Category Archives: UPDATE

Ashtray Navigations – ‘Insect Descent’
Phil Todd’s Ashtray Navigations has endured in numerous multifarious formations since the mid-90’s, operating as both a solo and group enterprise that has recorded for an extensive list of crucial experimental labels (Siltbreeze, Chocolate Monk, and Celebrate Psi Phenomenon to name a few, as well as Todd’s own Memoirs Of An Aesthete) while having conquered all approaches to subterranean psychedelia: gargantuan deep-drones, endless minimalism, pastoral improvisations. A long-unreleased full-length recorded circa 2008, Insect Descent sees Todd generating his music in isolation, yet the sonics suggest some of Ash Nav’s most densely constructed and meticulously overlapped torrents of noise, a tumult that recalls Matthew Bowers various guitar-and-electronics masterworks as well as the piercingly gorgeous instrumental chants of Vibracathedral Orchestra and the meditative mantras of LaMonte Young. From the bombastic feedback symphony of One Millions Pleasurecards All Painted White to the tranquilizing serenity of Fake Aeroplanes, these five works intertwine into a seamless fusion of cathartic eruption and trance-inducing edification. One of Todd’s most immediate and paramount recordings by far. Pro-pressed/pro-printed CDR housed in a pro-printed digipack. Edition of 100.

Corcorax – ‘Tape/Circles’
Corcorax is a recondite duo consisting of sound sculptors Che Chen and Tom Mulligan (billed here as Xhe Xhen and Tmm Mulligan), both of whom have operated within numerous practices and projects in the recent past (Mulligan as Radio Ruido, part of the Dub Dub DJ crew, and the Triangulation podcast; Chen as half of True Primes and part of Heresy Of The Free Spirit which includes the acclaimed composer/lute player Jozef Van Wissem). Their inaugural release Tape/Circles is a short suite consisting of two distinct pieces of churning and enticing abstraction that make a controlled clamour out of a distinctly minimal set-up (Chen on tape and object manipulation, Mulligan on a modified turntable); a distinct mechanized ambience alternately consoles and flusters, the intermingling absonant tones latching into an exclusive synergy. Recalling at once Francisco Lopez’s building recordings, moments of Jason Lescaleet’s early work, and even the chain-dragging squal of early New Blockaders, the erratic and elusive sounds presented here solicit curious concentration. The artwork and insert for this release comes beautifully letterpressed (silver ink on dark orange stock) by Ben Owen of Middle Press. Pro-pressed/pro-dubbed edition of 100.

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Cold Showers – ‘Still Life’ 7″
The beautiful, enigmatic shoegaze bliss of L.A.’s own Cold Showers returns to Dais with a new single. Two virgin cuts which bring their lush heartbeat back to life. The Fire, a fluid post punk anthem drenched in romantic heartbreak, crying to the masses for love. On the heels is Crowds, an acoustic, crooning diamond which shines through the daybreak. Limited to 500 copies.

Missing Foundation s/t LP
In the 1980s, New York City was a dismal wasteland filled with urban decay and creative miracles. It was only a matter of time before the suits saw an investment opportunity, with cash in hand they bought off NYC and started the criminal gentrification of downtown New York, sterilizing any sense of culture and fumigating all residents deemed financially worthless. This kind of invasion brought the perfect storm in the form of Missing Foundation. Founded by Peter Missing in the early 80′s, Missing Foundation and their “Party’s Over” logo challenged the governing trends of NYC, pouring gasoline on the tinderbox of the class war taking place on the city streets. Known for their hostile and fiery performances (and infamous ban from CBGB’s in the late 80′s), Missing Foundation left a scorched mark behind and started a movement still felt in the underground community today. Their debut album was originally released on Purge/Sound in 1987 and now Dais is honored to being reissuing this masterpiece of industrial folklore to a new generation who forgot where it started. Countless thanks to Erik Proft and Bill Cashman for all their help in making this happen. Limited to 500 copies.

Missing Foundation – ‘1933 Your House Is Mine’ LP
The cacophonic dischord of Missing Foundation and the prophetic vision of Peter Missing culminated into a follow up album following their legendary self-titled debut which was collected under the banner as 1933 Your House Is Mine. This sophomore effort was brought about in 1988 as a means to educate the forgotten and venerate their followers using brash performance tactics and industrial rhythm to rally their cause. An industrial soundtrack of urban protest, Missing Foundation found their voice, garnishing attention from the mainstream as well as being lauded by underground. The cultural divide had been marked with Missing Foundation’s flipping martini glass signature declaring that the party was over. After being out of print for almost 25 years, Dais has reissued this legendary recording in a limited edition of 500 copies.

