Tag: Sound art

Out Now! Pruski – Moments of Immersion

We have two new releases out today for August and the first sees the return of Krakow, Poland based artist Pruski, who has previously released the albums Playground and Whispers as well as Home Diaries 005. ‘Moments of Immersion‘ is an album of further Ambient explorations, combining field recordings, processed tape sounds and modular synth into 8 electro-acoustic compositions.

Moments of Immersion is out now in a run of 100 copies, as well as some highly highly limited vinyl editions, which will be available directly from Pruski in a run of 10 copies. The best way to keep informed about our low-run releases, is to join our mailing list, and we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear!

press release
“Pruski is a Polish electronic artist, also known for producing music under the name of Minoo. Previous albums have appeared on labels including Asfalt, Mad-Hop and Post Label, as well as ‘Whisper’ and ‘Playground’ featuring within our Whitelabrecs discography. Active since 2007, Paweł Pruski has also performed live at festivals such as Freedom Festival, Tauron Nowa Muzyka and WRO with visits to several countries including Germany, Italy and China. In recent times, he has recorded under his surname, focusing on the more experimental variants of electronic music to express his ideas in an ambient and electro-acoustic aesthetic.

‘Moments of Immersion’ is Pruski’s sixth album. The album is a development of earlier ambient experiments and techniques and there is a balance of three elements: field recordings, processed tape sounds and modular synthesizer. The title of the album alludes to the immersion in several moments. It is not a reflection of some space or time but rather, of experienced moments. Interpretation of subjective experiences from which individual elements have been removed, leaves only a hazy outline of a background. It is a development of the main idea of ambient, in which the music harmonises with a specific space. In this case, the space is changed with the feelings of the moment, for whoever is listening.“

credits
Written and Produced by Paweł Pruski
Mastered by Miniature Records
Art and Design by Andrew Heath and Paweł Pruski

Out Now! James Osland – Gone For A While

We’ve a lot to get through this year so it’s full steam ahead!
Next we welcome Elm Records chief James Osland with ‘Gone For A While‘. James has released records on the likes of Flaming Pines, Shimmering Moods and our own netlabel Audio Gourmet.
This body of work is a travelogue that is steeped in nostalgia and flickering, forgotten memories, revealing intricate detail with each listen. Gone For A While should be a record for those who enjoy work by Gallery Six, Chihei Hatakeyama or José Soberanes

You can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or grab one of the remaining copies by clicking the bandcamp player or link below.

This went to out to our mailing list last weekend and at time of writing, we’ve got just 14 copies left! To find out, you can click the link below or on the image above to listen. To avoid missing out on future releases, you can join our mailing list HERE

https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com/album/gone-for-a-while

press release
“James Osland is an audio visual artist from Devon, UK who as well as running Elm Records, has also released on labels such as Green Field Recordings, Shimmering Moods Records, Flaming Pines, Sonospace and Audio Gourmet.
He’s been recording and making music for around 7 years but over the last 2 years has been recording under his own name with a focus on our relationship between sound, memory and place. He has performed as a solo live artist in various countries including The UK, New Zealand and Vietnam as well as being part of live improvised groups including The Elm Collective and The Bristol Ambient Ensemble.

Gone For A While is an album built around a core made from field recordings, taken from South East Asia and Europe. These were then processed using various computer software programs and a small amount of instrumentation was added throughout the album. The album was written after James had returned back to his home town after several years spent living abroad. He was suddenly confronted with lots of old memories that he’d pushed to the back of his mind. Having lost his father not long before leaving the UK and having watched his grandfather suffer through dementia for the past 7 years, he began to reflect heavily on themes of memory, loss and decay. The concept of the album seeks to explore the processes our minds go through whilst dealing with loss.”

credits
Catalog number WLR034
Written and produced by James Osland
Mastered by James Edward Armstrong (Slow Clinic)
Artwork by James Osland

Out Now! Andrew Sherwell – Orthodox Tales

We’re pleased to kick off 2018 with a release from Andrew Sherwell who has chosen Whitelabrecs as home for his debut album ‘Orthodox Tales‘. This London based artist draws influence from the likes of Svarte Greiner, Xela and The Caretaker and his record has been mastered by German sound engineer Stephan Mathieu.

