NNA Tapes

NNA075: Horse Lords – ‘Hidden Cities’ LP
NNA Tapes is pleased to announce “Hidden Cities”, the second LP from Baltimore’s Horse Lords. Over the two years since their critically acclaimed self-titled debut, Horse Lords have become fixtures on the American DIY scene, touring with Matmos, Guerilla Toss, and Guardian Alien, and playing festivals such as Hopscotch, NXNE, and Fields Fest. Recorded and mixed by Chris Freeland (Wye Oak, Lower Dens), on “Hidden Cities” Horse Lords square the circle, making music that is alternately tight and loose, real-time risky and process oriented, reconciling the sweaty force of a killer basement show with the icy precision of conservatory training. On opening track “Outer East” the band showcases its considerable range and sick chops: over a low-slung motorik groove, Andrew Bernstein spins a smoky web of sax-into-delay that recalls Terry Riley’s “Reed Streams”. The song turns an unexpected corner five minutes in as guitarist Owen Gardner—who has structurally altered his frets into a just intonation tuning system—carves beguiling arabesque figures on top of Max Eilbacher’s insistently funky bass. Sam Haberman then breaks in with a fierce drum solo, from which the whole band erupts into a relentless forward moving ecstatic riff that blurs the difference between prog, no-wave and minimalism. It’s a compressed lesson in the effortless eclecticism and muscular playing that makes this band so mesmerizing live. Following “Outer East” with barely a pause, “Life Without Dead Time” rides a mutating polyrhythmic grid that showcases the synthesizer and signal processing chops of Eilbacher (whose solo LP “Red Anxiety Tracers” came out to critical acclaim on Spectrum Spools last year). A gradually building ramp built of field recordings, tape manipulation and modular synthesis, “Tent City” introduces the second long-form composition on the album, “Macaw”. A floor burner at their live shows, “Macaw” builds rhythmic tension and release before coalescing into a unison burst of festivity and abandon. Bernstein’s woodblock figure pulls away from Haberman’s steady beat and the resulting groove plays out like a krautrock duel-in-the-sand between two offset patterns competing for dominance in a vivid strobe effect. By the ten-minute mark, Gardner’s guitar hits a Bo-Diddley-meets-Group-Doueh sweet spot and the track lifts off in a final spiral of ensemble unison hammering. A coda for extremist signal processing, “All That Is Solid” manipulates and processes the record’s preceding riffs into liquid pools of unrecognizably alien new forms, setting you down on the other side of “Hidden Cities” at once startled and becalmed. It’s vital, thrilling, and utterly transcends its many influences to arrive at a new place on the map for forward-thinking American rock music.

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Avant!

HOT GUTS – ‘Wilds’ LP
The second full-length from Philadelphia based post-industrial group. What started off as a raw and gritty post-punk band in 2007 eventually evolved into a more refined foray into territories that cross between the electronic and organic, as well as the harsh and beautiful. Currently a duo, Wes Russell’s signature rich baritone and unorthodox guitar stylings (at times more reminiscent of construction machinery than a guitar) are still very present while counterpart Shari Wallin (also of Void Vision) provides the synths and drum machines as well as backing vocals. Within this web of minimal electronics there are hints of EBM, neofolk, tribal industrial but there is an element of experimentalism that has always been present in Hot Guts that keeps things sounding fresh, and strangely contemporary throughout the recordings. Comes on 33rpm black 12″ vinyl.

LOST TRIBE – ‘Solace’ LP
Richmond, VA goth peace-punk combo is back after their huge 2011 s/t debut LP on Blind Prophet. Once again their sound is an epic odyssey through the graveyard dimension of punk, drawing inspiration from early crust, 80s California deathrock, UK anarchopunk, and the more tribal side of postpunk bands like Killing Joke. Solace combines piercing bass lines with earthquake-like drumming, strong vocals, darkly atmospheric synths, and razor-like guitars to weave a spell of death, lamentation, destruction, and disease over the listener. Punk from the wrong side of midnight. Released in Europe by Avant! and in the US by Mass Media Recs. 33rpm black vinyl 12″, comes with insert sheet with lyrics.

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Monorail Trespassing

[mt99cs] Mlehst – ‘Cunt Trouble’ C30
mt99csCrucial material from legendary British composer All Brentnall, the first since his return after a long absence to meld elements of his past and present digital and analog approaches while retaining his compositional trademarks. Dark, surrealist sound collage with a perverted sexual undercurrent and a twist of sinister humor. Very honored to release this material from a longtime favorite. Edition of 100, artwork by Shannon A. Kennedy (Nephila, Pedestrian Deposit).

