oneohtrix point never - zones without people – arbor - lp –14$
Daniel Lopatin’s Oneohtrix Point Never represents a rift in time; an isolationist expedition into the archaeology of sound, notably the analog polysynth as a means of organic creation. “Zones Without People” is the second record in the OPN trilogy; acting as a bridge between the drifting, alien compositions of “Betrayed in The Octagon” and a music more rooted in melody and introspective nostalgia as a search for self. An exercise in ‘in between-ness’: reconciling noise and melodicism, the stasis of drone and the spasomadic nature of concret, the historical narrative of 70s Kraut synth music and 80s techno. Arpeggios and sequencers play a key role in this amalgamation, as these forms of repetition create an attachment to a certain sentiment neither human nor machine. The record reflects this transformation; the A Side has distinct emotional flourishes, while the majority of the B Side seems to be overtaken in cold, mechanized melodies (like attempts at teaching a machine to feel). The final track “Hyperdawn” is a solution to these two disparate modes of interpreting stimuli: a pure union of veins and patch cables. In an edition of 500 copies in proprinted cardboard sleeves with printed labels and an insert by Christelle Gualdi.
-arbor
evan miller - transfigurations on lap-steel guitar – arbor - lp – 14$
Iowa City’s Evan Miller is never one to stay in the same rut for too long. His earlier releases were composed of Fahey-esque spells, heavily emotional acoustic guitar work emanating tones of nostalgia and simplicity. On “Transfigurations” a new zone is crafted with lap-steel guitar and tape collage, creating equally nostalgic music from the other end of the spectrum: delicate, minimal drones. Tones interweave and textures evolve: it is Evan’s most personally progressive work, combining past themes and reinterpreting them on another medium: electric lap-steel guitar. Mastered by Pete Swanson. In an edition of 450 full color pro-printed cardboard LP sleeves and printed labels designed by Jeff Witscher (Secret Abuse / Callow God).
-arbor
cloaked light / pale blue sky - split – arbor - lp - 12$
Working together, but differently. Clear Of, shows Cloaked Light working within a new mode; an expanded temporal sensitivity through field recording and discrete static chords. Slow movement- revealing growth and decay at the subtlest thresholds; disappearing music with a heavy presence, a shifting sense of space, not in the room, but of the room. Pale Blue Sky’s Someday, Sometime approaches a similar expansion of perception and unobscuring blur. Through tape manipulation, the inner workings of tonal relationships are placed under focus; extending time to reveal new moments; widening the view. Distorting to understand; a reorienting pause. Originally conceived to coincide with the Cloaked Light / Pale Blue Sky California tour with Pedestrian Deposit, Infinite Body, Earn, and Mirror to Mirror in January 2010; a testament to a common point and it’s different trajectories. Approaching the possibility. Mastered by Pete Swanson; cut at 45 rpm. In an edition of 400 copies with glossy jackets and inner sleeves.
-arbor
sun circle - lessness – arbor - 2xlp - 20$
Following in the tradition of minimalist composers such as La Monte Young, Yoshi Wada, and Charlemagne Palestine, Sun Circle exemplifies a contemporary focus on long form drone music. Members Greg Davis and Zach Wallace have shown their interest in the field most recently with extended works on Kranky and Root Strata respectively; together on Lessness, they show a deep-rooted interest in the power of simple forms. Building upon themes from their recent solo work (Davis’ subtly shifting tonal work with electronic oscillators and Wallace’s acoustic drone work on the glass armonica), Lessness is comprised of four side long works each exhibiting a different acoustic instrument in isolation. Exploring drums, tambouras (both rhythmic and droning), and gongs with a meditative precision, Davis and Wallace’s work seems at once both mechanic and human; the product of focus, revealing a vast beauty within the subtlety of the geometric potential of sound. In an edition of 400 copies with full color matte jackets.
-arbor
cloaked light - plain curtain – arbor - cass - 5$
These early four-track experiments from Peter Friel’s Cloaked Light project offers a look into focus. With the slowest subtlety changes grow, only perceptible through reflection. A new form of seeking to understand; a non-linear music, offering a space of contemplation to look forward and behind. On A Long Green Hall Friel shifts meaning and reorients the place of speech in a Lucierian experiment with self-help tapes. On But I’m Trying, subtle tonal expansions mirror the manipulation of speech on the previous track, though without the recognizable markers of language the result is more obscured. Each track offers insight to the others processes. Recorded in Summer 2009, these tracks are some of the earliest from the project, a precursory inquiry to the tapes on Ekhein and Monorail. Upcoming split 12” EP with Pale Blue Sky further explores the nature of tonal interactions and non-linear potentials of sound. In an edition of 125 copies with full color cardstock covers and labeled tapes.
