Tag: Minimal

eRecord005 Magnofon – Terrarium

Today we announced the next editions in our digital-only series, eRecords!
‘Terrarium’ is an album by Whitelabrecs’ owner Harry Towell, as Magnofon. This is a side-project from his ambient work as Spheruleus, so that he can experiment with Deep House music production. He has adapted the Magnofon style for Whitelabrecs, to create a blend of Ambient Techno, Dub Electronica and Micro House.

eRecords is a digital record series created by Whitelabrecs, to run alongside our physical releases. These editions aim to transform the digital format into something that can be experienced in a similar way to a listener’s interaction with a real, white label vinyl record. Each edition includes a special PDF scrapbook including polaroids and liner notes.

We do not publish details about the concepts or production methods of a release so that the liner notes and content in each scrapbook will reveal the background of each edition in the series.

catalog: eR005
artist: magnofon
release title: terrarium
release type: album
location: lincolnshire, united kingdom

released April 23, 2022

Written and produced by Harry Towell
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Cover artwork by Harry Towell
Art and design by Harry Towell

You can find out more information about eRecords in our landing page link, below:

https://whitelabrecs.com/erecord-series/

Out Now! Spheruleus – Absent Frames

Absent Frames by Spheruleus is released today for Bandcamp Friday in digital only formats. The best way to keep informed about our releases is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Spheruleus is the long-standing artist name of Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell, with releases outside of his own label appearing on the likes of Fluid Audio, Home Normal, Hibernate and Lost Tribe Sound. The project has been active since the netlabel days of 2009 and he has also collaborated with artists such as Sven Laux, Pleq and Ekca Liena. This new EP called Absent Frames is a short, conceptual work that delves back to his early work as a sound artist.

Harry had discovered some old field recordings he captured onto an Olympus digital recorder between 2007 and 2009. On listening to the collection, there were very few sounds that he could relate to; most were rain, birdsong or poorly recorded out-takes. In some cases, forgotten memories were recalled and overlapping events became a little clearer. But a clear and complete picture could not be recalled, due to the time that had elapsed and the lack of information to jog his memory.

The medium used to capture a moment in time does not record every tiny detail. A field recording doesn’t capture the visual experiences or tell you the location. For example, the rain droplets you hear could be from anywhere on the planet. A photograph does not always tell the story, the scent, the mood, the location. We use memory to recall the detail if we were present, but some of the detail may be stored in our subconscious or perhaps lost completely. We may easily recall some or most of the experience, but parts may be missing from even the most vivid of memories.

Recently, Harry took a photo of a swan swimming one evening in a local lake called Rutland Water. He can still recall the events earlier that day, the time of night, the section of the lake that his family were stood by, the time that they left the car park. The original photograph gave plenty of detail that would help him recall the memories from when it was taken. To match the theme of Absent Frames, Harry edited the image by replacing the horizon along the water surface, with the cloudy sky of a completely different image, from which memories will be much harder to recall.

Absent Frames is an EP consisting of two mid-length drone pieces, placing multiple field recordings at different volumes, along with drones to which he added multiple effects chains. The intent was to further blur the recordings, to make the content even harder to distinguish. So that in years to become, this theme becomes even more poignant.”

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

Out Now! Kraut Sounds – Silence

Silence by Kraut Sounds is released today for Bandcamp Friday in digital only formats. The best way to keep informed about our releases is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE

press release
“Kraut Sounds is sort alias for an artist that followers of Whitelabrecs will recognise; South Germany’s Polaroid Notes. This project is reserved for more electronic, purer ambient explorations having been initiated in 2012. Previous releases have featured on Büro für Erdrotation, Stellar Transitions, Diametral and Drone Works International.

This digital-only edition is a debut under this name, for Whitelabrecs and clocks in at just over 35 minutes of audio. Silence is a peaceful journey through quiet and meditative soundscapes, based on personal studies about sleep, subconsciousness and higher awareness, in combination with a deep interest in old electronic sounds from the past century.
It is an attempt to play less, in order to gain more. Like minimal music with repeating and shifting multi-layered soundscapes. Like slow motion sound painting, with a curious view of how things evolve naturally.

All five tracks are based on improvisations, following no specific rules or schemes. Everything flows in way that works uniquely for you, as you drift along in sound and time.”

credits
Written and produced by Kraut Sounds (while the cat gently slept beside)
Recorded February/April 2021
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Photography by Kraut Sounds

links
krautsounds.bandcamp.com
soundcloud.com/kraut-sounds
www.facebook.com/krautsounds/

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! Nebel lang – Hand in mine

In our second physical edition for February, we welcome Kiel, Germany based artist Nebel lang who has had previous releases on Fluid Audio and Minui. Some may recall their piece ‘Sit Still For‘ which closes our recent Ennio’s Muse compilation. Their new album ‘Hand in mine‘ will be out this Saturday the 20th of February and features beautiful minimal piano compositions.

This limited edition CDr edition makes use of photography provided by Albarran Cabrera as well as a short story, written by Bailey Rose in the interior liner notes. This one makes use of 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
“Nebel lang is the latest moniker for a traveling artist, originally from San Rafael, Argentina who is currently based in Kiel, Germany. Previous releases include ‘Chapters’ on Fluid Audio as well as ‘00000’ and ‘motionless for a’ on Minui. That’s not to mention some self-released digital editions via his own Bandcamp page. The name Nebel lang combines the German words for fog and lifelong, to be taken metaphorically as ‘lifelong uncertainty’.

The Nebel lang sound is driven through improvisations, to capture chance moments that cannot be repeated. These sounds were impulsive, as if entirely natural, as part of the environment within a given moment in time. The tuning, environment and textural sound of a particular piano can never truly be replicated or reperformed.

‘Hand in mine’ is an album comprised of an opener, ‘situate’ which is a short piece to help the listener establish the volume and equalisation settings of their sound system. It is followed by two longform pieces of improvised piano compositions performed in Dordogne, (France), on a self-tuned upright piano. The first of the two album pieces is fluid, with a rhythm that ebbs and flows. The second is intentionally quieter and more sparse. This emphasises the need for ‘situate’ to establish with you the listener, your choice of volume setting. If moments sound quiet, it is entirely deliberate.

Two years on from the original recordings, the nuances and details of these sessions had long-since been lost. Additional artists were invited to collaborate and add an extra perspective to these recordings. Bailey Rose was asked to write some words and this lent the album its title as well as an accompanying story. Visual artists Albarran Cabrera were asked to provide the accompanying imagery from their ‘Kairos’ series, which represents their concept ‘the eternal present’, a fitting companion to these sounds.“

credits
Written and produced by Nebel lang
Recorded in 2019 at “un temps, un lieu”
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong
Artwork by Albarran Cabrera
Words by Bailey Rose