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Bitter Fictions LP $13
Bitter Fictions is the project of Devin Friesen, a guitarist/writer from Calgary, AB. On this debut LP, Bitter Fictions presents solo guitar in extended practice: alternate tunings, controlled feedback manipulations, drone building, live looping, improvisation—these are all elements to the whole, as Friesen layers scraps of feedback, melodies, and pure texture into blossoming sound narratives. Think “post-rock” (in the “rock instruments used in non-rock ways” vein, not faux-cinematic crescendo nonsense) as interpreted by the likes of say, Alan Licht, Roy Montgomery, or Thurston Moore, and you’re maybe starting to get there. 300 copies w/download card and insert.

Pale Lobo – ‘Hands Down’ CS $5
Pale Lobo is the solo project of Andrew Hume. He hits things in Seizure Salad and Burro, and also makes synthesizer jams in Dada Centauri. Hands Down is a freaky swamp of chewn-apart tapes and headphone gargle, a bubbling excursion through waves of synthesized ooze. When yr head surfaces, the smell is still there: mutant, rolling, and strung from the trees, clinging like the eye that may or may not be looming over yr shoulder… 50 pro-dubbed + screened cassettes.

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Marcus Fjellström – ‘Epilogue -M-‘ LP/CD
Epilogue -M- exposes a dark and frightening ambient universe, an outer space of exploding galaxies, vaporizing masses, magnitudes, the interior of gravitation, and floating emotions in an apparently silent sea of white light, full of grace and dark black anxious endings. The first entry in Aagoo’s new Rev. Lab. series is Swedish composer and multimedia artist Marcus Fjellström’s EP “Epilogue -M-“. The EP follows the critically acclaimed albums “Gebrauchsmusik” (2006, Lampse), “Exercises in Estrangement” (2005, Lampse), “Schattenspieler” (2010, Miasmah Recordings) and the self-released “Library Music 1” (2011, Kafkagarden). Fjellström’s artistic output ranges from the purely orchestral to electronic music and audiovisual work. He has worked with the Swedish Royal Ballet and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, as well as numerous ensembles and soloists, independent record labels, artists and filmmakers. In his works, Fjellström often aims to combine opposites so that they don’t contradict each other, but rather fuse into a natural, third element. There is often a challenging of the gap between “high” and “low” culture, of the naïve and the sophisticated, of good and bad taste. Musical influences range from electronica such as Aphex Twin and Autechre, to 20th century composers such as György Ligeti and John Cage. Further influences include impressionist composers Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy, and film music composers Bernard Herrmann, Angelo Badalamenti and Zdenk Liska… The EP “Epilogue -M-” presents six compositions, which could be described as claustrophobic sounds in interstellar beauty. They explore the cold thin space of ambience and melody, texture and silence, haunting synth and orchestral audio constructions coupled with driven percussion and creaky background noise. There exists a seemingly equal and sinister parallel universe of oppressive and frightened sounds with particularly harrowing and tense undertones. The origin of Epilogue -M- lies in the collaboration between Fjellström and graphic artist Bas Mantel. Mantel has translated and interpreted the six sonic compositions into graphic interstellar maps for the album artwork, which consists of two double-sided 24-inch posters. Epilogue -M- exposes a dark and frightening ambient universe, an outer space of exploding galaxies, vaporizing masses, magnitudes, the interior of gravitation, and floating emotions in an apparently silent sea of white light, full of grace and dark black anxious endings.

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ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE – ‘In Search Of The Lost Divine Arc’ 2LP/CD
Incredible new AMT full length referencing Led Zeppelin the way Son Of A Bitches Brew referenced Miles Davis. Expansive AMT jams but also very structured song writing. If you saw them on tour recently you definitely saw some of these songs live.

JOZEF VAN WISSEM – ‘Nihil Obstat’ CD/LP
Jozef Van Wissem’s most far reaching and accessible record yet is Nihil Obstat. Full of gorgeous, slowly unraveling melodies, this JVW furthers his reputation as a singular composer and performer.

TOTAL LIFE/DECEH LP
Split release from Kevin Doria (Growing) and Deceh who, for this record, are comprised of members of Eleh & Srines. Deceh’s composition is in 3 parts & we had some difficulty editing it down accurately for an excerpt so we simply cut up the track into three sections for the Mp3 sample online. Total Life’s side, however, is a slowly evolving heavy duty monster of a piece that foreshadows his upcoming full lengths for Imprec (yes, full lengths) in 2013/2014.