The record is full of snap, crackle and pop thanks to carefully arranged tape loops, Korg Volca keys, samples, effects, and field recordings and is a sleepy soundtrack to East European travelogue tales told by Andrew’s Grandfather in his childhood. We’re also pleased to welcome back Federica Jeanne de Luca who kindly provided the beautiful artwork.
Orthodox Tales should appeal to those who enjoy work by BvDub, Erinome or José Soberanes – you can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or grab one of the remaining copies by clicking the bandcamp player or link below.

This went to out to our mailing list last weekend and at time of writing, we’ve just got just 5 copies left! To find out, you can click the link below or on the image above to listen. To avoid missing out on future releases, you can join our mailing list HERE

https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com/album/orthodox-tales

press release
“Orthodox Tales is the debut album from West London, UK based artist Andrew Sherwell. He was part of a stream of bands in and beyond his teenage years centred initially on jangly post-punk Funk. The band’s name would change routinely each time a band member left which was regularly and eventually, it was just Andrew left as the band grew more and more experimental in their approach. He did manage to rack up some releases around this period, some 30 years ago – however these are lost to the mists of time due to the Rough Trade period when things would come and go within a weekend.

Andrew is still an avid collector of physical records and thanks to inspiration drawn from Svarte Greiner, The Caretaker and Xela as well as Eastern European choral music, Film and soundtracks, Andrew has increasingly been inspired to create his own experimental music.
After a good deal of time spent working on the backbone of an album, Andrew had a demo in place and before submitting it to a label, he had it professionally mastered by Stephan Mathieu. He then dropped it over to us and the rest is history…

Orthodox Tales sees us welcome back Federica Jeanne De Luca, the artist that supplied the cover artwork for Philippe Lamy’s Inner Stretch. Her artwork provides a beautiful backdrop for this six track journey through tape loops, Korg Volca keys, samples, effects, and field recordings which re-enact the tales told by Andrew’s grandfather.

For the whole of the inter-war period, his grandfather travelled back and forth through the turmoil of the Balkans, Central Europe, the Caucasus and South Russia, returning with many treasures on the eve of the Second World War. Andrew recalls his Grandfather as an old man when he’d spend school holidays at his house. On occasion at bedtimes, his Grandfather recounted wild tales of his ‘adventuring’: of the peoples he met and their folk tales, of days lost in endless forests, of nights camped out on a sea of grasslands when the frost was so hard that his blanket twinkled in the moonlight, as brightly as the myriad stars above. He told of feasting with mountain goat herders and with Orthodox Bishops, of shape-shifting shaman and of beautiful Princesses, of demons and of angels in human form. After a while, he’d be lost, transported to the magical world of his descriptions. Grandfather would lower his voice, he would wander from the story into more philosophical byways and soon, Andrew would fall asleep.

Orthodox Tales is a deeply personal account of Andrew’s childhood experience but as the themes and anecdotes play out in musical form, the album works as a conduit in which to transfer these tales to you the listener.”

credits
Catalog number WLR033
Written and produced by Andrew Sherwell
Mastered by Stephan Mathieu
Artwork by Federica Jeanne de Luca

Coming soon…Ludmila – 1 Day 1 Track

We’ve another limited edition vinyl-effect CDr lined up on Whitelabrecs and this time we welcome Lyon, France based artist Ludmila. Jori Borla, the artist originally hails from Argentina and to date has only self released his material, meaning that 1 Day 1 Track is his first physical release. This record was made in a week during a holiday period when Jori would spend a short time recording live. The result is a beautiful electro-acoustic album that may appeal to anyone who enjoys Willamette, Hammock or Shaula. You can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or keep a check on our Facebook or Instagram pages to preview the packaging when we share it.

Whitelabrecs 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.

press release
“Ludmila is an artist named Jori Borla who currently resides in Lyon, France but originally from Salta, Argentina. To date, Jori has largely self-released his material and we’re pleased to be able to offer his debut of sorts on Whitelabrecs. Jori has experience performing in bands as well as playing instruments such as guitar, cello and bass however he began his project as Ludmila a couple of years ago, after the birth of his son. Typically he would perch upon an uncomfortable stool by his amplifier and experiment with spontaneous tape loops.

