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Index of Labels
Browse by Label: EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Artist:
FASSLER & BILLY ROISZ, SILVIA
Title:
Skylla
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 001CD
Silvia Fässler
: computer, electronics, guitar;
Billy Roisz
: computer, turntable. This is the long-awaited debut collaboration between these long time associates of Viennese subculture; Silvia in various curatorial roles and Billy as video artist.
Skylla
is a monster. A sheering, scathing collision of computer-generated sounds meshed with guitar and turntable. The results are intense yet bearable, funny but not stupid. From the rhythmical excesses of "Pink Umbrella" and "Kirre" to the subtle dronescape of "Syne," this is a full-on experience. Instruments used include the Kluppe Looper and Lloopp.
Artist:
PRINS, GERT-JAN
Title:
Break Before Make
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 002CD
This is Amsterdam-based
Gert-Jan Prins
' first full-length release.
Break Before Make
is an arsenal of customized electronics, timpani and voice. Like its predecessor
Risk
, this record investigates the sonic possibilities to be found in electronic devices and circuits. However, this is no noodling experimental stuff but a compact set of finely-crafted sonics. Short, sharp shocks with a bit of timpani thrown in. Besides his solo-project, current projects include
MIMEO
,
Synchronator
and
The Flirts
. He has collaborated with
Pita
,
Thomas Lehn
,
Lee Ranaldo
,
Anne la Berge
,
Fennesz
,
Vacuum Boys
,
Marcus Schmickler
,
Giuseppe Ielasi
,
Carlos Giffoni
and many more.
Artist:
O'MALLEY & ATTILA CSIHAR, STEPHEN
Title:
6°Fskyquake
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 003CD
Debut collaborative release by
Stephen O'Malley
(
SunnO)))
,
Khanate
, etc.): HP 200CD & Travis Bean/Fender Twin Reverb; and
Attila Csihar
: vocals.
6°Fskyquake
is an audio composition designed in 2001 but explored in conjunction with the American sculptor
Banks Violette
's solo shows in the summer of 2007. Actually, two shows at two different galleries, Barbara Gladstone & Team, running simultaneously. The interaction of sound and Violette's work revisited concepts touched in prior collaborations: of loss, absence, residual energy of a missed evocative experience. The composition was captured at a recording session during the installation process at Team gallery, and later transfered to Gladstone as a recorded playback to the public. Designed for three separate systems consisting of powered 18" subwoofers and PA tops, the composition runs a total of 8 hours and 35 minutes. This room recording represents a possible stereo interpretation of a portion of that work. The fifth collaboration between Stephen O'Malley & Banks Violette circulated amongst the main theme of sound as physical presence. Sound pressure in substantial space, relative dimension between concrete and perceptual mass, gravity induced by heightened sonic action and standing sub-bass pressure. The contribution of lyrics, text and vocals by Hungarian black metal vocalist Attila Csihar were inspired by his journeys inside imperial Tokyo, bringing an emotional and meditative identity to the otherwise purely structural composition. For this we shall be blessed. The ghost of presence subsists across physical space, the phantom of absence across linear finite, the shadow of mass via memories. What once was.
Artist:
Z'EV VS PITA
Title:
Colchester
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 004CD
This is the debut collaborative release by
Z'EV
and
Pita
, recorded live. Both of these artists barely need any introduction: Z'EV is basically the high-guru of industrial music and Pita (
Peter Rehberg
) is the Austrian co-director of the Editions Mego label. These two heavyweights of experimental music have been associates for two decades. This creative collaboration called
Colchester
came about after a meeting in 2004, which led to a monthly file exchange program in 2005. Instead of releasing results immediately, they decided to test the material in a live setting. Performances were held in Vienna and throughout the UK during 2006.
Colchester
is the final result of this process. A mesmerizing and intense collision of Z'EV's acoustic percussion work and Pita's computer manipulation. This is one absolutely thunderous, continuous track, split into 11 parts. Recorded at the Colchester Arts Centre in 2006, mixed by Z'EV in London in 2008. Mastered at Piethopraxis in Cologne. Designed by SOMA. Limited edition of 500 copies.
Artist:
IBITSU
Title:
Foolproof Betters Fools Bettering Foolproof...
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 005CD
A curious and highly fine-tuned digital composition emerging from somewhere in Japan. Starting life nearly a decade ago, this piece was refined, restarted, thrown away, though lost and finally adjusted and completed in March of 2008. A shimmering sub-rumble counters hi-end tweaks, like an acid-drenched take on the spirit of early Trente Oiseaux releases.
Foolproof Betters Fools Bettering Foolproof...
demands total attention as well as playback on the correct speaker systems. This is not a soundtrack to any other activity but listening. Total time: 24'46. Limited to 500 copies.
Artist:
PATERAS & ROBIN FOX, ANTHONY
Title:
End of Daze
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 006CD
Melbourne-based electroacoustic improv duo
Anthony Pateras
&
Robin Fox
return with their second release for the Editions Mego label. This is a shredding album filled with Antipodean-blasted bliss that will get even the darkest of doomlords crawling out of their abyss of hatred and dancing like lunatics.
End of Daze
is a bulletproof testament to the duo's eight year history in the trenches of live electroacoustic music -- their messy, over-the top contact-miked beginnings now formed into a powerful and futuristic meta-language borrowing from the early electronic masters, with bizarre sound poetry, vintage synth festishism, the eternal patch tweak and good old fashioned Melbourne experimentalist brutality fueled by a poisonous love affair with sonic invention. A combination of materials forged live on stage alongside carefully considered studio mayhem, the audio contained on this disc is their finest vein-popping blend of chaos and order to date. Recorded beautifully by longtime engineer
James "Wilkinsound" Wilkinson
in Melbourne, combined with some sessions from WORM in Rotterdam,
End of Daze
promises a sonic range as wide as its genesis, complete with angry-boy artwork courtesy of
Clare Cooper
. Limited to 500 copies. Robin Fox: computer, controllers, ARP 2500, and programming. Anthony Pateras: computer, Doepfer A-100, voice, and Revox B-77.
Artist:
NILSEN & STILLUPPSTEYPA, BJ
Title:
Man From Deep River
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 007CD
A collaborative release between Icelandic experimental duo
Stilluppsteypa
(
Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson
and
Helgi Thorsson
) and Sweden-born
BJNilsen
. Based on a found tape from 1975 which served as guidance for the compositions,
Man From Deep River
opens up a new development in these artists' sound. Melodic passages with sweeping electronics and analog synthesizers mix with field recordings and disturbed voices, creating a multifaceted piece. BJNilsen defines his work as "
focused upon the sound of nature and its effects on humans, and the perception of time and space as experienced through sound
." He has numerous recordings on Touch and has collaborated with the likes of
Chris Watson
,
Christian Fennesz
, and
Z'ev
. Stilluppsteypa's electronic abstractions engage absurd theatrics that mar the pristine surface of minimalism. These lovable Nordic heroes are back with more intense listening and shining, isolationist compositions.
Man From Deep River
quickly develops between two lonely, desperate individuals, and the savage natives around him who turn against their own mountain god. This "illness" is caused by several deeply depressing circumstances and by the intense difficulty of other sickening situations. The musical expression of this story is described by Stilluppsteypa as "
an environment of high tension, but also with moments of temporary insanity and auditory hallucinations
."
Artist:
MENCHE, DANIEL
Title:
Kataract
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 008CD
Editions Mego presents a limited edition release by Portland, Oregon sound artist
Daniel Menche
. Daniel Menche: Waterfall recordings and electronics. All waterfall field recordings were captured around the Pacific Northwest of the USA, mixed and recorded throughout 2007-2009. Another sizzling power block from Menche, this time capturing the intense force of various Pacific Northwest waterfalls to create a mind-blowing audio sculpture. This single track slices its way through a sonic spectrum of over 39 minutes of high-end processing. One hell of a beauty and a beast! Packaged in stunning, almost disturbing artwork in an edition of 500.
Artist:
MENCHE, DANIEL
Title:
Kataract {Alpha Mix}
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 008LP
This vinyl edition differs from the previous CD edition of
Kataract
(DEMEGO 008CD) and features the original Alpha Mix. Limited edition of 300. Portland, Oregon sound artist
Daniel Menche
: Waterfall recordings and electronics. All waterfall field recordings were captured around the Pacific Northwest of the USA, mixed and recorded throughout 2007-2009. Another sizzling power block from Menche, this time capturing the intense force of various Pacific Northwest waterfalls to create a mind-blowing audio sculpture. This single track slices its way through a sonic spectrum of over 39 minutes of high-end processing. One hell of a beauty and a beast! Packaged in stunning, almost disturbing artwork in an edition of 300.
Artist:
SISTER IODINE
Title:
Flame Desastre
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 009CD
Edition of 500.
Flame Desastre
is the fourth release by French band
Sister Iodine
, and is probably the most straight-forward, concise and focused release by the trio. Its intense and rough attack leaves not much time for the listener to take cover, from its aggressively joyful violent orgy of lacerated guitars, meshed with primal and exacting heavy-laden drums. The production is kept deliberately raw, occasionally pierced by minimal electronic effects, creating a collection of burning brutality and elegant sonic devastation. Initially released in spring 2009 as a vinyl LP by Premier Sang, this special re-sequenced and remastered CD edition comes with two bonus tracks: "Lava Junkie" and "K."
Artist:
FOX, ROBIN
Title:
A Handful Of Automation
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
Cassette
Price:
$12.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 012CS
Cassette version, limited to 200 copies. Includes two bonus tracks not on the LP.
Artist:
FOX, ROBIN
Title:
A Handful Of Automation
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 012LP
First solo audio-only release by Melbourne-based sound and laser artist
Robin Fox
and first solo release since the mind-melting
Backscatter
DVD on Synaesthesia (2005). Taking time out from his duo with
Anthony Pateras
,
A Handful Of Automation
showcases Fox's unique and highly individual take on the usually misunderstood extreme computer music genre, and is a pleasurably disorientating ride. Alongside chaos trips such as "Boundary Layer Skin Friction" and the stunning title-track, sit beautifully-scored examples of electronic concentration such as "GODSPEED" and the closing "Melophobia (Final Edit)." This album is a must for connoisseurs of high-grade computer usage, and is released as a vinyl LP as well as a C50 cassette featuring 2 bonus cuts. Cover features images from Fox's photographic collection
Proof Of Concept
-- a series that has grown out of his legendary laser performances. Edition of 300.
Artist:
THYMOLPHTHALEIN
Title:
Ni Maître, Ni Marteau
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 015LP
A key ingredient in disappearing ink,
Thymolphthalein
describes the working method of this brilliant French-Australian quintet. Leader
Anthony Pateras
(
Pivixki
) conceived a detailed hour-long structural premise for the group's first tour in 2009, creating a masterful pastiche of richly dynamic, timbrally-devastating explorations for electroacoustic ensemble, melded by his own distinctive prepared piano and analog electronics.
Natasha Anderson
combines buzzing slabs of electroacoustic sound with fractured acoustic gestures, sculpting exquisite perceptual explorations with recorders and electronics, producing a poetic and uncanny otherness.
Will Guthrie
expertly fuses the drum kit with an array of homemade electro-acoustic devices to produce a fluid cataclysm of sonic richness, melded by his searing technical prowess and faultless ear.
Jérôme Noetinger
is THE live concréte maestro, electro-acoustically manipulating his bandmates with expert timing and breathtaking invention, scrambling proceedings with the occasional ring-modulated depth charge.
Clayton Thomas
' thoughtful and virtuosic prepared double bass playing has taken Europe by storm since moving there from Sydney in 2007 -- part groove cannon, part kinetic sculpture, all parts BAD bass skills. Natasha Anderson (contrabass recorder and electronics), Will Guthrie (percussion and electronics), Jérôme Noetinger (tape machines and electronics), Clayton Thomas (double bass and preparations), Anthony Pateras (prepared piano and analog synthesizer). All music by Thymolphthalein, performed live at SWR2 New Jazz Meeting, Gare du Nord, Basel, November 15th, 2009. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin -- 45 rpm. Edition of 500 copies.
Artist:
AKITA/GUSTAFSSON/O'ROURKE
Title:
One Bird Two Bird
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 016LP
Masami Akita
!!
Mats Gustafsson
!!
Jim O'Rourke
!! Three titans of experimental music with more than three decades of experience clashing together for a monster studio session in Tokyo, 2009, resulting in two blistering sides of wax full of face-melting intensity. Fuck yeah!!! Limited edition of 500 copies only.
Artist:
EVIL MADNESS
Title:
Super Great Love
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 018CD
Evil Madness
has been described as the
Traveling Wilburys
of Icelandic electronic music. Behind the name stand men like
Petur Eyvindsson
,
Jóhann Jóhannsson
,
Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson
,
Helgi Thórsson
and
BJ Nilsen
(who is not "quite" Icelandic but was born in a country "very" near Iceland). This album,
Super Great Love
, presented by Editions Mego will be their fourth album since the time of their formation in 2006. Now for those of you reading who know the music of Evil Madness will know for sure that this band does whatever they damn well please when it comes to making music. With
Super Great Love
they want to get people in a "good" mood for 2011 and present them with some upbeat Icelandic "disko" tunes. Cover artwork by Helgi Thórsson. Recorded and mixed 2007-2010.
Artist:
EVIL MADNESS
Title:
Super Great Love
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 018LP
Evil Madness
has been described as the
Traveling Wilburys
of Icelandic electronic music. Behind the name stand men like
Petur Eyvindsson
,
Jóhann Jóhannsson
,
Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson
,
Helgi Thorsson
and
BJ Nilsen
(who is not "quite" Icelandic but was born in a country "very" near Iceland). This album,
Super Great Love
, presented by Editions Mego will be their fourth album since the time of their formation in 2006. Now for those of you reading who know the music of Evil Madness will know for sure that this band does whatever they damn well please when it comes to making music. With
Super Great Love
they want to get people in a "good" mood for 2011 and present them with some upbeat Icelandic "disko" tunes. Cover artwork by
Helgi Thórsson
. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin. Edition of 500 copies.
