Alexander Rishaug reviewed by Sonic Seducer

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Auf seiner fünften Soloveröffentlichung bringt der norwegische Klangkünstler Alexander Rishaug zwei sehr unterschiedliche Instrumente zusammen: Kirchenorgel trifft auf E-Gitarre – allerdings nicht in Form sakraler Rock-Musik. Rishaug erforscht die Akustik und Mechanik der Kirchenorgel und setzt diese in Verbindung zum warmen Klang der Gitarrenobertöne, die aus einem alten Röhrenverstärker kommen. Aufgenommen wurde das Basismaterial in der norwegischen Seeman Kirche in Rotterdam und anschließend im Berliner oran/zen Studio stark editiert. Trotz der nachträglichen Bearbeitung wirken die beiden langen Tracks nicht konstruiert. Der Hörer behält den Eindruck, Rishaug beim Hantieren an den Geräten über die Schulter zu schauen. Zum mächtigen Orgeldrohnen gesellt sich in “Ma.Org” das Klappern der Register. “Pa.Git” lenkt das Gehör auf das Rauschen des Verstärkers, seine Ãœbersteuerungen und das sich anschleichende Feedback, während im Hintergrund ein kurzes Thema auf der Orgel wiederholt wird. Einlullende Musik im besten Sinne. Erhältlich ist “Ma.Org Pa.Git” als extrem limitiertes Vinyl und unbegrenzt als Download. Sascha Bertoncin

New release: Monty Adkins’s “Unfurling Streams”

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Unfurling Streams is a series of compositions based on recordings of percussion instruments made by Jonny Axelsson and Monty Adkins with photographs and artwork by Stephen Harvey.

The work is inspired by a line by e.e. cummings, “for whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always our self we find in the sea.” In Unfurling Streams, the ‘stream’ reflects life—something continually flowing, evolving, and changing. Eddies, currents, pools and spray also are suggestive of ways in which the stream makes its way through the landscape and are clearly reflected in the images and sounds created for this project.

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Unfurling Streams is available as a limited-edition of 24 box-sets including a CD and a set of images by Stephen Harvey, a limited-edition of 200 CDs or a digital download, available from cronica.bandcamp.com and selected retailers.

Alexander Rishaug reviewed by Blackaudio

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This expansive 2 track LP was recorded live in the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Rotterdam January 2012 and has just seen light of day now. As the fifth solo release from Rishaug, he concentrates his efforts on the mechanics of a dusty old church organ, an old tube amp and electric guitar.

Utilising the natural harmonics and acoustics of the building, bodes well for a project such as this. The creaks and groans of the old church play as much a part as the instrumentation, in building an atmosphere that derives its influence from Dark Ambient and shuddering Drone.

Side B differs from its opening counterpart. Where Side A concentrates its efforts on natural acoustics, ‘Pa.Git’ relies on the tube amps shudders and grinds as the guitar resonates through the mix.

The music itself is heavily processed without doubt; although recomposed and restructured in the studio at a later date, the natural ambience and feel that Rishaug obviously tried to achieve is not lost on the listener.

Overall, this is an solid release that benefits from both sides of the vinyl representing two sides of a coin that approach Alexander’s audience from two differing perspectives; although just whether I will play it again after one listen, is an altogether different question.

via Blackaudio

Futurónica 136

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Episode 136 of Futurónica, a broadcast in Rádio Manobras (91.5 MHz in Porto, 18h30) and Rádio Zero (21h GMT, repeating on Tuesday at 01h) airs tomorrow, March 20th.

The playlist of Futurónica 136 is:

  1. Tod Dockstader, Song (2005, Aerial #1, Sub Rosa)
  2. Tod Dockstader, Lala (2005, Aerial #1, Sub Rosa)
  3. Tod Dockstader, Surfer (2005, Aerial #2, Sub Rosa)
  4. Tod Dockstader, Wave (2006, Aerial #3, Sub Rosa)
  5. Tod Dockstader, Pipes (2005, Aerial #2, Sub Rosa)
  6. Tod Dockstader, Yaya (2005, Aerial #2, Sub Rosa)
  7. Tod Dockstader, Raga (2005, Aerial #1, Sub Rosa)
  8. Tod Dockstader, Jam (2006, Aerial #3, Sub Rosa)
  9. Tod Dockstader, Mutter (2006, Aerial #3, Sub Rosa)
  10. Tod Dockstader, March (2005, Aerial #1, Sub Rosa)
  11. Tod Dockstader, Pulse (2005, Aerial #1, Sub Rosa)
  12. Tod Dockstader, Finale (2006, Aerial #3, Sub Rosa)

You can follow Rádio Zero’s broadcasts at radiozero.pt/ouvir and Rádio Manobras at radiomanobras.pt.

