Miguel A. García is an artist living in Bilbao who works in experimental music and sound art. He is active in various groups or collectives and is also known under his other project name, Xedh. In another life, for another magazine (back in 2010), I got to review his release “Vinduskarm” on the Athens-based Triple Bath label (whatever happened to them?). In that review, I wrote, “The tracks form a nicely composed soundscape ranging from the watery sound of children’s toys to somewhat more harsh sounding noise. At no moment, it gets
dull or boring.” That was a CD with seven tracks, and “Eraginie” is a four track CD under his own name. Many differences, though the previous conclusion, ‘at no moment it gets dull or boring,’ remains.
Miguel’s music is ‘based on electroacoustic composition, using as the main medium waste from electronic devices’ combined with ‘field recordings and acoustic instruments’. And as we all know by now, it’s in the ear of the beholder what is done with it and what it turns into. “Vri Seg” opens the album quite chaotic with a lot of time-based manipulations; That is, the manipulations are static, yet they are implemented on sounds for a smaller period. The composition gets a bit erratic, but it’s what it’s meant to be. In “Harmattans”, the erratic behaviour is better placed and timed (as well as faded in and out), creating a more coherent flow. When in the end, the sounds of (almost) real instruments enter the composition, it gets an unworldly feeling.
The third track, “Roh”,
builds on microtonal and micro rhythmic differences and adds to the chaotic feeling from the first track. Out of the perspective of getting relaxed, it’s my least favourite track of the album, but because it made me feel uncomfortable, it also emphasizes its strength. But, then the fourth and final “Stellaire”. It seems to be built from classical themes combined with Miguel’s method as basics for this album. The microtonal and micro rhythmic manipulations also find their place in this, and as the title suggests: It’s stellar. “Eraginie” is a lovely album and a must-hear for the electroacoustics. (BW)
via Vital Weekly