Artist:
PETERLICKER
Title:
NICHT
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 019LP
Here is the highly-anticipated arrival of the debut album release by Austria's
Peterlicker
. Despite following on in that terrible tradition of
Butthole Surfers
and
Throbbing Gristle
of stupid band names, Peterlicker (newly-reformed after 20 years of inactivity) have, against all odds, come up with a serious slab of modern electronic rock.
NICHT
comprises five well-crafted selections recorded over the summer of 2010. Having got their previous noise free-fall style out of their system on the limited cassette
Last Slave
, the forgotten sons of the Viennese underground have stepped, dare we say it, into almost accessible song-like structures. However, this is no lightweight's wet dream, and still pulls some heavy punches. With the sequenced pulse of "Always Right" sitting tight with the near-poetic "Tunnel 47053," the real-rock stomper of "CSlide," and not forgetting the manic psychedelia of "Schleim," it's a classic, basically. Members include:
F. Hergovich
(vocals),
P. Rehberg
(electronics, edits),
C. Schachinger
(guitar),
G. Weissegger
(bass, electronics, edits, production). Recorded, edited and mixed in Wien III, VIII, IX, XI & Korneuburg 04.12.2010. Final Mix in Papoc 01.2011. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, 2011. Photos:
Ingo Pertramer
. Layout:
Stephen O'Malley
(
Khanate
,
Sunn O)))
). Limited edition of 500 copies only.
Artist:
QUEHENBERGER, PHILIPP
Title:
Uffuff
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
12"
Price:
$14.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 020EP
New gear from the
Philipp Quehenberger
corner with one new original and a trio of remixes from his album
Hazard
(released as LATON 047 in 2009).
Patrick Pulsinger
tackles "New Beat," with his unique future-funk sound. There's also the welcome return of
Elin
(who hasn't been on a Mego record since 1995). He slurps out a version of "Hey Gert," making it into a slamming, slowed-down twister of a track. This leaves the pumping excess of
Altroy
's "Keep Talking" remix.
Artist:
AMBARCHI & JIM O'ROURKE, OREN
Title:
Indeed
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 021LP
While
Oren Ambarchi
and
Jim O'Rourke
have collaborated in a number of forms, from remixes to their acclaimed trio with
Keiji Haino
,
Indeed
is their first duo album. Presented as two side-long, electroacoustic explorations, what Ambarchi and O'Rourke proffer up here is also melodic and approachable, bringing to mind the warm post-minimalism of composers like
Alvin Curran
,
David Behrman
and
Luciano Cilio
. Indeed, it sounds a bit like the collective textural and melodic personality of their respective solo albums filtered through the highpoints of the Lovely Music catalog. Beginning with a sequence of analog electro-acoustic crunch before settling into a warm synth glow highlighted by the occasional melodic or percussive detail, it sounds like the music that two guys who have honed their skills through years of composition, pop songwriting and rigorous improvisation make when they're having fun in the studio. Oren Ambarchi: guitar, synth, percussion; Jim O'Rourke: strings, synth, percussion. Recorded and mixed at Steamroom, Tokyo, Jan. 2011. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, May 2011. Photographs by
Shunichiro Okada
. Design by
Takashi Site
.
Artist:
DIEB13/GUSTAFSSON/SIEWERT
Title:
(Fake) The Facts
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$20.00
Catalog #:
DEMEGO 023LP
After the runaway success of the
Akita/Gustafsson/O'Rourke
LP
One Bird Two Bird
(DEMEGO 016LP), Swedish sax legend
Mats Gustafsson
returns to Editions Mego with another storming collaboration. Now a resident of Vienna, he teamed up with experimental artists
dieb13
and
Martin Siewert
for a live and studio session.
(Fake) The Facts
is the result. A dense fog of sound comes from all directions, but whereas the general impetus is a full-on attack, the trio finds enough restraint to create a deeper dynamic and open the spaces between the walls of noise. dieb13: turntables, cigar box; Mats Gustafsson: soprano, slide and tenor sax, live electronics; Martin Siewert: guitars, ring stinger, electronics. Cover art by
Dieter Kovacic
and
Billy Roisz
. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, September 2011.
Artist:
DOME
Title:
1-4+5
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
5LP BOX
Price:
$158.00
Catalog #:
DOME 12345LP
Editions Mego are proud to release the complete recorded works of
Dome
in a deluxe vinyl box set that also includes newly-designed artwork by
David Coppenhall
, reproductions of the original Atelier Koninck posters that accompanied
Dome 1
and
Dome 2
, an insert with sleeve notes by
Howard Jacques
and
Neil Martinson
as well as unseen photos from the period. If that wasn't enough, it also contains a matchbox to put matches in to shake along to your favorite Dome tune! With the demise of the group
Wire
in 1980, founding members
Bruce Gilbert
and
Graham Lewis
joined forces to create Dome. With the assistance of engineer
Eric Radcliffe
and his Blackwing Studio, Dome took the ethic of "using the studio as a compositional tool" and recorded and released three Dome albums on their own label in the space of 12 months:
Dome
(July 1980),
Dome 2
(October 1980) and
Dome 3
(October 1981). A final fourth album,
Will You Speak This Word: Dome IV
was released on the Norwegian Uniton label in May 1983. These albums represent some of the most beautifully stark and above all timeless exercises in studio experimentation from the early 1980s alternative music scene. With the re-activation of Wire in 1985, it was thought that all Dome activity had ceased. While no new recordings appeared, Dome utilized any spare time to secretly record new pieces. In 1989 dancer/choreographer
Michael Clark
commissioned them to record a piece for his new ballet "Because We Must." In the same year, they also performed live in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. In 1999, WMO commissioned Dome to record new pieces to accompany the recordings from 1989. This compilation, entitled
Yclept
, would be the final recordings, to date, that Dome have made.
Dome 1-4
appear on vinyl for the first time in over 30 years, whereas the recordings making up
Yclept
(
Dome 5
) appear for the first time ever on vinyl. Each LP is housed in a new cover based on the originals. Also includes a matchbox, a postcard, 2 posters and an 8-page 3-fold insert with some essays. Floating-point re-master by
Russell Haswell
, August 2011. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering by
Rashad Becker
, August 2011.
Artist:
HASWELL, RUSSELL
Title:
Second Live Salvage
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$29.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 013LP
This is the long-awaited follow-up to the award-winning
Live Salvage 1997-2000
CD (MEGO 012CD, 2000). Hot on the heels of recent collaborative releases with
Florian Hecker
(as
Haswell & Hecker
) on Warner Classics, Warp Records and Editions Mego, Coventry, UK's
Russell Haswell
presents the second volume of his
Live Salvage
archive series. This series documents improvised real-time, computer-generated audio presentations given over the past 10 years in different types of venues, all with contrasting acoustics and audiences. Editions Mego is proud to announce this double vinyl LP set. As
NME
asserted of this series, "now you can experience the terror in your own home." The brilliant cover art is based on
Keith Jarrett
's
The Köln Concert
(front) and
Swans
'
Public Castration Is A Good Idea
(back).
Artist:
FENNESZ
Title:
Hotel Paral.lel
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 016CD
Hotel Paral.lel
, originally released in September 1997 by Mego, was
Christian Fennesz
's debut solo album. This 2007 remastered reissue includes a bonus track from a 1996 7", and a video. Following up from the EP
Instrument
, it was an investigation into the sonic possibilities residing in guitar-based digital music, recorded just before mobile computing devices became the norm. A far more darker and experimental work than what was to follow. Freeform noise, sliced techno beats and subtle ambient textures create a timeless work, which is an essential addition to any collection of pioneering music of the late 20th century. On the closing "Aus," we see a glimpse of what was to come, a springboard into the future. In addition to the original 14 tracks, two extra titles are included: "5," originally released in 1996 as a 7" single on Syntactic, which was released only in an edition of 100, and the acclaimed video made by
Tina Frank/Skot
for the track "Aus."
Artist:
PITA
Title:
Get Out
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 029CD
Get Out
was originally released in 1999 on the Mego label and was
Pita
's (
Peter Rehberg
) second full-length release. Out-of-print for over half a decade, this new edition is remastered and packaged in a 6 panel digipack and includes three extra tracks which appeared on the split 12" with
Kevin Drumm
released by BOXmedia in 2000.
Get Out
was the follow-up to the award-winning
Seven Tons For Free
, and its harsh use of available computing devices made it popular both in and outside electronic music circles of the time, especially the 11-minute anthemic third track.
David Keenan
in his liner notes states that
Get Out
"
...stands as the first major musical laptop statement in the same way that
Jimi Hendrix
's Are You Experienced? album spoke for the most extended instrument-specific modes of the electric guitar three decades earlier.
" Both restive and restless, orchestral and abrasive,
Get Out
is the high water mark of laptop noise experimentation and it will absolutely scramble your brain.
Artist:
TUJIKO, NORIKO
Title:
Shojo Toshi+
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 047CD
2006 reissued/remastered version of this 2001 international debut album, with new artwork and bonus tracks. This was Tujiko Noriko's first international release (after the limited Japan-only release
Make Up and Soldier
). The initial response was one of surprise that such a record could be released on Mego (at the time the label was pigeonholed as a label dealing exclusively in "laptop music," whatever that is). Despite this, the overall reaction was very positive, although
Brainwashed
decided to declare the whole thing "Bullshit bullshit BULLSHIT!!!" and that Noriko didn't actually exist. Well, sorry to break the news, but she does, and she has since made albums for Mego, Tomlab and Room40 as well as collaborations with
Aoki Tokomasa
,
Port Radium
and
Lionel Fernandez
, plus performing her brilliant songs for French theatre group DACM and making a film (
Sand and Mini Hawaii
).
Shojo Toshi+
contains some of Tujiko Noriko's most accomplished songs such as "White Film," "Machi No Kakera" and "Differencia." These are beautifully abstracted pop songs and arrangements intertwined with shards and splinters of alienated sound, all building up to that voice. In places pure melancholy reigns, in others blistering beats come charging through the speakers. This reissued edition is skillfully remastered by
Marcus Schmickler
(
Pluramon
). It contains, as a bonus, the tracks previously released on the long out-of-print
I Forgot The Title
12" vinyl, and has new artwork.
Artist:
O'ROURKE, JIM
Title:
I'm Happy, And I'm Singing, And A 1, 2, 3, 4
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2CD
Price:
$21.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 050CD
Recorded between 1997-1999 in NY, Osaka, Tokyo, Toronto and Malmö. Originally released on Mego in 2001,
Jim O'Rourke
's
I'm Happy, And I'm Singing, And A 1,2,3,4
is now reissued with a bonus disc featuring unreleased material from the same period, sourced from Jim's vast archive, as well as new artwork. Jim O'Rourke needs no introduction, being well-known as a performer, producer and all-round top chap, as well as a member of various pop and rock combos for more than two decades (
Gastr Del Sol
,
The Red Krayola
,
Sonic Youth
, etc).
I'm Happy, And I'm Singing, And A 1,2,3,4
was cited by many common folk at the time as Jim's ultimate laptop record or his Powerbook album. Nowadays, people prefer the simple term "computer" when referring to the instrument used for the creation of this milestone album. Equal parts schizoid pop, cracked minimalism, concrète drama and melancholic contemplation, this is a highly personal release. Given the nature of this warm beast, it appeals across the board -- electronic nuts, indie rock kids, and yes, even the good folk of the established experimental world may take pleasure in the delicate nuances of Jim's hard drive. This reissue is long overdue (the album being out-of-print for 5 years), including a bonus disc featuring unreleased material as well as new artwork. This album will not be available as a download. File under: "handsome."
Artist:
DRUMM, KEVIN
Title:
Sheer Hellish Miasma
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 053LP
At last,
Kevin Drumm
's classic 2002 album sees a full vinyl release, including a bonus track. Crank it! Utilizing guitar, tapes, mics, pedals, analog synthesizer and some computer assistance, Chicago's own Kevin Drumm concocted a sonic beast with
Sheer Hellish Miasma
. One is taken on an intense journey of storming feedback, open audio onslaught and somewhat savaged sonics. The extreme end of anarchic electronics and possibly a hint of musical violence is present throughout much of the disc. An essential release capturing Drumm at his most ferocious and most inventive. It's an exhilarating, visceral test of endurance brimming with demonic humor and a tour of Drumm's ever-expanding sonic palette. For seasoned noise veterans,
Sheer Hellish Miasma
offers a bracing soundscape filled with exquisitely abrasive textures and more than enough hidden detail to warrant repeated listening -- a distinct voice in the increasingly same-sounding world of abstract electronic noise. For everyone else, Drumm's journey through the noisy underworld is likely to inspire fear or, in an optimistic case, fearful admiration. This reissue comes with an additional track, "Impotent Hummer," taken from the same period -- a 13-minute drone piece that draws the listener into the forthcoming blizzard. In total? A din of arms, the fierce swell of damaged drone and the shriek of subtle, shifting sonic slaughter ... for the seasoned, a bountiful sonic feast awaits, for the meek it's intense and rewarding -- noise rarely sounds this exhilarating. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, September 27, 2010 by
Rashad Becker
. Deluxe gatefold sleeve with gold foil lettering on the cover.