In ‘1 Day 1 Track’, Jori set about recording one track every day for a week in which he describes it as the ‘best holidays ever’. Each track on the album is a cropped section of a recording session that lasted from between 10 and 20 minutes, a process repeated each day. In one very peaceful week, Jori recalls playing free from thought, with the takes being improvised without the aid of a computer. Often when artists embark on the creative process, rules and pressure are applied and a lack of quality time devoted to one’s craft can breed frustration. By taking time out during his holidays for just a short period each day, the music flowed and a beautifully cohesive album was born.

Jori also states that 1 Day 1 Track has an additional loose concept which is about finding himself in other lands. This is reflected in the cover artwork as a distant image of an ill-equipped human being can be seen free-falling from high in the sky, towards the unknown ground beneath them.”

Catalog number WLR026
Written and produced by Jori Borla
Mastered by David Georgos

Coming soon…Steve Pacheco – The 4th

Next on Whitelabrecs we welcome Los Angeles, USA based artist Steve Pacheco, fresh from his recent release ‘Constellate‘ on the excellent Dauw imprint. The 4th is an album that is perhaps some of the purest Ambient material we’ve put out since Dave Kirby or Russell Glynn back in 2016, with its lush drones. This one might be something those who like Taylor Deupree, Twincities or The Humble Bee will enjoy. You can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or keep a check on our Facebook or Instagram pages to preview the packaging when we share it.

Whitelabrecs 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.

press release
“Steve Pacheco is an artist born and raised in Los Angeles, California who had spent a period of three years in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 2012 to 2015 before returning to LA. From an early age Steve could be seen carrying a red transistor radio set to a classical station and this lo-fi sound has stayed with him into his adult life. His debut album Constellate was released this year on Belgian label Dauw and like many of their releases, it has sold out.

Steve had actually agreed to release his first album ‘The 4th’ with Whitelabrecs however a change in schedule at Dauw meant that Constellate was moved from its scheduled release in fall 2017 meaning it became his debut.
Typically, Steve’s sound begins life as a simple melody or loop typically created using guitar, piano, kalimba, xylophone or other acoustic sources. These are then processed until a texture or drone is achieved and then stored to a library of sound. In the next stage, Steve will then look to assemble these loops and carve out different frequencies from them into a track and this process can take quite a long time. For an extreme example, the final track on this album ‘Completion’ was first drafted in 2010 as Steve does not set out to create something specific – he strives to work until something ‘reveals itself’ so the process is as much down to chance and persistence than anything else.

The 4th is an album themed around cherished memories, loss and letting go as each track is deeply connected to memories he experienced during his time in Sante Fe. The first three tracks are set in Santa Fe whereas the final piece ‘Completion’ is a reference to Steve’s return to Los Angeles for a new job opportunity. The title of the album is a reference to the Chakra system, with the fourth of these being the heart. Whilst the deeply personal events and circumstances that inspired the work within this album may not translate to you the listener, it is intended that the material will inspire memories and feelings dear to you as the warm textures will envelope you.”

Catalog number WLR025
Written and produced by Steve Pacheco
Mastered by Tim Diagram
Artwork by Steve Pacheco

Coming soon…Sea Trials – Sea Trials

We’re back from a holiday by the sea and raring to go with more limited edition releases. So fittingly, we welcome Sea Trials, an artist from Hungary (originally Cork, Ireland) called Ian W. McCarthy. This one’s a fascinating record using the decaying, dilapidated sounds of dying loops from cassette tapes that had been left out in the rain, submerged in salt-water and even burnt. This record certainly has its refreshing Ambient moments as old fragments of music float to the surface but this is experimental in nature as the synths and instrument sounds glean occasionally on a bed of noise and murk. This should appeal to those who enjoy sounds by Maps and Diagrams (or his work as Atlantis), Billy Gomberg or Skjølbrot. You can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or keep a check on our Facebook page to preview the packaging when we share it.

Whitelabrecs 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.

press release
“The self-titled Sea Trials album is the debut from Irish born, Hungary based artist Ian McCarthy who has previously released in the Techno field under monikers Romart and Wilhelm on labels such as Flux Recordings, Nice Try Records and I Had An Accident Records. Sea Trials was spawned in 2015 as the foundations for Ian’s idea began with him creating a pool of material to draw from as he planned a number of recordings and we’re pleased to present his eponymous debut album to serve as the perfect introduction to this sound.

