pruski started walking a lot in the forests around him, allowing him to listen and connect with nature; he would encounter the rustle of leaves that began to resemble whispers. It was from here that he had the idea of nature’s constant whisper, evident all around us, if we choose to listen. Each track represents a whisper from the natural world, which combine as a whole to be a metaphysical journey.“

credits
Written and Produced by Paweł Pruski
Mastered by Miniature Records
Photography by Morzena Nowak
Art and design by Andrew Heath

Out Now! anthéne & simon mccorry – the equation of time

Today we announce the latest new addition to our series, which sees the return of anthéne who has joined forces with cellist and composer Simon McCorry.

‘The Equation Of Time‘ is an album which combines processed guitar and cello, to contemplate the enormity of time. It’s rounded off by the stunning collage artwork of Tom Tebby, who also designed the CD packaging which we’ll be revealing the packaging on release day.

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
“We’re pleased to welcome back Toronto, Canada’s anthéne in the form of this collaborative album with UK cellist and composer Simon McCorry. Between them, they have released solo recordings on labels such as Home Normal, Archives, Past Inside The Present, Naviar and Fallen Moon. They’ve also both released on Polar Seas, a label helmed by Brad Deschamps, the man behind anthéne.

Both artists are comfortable collaborators, having worked alongside the likes of Ian Hawgood, Andrew Tasselmyer and Andrew Heath. It was in 2020 when their remote recording sessions translated into The Equation Of Time, combining and processing Brad’s guitar and Simon’s cello into a collage of droning textures. A concept sprang from their work together, during the unfolding pandemic and its resulting lockdowns, where time itself seemed to stand still, go backwards and go forwards, all at once. Add to this the the sheer geographical distance and time zones separating these artists, the often-explored artistic muse of time and space became the central theme.

The title ‘The Equation Of Time’ relates to the differences between the day of the earliest sun rise, the day of the latest sunset, the longest day. Each of these days are different, noted by the ancient Greeks and the Persians before them. The enormity of time and the ability for humans to occupy the same space as multiple predecessors is particularly fascinating when faced with something ancient, such as a cave painting, a forest or the ruins of a fallen civilisation. The track titles are aptly borrowed from parts of T.S. Eliot’s 4 Quartets, which also deals with the contemplation of time. You can surmise from these poems that ideally, one would focus only on the present, in order to make the most of each turn of the clock; the past cannot be altered and the future is unknown. Our memory can subconsciously serve us back our own recollection of past times, which can result in nostalgia, melancholy or both. Our minds can also influence our perception of the future, with feelings of either fear, excitement or both.

The Equation Of Time grapples at these themes and ideas without the intention of ever truly being able to define time. A wash of faded memories, unknowns and current thoughts stir into one-another; ambient music itself always seems so able to reflect and evoke a sense of wonder, at things far bigger than we can ever comprehend.”

credits
Written and Produced by Brad Deschamps and Simon McCorry
Mastered by Ian Hawgood
Artwork by Tom Tebby
Packaging design by Tom Tebby

Out Now! Demetrio Cecchitelli – Tense

In this next digital edition, we welcome Demetrio Cecchitelli  from Rimini in Italy. ‘Tense‘ was originally composed for a theatre production and this body of work plays as a series of abstract cinematic soundscapes that lean more towards Musique Concrete than modern classical composition. 

Tense is released today, Saturday the 22nd of May. If you join our mailing list , we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear about future editions.

press release
“In this new digital edition, we welcome Demetrio Cecchitelli from Rimini, Italy. He has released music with labels such as Sounds Against Humanity, Healing Sound Propagandist and Dornwald among others. ‘Tense’ is an album that was originally composed for a theatre in Santarcangelo di Romagna and in this digital release, it is given a new context. The record explores themes of tension, constructing moments of suspense and quiet, as it both surprises and lulls the listener.“

credits

Written and produced by Demetrio Cecchitelli
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Harry Towell

Coming soon… anthéne & simon mccorry – the equation of time

Cover

It seems to have been a while since we last released a CD in our catalog so we’re excited to announce this new addition to our series, which sees the return of anthéne who has joined forces with cellist and composer Simon McCorry.