Artist:
QUINTETAVANT
Title:
En Concert à la Salle des Fêtes
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 077CD
QuintetAvant is comprised of members
Lionel Marchetti
,
Jérome Noetinger
,
Jean Pallandre
,
Marc Pichelin
and
Laurent Sassi
, five leading lights of the French improvised, electronic, electroacoustic scene. This recording sees them combine electronic tape, analogue synths and a united love for strange sonorities. Like its predecessor, the vinyl-only release
Floppy Nails
on Mego, this is an exciting display of concrete improvisation. Taken from a live session at the Musique Action Festival, and mastered at Piethopraxis in Köln. Given that this has sprung from the blank slate of open improvisation -- resting on the dexterity, patience, and the listening ability provided by the participants, the results are all the more inspired. Interlocking, overlapping, stretching, snapping, bending, morphing and panning, along with vast dynamics: calm and restrained through to hyperactive and fierce. The best band currently active in France? Maybe.
Artist:
TUJIKO, NORIKO
Title:
Solo
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 078CD
This is Osaka's
Tujiko Noriko
's third-full length release for Editions Mego. While still maintaining her trademark version of experimental Japanese pop, on
Solo
the edges have been polished with some of Noriko's most accomplished works. In part due to the mixing skills of
Gerhard Potuznik
and
Tyme
(from
Mas
). One could even say a work of great maturity. Noriko herself best describes the record this way: "
Making music was like I drive and drive looking for a place where there is nobody. I would arrive there, wow cool, I get out of the car quickly. Then I happily dance, sing, doing a mini-party alone. Doing a solo show alone in a big green field. There is a lake, the sun, a train, an airplane, the city, a forest, camera, second sight & everything in the field, etc. Anyway, it's nice when it's working well. I had forgotten this way of enjoying for a while. Last year, after some collaboration albums, I remembered I wanted to have this feeling again.
"
Artist:
PATERAS & ROBIN FOX, ANTHONY
Title:
Flux Compendium
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 080CD
This is the second release by the Melbourne-based electroacoustic improv duo Anthony Pateras & Robin Fox, and their first for the new Editions Mego label. Ectoplasmic drool, ruptured voice, multi-temporal cash, concerti for nostrils, hyperactive excursions into comedy and violence. An aural textbook of constant change presenting a multi-dynamic evaluation of what may be possible with what we have at this point. Equal parts postwar beard and modern patchnocrat,
Flux Compendium
sees two of Melbourne's hairiest sons nose dive and writhe in their unique take on sonic totalism, rising out of the muck with their kaleidoscopic best. Far from the lifeless plague of spacebartronica, they execute an electrified real-time homage to some of their favorite obsessions: breakneck pacing, vocal hysterics, blistering textures, bodily functions and dysfunctions. Eschewing their intuitive beginnings in favor of a more concréte punk miniature aesthetic,
Flux Compendium
is a gripping ride.
Artist:
SCHMICKLER, MARCUS
Title:
Altars of Science
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD/DVD_AUDIO
Price:
$16.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 082CD
The work of Cologne-based
Marcus Schmickler
has over the years crossed the boundaries between classical and pop, improvisation and techno. He is active as a solo artist under his own name, as well as working under the
Pluramon
moniker with
Julee Cruise
, plus countless collaborations in the field of electronic improvisation.
Altars of Science
is Schmickler's first purely electronic release since 1998's prize-winning
Sator Rotas
. A fascinating tour de force of modern computer music composition. Intense in its outlook, yet polished in its execution, it is an essential addition to any serious collection of 21st century audio. This special dual sided DVD+ format disc contains two versions of the same piece; one side has a stereo mix playable on all CD playing devices while the other side features the mind-blowing multi channel mix, playable on DVD players set up to 5.1.
Artist:
QUEHENBERGER, PHILIPP
Title:
Phantom In Paradise
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 083CD
This is Vienna-based
Phillip Quehenberger
's long awaited full-length debut, after the 12" EP
Q.B.B.Q
on Cheap in 2002.
Phantom in Paradise
seems to be immune to quick categorization. Based on a wondrous forwardness, the prevailing instrumental tracks neglect predictability, never lose their mysteries, opening psychedelic trap doors and windows, bunching imagination and closeness.
Phantom in Paradise
captivates with intelligent dancefloor confusions, hypnotic maelstroms and darkly gleaming pop. Quehenberger has taken the raw energy of his ecstatic live performances and crafted a diamond of a release. From the catchy riffs of "Loner Goner," to the polyrhythmic
UR
-like "Varad" and the scorching twisted keyboard distortion of "Verdammst!," this is dance-heavy pop-eclecticism.
Artist:
KTL
Title:
KTL
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 084CD
1st release from 2006, repressed! KTL is a collaboration between
Stephen O'Malley
(
SunnO)))
,
Khanate
, etc.) and
Peter Rehberg
(
Pita
, etc.). This is a six-part collision amongst the increasingly fading presences between the light and the dark, with some pieces recorded in a resistance fortress in southern France during a thunderstorm -- while others were recorded in a winter garden drenched in sunlight. The collaboration came about as the two were working on a theatre production by
Gisèle Vienne
and
Dennis Cooper
, entitled
Kindertotenlieder
. It must be stated that this CD is NOT the soundtrack to said piece, but a separate project. However, elements may appear in the finished piece which is to be premiered in Brest, France, March 2007. File under: digital analog black metal. Stephen O'Malley: strings, FX, amps; Peter Rehberg: oscillators, applications, drives. KTL is a threatening new collaboration taking in parallel worlds of Extreme Computer Music and Black Metal.
Artist:
KTL
Title:
2
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 085CD
This is the second full-length release by
KTL
, the formidable collaboration between
Stephen O'Malley
(
SunnO)))
,
Khanate
, etc.) and
Peter Rehberg
(
Pita
, etc.). Devastatingly beautiful four-part follow up to the highly acclaimed debut CD, recorded in a former abattoir in Angers, as well as a 16th century manor in the extreme west of France. Taking the blueprint that was laid out on the first record even further, with the ecstatic build up of "Theme," the near-psychedelic "Abattoir," and closing with the twisted romanticism of the closing "Snow 2." An upgrade both artistically and emotionally. As with the first CD, elements appeared in the finished version of the theatre piece
Kindertotenlieder
by
Gisele Vienne
and
Dennis Cooper
, which premiered in Brest, France, March 2007. Stephen O'Malley (strings, fx, amps, tube osc.); Peter Rehberg (digital osc, apps, drives). Written, recorded & mixed by Stephen O'Malley & Peter Rehberg at Studio Abattoir, Angers & Manoir Kéroual, Guilers, December 2006 - February 2007. Mastered at Piethopraxis, Köln, March 2007.
Artist:
ANGEL
Title:
Kalmukia
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 087CD
Angel
is
Ilpo Väisänen
(
Pan Sonic
),
Hildur Guðnadóttir
(
Lost In Hildurness
) and
Dirk Dresselhaus
(
Schneider TM
), and this is their third release. Angel was originally formed as the duo of Väisänen and Dresselhaus in 1999, releasing two live albums: in 2002 an eponymously-titled album on the French Bip_Hop label and in 2006 a recording of a drone piece played at the Club Transmediale Festival in Berlin in 2005.
Kalmukia
is a vast epic, sprawling through guitar riffs spanning deep electronic canyons overlooked by a melancholic grey sky. A journey leading to discovery and a final mutation. All players delicately playing off each other, creating a mesmerizing work that sounds like nothing they have done before yet still retaining the audio signatures they have become known for. Packaged in a notebook-style sleeve.
Artist:
DRUMM AND DANIEL MENCHE, KEVIN
Title:
Gauntlet
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$13.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 088CD
This is the first collaborative release between U.S. duo
Kevin Drumm
and
Daniel Menche
, recorded in the Fall of 2006 in Chicago at Uggae's Porta-toilet studio. One organ, one guitar, several fuzz boxes and two highly-regarded purveyors of American extreme sonics are the savory ingredients that created
Gauntlet
. Building on Menche's aural low end physicality and Drumm's exacting attention to high frequency detail -- the aptly titled
Gauntlet
is a sizzling, scorching slab of essential audio. Heavy in iron and protein. A lean cut indeed, no fat included. Mixed and mastered at Stereophonic Mastering in Portland, Oregon. Kevin Drumm: guitar and noise; Daniel Menche: organ and noise.
Artist:
KTL
Title:
IV
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 089CD
This is the long-awaited fourth album by
KTL
-- the ongoing duo of
Stephen O'Malley
(
SunnO)))
,
Khanate
, etc.) and
Peter Rehberg
(
Pita
, etc.).
KTL
's first full-length release that is not commissioned work for theatre or film showcases their approach to composition and structure as a highly active live band. Whereas the
Kindertotenlieder
trilogy of
KTL
(Editions Mego, 2006),
2
(Editions Mego, 2007) and
KTL3
(Or, 2007) were blurred washes of fog and noise polished by ambient shine,
IV
is a more direct and demanding beast, referencing such diverse projects as: volume-era
Swans
,
Red Mecca
period
Cabaret Voltaire
, phase one
Wire
,
Fushitsusha
and
This Heat
. Developed and composed over the spring and summer of 2008, KTL brought the material to Tokyo the following September and worked with
Jim O'Rourke
at the desk and controls.
IV
is a stunning new direction and a great addition to both artists' already impressive canon. The opening and shortest track, "Paraug" is a dark shadow of previous KTL sounds, with its blowtorch riffs and sub-bass rumbles. This leads the way for the album's monster "Paratrooper." Over 21-minutes of driving bass pulse interwoven with razor sharp guitar from O'Malley and synth and organ blasts from Rehberg.
Atsuo
, from Japanese top-rockers
Boris
, glues it together with his arrhythmic and punishing drumming. "Wicked Way" is a breezy, upbeat number, which, if the band were that way inclined, would be the album's single. "Benbbet," on the other hand, is a whole different ball game: a distant guitar loop is joined by slamming, no step beats, making way for a guitar riff to straddle all valleys and computer bass rattles. Possibly KTL's most detailed recording. "Eternal Winter" is an exercise in black, frozen, resonant harmonics, whereas "Natural Trouble" is a slowly-evolving twister of a track which is both spontaneous and focused.
IV
was produced by Jim O'Rourke. Stephen O'Malley (guitar); Peter Rehberg (computer & synthesizer); Atsuo (drums on track 2 and gong on track 6).
Artist:
PRURIENT
Title:
Arrowhead
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 091CD
Brooklyn noise herald and Hospital Productions label-head,
Dominick Fernow
presents his first release for the Editions Mego label. Fernow has been an active instigator in the power electronics and noise genre for well over a decade, with 100+ releases issued so far, usually limited and covering all known formats. Known in particular for his harrowing live performances where he uses his voice, amps, microphones, coins, tools, suitcases etc., to create a brain-bashing journey through mangled, negative sound. In this spirit,
Arrowhead
is comprised of three ear-splitting tracks of high-end quality feedback, disturbed vocals and twisted percussion. While previewing this work for release on a flight from Milan to Vienna, it came to the attention of the listener that an irritated passenger two rows in front complained of high-pitched whistling in the air conditioning. Such is the power of
Arrowhead
. Recorded in the winter of 2004 in Providence, RI. Finalized in the winter of 2005 in New York City. Guest musician:
Kris Lapke
.
Artist:
REHBERG, PETER
Title:
Work For GV 2004-2008
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 092CD
Peter Rehberg
(aka
Pita
) is a composer and performer of electronic audio works, and also the founder of the Editions Mego label. His collaboration with the Paris-based puppeteer and choreographer
Gisèle Vienne
began in 2001 with the production of the DACM piece
ShowroomDummies
, followed by
Stereotypie
in 2003. In 2004, Vienne started to direct under her own name and began to work on pieces collaborating on text with U.S. author,
Dennis Cooper
. This CD is a document of selected audio parts of all Gisèle Vienne productions made between 2004-2008, except for the epic
Kindertotenlieder
, whose audio material was presented on the various
KTL
releases in 2006 and 2007. The range here is vast -- from the upfront noise excess of the
I Apologize
(2004) tracks to the lonely synth passages which were used in
Une Belle Enfant Blonde
(2005), and the sad coda used for
Jerk
, which began as a radio play for Radio France Culture in 2007, before being adapted for stage in 2008. The opening "Murder Version" is a version of the recording of "Meurtre" by
Catherine Robbe-Grillet
and
Jonathan Capdevielle
, which was released as a single-sided 12" vinyl in 2005, and is to be considered as a tribute to the
Alain Robbe-Grillet
film
Glissements Progressifs Du Plaisir
(1974). Although this material was intended for consumption in a theatrical setting, it has been edited with domestic use in mind, ultimately representing that grey zone where puppetry, literature, contemporary theatre and dance, visual art, and extreme computer music meet.
Artist:
ANGEL
Title:
Hedonism
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 093CD
This is technically the fourth release by
Angel
, but is in actuality the first recording produced by
Dirk Dresselhaus
and
Ilpo Väsiänen
as a duo -- a project which started in 1999. Five years in the making and started before
Hildur Guðnadóttir
joined forces,
Hedonism
is a collision of urban and rural settings. The opening five blistering tracks retain a full-on sci-fi punk feel, created in Dirk's Berlin studio. Tracks such as "Holding Loose" and "Adrenaline Strike" are brutal urban mantras bristling with energy. These are followed by electro-acoustic exercises manipulating various concrete sources, leading up to the final two pieces recorded at Ilpo's lakeside cottage in the wilds of northern Finland. Here, fragile field recordings of insects, fish eating mosquitos, and birds mesh with the duo's shiny electronics to create the massive "Mirrorworld." The closing "Hornet," while stating a calm atmosphere, has a somewhat startling surprise in store for the listener.