pale blue sky - shades of grey – arbor - lp - 12$
Pale Blue Sky is the new project from Mike Pollard (formerly Treetops). Shades Of Grey is the project’s genesis; a long considered transition uniting the organic drone-work of the former project with compositional structures. The recordings embody a delicate sense of distance; staring out at the moving landscape obscured by the mediation of the window. Through blurred fidelity the origin of melody is placed under microscopic inquiry; an exploration into the moment of tonal interaction. Pale Blue Sky utilizes repetition and non-linear movements, attempting to reconcile simplicity, form, and sentiment through modes of difference. Placing focus on spatial concerns, as well as emotive potential, the five songs contained within are each different embodiments of the possibility of the transformative decay of remembrance. An ephemeral glimpse; the moment has already passed. For quiet, distanced listening. Mastered by William Hutson, cut at 45 rpm. In an edition of 400 copies with full color glossy jackets, printed inner sleeves, and printed labels.
brett naucke - southern california – arbor - cass - 6$
The debut release under his own name, Brett Naucke’s Southern California is an aptly titled seven track suite. In the nature of his other projects, Face Worker and Exercise, Naucke continues his exploration of upward advancement through a contemporary approach to ambient, classically new age music; here he wholly embraces discrete structures allowing the tracks to carry a natural progression, transparently simple though deeply considered. Recalling the work of early 80’s West Coast composers such as Ray Lynch, Naucke’s command of smooth synthesis is both meditative and active; drifting washes of light, organized tones. Translucent, linear growth; following the clouds across the sky. In an edition of 125 copies with full color cardstock covers and labeled tapes.
justin meyers - the amplitude of neighbors – arbor - cass - 6$
Minneapolis’ Justin Meyers has been producing extremely discrete musique concrete for the past few years. Through field recordings Meyers achieves a double sided voyeurism; his capturing of another’s space, and the listeners glimpse into his space. His care and precision demands attention with an unconscious magnetism; on Both Sides the recording of an outdoor summer’s evening is paired with subtle beating frequencies symbiotically shifting in and out of the other, producing a deeply compelling command over space. This same phenomena is explored on A Visitor: composed with simple sine waves, infinite variations of listening interaction are possible, imposing the piece directly within the space of the listener. In an edition of 125 copies with full color cardstock covers and labeled tapes.
jefre cantu - ledesma - bloodstream sermon – arbor - cass - 6$
On Bloodstream Sermon, San Francisco’s Jefre Cantu-Ledesma (of Tarentel and the Root Strata label) presents a deep, drifting pair of extended drone works. With a precise sense of focus for agreeing tonal arrangement, JCL’s compositions for Roland Juno 60, pure wave oscillator, and electronics recall the shifting exactness of La Monte Young’s geometric based frequency pairings. Bloodstream Sermon’s meditative tracks create a breathing space within their own existence, a break from temporal consciousness. Imbued with a rich sense of beauty and calming potential; a subtle care. Learning to accept; letting go, becoming oneself. In an edition of 150 copies with full color cardstock covers and labeled tapes.
gregg kowalsky - tape chants: early experiments – arbor - cass – 6$
Bay Area composer Gregg Kowalsky has spent the past few years experimenting with the cassette tape as an instrument; utilizing the placement of portable walkmen and the psychoacoustic effect of their natural interactions. This, Gregg’s first cassette release, presents experiments from his recent Kranky record, Tape Chants. On Early Experiments he uses cassettes as a way to transfer and manipulate environments. Through mechanisms of the tape player he can adjust pitch and amplitude, while through mixing he combines various sources and field recordings creating new, recontexualized moments. This simple though calculated approach harkens back to the earliest days of tape music and recorded sound; creation with what already exists, reorganizing natural occurrences. In an edition of 125 copies with cardstock covers and labeled tapes.
lazy magnet / social junk - split – arbor - cass – 6$
Jeremy Harris’ Lazy Magnet project has been active for well over a decade though the work has remained relatively shrouded in mystery. A true nomad; shifting location and inspiration, following whatever path may prevent itself. Under the Lazy Magnet guise, Harris has explored an innumerable amount of musical styles, adapting each to his uses. On “Yet From The Highest Crown No Blossom Fell” Harris (along with Sakiko Mori of Daily Life) explores the Sci-Fi textures of digital synthesizers. A drifting score from the Providence Futuristic District where man and machine meet to look inside each other. Philadelphia’s Social Junk present four tracks operating from a similarly paired Industrial Sci-Fi stance. Some of the groups strongest work, recorded in December 2008 while still living in Oakland, CA. Feedback is tamed into a smooth element, as pliable as the human voice. The union of these organic/inorganic elements create a unique sense of melody from within the warehouse; clearing away the trash, polishing the concrete. In an edition of 125 copies with full color cardstock covers and labeled tapes.