The 9 tracks were created from source material recorded to old or damaged cassette tapes which were treated by either being left outside exposed to the elements, by being burnt or submerged in salt-water for long periods. Inevitably, the deterioration of sound and medium became a crucial part of the process and became the concept: decay and rebirth.
Ian found himself unexpectedly longing for the sea as he was land-locked in North Eastern Hungary and so maritime references are aplenty along with a sweeping nostalgia that creates feelings of loss and longing.

Originally, Ian had set out to create almost orchestral styled pieces by using various instruments and synthesisers as his starting point for loops however, the methods of tape erosion played a part in warping this sound into dilapidated memories of the original works which occasionally resurface and reimagine as sections are spared the decay of the sea bed. Other sections of the source material did not survive the process so well and somewhere on this record, you will hear a tape machine dying an uncomfortable death.”

Catalog number WLR024
Written, produced and mastered by Ian W. McCarthy
Photo by Ian W. McCarthy
Artwork by Harry Towell

Out Now! WLR017 José Silva – Modulated Tones No. 1: Music For Framed Works

We’ve had a bit of a break for the last few weeks to draw some breath after a busy schedule in 2016, as we set ourselves for a hectic 2017. We’ve got plenty more limited edition vinyl-effect CDrs lined up for 2017 as well as our first compilation album just around the corner.
We returned from a short break in Verona, Italy and as is the Whitelabrecs tradition, some of you may have noticed we have added an image taken onto our website home page.

Kicking off the new year then, we welcome Quito, Ecuador based Venezuelan artist José Silva with ‘Modulated Tones No. 1: Music For Framed Works‘. This record is some of the most peaceful Ambient work we’ve put out since Dave Kirby’s Contrails and should appeal to those who enjoy work by Olan Mill, Pausal or Simon Bainton. It’s available now on Whitelabrecs in a very low run of just 50 CDrs.

At time of writing copies of this album are still available – to find out more or grab a copy, you can click the link below or on the image above to listen. To avoid missing out on future releases, you can join our mailing list HERE

 https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com/album/modulated-tones-no-1-music-for-framed-works

press release
“José Silva is a South American artist originally from a small city in Venezuela but currently based in Quito, Ecuador. Modulated Tones No. 1: Music For Framed Works is his debut album after he has spent several years recording and honing his craft. Typically, José’s work is inspired by his interest in photography and it is from here that he sets his stall as a sound artist in this 10 track suite of Ambient pieces.
José’s approach to creating soundscapes starts with a layering process where many different sonic components are assembled together as a sort of sculpture, before the edges are carefully ‘sanded down’. He was keen not just to create another Ambient record where lengthy pieces drone monotonously, loud loops play out or a host of spacey reverb effects flatter to deceive. Instead, the pieces glisten with an organic quality achieved from guitar pedals, field recordings and a compressor as he endeavoured to emulate a film sound track inspired by Sci-Fi movies or dramas.

The cinematic starting point gave birth to the album’s photographic concept as José found himself regularly surveying his VSCO feed of images. Modulated Tones No.1: Music For Framed Works is a soundtrack for surveying a photographic collection to provide a space for a slow introspective processing of the shots, as thoughts or memories flicker in your mind. This will be a personal experience from one listener to the next and is the ideal environment for this album to be consumed..“

credits
Catalog number: WLR017
Written and produced between 2015 and 2016 by José Silva
Mastered by Tim Diagram
Photography by José Silva

Coming soon…La Petite Vague | Remous

We’ve still got another couple of releases lined up before 2016 is out. Next is an album by Italian artists La Petite Vague who have previously released an EP with our sister netlabel Audio Gourmet. Their debut album ‘Remous‘ sees Nicola Fornasari and Diego Balconi mix and arrange hours worth of material into 7 murky tracks, themed around water, the ocean and backwater. Their sound straddles the lines between ambient, drone, electro-acoustic, dark ambient and light noise – this one may appeal to those who enjoy Ben Fleury-Steiner, Marcus Fischer or Marsen Jules. The striking artwork was provided by Cesare Camardo. You can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or keep a check on our Facebook page to preview the packaging when we share it.