Artist:
HECKER
Title:
Acid In The Style Of David Tudor
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 094CD
This is Vienna-based
Florian Hecker
's first full-length studio (as opposed to collections and commissions for art installations) album since 2003, when the groundbreaking
Sun Pandämonium
was unleashed by Mego. Since then, he has collaborated on audio projects with
Yasunao Tone
,
Russell Haswell
(as
Haswell & Hecker
) and a forthcoming live collaboration with
Richard James
, as well as a myriad of sound installation works, individually and with numerous artists worldwide. As the title suggests, this album is referencing the parallel universes of modern 20th century composition and hedonistic rave culture. A challenging but ultimately rewarding set of electronic music compositions which push these two reference points into unknown areas. Set in apparent contrast is the sequence of six pieces, "Acid In The Style Of David Tudor," where hyperchaotic functions are inherently coupled to their sources of manipulation -- a Buchla modular synthesizer in combination with a Comdyna analog computer -- in opposition to the ASA pieces, fruit of a complex manipulation of distinct auditory patterns into a new acoustic whole. The closing "Ten" opens with an intense, head-related localization blur. Here, virtual binaural, stereophonic, biphonic and monaural sound reproduction coexist. All three approaches are displayed in contrasting dynamics, where non-linear waveforms and psychoacoustic illusions constantly push our perceptual and representational fabrics. Following the ideas of
Robin Mackay
, Hecker's work reinstanciates the genetic of-ness, once proposed by philosopher
David Kaplan
, cutting both genetic and cultural territories of hearing. This release also contains an extensive 12-page essay "Climate of Bass Hunter: Florian Hecker
Acid In The Style Of David Tudor
" by Robin Mackay, founding editor of
Collapse
, a journal of philosophical research and development. It is recommended to listen to this material on loudspeakers at high volume. Headphone use is not advised.
Artist:
HECKER
Title:
3 Track 12 Inch
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
12"
Price:
$12.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 095EP
3 track 12" featuring pieces produced on occasion of a Comme des Garçons HOMME PLUS fashion show held in Paris, January 2009. This could be seen as some of
Hecker
's most accessible work to-date, and a fine addition to any serious electronic music collection. Edition of 500.
Artist:
GILBERT, BRUCE
Title:
Oblivio Agitatum
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 096CD
Editions Mego proudly releases a new album by the UK's legendary experimental noise musician
Bruce Gilbert
, whose career stretches back to late-1960s British avant garde art and music scenes, and who has since played an important and influential role with his involvement in various rock-based formations (he is a former member of
Wire
), and choreographic projects and art installations.
Oblivio Agitatum
is Gilbert's first album-length release since
Ordier
(realized in 1996 and released in 2004), essentially making this his first album of the 21st century. A startling and mesmerizing work which recalls some of his mid-1980s works such as
This Way
and
Shivering Man
. An ever-shifting set of agitated and obscure tones, creating a sense of confusion while still being highly structured and concentrated. A stunning return.
Artist:
CINDYTALK
Title:
The Crackle Of My Soul
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 097CD
Legendary UK experimental group
Cindytalk
have been active since 1982. During the '80s and '90s their sound was defined by broken-down rock structures and abstract piano ambience. A third side to their coin emerged at the dawn of the 21st century with a turn towards obscure computer usage, pushing all resemblance of melody and conventual texture to the outer edges.
The Crackle Of My Soul
is their first full-length to come from this new direction, starting in 2001 and now finally ready for release. It's also the first Cindytalk album since the 1995 release of
Wappinschaw
. Although very abstract in nature, these 10 tracks still echo the vocal brilliance and subtle beauty that Cindytalk have become known for, and push back boundaries, making this an essential listen, regardless if you are aware of their back catalog or not. This is the first in a series of already-finished releases from Cindytalk, which will see the light of day throughout 2010. "
And if there is still one hellish, truly accursed thing in our time, it is our artistic dallying with forms, instead of being like victims burnt at the stake, signaling through the flames
." --
Antonin Artaud
. Written and recorded by
Gordon Sharp
at Belmont Shore (CA), Mid-Levels (HK) & Kobe (Japan) 2001-2009. Mastered at Piethopraxis, July 2009. Dedicated to
Matt Kinnison
(1965-2008).
Artist:
CAPECE & MIKA VAINIO, LUCIO
Title:
Trahnie
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 098CD
Editions Mego issues the first album by duo
Lucio Capece
and
Mika Vainio
. At first glance, the two seem unlikely partners. Two standard-bearers at opposing poles of extremity, both sonically and geographically. Lucio from Argentina and rooted in the traditions of jazz and improv, while Mika, hailing from Finland, sourced in early '90s electronic and industrial scenes. However, they both share an alarming attention to detail when it comes to their audio compositions, and neither are afraid of pushing boundaries of abstraction to the limit. Recorded over a 2-year period in Berlin (their common chosen home),
Trahnie
is as startling as it is visceral. Delicate as it is extreme. Huge blasting slabs of concrete sax geometrically oppose sonic taps of electronic sound, which bring about a fascinating sound palette. The opening "Ujellus" is both piercing and soothing; "Juurake" combines pure sweat with cold emotion; tense environmental scrapes flesh out on "Ahuyenta Temores." From the pounding machinist overdrive on "Tolmavuo" to the poignant melancholy of "Mañana." It's all here. Lucio Capece: soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, preparations, mixer-sax feedback, sruti box; Mika Vainio: electronics and treatments, electric guitar, cymbal.
Artist:
HASWELL, RUSSELL
Title:
Wild Tracks
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 099CD
The UK's multidisciplinary artist
Russell Haswell
returns with a complete departure from his real-time computer-generated improvisations
Live Salvage 1997-2000
(MEGO 012CD, 2001) and
Second Live Salvage
, (EMEGO 013LP, 2008).
Wild Tracks
is a collection of "deliberate recordings" made with other multimedia/film projects in mind. These recordings do not contain any overdubs or compression, and document a wide variety of audio experiences. Taking you to a blowhole in Jamaica, inside an ant colony, to the entrance of a wasp nest in Suffolk, on a helicopter ride in St. Lucia, and two waterfalls in County Durham, and also including the sound of freshly-fallen snow, flies being electrocuted and contributions from various military tactical airlift planes, air defense fighters and attack helicopters. The recordings on
Wild Tracks
were realized using a variety of techniques, including using hydrophones to record falling snow, recording gamekeepers many fields away with a parabolic dish, as well as using binaural, "near-field" and "direct" recording devices. Editions Mego understands this to be the first commercially-released audio CD to be packaged in a KIDZBOX, containing a full-color A2 poster with photographs and detailed recording notes. Unlike any other release this season. WARNING: extreme dynamic levels. Listeners' experience may change during playback!
Artist:
EMERALDS
Title:
Does It Look Like I'm Here?
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 101CD
This is the third official album by
Emeralds
(after
Solar Bridge
on Hanson, and the self-titled LP on their own Wagon and Gneiss Things imprints, as well as countless small edition tapes and CD-Rs on a host of labels) and once again, it presents another radical new direction for this Cleveland trio. It sees the group moving from playing single oscillator analog synthesizers to really complex analog and analog/digital hybrids as well as a great deal of guitar synthesizers, not to mention fine-tuning their skills as brilliant tunesmiths. Simply put, the results are outstanding. Comprising of a number of tracks from their ultra-limited 7" vinyl series on Wagon, as well as new compositions exclusive to this release, this fine selection of tunes surpasses anything they have achieved in their 5-year career. Perfect melodies intertwined with ripping sequences and a guitar sound that floats perfectly throughout. Although most tracks cover new ground in that they follow a shortened "pop format," more long-form cuts such as the towering "Genetic" and the title track will give fans of their earlier work something to grab onto, or totally let themselves go, depending on their state of mind. Having spent all their lives in the relative isolation of Cleveland means their music has developed into a vital, stunning unique hybrid that may not have been able to blossom in more active urban centers.
Does It Look Like I'm Here?
heralds a turning point for all those involved and is a perfect, vivid soundtrack to emerge out of a harsh, grey winter. Fresh, shiny and totally essential.
Artist:
EMERALDS
Title:
Does It Look Like I'm Here?
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 101LP
2011 repress. Gatefold double vinyl version, no longer with poster. This is the third official album by
Emeralds
(after
Solar Bridge
on Hanson, and the self-titled LP on their own Wagon and Gneiss Things imprints, as well as countless small edition tapes and CD-Rs on a host of labels) and once again, it presents another radical new direction for this Cleveland trio. It sees the group moving from playing single oscillator analog synthesizers to really complex analog and analog/digital hybrids as well as a great deal of guitar synthesizers, not to mention fine-tuning their skills as brilliant tunesmiths. Simply put, the results are outstanding. Comprising of a number of tracks from their ultra-limited 7" vinyl series on Wagon, as well as new compositions exclusive to this release, this fine selection of tunes surpasses anything they have achieved in their 5-year career. Perfect melodies intertwined with ripping sequences and a guitar sound that floats perfectly throughout. Although most tracks cover new ground in that they follow a shortened "pop format," more long-form cuts such as the towering "Genetic" and the title track will give fans of their earlier work something to grab onto, or totally let themselves go, depending on their state of mind. Having spent all their lives in the relative isolation of Cleveland means their music has developed into a vital, stunning unique hybrid that may not have been able to blossom in more active urban centers.
Does It Look Like I'm Here?
heralds a turning point for all those involved and is a perfect, vivid soundtrack to emerge out of a harsh, grey winter. Fresh, shiny and totally essential.
Artist:
GILBERT, BRUCE
Title:
This Way With The Shivering Man
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 1028LP
Editions Mego presents a special gatefold vinyl edition collecting
Bruce Gilbert
's classic solo albums from 1984 and 1986 in a limited edition of 500.
This Way
, originally released in 1984 on Mute, was UK guitarist Bruce Gilbert's first solo album, realized in that brief period between
Dome
winding down operations and
Wire
reforming for the first time. A stunning study of controlled ambience and subtle minimalism which is still regarded as an all-time favorite at Editions Mego.
The Shivering Man
, originally released in 1986 on Mute, was Bruce Gilbert's second solo album, further exploring Gilbert's investigations into the grey border where abstract noise and rhythm co-exist with obscure melodies and song structures. The sound is further expanded with guest vocal appearances by
Angela Conway
and fellow Wire traveler
Graham Lewis
.
Artist:
GILBERT, BRUCE
Title:
This Way
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 102CD
This Way
, originally released in 1984 on Mute, was UK guitarist
Bruce Gilbert
's first solo album, realized in that brief period between
Dome
winding down operations and
Wire
reforming for the first time. A stunning study of controlled ambience and subtle minimalism which is still regarded as an all-time favorite at Editions Mego. The bulk of the album is taken up by the mighty "Do You Me? I Did / Swamp" pieces which were commissioned for a piece of the same name by choreographer
Michael Clark
. A grey tonal poem of amazing, bleak beauty building up to the ecstatic crescendo of the third movement. Elsewhere, short notes on the possibilities of abstract electronic noise are included in the form of "Here Visit" and "U, Mu, U," which still hold their sense of urgency a quarter of a century after being initially recorded. This is also the first time the complete album is available domestically on CD. Previous CD issues were the
This Way To The Shivering Man
on Mute (with "U, Mu, U" missing), and the Japan-only 3CD box with
This Way
,
Shivering Man
and
Insiding
previously-released by Alfa Recordings. This 25th anniversary reissue is remastered by
Russell Haswell
and contains a rework by
Dave Coppenhall
on
Angela Conway
's original artwork.
Artist:
FENN O'BERG
Title:
In Stereo
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 103CD
After a hiatus of almost 9 years, the legendary trio of
Christian Fennesz
,
Jim O'Rourke
and
Peter Rehberg
aka
Fenn O'Berg
have returned with a new studio album. Technically, the first studio album as previous releases were edits of live performances. They spent a week in Studio GOK Sound, Tokyo to lay down some stunning electronic works. Whereas previously the emphasis was on a chaotic blend of found samples mangled through their mobile computing systems to create a humorous, oddball sound,
In Stereo
implements a more wider instrumental palette of analog and digital synthesis, guitar, piano, bass and percussion. What they do maintain is the ability to make a near-psychedelic audio blend, where it's impossible to determine who does what. Released as a CD digipack.
Artist:
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER
Title:
Returnal
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 104CD
Returnal
is the fourth album from
Daniel Lopatin
's
Oneohtrix Point Never
project, after
Betrayed In The Octagon
(Deception Island, 2007),
Zones Without People
(Arbor, 2009) and
Russian Mind
(No Fun, 2009). All 3 albums being superbly compiled on the
Rifts
double CD set (No Fun, 2009). It sees Lopatin fine-tune his craft for the creation of deep atmospheres and textures even further. Starting off with the mind-blowing triptych of "Nil Admiari"/"Describing Bodies"/"Stress Waves," which fires off into a noise/rhythm excess before entering a zone of relative calm, building to the melancholy of the final part. This sets the tone perfectly for the album's title track, a stunning, out-of-this-world ballad featuring Lopatin's near-desperate vocal delivery, ending what could be seen as one of his most chilling and thought-provoking sides to-date. The atmosphere is slightly lifted as the darkened sun comes up over the ruins on "Pelham Island Road" and "Where Does Time Go," with the album closing with edgy broken beats and the fourth-world possible landscapes of "Preyouandi," which fades into the distance with echoes of the "Returnal" chorus closing the loop. What's burnt into memory here is Lopatin's love affair with the long, slow path back home... the cycle... the hypnotic sector... the ghost in the machine... and whether people are making dance music or hip-hop or space head-music or metal, the ouroboros is present in every sector -- as it was in
Bach
's study, and in the elephant songs of the Ituri forests. CD digipack packaging. Instrumentation: Akai AX-60, Roland Juno-60, Roland MSQ-700, Korg Electribe ES-1, Voice. Recorded using a personal computer. Mastered by
James Plotkin
. Tape-op & additional engineering by
Al Carlson
. Design by
Stephen O'Malley
.