binges– return to whatever – arbor - cdr – 6$
Binges are a hometown favorite here in Chicago. Up until this point their music has existed to the public in one form: the live set. For the benefit of those outside of Chicago, the duo, comprised of drummer Chris Robert and guitar/bass/drum/mic/tape dude Anthony Decanini, recently teamed up with Midwestern Raccoo-oo-oon to cover the west coast with their syncopated improvisations. It is only fitting that their first release be made up of live material(recorded to DAT tape and mastered with the utmost care). Decanini creates a vast number of growing and receding loops from his guitar, bass, contact mic, tapes, and other sources which act as the perfect foil to Robert’s percussion(a serious thing to behold). It isn’t so much one person acting as the leader as much as the two creating an absolute sonic union of sounds blurring the line between free jazz and noise. In an edition of 200 screened CDRs in screened sleeves.
-arbor
villa valley – accused beasts – arbor - cdr – 5$
Being Michigan house party mainstays and touring/real life buddies of Haunted Castle, Villa Valley, prepare to fuzz out you frontal lobe with their magnum opus. Tracking in at just under an hour in total length, two really long tracks fill up this disc with metal scrapes, vacuous howls, and a new element, toy keyboards. These tracks are much more restrained than their previous output showing a definite direction and focus, most particularly the second track, which could arguably have a chorus and refrain. Subdued keyboards add a new layer to the murky manipulations and feedback howling for which VV is known. Make sure to catch these dudes on tour Drenches on their full US tour this June. In an edition of 80 sprayed/stamped discs with medical book collage art by the band.
-arbor
tusco terror – pyschedelic narcosis – arbor - cdr – 6$
Cleveland noiseniks, Tusco Terror, barrage the earth with their subterranean dirt worship. Having just released a split LP with Emeralds on Ecstatic Peace, this crew is ready to take their Midwestern gear slaughter beyond the realm of the breadbasket. Operating with a loose lineup usually ranging from 3-5 players all jamming in their own private zones, contributing their own part to the psychedelic nonsequitors and cosmic confusions contained within the recording. Pile upon pile of unrecognizable source contort themselves into an unrecognizable yet brutally intriguing end result. Don’t stop digging. In two editions: A( of 68 numbered copies in silkscreened, watercolored, and sewn sleeves with screened discs) and B (of 32 numbered copies in printed collage sleeves with screened discs).
-arbor
sarah's charity – code of red twin – arbor - cdr – 7$
Among the metal forests of Denmark, there is Sarah’s Charity. A maelstrom of expert tone work and free electricity; sounds so electric, yet still reminiscent of the flowing natural growth of fellow Danes Family Underground (it should be noted that Nicolas of FU helps out on track 2). This naturalism plus the actual sterility create a feeling nothing short of psychedelic. A wall of intense oscillation and soothing vacuous space ala Marcia Bassett’s various projects. Speaking of Marcia, SC is also famed for being the only non Bassett/Bower related project to be released on the esteemed Heavy Blossom label. In a numbered edition of 150 copies in absolutely beautiful mind tripping deluxe screened sleeves by Dylan Martorell, with screened discs and an insert.
tent/city – arbor - cdr - 7$
Past the desert smoke and arid dust trails of Arizona lies an Oasis of broken folk. Occupied by Tent/City, this area is like a river of creativity and blessed drones. Six artful dwellers armed with instruments ranging from pots and pans to synths and guitars, pianos and flutes, have the perfect recipe for clattery commune psych. Taken out of their natural habitat and thrown into the studio they offer these five tracks to the coyote spirit. The first three tracks act as studies focusing on different pairings of the featured instrumentation. This culminates in the fourth track, an epic 12 minute long jam full of rotted synth, flute prayers, electric guitar with hints of the raccoon’s good blessing, all over a foundation of unwavering percussion. In an edition of 90 triangle stickered cd-rs with an insert all in a hand sewn paisley pouch complete with button clasp.
-arbor
noise nomads - tone deaf – arbor - 2xcass & zine – 10$
Total Western Mass scum. Jeff Hartford (Grey Skull, Bonescraper) destroys all sonic barriers; forty minutes of harsh, sweating electronics and acoustic rampage straight from the gutter. Hartford always leaves the audience guessing, whether it is his cut up garbage sources, contact mic’d gurgles or hairwhips, the end result is guaranteed to be something physical. The truth lies somewhere within the mess of cables and the stack of amps; they must be destroyed to uncover it. In an edition of 100 double tape sets with printed labels and a zine housed in a 7” reel to reel box with full color paste on by NN.
