Stuart Chalmers/Distant Animals – ‘Live at Cave 12’
Stuart Chalmers and Distant Animals explore the line between improvisation and composition with two long-form works for acoustic and electronic instruments. Sharing a stage at Geneva’s Cave 12 in 2019, these two recordings document intimate solo electro-acoustic performance. With Chalmers playing a prepared Swarmandal routed through a complex FX chain, and Distant Animals working with a modular-synthesiser and amplified wooden-box, both artists interrogate often radically different sound-worlds. The works are tied together by more than just a shared location, however; both are born of a careful, explorative navigation of timbre and rhythm, the line between acoustic and electronic sound constantly called into question.
Aidan Baker – ‘Stimmt’
Aidan Baker is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist from Toronto (now resident in Berlin) with the electric guitar his primary instrument. Using prepared and alternate methods of playing the guitar, along with various electronic effects, Baker creates music which generally falls within the ambient/experimental genre but draws on influences from rock, electronic, classical, and jazz.
MAbH ( Mortuus Auris & the Black Hand) – ‘Look Under’
MAbH is the solo project of UK based artist Peter Taylor, who has been producing music since 2008, having had his debut on Digitalis Limited. 21 albums and singles later, ‘Look Under’ has been born. ‘Look Under’ is a collection of seven pieces that claw beneath the surface, never quite fully appearing in the light. The dimness of sounds is that of a captured breath; a head, half-submerged in water – ears below the surface, and tired eyes watching the wider world flushing in chaos. Never quite drowning yet never coming up for air.
Fast Blood – ‘Fast Blood EP’
Comprised of stalwarts of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne DIY scene, Fast Blood played their first ever gig in April 2019 opening for Durham pop-punk mainstays Martha. They have since shared the stage with the likes of Jeffrey Lewis, Mannequin Pussy and Cocaine Piss. Recalling the likes of Pretty Girls Make Graves, F*cked Up and Hot Snakes.