Browse by Artist: VAINIO, MIKA

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	Rasputin 3000
Label:	COMFORTZONE (AUSTRIA)
Format:	7"
Price:	$12.00
Catalog #:	CZ 015EP

Mika Vainio, currently based in Berlin, is one-half of the groundbreaking minimal electronic duo Pan Sonic. Before starting Pan Sonic in the beginning of the '90s, Mika Vainio has played electronics and drums as part of the early Finnish industrial and noise scene. His solo works, under his own name and under aliases like Ø, are known for their analog warmth and electronic harshness. Producing either abstract drone works or minimal avant techno, Vainio always creates unique, physical sounds.

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	Life (...It Eats You Up)
Label:	EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.50
Catalog #:	EMEGO 124CD

All tracks written by Finnish experimental electronic musician Mika Vainio, except "Open Up And Bleed" by Iggy Pop/James Williamson. Whereas previous works by Mika Vainio have utilized guitar, Life (...It Eats You Up) is the first to use the instrument as its primary sound source. A fascinating, sometimes disturbing and deeply personal work, this new 10 track set bears all the hallmarks (exacting attention to detail of tone, rhythm and texture) of Vainio's previous works with some stunning surprises, such as his cover version of The Stooges' "Open Up And Bleed." Tracks such as "Mining" hark bark to the banging beat excesses of Pan Sonic, in addition to "Crashed" and "And Give Us Our Daily Humiliation" and the opening "In Silence A Scream Takes A Heart" reveals a new intensity to Vainio's work. Yet another superb addition to Vainio's already brilliant catalog.

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	Time Examined
Label:	RASTER-NOTON (GERMANY)
Format:	2CD/BOOK
Price:	$59.00
Catalog #:	R-N 109CD

In the past 13 years, Finnish experimental electronic musician Mika Vainio has exhibited in some of the major art spaces in Europe, and has collaborated with a number of important artists and curators. Since his musical work has been in the focus of attention, his installations have never gained the broader recognition they deserve -- without good reason. In this book, an overview will give a clear outline of this segment of his oeuvre. Also, his realized soundtracks for other artists, in the genres of video, film and dance are included. Each work is presented with a significant selection of images (installation views, visuals or sketches) and an explanatory text gives context and delivers its basic idea. In the two essays, Carl Michael von Hausswolff and Daniela Cascella -- longtime companions and collaborators -- delicately introduce Vainio's conceptions to further enlighten the reader's understanding. On CD1 all tracks originate from the installation and soundtrack pieces presented in the book. CD2 is a reissue of his 1997 collaborative release with Carsten Nicolai -- Ø + Noto, Mikro Makro. 92 pages, color/monochrome. Texts by Daniel Klemm, Daniela Cascella, Carl Michael von Hausswolff.

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	In The Land Of The Blind The One-Eyed Is King
Label:	TOUCH (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	TO 054CD

"This is Mika Vainio's 3rd solo CD for Touch, after Kajo and Onko. Best known as one-half of Pan Sonic (Blast First), Mika is from Finland and now lives in Berlin. Generally speaking, contemporary musicians produce too much stuff. It is easy to do. But if you feel like sighing, 'Oh, it's another Mika Vainio CD', then Mr Vainio himself has anticipated such sentiments with the opening track, a 2 minute blast which sounds like an angry animal breaking free of its cage. What follows is probably Vainio's most accomplished work to date, a series of rich soundscapes whose beauty is always on the edge of darkness. Not wanting to bang a drum, anyone who has been invigorated by the work of Mika and Ilpo in Pan Sonic will be keen to hear these more pastoral takes on their more propulsive sound -- in places, being reminiscent of Artemyev's recordings for Tarkovsky films, in others, suggesting sound recordings of frogs and insect life. All framed by the distinct touch of Mika Vainio, who confirms his long?standing reputation as one of the most acute musicians of our times."

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	Aíneen Musta Puhelin (Black Telephone Of Matter)
Label:	TOUCH (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	TO 072CD

Finland's Mika Vainio presents his fourth solo album for the Touch label, after Onko (1997), Kajo (2000) and In The Land Of The Blind One-Eyed Is King (2003). He is one-half of Pan Sonic with Ilpo Väisänen, and also records solo as Ø. Vainio's solo works are akin to meditative sound installations -- ruminations on the inner-working heart of machine-made music. Sometimes juxtaposing warm analog sounds with harsher electronics, or isolating and diminishing sounds into ambient gauziness, Vainio is an important technician who has firmly established himself in the cadre of minimal, carefully-sculpted electronics.

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	FE304 - Magnetite
Label:	TOUCH (UK)
Format:	CD
Price:	$14.50
Catalog #:	TO 086CD

Mika Vainio, currently based in Berlin, was one-half of the minimal electronic duo Pan Sonic from Finland, (with Ilpo Väisänen). Before starting Pan Sonic in the beginning of the '90s, Mika Vainio has played electronics and drums as part of the early Finnish industrial and noise scene. His solo works, under his own name and under aliases like Ø, are known for their analog warmth and electronic harshness. Be it abstract drone works or minimal avant techno, Vainio is always creating unique, physical sounds. He has released on other labels such as Editions Mego, Wavetrap and Sähkö, and he has produced work with, amongst others, Alan Vega of Suicide, Keiji Haino, and Bruce Gilbert. Since 2009, Mika Vainio has contributed to the music for Cindy van Acker's dance pieces. This is his fifth album for Touch, after 1998's Onko (TO 034CD), 2000's Kajo, 2004's Sokeiden Maassa Yksisilmäinen on Kuningas (In the Land of the Blind One-Eyed Is King) (TO 054CD) and 2009's Aíneen Musta Puhelin (Black Telephone of Matter) (TO 072CD). FE3O4 - MAGNETITE was recorded in Berlin between 2011 and 2012. In contrast to the dark vistas of his most recent releases, FE3O4 - Magnetite oscillates between the two poles of silence and noise. Using his signature sources which range from radio signals to sine wave generators, Mika Vainio creates a unique emotional journey that moves from the serene to the unsettling, always challenging the listener's comfort zone.

Artist:	VAINIO, MIKA
Title:	Behind The Radiators
Label:	TOUCH (UK)
Format:	7"
Price:	$7.00
Catalog #:	TS 006EP

Finland's Mika Vainio continues the Touch Sevens 7" vinyl-only limited edition series with an absolute stunner. The crackle and fire of raw analog used as a voice. This series is a non-digital statement that cannot be applied to digital formats -- the sonic texture, the use of a locked groove, the A & the B. The label chose not to specify the RPM, encouraging listeners to experiment with playback options and personal preferences. Artwork and photography by Jon Wozencroft.

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