‘The Equation Of Time‘ is an album which combines processed guitar and cello, to contemplate the enormity of time. It’s rounded off by the stunning collage artwork of Tom Tebby, who also designed the CD packaging which we’ll be revealing the packaging on release day.

The Equation Of Time will be released on Saturday the 22nd of May with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list using the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.

press release
“We’re pleased to welcome back Toronto, Canada’s anthéne in the form of this collaborative album with UK cellist and composer Simon McCorry. Between them, they have released solo recordings on labels such as Home Normal, Archives, Past Inside The Present, Naviar and Fallen Moon. They’ve also both released on Polar Seas, a label helmed by Brad Deschamps, the man behind anthéne.

Both artists are comfortable collaborators, having worked alongside the likes of Ian Hawgood, Andrew Tasselmyer and Andrew Heath. It was in 2020 when their remote recording sessions translated into The Equation Of Time, combining and processing Brad’s guitar and Simon’s cello into a collage of droning textures. A concept sprang from their work together, during the unfolding pandemic and its resulting lockdowns, where time itself seemed to stand still, go backwards and go forwards, all at once. Add to this the the sheer geographical distance and time zones separating these artists, the often-explored artistic muse of time and space became the central theme.

The title ‘The Equation Of Time’ relates to the differences between the day of the earliest sun rise, the day of the latest sunset, the longest day. Each of these days are different, noted by the ancient Greeks and the Persians before them. The enormity of time and the ability for humans to occupy the same space as multiple predecessors is particularly fascinating when faced with something ancient, such as a cave painting, a forest or the ruins of a fallen civilisation. The track titles are aptly borrowed from parts of T.S. Eliot’s 4 Quartets, which also deals with the contemplation of time. You can surmise from these poems that ideally, one would focus only on the present, in order to make the most of each turn of the clock; the past cannot be altered and the future is unknown. Our memory can subconsciously serve us back our own recollection of past times, which can result in nostalgia, melancholy or both. Our minds can also influence our perception of the future, with feelings of either fear, excitement or both.

The Equation Of Time grapples at these themes and ideas without the intention of ever truly being able to define time. A wash of faded memories, unknowns and current thoughts stir into one-another; ambient music itself always seems so able to reflect and evoke a sense of wonder, at things far bigger than we can ever comprehend.”

credits
Written and Produced by Brad Deschamps and Simon McCorry
Mastered by Ian Hawgood
Artwork by Tom Tebby
Packaging design by Tom Tebby

Out Now! Mikael Lind & S.hel – RAMMI

For this new digital edition, we welcome back Icelandic artists Mikael Lind and S.hel who both released solo albums on Whitelabrecs last year. RAMMI is the Icelandic word for frame, as Mikael and Sævar re-contextualised piano sounds within the plush surroundings of Valgeir Sigurðsson‘s renowned Greenhouse Studios.

RAMMI is released today, Saturday the 24th of April with no pre-order. If you join our mailing list , we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear about future editions.

press release
“In this digital EP release we welcome back two artists from Iceland who each released solo albums with us in 2020. This four track EP combines the contemporary modern classical work of Mikael Lind with the prepared-piano sound of S.hel. ‘RAMMI’ was recorded at Valgeir Sigurdsson’s Greenhouse studios in Reykjavik. The accompanying imagery is a photograph taken in Iceland by Mikael, with misty clouds of volcanic ash obscuring the landscape..

‘RAMMI’ is Icelandic for frame and this takes on its loose meaning to reflect the processing and techniques of the pianos that Mikael and S.hel created, as they aimed to extend beyond the framework of piano music. The rearrangement of the recorded sounds is also reflected in the track titles, as the letters of RAMMI are shuffled to give way to new meanings.“

credits
Written and produced by Mikael Lind & Sævar Helgi Jóhannsson
Recorded at Greenhouse Studios
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Mikael Lind