Artist:
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER
Title:
Returnal
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 104LP
2011 repress; gatefold LP version.
Returnal
is the fourth album from
Daniel Lopatin
's
Oneohtrix Point Never
project, after
Betrayed In The Octagon
(Deception Island, 2007),
Zones Without People
(Arbor, 2009) and
Russian Mind
(No Fun, 2009). All 3 albums being superbly compiled on the
Rifts
double CD set (No Fun, 2009). It sees Lopatin fine-tune his craft for the creation of deep atmospheres and textures even further. Starting off with the mind-blowing triptych of "Nil Admiari"/"Describing Bodies"/"Stress Waves," which fires off into a noise/rhythm excess before entering a zone of relative calm, building to the melancholy of the final part. This sets the tone perfectly for the album's title track, a stunning, out-of-this-world ballad featuring Lopatin's near-desperate vocal delivery, ending what could be seen as one of his most chilling and thought-provoking sides to-date. The atmosphere is slightly lifted as the darkened sun comes up over the ruins on "Pelham Island Road" and "Where Does Time Go," with the album closing with edgy broken beats and the fourth-world possible landscapes of "Preyouandi," which fades into the distance with echoes of the "Returnal" chorus closing the loop. What's burnt into memory here is Lopatin's love affair with the long, slow path back home... the cycle... the hypnotic sector... the ghost in the machine... and whether people are making dance music or hip-hop or space head-music or metal, the ouroboros is present in every sector -- as it was in
Bach
's study, and in the elephant songs of the Ituri forests. Instrumentation: Akai AX-60, Roland Juno-60, Roland MSQ-700, Korg Electribe ES-1, Voice. Recorded using a personal computer. Mastered by
James Plotkin
. Tape-op & additional engineering by
Al Carlson
. Awesome spot-varnished cover design by
Stephen O'Malley
.
Artist:
ANTONY/FENNESZ
Title:
Returnal
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
7"
Price:
$10.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 104X-EP
Hot on the heels of the acclaimed
Oneohtrix Point Never
Returnal
album come these fabulous versions of the title track.
Antony
swings the mood and strips the track of its delayed harmonized vocals and creates a poignant ballad with OPN's
Daniel Lopatin
on piano.
Fennesz
, on the other hand, sprinkles some of his world-famous majestic stardust over the proceedings. All packaged in dazzling artwork by
Stephen O'Malley
.
Artist:
CINDYTALK/ROBERT HAMPSON
Title:
Five Mountains Of Fire/Antarctica Ends Here
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
10"
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 105EP
Cindytalk
's
Gordon Sharp
and
Robert Hampson
(
Loop
,
Main
) are two characters of legend circulating on the periphery of London (and beyond) underground music over the last 2+ decades. It may come as a surprise then, that this stunning split 10" is the first meeting of these two singular minds. "Five Mountains Of Fire" by Cindytalk is a cracking track taking their recent brittle electronic experiments and charging them with firecracker-like percussion to create a pleasantly disorienting soundscape. Flip it over, and Hampson delivers the practical polar opposite with "Antarctica Ends Here" -- an exceptionally beautiful piece utilizing piano and carefully-placed electronics so as not to break the ice -- a tribute to
John Cale
's "Antarctica Starts Here" (from
Paris, 1919
, 1973). Limited to 500 copies. Cindytalk is:
Gordon Sharp
(electronics),
Paul Middleton
(drums),
Dan Knowler
(guitar),
Gary Jeff
(percussion), and
Sherrill Crosby
(electronics).
Artist:
CINDYTALK
Title:
Up Here In The Clouds
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 106CD
Legendary UK experimental group
Cindytalk
have been active since 1982.
Up Here In The Clouds
is the second installment in the new Cindytalk sound which began with the release of their 2009 album
The Crackle Of My Soul
. Whereas
Crackle
was more of a blistering burner,
Clouds
has a fresher, cooler sound to it, with longer tracks that slowly evolve in great patches of aural beauty. The sound that
Gordon Sharp
and company create now is a unique blend of cracked electronics and near-awkward ambient textures that always seem to flow as smoothly as the most natural of sounds, building up a great set of modern electronic music which closes with the child-like melody of the title track. Superbly packaged with
David Coppenhall
artwork in a 4-panel digipack. Recorded by Gordon Sharp 2003-2010 at the Mid-Levels (HK) but mainly at Roi Vert, Okamoto, Japan. Mastered at Piethopraxis, June 2010.
Artist:
MCGUIRE, MARK
Title:
Living With Yourself
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 107CD
Mark McGuire
operates chiefly as guitarist in the legendary
Emeralds
; however, he also has racked up an impressive set of solo releases over the last few years (albeit mainly in small- to micro- print runs).
Living With Yourself
is his new album and Editions Mego hope to meet any demand which may arise from this fine selection of modern crafted guitar tunes. Focusing on his family, early friendships and the problems that inevitably develop through years of knowing someone, it takes McGuire's sound even further out, and contains some of his most accomplished songs to-date. The opening track is a fine example of McGuire's magical technique of taking a lone acoustic guitar then transforming the track into bliss-out electro wash looping off into the distance. And tracks like "Clouds Rolling In" and "Brain Storm" take off where such McGuire classics as "The Marfa Lights" (which incidentally is planned for a future reissue) left off. While connoisseurs of his sound will find all they desire in here, many superb surprises await around every corner. These are songs that cruise, bubble and rise to the top.
Artist:
MCGUIRE, MARK
Title:
Living With Yourself
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 107LP
LP version.
Mark McGuire
operates chiefly as guitarist in the legendary
Emeralds
; however, he also has racked up an impressive set of solo releases over the last few years (albeit mainly in small- to micro- print runs).
Living With Yourself
is his new album and Editions Mego hope to meet any demand which may arise from this fine selection of modern crafted guitar tunes. Focusing on his family, early friendships and the problems that inevitably develop through years of knowing someone, it takes McGuire's sound even further out, and contains some of his most accomplished songs to-date. The opening track is a fine example of McGuire's magical technique of taking a lone acoustic guitar then transforming the track into bliss-out electro wash looping off into the distance. And tracks like "Clouds Rolling In" and "Brain Storm" take off where such McGuire classics as "The Marfa Lights" (which incidentally is planned for a future reissue) left off. While connoisseurs of his sound will find all they desire in here, many superb surprises await around every corner. These are songs that cruise, bubble and rise to the top.
Artist:
GILBERT, BRUCE
Title:
The Shivering Man
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 108CD
The Shivering Man
, originally released in 1986 on Mute, was
Bruce Gilbert
's second solo album. Following on from his 1984 masterpiece
This Way
(EMEGO 102CD), it further explores Gilbert's investigations into the grey border where abstract noise and rhythm co-exist with obscure melodies and song structures. The sound is further expanded with guest vocal appearances by
Angela Conway
and fellow
Wire
traveller
Graham Lewis
. This is also the first time the complete album is available domestically on CD. Previous CD issues were
This Way To The Shivering Man
on Mute and the Japan-only 3CD box with
This Way
,
Shivering Man
and
Insiding
previously released by Alfa Recordings. This 25th anniversary reissue is remastered by
Russell Haswell
and contains a rework by
Dave Coppenhall
of Angela Conway's original artwork. As a bonus, there is an Angela Conway video featuring
Michael Clark
, originally broadcast in 1987 on Channel 4.
Artist:
EMERALDS
Title:
What Happened
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 109LP
After the runaway success of their
Does It Look Like I'm Here?
(EMEGO 101CD/LP) album, Editions Mego is chuffed to release these vintage synth-guitar improvisation jams recorded straight to tape, 2007-2008. Previously released as a CD by No Fun, this is now the definitive vinyl edition of this material, and serves as archival insight into the development of
Emeralds
' sound over the last years. Mastered by
James Plotkin
. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin.
Artist:
FENN O'BERG
Title:
Live In Japan Part One
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 110.1LP
Live In Japan Part One
is the first part of two separately-released live albums from the legendary trio
Fenn O'Berg
(
Christian Fennesz
,
Jim O'Rourke
and
Peter Rehberg
), featuring recordings taken from their 2009 Japanese tour. That's it.
Artist:
FENN O'BERG
Title:
Live In Japan Part Two
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 110.2LP
Live In Japan Part Two
is the second part of two separately-released live albums from the legendary trio
Fenn O'Berg
(
Christian Fennesz
,
Jim O'Rourke
and
Peter Rehberg
), featuring recordings taken from their 2009 Japanese tour.
Artist:
FELL, MARK
Title:
UL8
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 111CD
Written and recorded in Whitby, York and Rotherham (UK) during summer 2010 by
Mark Fell
(one-half of the duo
snd
). Mastered at Dubpates and Mastering Berlin in 2010 by
Lupo
. Part 1: The Occultation of 3C 273. Using 32 operator frequency modulation synthesis configured in 16 pairs of operator and modulator. Frequency, modulation ratio and amount determined by linear interpolation between two spatial extremes, with further interpolation over variable temporal divisions. Panned at equal positions around the circumference of a circle using high order ambisonics. First implemented for the DVD
Attack On Silence
(Line Records 2008) and developed for the cassette release
Thunder Bollocks
with
Evol
(Alku 2009). The compositions here also feature modified Roland TR707 and Linn kick drum samples. Part 2: Vortex Studies with 2, 4 or 8 channel rectangular waveforms with variable pulse width subject to frequency modulation from synchronized sine functions with variable phase offsets. Initially implemented with synchronized blue light at Algorithm, Glade (Thatcham 2008) with further presentations at Enjoy (Leeds 2008), Centre d'Art Santa Mònica, Sónar (Barcelona 2008), Three Pieces For Unattended, Somewhat Attended and Attended Computer (Sheffield 2008), Avoid (Leeds 2009), Three Neurocognitive Approaches To The Formation Of Cross-Modal Objecthood (Rotherham 2009) Sonic Materialities (Sheffield 2010) and as Supersymmetry at Matter-Space-Motion (Elsecar 2010). Here with percussion synthesis. "This project takes its name from the Celestion UL8 speaker. My older brother bought a pair of these when I was starting comprehensive school, and between his
10cc
and
Supertramp
records, I first encountered very loud electronically-synthesized sound. I soon noticed a pattern emerging in my musical tastes which excluded guitars or drums. Instead, I favored almost exclusively the electronic textures and rhythms of
The Human League
,
Fad Gadget
and other synthesizer-based music of that period. I was quite curious about this prejudice and would try to work out why
Kraftwerk
sounded so much better than a rock band of the time. Since then, my interest was in the texture of synthetic sound -- there was something much more beautiful (and perhaps more emotionally-charged) about a sustained square wave than any guitar solo. Soon, I began to search out and replay sections of music which dropped to a single sound -- these, for some reason, were the best." --Mark Fell
Artist:
CINDYTALK
Title:
The Poetry Of Decay
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP +7"
Price:
$29.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 112LP
Special 2LP + 7" vinyl set compiling both
The Crackle Of My Soul
(2009) &
Up Here In The Clouds
(2010) albums, plus limited edition 7" tracks (2003).
Cindytalk
have been active since 1982. During the '80s and '90s, their sound was defined by broken-down rock structures and abstract piano ambience. A third side to their coin emerged at the dawn of the 21st century with a turn towards obscure computer usage pushing all resemblance of melody and conventional texture to the outer edges.
The Crackle Of My Soul
is the first full-length to come from this new direction, starting in 2001 and now finally ready for release. It's also the first Cindytalk album since the 1995 release of
Wappinschaw
. Although very abstract in nature, these 10 tracks still echo the vocal brilliance and subtle beauty that they have become known for.
Up Here In The Clouds
is the second installment in the new Cindytalk sound which started with
The Crackle Of My Soul
. Whereas
Crackle
was more of a blistering burner,
Clouds
has a fresher, cooler sound to it, with longer tracks that slowly evolve in great patches of aural beauty. The sound that
Gordon Sharp
and company create now is a unique blend of cracked electronics -- near-awkward ambient textures that always seem to flow smoothly like the most natural of sounds around, building up a great set of modern electronic music which closes with the child-like melody of the title track. The coupling of
Transgender Warrior
and
Guts Of London
was originally released as a limited edition 7" by Klanggalerie in 2003. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, August 2010.
Artist:
SCHMICKLER, MARCUS
Title:
Palace Of Marvels (Queered Pitch)
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 113CD
Marcus Schmickler
's new release following his acclaimed
Altars Of Science
(EMEGO 082CD) is a must-have for those interested in the rising field of contemporary computer music. It reconfirms Schmickler's interest in the liaison of sound, phenomenology and cognitive sciences. Schmickler, therefore, utilizes a new interpretation of 1960's discovery, the Shepardtone, discovered by
Roger Shepard
, which creates the auditory illusion of a tone that continually rises or descends in pitch yet ultimately seems to get no higher or lower. The phenomenon was first introduced to the music world by
James Tenney
in his piece "For Ann Rising." Similarly, Schmickler has a musical take on the subject by creating arpeggios, short sequences of tones creating a similar effect. Schmickler's interest in the field was sparked by
Ernst Gombrich
's essays on "Art And Illusion," questioning the very foundations of our understanding of the history of the image and its representation of our world. Adequately, Schmickler's work ever since can be seen as a play within an anthropology of music in terms of its very fundamental parameters, rhythm, sound and pitch, as well as its socio-economic implications. Beyond that, the title
Palace Of Marvels
was taken from French intellectual
Jacques Attali
, who, in his critically-acclaimed book,
Noise: The Political Economy Of Music
, cites one of
Leibniz
's little-known but "extraordinary" texts, "Drôle de pensée touchant nouvelle sorte de représentation," in which the philosopher describes the "Palace Of Marvels." The Palace Of Marvels is Leibniz's idealization of a perfect political organization, which is built in such a way that the master of the house is able to hear and see everything that is being said and done in the premises without himself being perceived by his subjects. Leibniz's vision of disciplinary society not only predates
Foucault
's subsequent versions of surveillance mechanism, the Panopticon, but it also conceptualizes a more effective and absolute form of power through eavesdropping, censorship, and recording, as well as surveillance through visual means. Listening in on, ordering, transmitting, and recording noise are at the heart of the modern State. The idea for the material was originally conceived for a collaborative installation piece together with arts collective Interpallazo. The technical application was realized with the kind assistance of Prof.