[mt101cs] Lettera 22 – ‘Subsequent Teeth’ C32
mt101csThe Italian duo of Matteo Castro and Ricardo Mazza is just one of a few working practitioners taking noise music forward by fusing elements of mid-2000’s harsh noise worship and early musique concrète while picking up some contemporary digital composition and sound collage techniques along the way. Tracks from 2011 and 2013, rich with detail and intention; never a dull moment. Highly recommended. Edition of 100, black and white artwork.

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Sincope

SIN030 FRANCISCO MEIRINO – ‘Beyond Repair’ CD
BEYOND frontanimalpsiFrancisco Meirino is a Spanish sound artist living in Lausanne (Switzerland) active since 1994, under the moniker “Phroq” until 1999. He has collaborated in studio with many musicians as Dave Phillips, Leif Elggren, Michael Esposito, Lasse Marhaug, Mike Shiflet, Gerritt Wittmer and many others. And has been commissioned with music for Pro-Helvetia (Switzerland), Radio Airplane (Japan), Cindy Van Acker (Switzerland), Mostra d’Art Sonor i Visual de Barcelona (Spain). Beyond that he has a rich journey as a solo artist. Beyond Repair is its latest solo cd. Eleven short tracks for modular synth, home made electronics and tape recorders. A true union between coarse substance of analogical devices and voltage of tense electronics. The core of Beyond Repair is the fusion of its contrasts. Permanent tension between chiselling and bare deconstruction, meditation and frontal sound, cold stasis and unstable dynamics. Eleven tracks that run without pause as a single composition that hits like a strong cut-up aggression. An active fragments path irreparable, almost elusive but real sharp in his objectivity. Runs fast and affects the listener on an intuitive level as flashes. A set which stops roughly and leaves the feeling of intuition. It does not reveal, but it makes his little lighting. artwork by truculentboy. glass master CD on four panel cardboard sleeves. limited to 200 copies

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Lighten Up Sounds

LUS#081 Surgical Renaissance – ‘VI: Dedicated to Dr. Donald Kahl’ 2xC30
Double whammy cacophony, deep maroon gash against virgin white field. Raging session of crude slice and attack from harsh noise duo Matt Mayer (NNA Tapes, A Snake In The Garden) & Michael Timmers (Lord Bird, LBGC). Nasty fresh wound of Vermont, acrid disinfectant / sharpened steel! Matched set of two black shell c30‘s w/ black on black labels comes packaged in double-tall clear Norelco cases. Each copy includes free download code for two hypno-therapy sessions beneficial for true bettering of self. Full color cardstock J-card features photo of antique field surgery kit. Hand-numbered edition of 30, rusted scalpel cuts deep.

LUS#083 Jason Millard – ‘Second Based’ C30
We are blissed to deliver these fresh recordings to the people, providing only the most uncompromising sounds for our dedicated (glutton for punishment) listeners. An actual album of songs, all written at the time of recording, mostly 1st take. No long form improv noodle here, rather a series of concise sonic statements, mashing to congeal into thick paste for ideal forehead smear. These recordings are RAW, using the simple means of basically only voice, acoustic guitar, and tape machines. No looping pedals or fuzz distortion pedals were used in the making of this album. The results are staggering; crude glimpses of brilliance through the murk. Like ZZ Top trying to play “Meet The Residents”? Bizarre but catchy, almost tangible but severely mangled. Outsider song-smithery that puts to shame the throngs of hippy dippy “psychedelic” singer-songwriters that people seem to drool over. This sounds less like watching grass grow and more like peeling paint with gasoline. Heavy solvent fume, grotesque production values, so fucked. Difficult to accurately describe but completely unforgettable, coming to you with our highest possible recommendation. Professionally duplicated to Type II Chrome, imprinted bright orange shell cassette comes classically packaged with full color baseball card artwork in black/clear Norelco case. Includes large double sided fold-out 4” x 17” xeroxed lyric sheet, edition of 100. Prepare for vapor lock.

LUS#084 Land – ‘The Container’ C36
Pleased to unleash this new analog offering from Minneapolis psych-unit. Trio of Graham Baldwin, Jason Millard and Matthew Himes return to the imprint with three tracks of heavy Kyuss-jazz minimalism and Space Cadillac maneuvers. Imprinted smoke shell cassette comes packaged with double sided glossy cardstock J-card featuring barren and stark found photography in clear Norelco case. Professionally duplicated to Type II chrome in an edition of 100. Heavy and swirling caveman rock structures dissolve and turn to smoke. Features members of Myrrh and Visitor. Soundtrack for zero visibility navigation through deep fog bank.