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RAMBUTAN – ‘Inverted Summer’ LP
“‘Inverted Summer’ is the full-length vinyl LP debut of Eric Hardiman’s (Century Plants/Burnt Hills) solo project. As Rambutan, Hardiman has released a steady stream of quality material on a variety of underground labels since 2007. Subtly bridging realms of noise, dub, psych, drone, minimalism, and musique concrete, Rambutan brings listeners into a unique sonic headspace that finds common ground between bliss and dread. Utilizing various electronics, synthesizers, tapes, guitar, and bass, “Inverted Summer” is a sprawling, wide-angle piece of work, yielding deep zones of textural soundscaping that can soothe and unsettle in equal measure. “Inverted Summer” captures Rambutan’s thick, dubby atmospherics in all their glory, revealing Hardiman to be a sound artist whose improvisational techniques are as formidable as his sense of structure and development. These are alien soundtracks for the recombinant generation, just waiting for you to disappear into them.” Mastered by James Plotkin, and cut by Golden Mastering. Edition of 300 on black vinyl. Includes free download code.

PUBLIC SPEAKING – ‘Blanton Ravine’ LP/CD
On his knees in a semicircle of electronic processors and percussive clutter, the singer quakes and moans, possessed with a passionate, paranoid vision. Public Speaking is the solo moniker of Brooklyn experimental musician Jason Anthony Harris. Utilizing found objects, radio, tape recorder, synthesizer and effect pedals, he constructs percussive, textural music for his deep, soulful vocals to croon over. Somewhere between Brian Eno and Tune-Yards, or Tortoise and James Blake, Harris’ music explores pop music as organized sound. The Deli Magazine wrote: “This is soul music functioning as 21st century meditation… [This] is what happens when an artist personally realizes the sound of his environment, and puts it to use.” His first full-length, “Blanton Ravine” is a lush collection of songs and sounds drawing on avant rock, IDM, ambient, noise, and R&B. LP is in an edition of 225 w/paste-on art over all black jackets. Includes free download code. CD limited to 200 copies.

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TROUBLE VS GLUE – ‘Die Trauerweide’ LP
TvsG is a duo: as the name says, we can picture one of ’em as the Trouble and the other as the Glue, in a never ending fight made of synths, guitar, drums and wicked voices. After their debut album on the german label Urquinaona (“Zum Teufel”) and a song on the (in)famousBorgata Boredom – Music And Noises From Roma Est – LP, they strike back with some great new stuff: 10 killer songs for “Die Trauerweide” LP (eng. weeping willow). They might be two but they sound like a six pieces band! Groove drumming and percussions, killer synths and guitars, female/male schizo voices combined with a dadaist pop attitude into a mix of no-wave, weird punk and hypnotic synth atmospheres. At times TvsG sound like the Residents with a punk drummer, in others like a weird japanese electronic pop band from the ’80s, while some other tracks bring us back to the no-wave of Lizzy Mercier Descloux and DNA. These are only some analogies, because they’ve got totally a personal and original sound. Intense, dancey, wacky, sweaty, catchy: Die Trauerweide is a great album. 35mins of pleasure for Body and Mind! And just a suggestion: they are often on tour (more then 300 shows all over Europe, USA and Canada in the last 6 years), if you got the chance, go and see their live show: it will blow your mind!

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TIN010 – USER32 – ‘.dll’
The first release from electronic/vaporwave artist USER32. From the artist: “The making of this EP was inspired by the beautiful Downtown Tampa. Each track is specifically chosen to be used for this EP because of how well they capture the feelings of Downtown Tampa during daytime and during nighttime.”

TIN011 – Loipe s/t
The debut EP from German “lehmrock” band Loipe; an instrumental three-piece that combines sludge, post-rock, shoegaze, math rock, and technical prowess to perform tight and stunning compositions.

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‘1984/Back to the Future‘
[EN] Concept album by an unknown artist, remixing rock classics and mashing them up with samples on the topic of mind control, power over masses and independent thinking. Part of our Anonymous Archives sub-label. [PT] Album conceptual pelas mãos de um artista desconhecido, remisturando clássicos do rock com samples sobre os tópicos de controlo da mente, poder sobre as massas e pensamento independente. Parte do catálogo da nossa sub-editora Anonymous Archives.

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JFM – ‘JFM’ LP
JFM is the solo electronics project of Toronto sound and visual artist Jesse Matthews. A nomadic creator, he navigates the outer sound waves, plucking bits and pieces of junk noise from the sonic ether as he drifts. Sure, he is traveling light: just a sampler full of useless memories from the radio, birds from the park where he slept, dudes at a party, squealing feedback to stab at your ears, bass and drums lifted off a dance club from way down the street at weed alley, whatever. Everything has changed, you know? Now it’s all just electronic music for time gamblers and backwoods tweakers. I mean, Jesse and our pal Evan recorded some of this album from a remote control toy boat in a duck pond. Can you hear the black flies swarm as the sun comes up on their all night jam? It’s right there. Watch their eye lids gently close as those rays of light start beating down. Will you wade into J fm’s mind and feel around as he dreams music into colour, taste and matter? THE DOOR IS OPEN. Edition of 300 vinyl copies | DL.

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