Whitelabrecs 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.

press release
“La Petite Vague are recording artists Nicola Fornasari and Diego Balconi who are lifelong friends originally from Cremona, Italy. Nicola also records as Xu and Xu(e) and has seen material surface on labels such as Eilean, Cathedral Transmissions and Thirsty Leaves Music. To date, the duo have just one record out as La Petite Vague: ‘Treize’ which is a free 15 minute netlabel EP on Audio Gourmet, released back in 2014.
Nicola began his work with sound back in 1995 in a hardcore band called Entropia, playing in more than 100 gigs around Europe. Due to a busy professional life, Diego struggles to find time to devote completely to a musical project however he has spent many years managing and co-operating with stage sets and sound engineering at local events. Diego also builds electronics and piezo-amplified noise makers and it’s from here that he began working with Nicola on La Petite Vague in 2012.

La Petite Vague are completely devoted to improvisation and they set out their performance with no plan, as they loop various sounds and objects into hours of material. The best moments are selected and mixed down through processing techniques, layering and EQ.
In ‘Remous’ they have created a uliginous atmosphere through seven tracks that incorporate elements of toy psaltery, guitar, melodica, Tibetan bowls, rammerdrum, tuning forks, synth and other objects, fed through various live loopers and effects. The work opens with the longest piece, ‘Vague #9’ which takes its time to set the scene, before the album delves through six shorter pieces that traverse murky, detailed environments. Remous is a humble and personal celebration of the water element, particularly the sea or the ocean and this is depicted by Cesare Camardo’s artwork which is entitled Mo’ In A Mountain Getaway, a dedication to Werner Herzog.”

Written and Produced by Nicola Fornasari and Diego Balconi
Mastered by Andrea Poli
Artwork by Cesare Camardo: cesarecamardo.wordpress.com/

www.substance.it/
lapetitevague.bandcamp.com/

Coming soon…Philippe Lamy | Inner Stretch

Recently we shared a preview of our next release which is by French sound artist Philippe Lamy. With a subtly glitch and noise drenched record called, ‘Inner Stretch‘ is out today. Philippe has released on labels such as Dronarivm, Mystery Sea and Audio Gourmet and he has collaborated with artists such as Pleq and Darius Ciuta. His sound is unique but it will likely appeal to anyone who enjoys Entia Non, Janek Schaefer or Eliane Radigue. The stunning artwork was provided by Federica Jeanne De Luca. You can listen to a preview of the album by using the Soundcloud player below or keep a check on our Facebook page to preview the packaging when we share it.

We released the album to our mailing-list subscribers last weekend and many copies have sold already. At time of writing there are some left – to find out more or to secure your copy, you can click the link below or on the image above to listen. To avoid missing out on future releases, you can join our mailing list HERE

https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com/album/inner-stretch

press release
“Philippe Lamy is a Toulouse, France based sound artist and painter originally from Casablanca, Morocco. He began recording in 2005 and has since had material release through labels such as Dronarivm, Wist Records and Taalem as well as netlabel work through the likes of Audio Gourmet and Nowacki. He has also collaborated with artists such as Pleq, Darius Ciuta and Philippe Neau.

Philippe’s approach to sound is unmistakable: he uses a wealth of different sound textures and techniques to build layers of environmental sound. Field recordings, software instruments and voices are processed, layered, processed and then layered again to create a collage not dissimilar to the approach he takes with painting. Philippe views sound recordings as materials and sets about building and transforming them into new objects of living matter.

The resulting sound environment you’ll hear in ‘Inner Stretch’ is clearly minimal, yet beneath the strong, deep and curious sounds lies a great complexity through many ‘coats’. The tracks do not hang suspended as a particular sound is stretched and repeated. Instead, Philippe has created something with great variety and unpredictability, decorated with many strokes of sonic material. One moment you may only be able to detect a few pops and rumbles of bass frequencies but before long, a deep drone will creep into view, if only for a brief period of time. Philippe approaches his work with sound just as he would with paint: rules and random, strength and lightness, layers and layers, light and silence, destruction and creation, always trying, again and again.”

Written and produced by Philippe Lamy
Artwork by Federica Jeanne De Luca (http://infofedericadeluca.tumblr.com)
Mastered by Tim Diagram