Dr. Alberto de Campo
. Recorded and mastered at Piethopraxis, Köln. January-August 2010. Artwork by
Tim Berresheim
.
Artist:
SCHMICKLER, MARCUS
Title:
Palace Of Marvels (Queered Pitch)
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 113LP
2LP version, featuring an extended version of "Mystery Bouffe."
Marcus Schmickler
's new release following his acclaimed
Altars Of Science
(EMEGO 082CD) is a must-have for those interested in the rising field of contemporary computer music. It reconfirms Schmickler's interest in the liaison of sound, phenomenology and cognitive sciences. Schmickler, therefore, utilizes a new interpretation of 1960's discovery, the Shepardtone, discovered by
Roger Shepard
, which creates the auditory illusion of a tone that continually rises or descends in pitch yet ultimately seems to get no higher or lower. The phenomenon was first introduced to the music world by
James Tenney
in his piece "For Ann Rising." Similarly, Schmickler has a musical take on the subject by creating arpeggios, short sequences of tones creating a similar effect. Schmickler's interest in the field was sparked by
Ernst Gombrich
's essays on "Art And Illusion," questioning the very foundations of our understanding of the history of the image and its representation of our world. Adequately, Schmickler's work ever since can be seen as a play within an anthropology of music in terms of its very fundamental parameters, rhythm, sound and pitch, as well as its socio-economic implications. Beyond that, the title
Palace Of Marvels
was taken from French intellectual
Jacques Attali
, who, in his critically-acclaimed book,
Noise: The Political Economy Of Music
, cites one of
Leibniz
's little-known but "extraordinary" texts, "Drôle de pensée touchant nouvelle sorte de représentation," in which the philosopher describes the "Palace Of Marvels." The Palace Of Marvels is Leibniz's idealization of a perfect political organization, which is built in such a way that the master of the house is able to hear and see everything that is being said and done in the premises without himself being perceived by his subjects. Leibniz's vision of disciplinary society not only predates
Foucault
's subsequent versions of surveillance mechanism, the Panopticon, but it also conceptualizes a more effective and absolute form of power through eavesdropping, censorship, and recording, as well as surveillance through visual means. Listening in on, ordering, transmitting, and recording noise are at the heart of the modern State. The idea for the material was originally conceived for a collaborative installation piece together with arts collective Interpallazo. The technical application was realized with the kind assistance of Prof.
Dr. Alberto de Campo
. Recorded and mastered at Piethopraxis, Köln. January-August 2010. Artwork by
Tim Berresheim
.
Artist:
COH
Title:
IIRON
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 114CD
It would be too easy to simply call
IIRON
the
COH
metal album, as it goes way beyond that. True, this album of classic
Ivan Pavlov
stompers contains more than its fair share of guitars both acoustic and electric, yet it still maintains that sense of power and purpose through electronic music which stands out as the COH "raison d'être." Coming 11 years after
IRON
(Wavetrap, 2000), which also tackled the sound of rock with alarming results, the new album features not only recent guitar tracks recorded at Music Research Centre at York University, but also recordings made during Soviet-era Russia, which refer to Pavlov's underground music activities in the early '80s when making or even consuming of "metal music" was forbidden.
IIRON
is a powerful, well-executed electronic rock record, with just a dash a humor to keep it from becoming pompous, as so much of that kind of music can be sometimes. Packaged in a 4-panel digipack for CD, and lavish gatefold for the vinyl, with stunning artwork by
Stephen O'Malley
(
Sunn O)))
). Vinyl cut by
Rashad Becker
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, November 29th, 2010. HAIL TO WORLD PEACE AND DEATH TO FALSE METAL. In memoriam:
Satoshi Kon
and
Peter Christopherson
.
Artist:
COH
Title:
IIRON
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 114LP
Lavish gatefold for the vinyl 2LP version. It would be too easy to simply call
IIRON
the
COH
metal album, as it goes way beyond that. True, this album of classic
Ivan Pavlov
stompers contains more than its fair share of guitars both acoustic and electric, yet it still maintains that sense of power and purpose through electronic music which stands out as the COH "raison d'être." Coming 11 years after
IRON
(Wavetrap, 2000), which also tackled the sound of rock with alarming results, the new album features not only recent guitar tracks recorded at Music Research Centre at York University, but also recordings made during Soviet-era Russia, which refer to Pavlov's underground music activities in the early '80s when making or even consuming of "metal music" was forbidden.
IIRON
is a powerful, well-executed electronic rock record, with just a dash a humor to keep it from becoming pompous, as so much of that kind of music can be sometimes. With stunning artwork by
Stephen O'Malley
(
Sunn O)))
). Vinyl cut by
Rashad Becker
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, November 29th, 2010. HAIL TO WORLD PEACE AND DEATH TO FALSE METAL. In memoriam:
Satoshi Kon
and
Peter Christopherson
.
Artist:
HASWELL, RUSSELL
Title:
In It (Immersive Live Salvage)
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP/DVD
Price:
$29.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 115LP
A 5.1 Surround DVD (Dolby Digital + DTS, "audio only") + Ambisonic UHJ vinyl LP (an LP that can play surround when playing through an ambisonic encoder. It can also be played on a regular stereo). Following an invitation from
Autechre
to support them on their 2010 European "Overstepper" tour (30 concerts, 15 countries), UK experimental multidisciplinary artist
Russell Haswell
filled a Pelicase with a contact mic, crystal mic, electronics w/light sensors, fx pedals, SOS whistle, various multi-color headlamps w/flashing modes, and boarded the tour bus. Each night, while performing his solo free improvisation, Haswell also recorded as many gigs as possible with a surround recorder. Selections from these live recordings are presented in Surround on this unique package containing a
UHJ LP
and 5.1 DVD, housed in a 12" sleeve. UHJ vinyl LP cut by
Rashad Becker
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, January 2011.
Artist:
FELL, MARK
Title:
Manitutshu
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 116EP
In January 2011, UK sound artist
Mark Fell
was invited by
Erik Wiegand
(aka
Errorsmith
) to make some presets for his new software synthesizer which he was building for Native Instruments. After developing about 40 sounds (unfortunately NI rejected all of Mark's presets and none were used for the final distribution), Mark decided to rework his
UL8
project by extending the pattern-generating systems used in its construction, which he then connected to the sounds produced in Erik's synthesizer. The result is this double EP (42 minutes), featuring 9 tracks and a remix from Mark's friend and colleague,
Mat Steel
. Mastered by
Lupo
at Dubplates and Mastering (DE), March 2011. Comes with a full-color A1-sized poster.
Artist:
MCGUIRE, MARK
Title:
A Young Person's Guide To Mark McGuire
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2CD
Price:
$21.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 117CD
A Young Person's Guide To Mark McGuire
collects together some of this
Emeralds
member's best works, previously-released on a number of limited edition CD-Rs and tape releases over the last 4 years. Although only 24 years of age, McGuire has racked up an impressive canon which most artists twice his age would have problems delivering. With his expert use of loops and layers, as well a superb ear for killer melody hooks, makes
AYPGTMM
simply an essential collection. Electric and acoustic guitar, vocals, tapes, and guitar-synthesizer performed and recorded by
Mark McGuire
2007-2010.
Artist:
HECKER
Title:
Speculative Solution
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD/BOOK
Price:
$26.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 118CD
Editions Mego and Urbanomic are pleased to announce the release of
Speculative Solution
, a CD and book with contributions by
Florian Hecker
,
Elie Ayache
,
Robin Mackay
and
Quentin Meillassoux
. Originally commissioned by Urbanomic and developed over the last year, this collaborative project brings together Hecker's sonic practice and psychoacoustic experimentation with philosopher Quentin Meillassoux's concept of "hyperchaos" -- the absolute contingency of the laws of nature. In an apparent departure from Hecker's previous release
Acid In The Style Of David Tudor
(EMEGO 094CD), the four titles featured on
Speculative Solution
contain a series of micro-chronics and sequences of auditory contingencies, ranging from extreme stasis to the most dynamic intensities, crisp dramatizations of what Meillassoux calls in his text "extro-science worlds." As Mackay states in his contribution to the book, Hecker's composition "participates in a circuit in which it, the accompanying texts, and diverse other objects, enter into a perpetual catalysis that must annihilate all priority, representation, reference, and even entity." Both "scripture and prescription,"
Speculative Solution
invites its users to integrate its sonic and textual components, as they enter into an accelerative cycle, becoming "truly 'literalist' marks which have no reason to be as they are, and which could have been -- and still could be, at every moment -- otherwise." With
Speculative Solution
, Hecker proposes that the concepts of absolute contingency and hyperchaos offer a rigorous new alternative to the employment of chance and randomness in avant-garde composition. It is recommended to listen to
Speculative Solution
on loudspeakers at high volume. Headphone use is not advised. Frequent recitation of the included texts is also indicated.
Speculative Solution
is Hecker's 13th release with (Editions) Mego. It comes in an embossed, deluxe box with a bilingual (English/French) 160-page book and 5 metal balls (ø 3,969mm). Typesetting by
Tina Frank
and
Elvira Stein
. CD mastered by
Rashad Becker
. Available only in this format.
Artist:
ORCUTT, BILL
Title:
A New Way To Pay Old Debts
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 119CD
Editions Mego is suitably chuffed to announce a CD reissue of San Francisco guitarist
Bill Orcutt
's acoustic hardcore blues stormer
A New Way To Pay Old Debts
, previously released on Palilalia in 2009, and for many, one of the highlights of recent years with its unique visionary take on solo guitar playing. At the heart of Orcutt's sound is a vintage acoustic Kay guitar equipped with a DeArmond pickup. After the neck was broken and subsequently repaired, the guitar was downtuned so as to withstand the tension of the strings, and played with the A and D strings removed. This all lends itself to an intense set of raw, blues-influenced songs that sound heavier than most of the guitar records in your collection put together!! In addition to the original album, this CD reissue contain 2 tracks from the
High Waisted
7" (also previously released on Palialia), as well as 4 unreleased tracks. Bill Orcutt: 4-string Kay, voice.
Artist:
LEHN/MARCUS SCHMICKLER, THOMAS
Title:
Live Double Séance [Antaa Kalojen Uida]
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP/DVD
Price:
$29.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 121LP
The analog-digital electronic duo of
Marcus Schmickler
and
Thomas Lehn
has been working since its first meeting in December 1998 during the German premiere of the
Music In Movement Electronic Orchestra
(aka
MIMEO
) in Cologne. Since then, they have been extensively touring in Europe, the USA and Japan and performed at Experimental Intermedia/NYC, Mills/Oakland, Bard College, Lampo/Chicago, Princeton University, Festival Wittener Tage fuer Neue Kammermusik, AMPLIFY/Tokyo, CCA/Glasgow Darmstadt and many other known presentations of contemporary and electronic music. They released several highly-acclaimed productions on labels such as Erstwhile records and A-Musik. Editions Mego is thrilled to release their fourth duo album
Live Double Séance [Antaa Kalojen Uida]
, an LP vinyl with an attached DTS 5.1 surround sound DVD. It's their first "live" recording of a concert that took place at Helsinki's Äänen Lumo Festival for New Sounds on November 14th 2010. The concert was projected on a six channel system. A stunning, well-paced and concentrated performance in which modern computer techniques collide with complex analog synth playing. A dynamic tour de force from these legends of modern electronic music housed in a dazzling
Stephen O'Malley
cover. Thomas Lehn: analog synthesizer; Marcus Schmickler: computer. No editing or mixing has been applied to this recording. All spatialization was part of the live performance. Mastered at Piethopraxis Tonstudio, Köln, March 26th 2011. Vinyl cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, June 2011. Contains stereo vinyl LP and DTS 5.1 Surround Sound DVD (audio-only). NTSC format/region-free DVD playable on standard DVD players and home computers. Length = 46:53. LP contains the same content.
Artist:
CINDYTALK
Title:
Hold Everything Dear
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 122CD
This is the third installment in the new
Cindytalk
sound which started with 2007's
The Crackle Of My Soul
(EMEGO 097CD), and then 2010's
Up Here In The Clouds
(EMEGO 106CD). It's the first in the trilogy to feature musicians other than
Gordon Sharp
, namely the late
Matt Kinnison
, to whom the album is dedicated. Inspired by the
John Berger
book of the same name, this latest release is a whole new set of parameters, which push the sound on the previous two works to an extreme point of abstraction, and in some places, near silent passages and haunted melodic segments. And what a mysterious journey this ends up being, with increased use of piano and found/field recordings giving all the tracks a blurry soundtrack appeal to the point where the definitions between the tracks are no longer clearly defined. It harks back to the odder parts of
In This World
and
The Wind Is Strong
albums from the early 1990s. Superbly packaged with new
David Coppenhall
artwork in a 4-panel digipack. Mastered at Piethopraxis, June 2011. Cut by
Rashad Becker
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, June 2011.
Artist:
CINDYTALK
Title:
Hold Everything Dear
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$26.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 122LP
Gatefold 2LP version.
