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Andrea Valle ~ Acta GeoGraphica (2001-2007)
Originally published by A CLOSER LISTEN Etymologically, Geography comes from the ancient Greek geographia; literally to describe or write about the Earth. In Andrea Valle’s usage he is conjuring up his own worlds as much as describing our own. Acta GeoGraphica, released on the Ripples label, is therefore a record of world-creation, so this writing takes…
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Back to the Lab
In “Get on the Mic” Geoff Harkness argues that “the studio is essential to the culture [of rap] in ways that it is not for many other music genres,” because it has a particular function as a symbolic space of socialization, professionalization, and legitimization that is less significant in modes of music which place more…
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C. Spencer Yeh ~ 1975
Originally published by A CLOSER LISTEN After releasing dozens of records as Burning Star Core, it seems odd to describe 1975 as C. Spencer Yeh‘s debut. And yet… I can’t quite say why C. Spencer Yeh does anything, yet it’s not hard to see that this isn’t a BxC record. But why, after all this time,…
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Sound Propositions 017: Gonçalo F Cardoso (Gonzo)
Discrepant label boss Gonçalo F Cardoso explores the noise(s) of his homeland Portugal on Ruído(s), his final work under the Gonzo moniker. One part sonic capriccio, one part subjective dream journal, Ruído(s) is a fitting farewell to Gonzo’s roving audio diaries. While Cardoso will still be releasing music under other names, he will use the…
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François J. Bonnet (Kassel Jaeger) on Éliane Radigue, the GRM, and Quebec
Originally published at Cult MTL as “Montreal’s Acousmatic Music Festival is Here.” We spoke to composer Groupe de Recherches Musicales director and performer François J. Bonnet ahead of the 16th annual Akousma. Composer Éliane Radigue studied with musique concrète pioneer Pierre Schaeffer in the 1950s, later becoming assistant to Pierre Henry in the 1960s. They…
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Sound Propositions: The Tapeworm
This year marks the tenth anniversary of The Tapeworm, the London-based cassette-only label founded by Philip Marshall. In the years since, the label has branched out into The Wormhole, an avenue for experiments with non-tape formats, and The Bookworm, their publishing venture. The broader press reaction to the so-called tape revival of the last decade…
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The Fountain
A version of this article was originally published by The Silent Ballet, 23 February 2007. ———————————— When one thinks of the greatest composers ever to score film, one thinks of greats such as Toru Takemitsu, Philip Glass, Bernard Herrmann, and even John Williams. (I mean, really, who doesn’t know the music from Star Wars?) The…
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Interview: From Monument to Masses
This two part feature was originally published by The Silent Ballet in 2008. Interview conducted in San Francisco in the fall of 2007. ____________________________________________ Joseph Sannicandro hosts a discussion on politics, technology, and activism through music with From Monument To Masses, finding out why they love Mandy Moore and pick fights with Metallica. On Tuesday,…
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Emiliano Romanelli ~ 333 Loops (Volume 1)
Originally published at http://www.acloserlisten.com Emiliano Romanelli (b. 1979) is well-known amongst the Italian scene for his work in the multimedia duo Tu m’. Back at The Site Before we were pretty fond of their record Monochromes, which made our Best of 2009 list. Released on the 12k imprint LINE, the four numbered tracks were stark…
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On the Pedagogical Organization of Record Collections
This post is a revised and expanded version, originally published at A CLOSER LISTEN as “The Problem with ‘My Husband’s Stupid Record Collection.” ———————————————————- “It would be a lowly art that allows itself to be understood all at once, whose apex can be observed by the newly initiated.” – Goethe There’s a lot to like…
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Steve Reich @ 70
Originally published by The Silent Ballet, 17 December 2006 New York– I recently read an article about a Zen Buddhist practitioner whose teacher would often encourage him to reflect on the nature of sound. The teacher would strike a bell, be mindful of the creation of a noise, and mindful as it faded out, eventually…
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Sound Propositions 016: Félicia Atkinson
It is an honor to present this extended conversation with Félicia Atkinson, whose latest record, The Flower and The Vessel, has just been released on Shelter Press. We discuss her multifaceted art practices, her musical formation, the importance of running an independent press, and the power inherent in stones. Sound Propositions is an ongoing, semi-regular…
Sound Propositions 