New release: Porcje Rosołowe’s “Insects 4-7”

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Porcje Rosołowe is the Polish duo of Lech Nienartowicz and Mateusz Wysocki (a.k.a. Fischerle). Their sound pieces dedicated to insects play on the idea of reversed field recording. Instead of featuring actual recordings, Nienartowicz and Wysocki use digital tools to create complex and hyperrealistic micro worlds. Porcje Rosołowe started by combining glitch elements with free improvisation, but with each piece the duo have consistently been replacing any traditionally musical elements with the tools of mimicry to immerse listeners in manufactured reality.

Gryllotalpa talpa — Subterranean insect occuring generally in close proximity to succulents. It is famous for its insubordination and ruthlesness in tracing underground tunnels. In graphic representations it is usually depicted in front of a well and a funeral procession.

Mantodea chorda — According to Kulaga, the Mantodea chorda continues the line of chordates, broken centuries ago. In spite of the fact that it inhabits shaded, densly overgrown areas, it moves over long distances to attack. It assaults caravanserais and desert shrines in swarms of a few hundred individuals. It is regarded as the most aggressive of all insects.

Metua tympanis (also known as Membranebee) — Insect endowed with unparalleled sense of space equilibrium. It uses a dead root as support to build a semi-open nest made of sticks over the surface of the ground. It uses the construction to communicate with other individuals of the same species by playing strongly rythmicised sequences. The young wear a vellum-like shield known as the coat.

Serpentinus fascia (also known as Tapebee) — Insect living in forest environment. When its mouthpart comes into contact with magnetic tape or some species of conifer needles, it create a characteristic sound. The mechanism of its emission has not yet been understood in a convincing way. The development of phonography in the twentieth century has led to giving it the name of Tapebee.

“Insects 4-7” is now available as a free download directly from Crónica or from Crónica’s Bandcamp page.

Alexander Rishaug reviewed by HHV

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In den ersten fünf Minuten von Alexander Rishaugs »Ma.Org Pa.Git« steht ein schwerer Bass-Akkord wie eine vibrierende Wand im Mittelpunkt der Musik. Die Lautstärke schwillt an, der Klang wird in den Obertönen moduliert, ist warm und raumfüllend und bricht schließlich ab. Geräusche geschäftig klappernder Orgel-Mechaniken schieben sich in den Vordergrund und werden bald von angeblasenen Tönen und Akkorden einer alten Kirchenorgel und schwebenden Feedbacks und Interferenzen einer elektrischen Gitarre begleitet, die ebenso warm und meditativ über einen Röhrenverstärker erklingt. Der norwegische Sound-Artist Alexander Rishaug stellt dazu den weiten Raum der niederländischen Kirche, in der diese Aufnahmen entstanden, sozusagen als drittes Instrument neben die ungewöhnliche Kombination seiner beiden Klangerzeuger. Es entsteht der Eindruck, als würden sich die Instrumente gegenseitig beeinflussen, als würde die Orgel die Gitarrensaiten und der Sound des Verstärkers die Orgelpfeifen in Schwingungen versetzen. Erst gegen Ende des Tracks werden die Orgelpfeifen dann wirklich über die Tastatur gespielt. Track zwei ist ein viertelstündiger Drone wiederum aus Bassfrequenzen und Obertönen, der im Laufe der Zeit verzerrter wird und mehr Gitarren-Anteile zu haben scheint als der erste. Die Klänge auf »Ma.Org Pa.Git« wirken archaisch und rituell, gleichzeitig aber sehr entspannend und beruhigend. Durch digitale Bearbeitung erreicht Alexander Rishaug schließlich, dass die Klänge unkenntlich ineinander verschmelzen und dadurch dem Hörer nicht immer klar ist, wann welches der beiden Instrumente zu hören ist. Das macht die Musik noch spannender und kompakter. Ein wirklich fesselndes Experiment.

Andreas Brüning

via HHV

“Respiro”, an installation by @c, in Porto

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“Respiro” (Breath), an installation by @c (Pedro Tudela and Miguel Carvalhais), will be shown at the gallery oMuseu at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto, from March 12 to 27.

“Respiro” is developed from the mapping of networks of relations, residues and reverberative effects. A modular structure recalls the apparent urban self-similarity, concealing individual micro-variations that are articulated in circuits of confrontations, dialogues and tensions from where a complex and dynamic composition emerges. “Respiro” was a commission of Jardins Efémeros for the “Ears to the City” sound installations program included in the Invisible Places / Sounding Cities symposium and exhibition. It was shown in Museu Grão Vasco, Viseu, from July 11 to 20, 2014.

“Respiro” opens next Thursday, March 12, at 17h.