LUS#085 Office Skin – ‘Slough’ C18
“The only instrument to be heard on this recording besides the human voice & a standard drum kit is the Ansible. It has a purple gray face and sensitive ears that can reproduce anything it is told, within reason. A cluster of wires in the guise of a marionette… Mixxxed under duress (the first time) from a Tascam 388 (of Paul’s Boutique fame!) Many versions curated or disposed of in the process… Thrash is not trash. Peruse this living document in the spirit of our seafaring forebears, who know sinking stones raise the bar.”- Andy Neubauer. Office Skin is Andres Varela / Harry Childe of Minneapolis. Recorded to 1/4” tape by Andy Neubauer & Lungman in Phillips neighborhood, Spring 2014. Toxic lime green cassette w/ black imprint, professionally duplicated to cobalt tape. Packaged with card stock insert featuring electronics how-to illustration and xerox insert, edition of 100.

LUS#086 Ak’chamel, The Giver Of Illness – ‘My Form Has Been Extinguished’ VHS
Bizarre and intense neo-pagan gargle from the shadows of Texas. Dead chuffed to present this new original film work from Ak’chamel, The Giver of Illness entitled “My Form Has Been Extinguished”. A warped and lovely stew of damaged folk/broken world music/ low-fi black metal and tangled tape wonk, “My Form…” is a gloom-laden hypnotic document following a faceless shaman’s quest to incarnate the primordial spirits of chaos and destruction. Organic forms twisted and incessantly folding into deeper new selves for complete dissolve of the physical realm. Extreme psychedelia, 56 minutes. CAUTION: This film contains heavily manipulated visuals which may cause severe nausea in some viewers. This film also contains “strobe” light effects and is not to be viewed by anyone with Epilepsy, or by anyone using a pace maker or mechanical heart assistance. Bright red shell VHS comes packaged with full color spine and face labels, housed in heavy black vinyl clamshell case with full color cardstock artwork and “This Film May Make You Sick” warning insert. Analog fetish object, delivering supreme audio/visual disassociation for only the most melted of minds. Hand numbered edition of 50, upsetting and beautiful.

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Heavy Psych

SISSY SPACEK – ‘Phyrric Victory’ 7″
An aggressive blend of noisecore & grind. From the Mumma, Ronnau & Wiese line up. edition of 200.

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Notice

NTR028 Ryan Jewell – ‘Radio: Vol. 2’
NTR028 Scan_alt_cover_AP Upon seeing Ryan Jewell’s patient, rigorous and riveting performance at Chicago’s very first Neon Marshmallow festival, we were fascinated by his meticulous sonic explorations falling somewhere in-between percussion, minimalism and electronic composition. Several years on, Jewell, still based in Columbus, OH, has continued to build an impressive resume as a co-conspirator with all sorts of people. Populated by acoustic textures, percussion-based sonic events, and unconventionally performed sounds, the assuredly paced solo pieces in Radio: Vol. 2 reveal Jewell as the yin to the noisier side of the Ohio scene. Professionally duplicated on Chrome tape stock. Artwork by Virginia Lawrence and Evan Lindorff-Ellery. Letterpress printed by John Fitzgerald at Fitzgerald Letterpress.

NTR027 Black William/Litüus – ‘Fissures/κλίση’
NTR027 Scan_alt_cover APLitüus is from Chicago, IL; less is known of Black William. Somehow, on this split of hypnotically minimal synth pieces, that seems appropriate. Black William’s side takes a simple repeated figure and expands it (by hand) into an expansive buzzing drone. Litüus likewise programs a sequence that remains in constant change throughout the piece’s duration. Both sides combine programmed sequences with planned change, but also include a certain level of machine/human interaction. Certain parameters are predetermined; others altered by a human being. Both draw attention to structure, change and duration, resulting in a unique harmony between the organic and the industrial. Professionally duplicated on Chrome tape stock. Artwork by Connor Camburn and Evan Lindorff-Ellery. Letterpress printed by John Fitzgerald at Fitzgerald Letterpress.

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I Had an Accident

DenMother – ‘Passion Is Seldom The End’ C32 $6
passionsmallIn another world, the whispered loops, the delicate tenderness, the soft touch of DenMother’s vocals are pieced so elegantly together with spaced sounds, synth drones, and the longing for something unreal. Its not to be seen as a fantasy, but a reverie that rises from the heart. Passion Is Seldom The End shows DenMother alone, uninhibited, and ready to embrace the world ahead. The adventure begins with soothing tones, somber drums and a voice that cuts deep. Her minimalist approach to art presents an organic album limited to 44 butterscotch cassettes. Most contain red hubs, although a very few have black hubs.