Artist:
MCGUIRE, MARK
Title:
Get Lost
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 123CD
And yet another killer album from the ever-productive
Mark McGuire
(
Emeralds
). It just keeps getting better, as he delivers another fine set of tunes in his perfected style. A few more electronic elements than usual and even some voices, but still the unique blend of feel-good riffs, electric and acoustic loops and melodies that just stick in the head. This album is chockablock with short hits and one long jam of blissed-out McGuire ambience. Awesome. Electric and acoustic guitar, vocals, and guitar-synthesizer recorded digitally between June 2010 and July 2011 in Westlake, Ohio and Portland, Oregon. Mixed at Hardbodies, July 2011 by Mark McGuire. Mastered and cut by
Helmut Erler
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin. Photography and art by Mark McGuire, 2011.
Artist:
MCGUIRE, MARK
Title:
Get Lost
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 123LP
LP version. And yet another killer album from the ever-productive
Mark McGuire
(
Emeralds
). It just keeps getting better, as he delivers another fine set of tunes in his perfected style. A few more electronic elements than usual and even some voices, but still the unique blend of feel-good riffs, electric and acoustic loops and melodies that just stick in the head. This album is chockablock with short hits and one long jam of blissed-out McGuire ambience. Awesome. Electric and acoustic guitar, vocals, and guitar-synthesizer recorded digitally between June 2010 and July 2011 in Westlake, Ohio and Portland, Oregon. Mixed at Hardbodies, July 2011 by Mark McGuire. Mastered and cut by
Helmut Erler
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin. Photography and art by Mark McGuire, 2011.
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:
Life (...It Eats You Up)
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 124LP
Gatefold 2LP version.
Artist:
TONE, YASUNAO
Title:
MP3 Deviations #6+7
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 125CD
"
The MP3 Deviation
album contains pieces that are results of the collaborative research by a team of the New Aesthetics in Computer Music (NACM) and myself, led by
Tony Myatt
at Music Research Center at the University of York in UK in 2009. My idea was to develop new software based on the disruption of the MP3. Primarily I thought the MP3 as a reproducing device could have created a very new sound by intervention between its main elements, the compression encoder and decoder. It turned out that result was not satisfactory. However, we found that if the sound file had been corrupted in the MP3, the corruptions generated 21 error messages, which could be utilized to assign various 21 lengths of samples automatically. Combining with different playback speeds, it could produce unpredictable and unknowable sound. That is a main pillar of the software. We, also, added some other elements such as flipping stereo channels and phase inversing alternately with a certain length of frequency ranges, which resulted in different timbres and pitches. I performed several times at the MRC and I was certain that this software would be a perfect tool for performances. I have tentatively performed the piece in public in Kyoto, May 2009 and in New York, in May 2010. I also performed it successfully with totally different sound sources when I was invited for The Morning Line in Vienna in June 2011." --
Yasunao Tone
; Executive producer,
Peter Rehberg
. Cover design,
Tina Frank
. Digital mastering,
Russell Haswell
.
Artist:
TONE, YASUNAO
Title:
MP3 Deviations #8
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$20.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 126LP
"
The MP3 Deviation
album contains pieces that are results of the collaborative research by a team of the New Aesthetics in Computer Music (NACM) and myself, led by
Tony Myatt
at Music Research Center at the University of York in UK in 2009. My idea was to develop new software based on the disruption of the MP3. Primarily I thought the MP3 as a reproducing device could have created a very new sound by intervention between its main elements, the compression encoder and decoder. It turned out that result was not satisfactory. However, we found that if the sound file had been corrupted in the MP3, the corruptions generated 21 error messages, which could be utilized to assign various 21 lengths of samples automatically. Combining with different playback speeds, it could produce unpredictable and unknowable sound. That is a main pillar of the software. We, also, added some other elements such as flipping stereo channels and phase inversing alternately with a certain length of frequency ranges, which resulted in different timbres and pitches. I performed several times at the MRC and I was certain that this software would be a perfect tool for performances. I have tentatively performed the piece in public in Kyoto, May 2009 and in New York, in May 2010. I also performed it successfully with totally different sound sources when I was invited for The Morning Line in Vienna in June 2011." --
Yasunao Tone
; Executive producer,
Peter Rehberg
. Cover design,
Tina Frank
. Photography, Tina Frank,
Florian Voggeneder
; Digital mastering,
Russell Haswell
. Cut at 45rpm by
Rashad Becker
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin.
Artist:
ANGEL
Title:
26000
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 127CD
Angel
is
Ilpo Väisänen
(
Pan Sonic
) and
Dirk Dresselhaus
(
Schneider TM
) who play time-transcending freeform sound with the weightlessness and gravity of electromagnetic signals, together since 1999. These five tracks describe the last period of a 26,000 years-long cycle that leads to a new situation on this planet.
26000
was recorded between 2008 and 2010 at Construction Site Studios in Berlin and Ilpo's cottage in Karttula, Finland and features guest appearances by
Hildur Gudnadottir
,
BJ Nilsen
and
Oren Ambarchi
. The repertoire of the instruments is very wide: glass bowls, metal objects, pieces of wood, grass, birds, dragonflies, lake echo, smoking box and regular electronic equipment as well as acoustic instruments. Hildur plays cello & the hallodrone (a kind of cello that feeds itself back). Oren plays percussion & guitar.
Benny
did field recordings and processing. All mixed by Angel at Dirk's newly-built studio called Zone and mastered by
Rashad Becker
in Berlin. It's all good in the tummy, bwoys, because the
Black Sabbath
parts were totally
AC/DC
.
"
Nothing is wider than empty things
." --
Francis Bacon
"
Time is the accident of accidents
." --
Epi Kuros
Artist:
ANGEL
Title:
26000
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$19.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 127LP
LP version.
Angel
is
Ilpo Väisänen
(
Pan Sonic
) and
Dirk Dresselhaus
(
Schneider TM
) who play time-transcending freeform sound with the weightlessness and gravity of electromagnetic signals, together since 1999. These five tracks describe the last period of a 26,000 years-long cycle that leads to a new situation on this planet.
26000
was recorded between 2008 and 2010 at Construction Site Studios in Berlin and Ilpo's cottage in Karttula, Finland and features guest appearances by
Hildur Gudnadottir
,
BJ Nilsen
and
Oren Ambarchi
. The repertoire of the instruments is very wide: glass bowls, metal objects, pieces of wood, grass, birds, dragonflies, lake echo, smoking box and regular electronic equipment as well as acoustic instruments. Hildur plays cello & the hallodrone (a kind of cello that feeds itself back). Oren plays percussion & guitar.
Benny
did field recordings and processing. All mixed by Angel at Dirk's newly-built studio called Zone and mastered by
Rashad Becker
in Berlin. It's all good in the tummy, bwoys, because the
Black Sabbath
parts were totally
AC/DC
.
"
Nothing is wider than empty things
." --
Francis Bacon
"
Time is the accident of accidents
." --
Epi Kuros
Artist:
ORCUTT, BILL
Title:
How The Thing Sings
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 128CD
Yet another essential, cracking new set of songs from
Bill Orcutt
, showcasing a further development of his unique, visceral acoustic style. The language that Orcutt uses looks familiar at first glance, but cuts deeper and it's a myriad of twisted audio that's both full-on and drenched in melancholy, usually in the same gasping breath. While a lot of it is the classic face-melting style, some quieter segments counter balance on the title track as well the epic closer "A Line From Ol'Man River" and "Heaven Is Closed To Me Now." Recorded Spring 2011 in the Living Room, San Francisco.
Artist:
ORCUTT, BILL
Title:
How The Thing Sings
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$18.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 128LP
Gatefold LP version, repressed. Yet another essential, cracking new set of songs from
Bill Orcutt
, showcasing a further development of his unique, visceral acoustic style. The language that Orcutt uses looks familiar at first glance, but cuts deeper and it's a myriad of twisted audio that's both full-on and drenched in melancholy, usually in the same gasping breath. While a lot of it is the classic face-melting style, some quieter segments counter balance on the title track as well the epic closer "A Line From Ol'Man River" and "Heaven Is Closed To Me Now." Recorded Spring 2011 in the Living Room, San Francisco.
Artist:
HASWELL & FLORIAN HECKER, RUSSELL
Title:
Kanal GENDYN
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP/DVD
Price:
$29.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 129LP
Editions Mego is happy to announce the release of
Kanal GENDYN
, a vinyl and DVD set by
Russell Haswell & Florian Hecker
. This is the first full-length release by the artists following their highly-acclaimed albums,
Blackest Ever Black
and
UPIC Warp Tracks
. In the late '90s/early 2000s, it became common for bands, or solo artists to perform live -- often alternative -- soundtracks to feature films or silent classics. Critical of obvious instrumentation and the combination with known classic film, the artists Russell Haswell and Florian Hecker chose to create a real-time soundtrack to an un-scored film,
Kanal Video
(1992, 60 min.) by the Swiss artist duo
Peter Fischli & David Weiss
. Core to
Kanal GENDYN
is Haswell & Hecker's ongoing research on the legacies of polymath
Iannis Xenakis
(1922-2001) and in particular, his concept of the Dynamic Stochastic Synthesis, an abstract sound synthesis procedure that creates "sound out of nothing." In an interview with
Peter Hoffmann
, the artists recall:
"This video, which consists of an hour-long 'ride' through the Zurich sewage system, with a remotely controlled maintenance vehicle equipped with a video camera to survey the sewers for eventual irregularities of defects -- struck us both as an ideal piece to be projected in a 'nightclub' or music venue with a GENDYN only performance. We found twisted relations with such an hour-long 'tunnel vision.' Once with the seemingly endless amount of computer-generated video projections used as visuals accompanying raves and techno parties during the 1990's -- and also to the accounts of visual hallucinations induced by mescaline as described by
Heinrich Klüver
in the 1920s -- with the so-called 'form constants' -- where he mentions amongst others, 'tunnel-like' patterns. The particularities of GENDYN, with its ever-changing and meandering waveforms appeared to us as an ideal counterpart."
Kanal GENDYN
was performed on the occasion of the event "Musterraum 9. Dual Presentation -- Peter Fischli & David Weiss -- Russell Haswell & Florian Hecker" at Musterraum, Munich, 1/30/2004. Originally constructed as an experimental building, "Musterraum" -- German for "sample" or "reference room" -- was a freestanding cube with a base area of 10×12 meters. Built as a test and reference space for the planning and construction of the adjacent Pinakothek der Moderne. Two stereo feeds were crossed for quadraphonic (4.0) diffusion using a L&B F12/B12 loudspeaker system. Performed concurrently to the Peter Fischli & David Weiss,
Kanal Video
(1992, 60 min.) screened on three facing walls.
Kanal GENDYN
is released as a stereo vinyl LP + 4.0 DTS 24 Bit/48 KHz DVD (audio-only) set. The cover features 10 stills from the original Fischli & Weiss video, included inside is a 30x30 cm 170 gram paper insert with a further, full-page still, plus extensive sleeve notes by musicologist and software developer Peter Hoffmann, and everything was designed by NORM, Zurich. It's also worth noting that, with a running time of over an hour, this is one of the longest single LP releases you will come across. Cut by
Rashad "The Master" Becker
at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, September 2011.
Artist:
FELL, MARK
Title:
Periodic Orbits Of A Dynamic System Related To A Knot
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
LP
Price:
$20.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 133LP
UK-based artist and electronic musician
Mark Fell
presents
Periodic Orbits Of A Dynamic System Related To A Knot
, released on Editions Mego. "The music here came about in various ways -- one section is an outtake from my recent
Multistablity
(R-N 125CD) album and is reworked here, another began as a quadraphonic piece composed for and performed at 'Supersimetria: New Languages In Computer Music' (curated by
Anna Ramos
and
Roc Jiménez de Cisneros
in Barcelona 2011), others were taken from live versions of previously-released and unreleased tracks. The idea was to bring these together in an 'almost-live-album' format. The album features three presets taken from Yamaha's four operator frequency modulation synthesizers of the late 1980s -- JazzOrg, LatelyBass and Rich Strg #3 -- modified to produce numerous descendants. The project was entirely written, mixed, and edited with MIDI. No audio recordings were present, with the following exceptions: the sound of a Mac Mini failing to mount a DVD, recorded with the internal microphone on a MacBook Pro (this provided a rhythmic template for the patterns that follow it); and a short section of Pi Saw flute played by
Jan Hendrickse
. The project was written in transit during a house and studio move, and exclusively produced using the internal speakers on a MacBook Pro. Due to time constraints, the mastering session with
Lupo
at Dubplates and Mastering was unattended. The cover image is of my partner's arm after cutting the pampas grass in our front garden in preparation for the house's new occupier. Thanks to
Paul Emery
for early advice and comments about the structure of this album, Jan Hendrickse for Pi Saw flute, Lupo at Dubplates and Mastering, and finally
Peter Rehberg
for his support of this project." --Mark Fell
Artist:
HASWELL, RUSSELL
Title:
ACID nO!se Synthesis
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 134CD
"Pure audio-visual abstraction" or "true synesthesia?" For his new studio album, UK experimental artist
Russell Haswell
tackles the complex world of analog modular synthesis, alongside his regular live kit of electronics and pedals, or computer. At the same time as recording, the artist also monitored his material visually with an X-Y oscilloscope, revealing the movement of the stereo signal and phase correlation (try it for yourself). However, this is no hipster noodling, but a whole album crammed full of tracks that explode hard. Brutal acid lines fight for room against insane noisescapes and face-melting electronics, severe dynamics, brain-floss, collision-edits, oscillographic pervery, as well as a smattering of genuine, dark, metallic oddness and grimey immersive voids!
ACID nO!se Synthesis
could be your most fulfilling multi-sensory experience from a piece of plastic this year. Comes with a 16-page booklet with text and 15 vector oscillograms. Improvisation on either modular synthesizer, computer or electronics and pedals. Recorded and simultaneously monitored on stereo/phase scope (visual) and speakers or headphones (auditory). Performed, recorded (direct to HD - 2 channel - no overdub, no midi), edited, compiled and mastered by Russell Haswell in Suffolk, 2010-2011. For a multi-sensory experience (seeing sound, in this case, Lissajous patterns), connect a stereo/phase scope (Oscilloscope X-Y view or software equivalent) to your audio player: www.fluxhome.com/products/freewares/stereotool, www.audiofile-engineering.com/spectre. Recommended reading: Oscilloscope at work.
Alfred Haas
,
Ralph Watson Hallows
(Wireless World/Iliffe & Sons Ltd. 1956); Audio Metering.
Eddy Bøgh Brixen
(Focal Press. 2011).
Artist:
FENNESZ
Title:
Endless Summer
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$17.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 135CD
This version features new artwork by
Tina Frank
based on the original 2001 Mego release.
Endless Summer
, originally released in 2001 by Mego, was a breakthrough album for
Christian Fennesz
-- the album which brought his name and music towards the first steps of mainstream recognition. Following on from the more experimental
Hotel Paral.lel
(EMEGO 016CD) and the
Beach Boys
-homaged
Plays
single,
Endless Summer
brought the guitars more to the front, the electronics shimmered more, and the melodies shined more brightly. It went on to become a classic of its time, topping many end-of-year polls. This CD has the same audio content as EMEGO 035CD -- it is the 2007 released newly-mixed version by Fennesz, which resulted in a more open-sounding version of the tracks, especially the marimba-driven "Caecilia," the hypnotic "Before I Leave," and the towering "Happy Audio." It also contains the 2 extra titles from the updated 2007 version: "Badminton Girl," originally released in 2001 as part of the
Split Series #15
12" with
Main
on Fat Cat Records, now out-of-print, and "Endless," which had been previously-unreleased.
Artist:
FENNESZ
Title:
Endless Summer
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$25.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 135LP
Remastered, expanded gatefold double LP version (briefly available as a single LP in 2001 and o/p for 10 years now). This version features new artwork by
Tina Frank
, based on the original 2001 Mego release. Contains "Ohne Sonne" and "47 Blues," previously only available on the Japanese CD versions, as well as a new, extended version of "Happy Audio," exclusive to this release.
Endless Summer
, originally released in 2001 by Mego, was a breakthrough album for
Christian Fennesz
-- the album which brought his name and music towards the first steps of mainstream recognition. Following on from the more experimental
Hotel Paral.lel
(EMEGO 016CD) and the
Beach Boys
-homaged
Plays
single,
Endless Summer
brought the guitars more to the front, the electronics shimmered more, and the melodies shined more brightly. It went on to become a classic of its time, topping many end-of-year polls. Cut at Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin, September 2010.
Artist:
VAN HOEN, MARK
Title:
The Revenant Diary
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 136CD
"Don't look back," repeats one of several voices within
Mark Van Hoen
's
The Revenant Diary
, his fifth solo album and first release on Editions Mego. Surrounded by weighted beats, analog synthesizer drones and granular dirt, the unidentified, siren-like female voice's advice is as much seduction as warning. Tellingly so, for as well as being both Van Hoen's most ambitious and his most accessible work,
The Revenant Diary
is an eloquent meditation on the allures and dangers of memory, regret and nostalgia. The album's foundation was shaped by a memory and a chance encounter. While remastering some of his early '90s releases and Peel Session tracks, Van Hoen -- a founding member of
Seefeel
, who also worked as
Locust
and in Seefeel offshoot
Scala
and has collaborated with
Slowdive
,
Robert Fripp
,
Edison Woods
and
Esben And The Witch
, amongst others -- happened upon a track he had recorded in 1982. Attracted by its simplicity, he was inspired to record the basis of
The Revenant Diary
on 4-track tape, using a minimal set-up, reminiscent of his first early '80s musical adventures as a young teenager. The recollection of one of these -- a 13 year-old Van Hoen's experiment in reel-to-reel tape recording of an ineffectual pop song playing on the radio, which spuriously transformed it into a spooky amalgam of backwards church organ and unintelligible voices -- provided an evocative inspiration.
The Revenant Diary
pivots on this combination of complex reflection and simplified technology. A determinedly analog affair, it brims over with Van Hoen's signature sounds: immersively-decayed drones, almost broken ambient surfaces and lulling rhythms, with granular crackle providing spectral grit. Fragments of female vocals pepper the album, and notably dominate the 10-minute epic "Holy Me," one of Van Hoen's most complex compositions, in which non-verbal sounds rub delicately against each other in an otherworldly choral composition. Less song-based than his last solo work, the well-received
Where Is The Truth
(CCO 046CD/LP), its palette and structure are more descendants of the 1995 album
Truth Is Born Of Arguments
, which utilized a similar combination of decayed atmosphere against a granular/glitch rhythmic structure. Tracks like "Laughing Stars At Night" and "Unknown Host" exude a powerful emotional undertow, as alluringly woozy as they are intensely contemplative. But this is no exercise in Instagram-style disposable nostalgia. Van Hoen's adroit juxtapositions of gauzy textures evoke the blurred luminescence of 16mm film and the rich, color-saturated hues of rediscovered Polaroid photos, as the cover artwork, designed by
Stephen O'Malley
, acknowledges.
The Revenant Diary
expertly renders displaced memory daze in lushly melodic, gently delirious electronic sound. All titles composed by Mark Van Hoen. Recorded in Brooklyn & Woodstock, NY, 2011. All instruments & processing by Mark Van Hoen with additional vocals by
Georgia Belmont
.
Artist:
VAN HOEN, MARK
Title:
The Revenant Diary
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$27.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 136LP
2LP version. "Don't look back," repeats one of several voices within
Mark Van Hoen
's
The Revenant Diary
, his fifth solo album and first release on Editions Mego. Surrounded by weighted beats, analog synthesizer drones and granular dirt, the unidentified, siren-like female voice's advice is as much seduction as warning. Tellingly so, for as well as being both Van Hoen's most ambitious and his most accessible work,
The Revenant Diary
is an eloquent meditation on the allures and dangers of memory, regret and nostalgia. The album's foundation was shaped by a memory and a chance encounter. While remastering some of his early '90s releases and Peel Session tracks, Van Hoen -- a founding member of
Seefeel
, who also worked as
Locust
and in Seefeel offshoot
Scala
and has collaborated with
Slowdive
,
Robert Fripp
,
Edison Woods
and
Esben And The Witch
, amongst others -- happened upon a track he had recorded in 1982. Attracted by its simplicity, he was inspired to record the basis of
The Revenant Diary
on 4-track tape, using a minimal set-up, reminiscent of his first early '80s musical adventures as a young teenager. The recollection of one of these -- a 13 year-old Van Hoen's experiment in reel-to-reel tape recording of an ineffectual pop song playing on the radio, which spuriously transformed it into a spooky amalgam of backwards church organ and unintelligible voices -- provided an evocative inspiration.
The Revenant Diary
pivots on this combination of complex reflection and simplified technology. A determinedly analog affair, it brims over with Van Hoen's signature sounds: immersively-decayed drones, almost broken ambient surfaces and lulling rhythms, with granular crackle providing spectral grit. Fragments of female vocals pepper the album, and notably dominate the 10-minute epic "Holy Me," one of Van Hoen's most complex compositions, in which non-verbal sounds rub delicately against each other in an otherworldly choral composition. Less song-based than his last solo work, the well-received
Where Is The Truth
(CCO 046CD/LP), its palette and structure are more descendants of the 1995 album
Truth Is Born Of Arguments
, which utilized a similar combination of decayed atmosphere against a granular/glitch rhythmic structure. Tracks like "Laughing Stars At Night" and "Unknown Host" exude a powerful emotional undertow, as alluringly woozy as they are intensely contemplative. But this is no exercise in Instagram-style disposable nostalgia. Van Hoen's adroit juxtapositions of gauzy textures evoke the blurred luminescence of 16mm film and the rich, color-saturated hues of rediscovered Polaroid photos, as the cover artwork, designed by
Stephen O'Malley
, acknowledges.
The Revenant Diary
expertly renders displaced memory daze in lushly melodic, gently delirious electronic sound. All titles composed by Mark Van Hoen. Recorded in Brooklyn & Woodstock, NY, 2011. All instruments & processing by Mark Van Hoen with additional vocals by
Georgia Belmont
. Housed in a deluxe full-color gatefold sleeve with spot-varnished design. The second LP is one-sided.
Artist:
MENCHE, DANIEL
Title:
Guts
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 138CD
More voraciously bestial soundwork coming from
Daniel Menche
-- this time, his chosen theme is the piano, in which he attacks, investigates and dissects with the precision of an autopsy surgeon, adding a whole new meaning to the concept of prepared piano, or should we say,
un
prepared piano, for an all-out assault.
Guts
lays out quite possibly some of the finest slabs of Menchian sonic mayhem to date. Slightly different track sequence over CD and vinyl formats due to time constraints. Mastered in the analog domain at Stereophonic Mastering, Portland Oregon. X-rays from a Chihuahua dog named
Arrow
.
Artist:
MENCHE, DANIEL
Title:
Guts
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$27.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 138LP
2LP version. More voraciously bestial soundwork coming from
Daniel Menche
-- this time, his chosen theme is the piano, in which he attacks, investigates and dissects with the precision of an autopsy surgeon, adding a whole new meaning to the concept of prepared piano, or should we say,
un
prepared piano, for an all-out assault.
Guts
lays out quite possibly some of the finest slabs of Menchian sonic mayhem to date. Slightly different track sequence over CD and vinyl formats due to time constraints. Mastered in the analog domain at Stereophonic Mastering, Portland Oregon. X-rays from a Chihuahua dog named
Arrow
.
Artist:
TYME. X TUJIKO
Title:
GYU
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
CD
Price:
$15.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 139CD
Tujiko Noriko
returns to Editions Mego after a period of relative silence, this time in collaboration with
Tyme.
(aka
Tatsuya Yamada
, member of
MAS
). This album was developed from songs that the duo made once a year at the end and beginning of the new year, for a period of six years. These were sent to friends and people who asked. After six years, there were six tracks and they added five more tracks based on the illustrations of
Kimura Toshiko
to complete the album. A gaudy take on J-pop, perhaps? These songs are bustling with a weird sense of optimism that's not only fun but a little odd as well. The end and the start of a year, made by thinking of the future, giving it a shiny sheen with just a dash of darkness.
GYU
is an onomatopoeia of holding something tight, grabbing something. You know you like it, really.
Artist:
TYME. X TUJIKO
Title:
GYU
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2LP
Price:
$27.50
Catalog #:
EMEGO 139LP
Gatefold double LP version.
Tujiko Noriko
returns to Editions Mego after a period of relative silence, this time in collaboration with
Tyme.
(aka
Tatsuya Yamada
, member of
MAS
). This album was developed from songs that the duo made once a year at the end and beginning of the new year, for a period of six years. These were sent to friends and people who asked. After six years, there were six tracks and they added five more tracks based on the illustrations of
Kimura Toshiko
to complete the album. A gaudy take on J-pop, perhaps? These songs are bustling with a weird sense of optimism that's not only fun but a little odd as well. The end and the start of a year, made by thinking of the future, giving it a shiny sheen with just a dash of darkness.
GYU
is an onomatopoeia of holding something tight, grabbing something. You know you like it, really.
Artist:
FENN O'BERG
Title:
Magic & Return
Label:
EDITIONS MEGO (AUSTRIA)
Format:
2CD
Price:
$21.00
Catalog #:
EMEGO 3154CD
Editions Mego presents legendary supergroup
Fenn O'Berg
(
Christian Fennesz
,
Jim O'Rourke
and
Peter Rehberg
) and the double CD reissue of
The Magic Sound Of Fenn O'Berg
and
The Return Of Fenn O'Berg
, originally released in 1999 and 2002. Fenn O'Berg first hit the scene after a surprise appearance at the Nickelsdorf Festival in 1997. Throughout 1998 and 1999, the trio toured extensively throughout Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, as well as shows in North America and Japan. The highlights of these trips were presented on
The Magic Sound Of Fenn O'Berg
. Although they were not the first group to utilize mainly mobile computing devices, they were the first to bring such a set up to venues that would not normally book or even be interested in such things. This resulted in some very polarized reactions from both audience and promoters alike. In many instances the group needed to "escape" the city they played. In Rome, Jim O'Rourke was even given an acoustic guitar and more or less forced to play a short acoustic set before anyone could leave the building. Despite all of this, there was a generally positive response, with some shows going down as local legend. However, it's worth considering that the technology at the time didn't offer the convenient "plug and play" of current operating systems and applications. This, of course, led to a set of recordings like no other. Not only was the rule book ripped up, but the tour book as well. Each show became an improvised, twisted journey through the various strands of electronic music -- where popular music sources (some more obvious than others) clashed with more academic tricks, but never sounding like being part of either. By 2002, the group's live output was drastically reduced due to all three members' schedules moving in different directions. Only two performances were committed that year, and although the sound was more polished and one could even suggest that "they knew what they were doing," their polarizing effect was still there. One show was a sold-out, over-enthusiastic Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the other a miserable "count them on one hand" turnout at a jazz club in Vienna. Edited highlights of these shows made up
The Return Of Fenn O'Berg
. Since then, the trio has been on a constant pause, but are planning to resurface with a brand-new album in 2010. This reissue is repackaged with new artwork by
Tina Frank
, and contains two bonus tracks from the same period. This is unmatched improvised computer music that simply defined a whole genre.
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