Lakeside Summer Homes – ‘Inside And Under The Skin’ C32 $6
lakesidesmallLakeside Summer Homes is the side project collaborative of Marjen and marcjacobsmodel. The two developed lush loops and downtempo beats that encapsulate the best moments of each artist. Inside And Under The Skin features 30 minutes of beautiful crafted sound. The softness of the album creates an airy disposition and composed nature. A cool chilling release. Limited to 50 pale blue cassettes.

ThiNXx – ‘All By Myself’ C40 $6
thinxxsmallAll By Myself is the solo album of South African hip hop / rapper ThiNXx. Composing home-made beats and introspective lyrics, ThiNXx raps and rhymes in a old school hip hop way. Completely underground, the style of beats bounce with the vocals. “ABMS” is a multi-themed offering of tracks crossed with instrumentals to convey the journey of isolation in the life of an artist dedicated to focusing on one’s goals earnestly, and not being swayed despite various distractions and hindrances along the way. Limited to 40 red tint c40 cassettes.

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Holodeck

Sungod – ‘Sungod’ LP/CS
Sungod’s massive eponymous full-length is now open for pre-order! Limited to 500 LP’s and 200 tapes, Sungod finds the Austin-duo at a sonic apex across five expansive tracks, condensing decades into seconds & centuries into minutes. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Sungod operate well outside of time. Their self-titled full-length is the band’s most potent testament to this fact and we could not be more proud to be presenting Sungod in its final form. Sungod approach their work with a purposeful disregard for chronological and geographic borders alike, devoid of any fixed time or point of origin. Touching on the modern and the classic, Sungod‘s five expansive tracks offer a series of portals into the past while maintaining a contemporary progressive sound. With a new line-up of auxiliary musicians contributing to the exploration of a full-spectrum of sonic planes, Sungod covers enough ground to hold a mirror up to infinity and find the inner frontiers of the self in its reflection. The Austin duo’s eponymous LP perpetuates the timeless elements of many experimental musics while further refining a craft that is wholly their own. The core of Sungod is made up of Michael Sharp and Braden Balentine, who record out of their shared home studio with a rotating cast of like minded musicians from Austin’s fertile underground music scene. While incorporating an ever-broadening inventory of influences, the band’s methodical arrangements and layers of meditative repetition hearken back to 70’s Krautrock, which serves as a solid foundation for further ventures into both burgeoning and antiquated realms. Polyrhythmic drums and arpeggiated synthesizers propel much of Sungod‘s procession forward, sitting in total harmony with acoustically-oriented pieces that concisely imbue a compensatory calm to the album’s potent, high velocity moments. Initially composed around an awe-inspiring single-take drum performance by Michael Sharp, Shiftless in Nkawkaw is supported with additional vocals by a pair of Sharp’s coworkers who jumped onto an impromptu recording session after a shift together, chorusing between psychoactivated guitar solos and fully engrossing flute melodies. Ample contributions from flutist Kristine Reaume as well as bassist Alex Hughes help to make Sungod’s latest LP an exponent in this era of the band’s cosmology. However, the epic closing track L’âme de toute étoile strips back down to Sharp and Balentine, proficiently exhibiting their command of drums, guitar, and synth in one of their most elemental works to date. With the vast scope of outsider-art that has been absorbed and reinterpreted in becoming Sungod, a casual listener may have difficulty placing what country or decade spawned these cerebral pieces; in this way, Sungod exists well outside the normal timeline of recorded music. Building off of their primal tape Contackt, Sungod resurfaces with a new and fully realized LP, an ongoing evolution that has now become sentient. Sungod strives to reveal the universal constants in music, the Platonic solids of rhythm and melody that are as unchanging as natural laws. Sungod drops on 11/11/14 in LP (500), cassette (200), & digital (∞) formats.

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Fragment Factory

ENEMA SYRINGE – ‘Upshutlenvolte’ 7″
frag32animalpsi250 copies. Three previously unreleased tracks, recorded back in 1987 in Örebro, Sweden by Kai Parviainen. 14+minutes of raw and primitive staccato electronics with that specific touch of utter insanity, which constitutes the distinctive criterion of E.S. and all the other projects Parviainen has been involved in (such as Enema & Gejonte, Commando Laarz, En Halvkokt I Folie etc). Edition of 200 copies on black + 50 hand-numbered on dark brown marbled vinyl, incl. stamped/signed collage insert card, available directly from Fragment Factory only.

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