-arbor
james ferraro - citrac – arbor - 2xlp – 21$
The CITRAC collection presents one of James Ferraro’s most cinematic visions; showing his recent mode of soundworld creation in top form. By shying away from pure musical creation and opting towards the organic birth of sonic universes James finds a new way to tell a story. Evoking vastly imaginative imagery, this 80+ minute suite spanning two LPs, contains the previously released “Postremo Techno Mundus Symposium”, excerpts and alternative edits from Liquid Metal’s Alternative Soundtrack to “Digital Overdrive”, and the all new “Digital Tribe”. Presenting deep-nightmarish atmospheres of surveillance and captivity on through the rush of the open road; the hypnotic, lo-fi result is one that could only come from Ferraro’s alien mind, eternally stuck in a 1980s vision of an impossibly archaic future. In an edition of 400 double LPs with full color printed inner-sleeves in pro-printed black and white cardboard sleeves and printed labels by James.
-arbor
black monk - flowstone – nnf / arbor - lp - 12$
Flowstoned and dethroned, finally. Last year’s bored/burning summer spell of Eagle Rock entropy birthed a numb drum ‘n drones duo dubbed Black Monk. The aesthetic of inept, free-punk drumming and red-eyed, void-surfing low-end infinity found output on two micro-limited cassette releases (one on Buried Valley, one on Zac/Lambsbread’s Maim & Disfigure) and one weedian live show (in Tempe, AZ) and then the scholars split to separate coasts. Fortunately for us/you, Flowstone comes crawling outta the caverns of a babeless summer on a slab of black wax, collecting their out-of-print Murmur CS and half the V CS, plus an unreleased side-long wastoid-land of subterranean percussion and roaring magma. Just in time for 2012. Black vinyl LPs in stark pro-printed fold-over covers plus a poster of arcane team scribble by BM. Limited to 270.
sleeping babies –beneath the blood moon – arbor - cass – 6$
What is love? Love is… making eerie jams with your honey. This recently relocated BF/GF duo drop their first release on arbor. Creepy organ drones and hypo-hypnotic percussion carry your ears. Howls of a wolf in heat to the blood moon. Ritual dreams realized through vocal drones. Totally organic. Featuring members of Quilts. Limited to 50 numbered copies with art by the band and tapes salvaged from the swamp; stamped with a blood moon.
-arbor
trauma - calming effects of the ocean vol. 3 – arbor - cass – 6$
The third chapter of Trauma’s six part series (other volumes on Fag Tapes, Excite Bike, Tapeworm Tapes, Holy Cheever Church, and American Tapes) finds the Detroit duo of percussionist Ben Hall and guitarist Chris Riggs adrift in texture. Neither’s role can be distinguished; a seriously strange and pure approach. Percussive guitar and melodic drums intertwine denying all points of departure. The piece constantly advances incessantly in a blur of energy; almost non-human: like a field recording of playerless instruments outside during a rainstorm. In an edition of 100 tapes with full color cardstock covers and printed labels.
-arbor
widening horizon – 10000 ft above us, 100 years behind us – arbor- cass – 5$
This collaborative project of Treetops and Laissez Faire, expands itself beyond the constraints of a roster, opening the doors to all psyched youth(in particular, on this tape: Z.Z. and L.S.). The battling acoustic/electric vibes of the last tape are lost, traded in for an entirely communal psychic journey propelled by multiple guitars, horns, keyboards, drums, recorder, loops, and vocals. Spiritually united youth create a pure and uncompromising 20 minute soirée travelling in and out of styles like clouds through the sky. You are now free… In a numbered edition of 50 full sleeve wrap around double sided vellum prints, co-released with bro label JKTAPES.
-arbor
druids of huge –ergotism/pure hype – arbor - cass – 5$
Chicago trio Druids of Huge rock, roll, and destroy the modern concept of a rock band. With a name that screams “hooded gods of shred”, the resulting sounds can be quite refreshing. Percussionary styles can change at any moment from Sword Heaven-esque pummeling and crash destruction to light jazz splash/tom simmering. The guitar feeds back from a massive Sunn amp and rips its way through the basement, fists pumping and beers spilling. Suitcase electronics provide a warm and massive tonal base, erupting with its own existence. Rip it real good, bro. In a numbered edition of 50 sprayed/stamped tapes in cassingle style sleeves.
-arbor
p.r.o.b.l.e.m.s.- narc grind / i came here to die – arbor - cass – 5$
recently formed la skate punk crew, p.r.o.b.l.e.m.s. consisting of britt from robedoor/not not fun and 2/3rd’s of black black bring two quick tracks utilizing socal sunshine vibes, skateboards, and a “fuck authority” attitude. dr. pepper and scab fueled thrash: grind the pigs; skate or die. jam this tape on repeat at yr favorite skate spot; positive negativity. in an edition of 75 tapes in cassingle style o card sleeves with black and white art/tape labels by the band.
-arbor
haunted castle – void lake – arbor - cdr – 8$
This is the debut full length by Detroit's Haunted Castle. These are the first recordings from the infamous Half-Crypt (which was recently vacated due to frequent car break-ins and mail stealing). At the time these tracks were recorded the basement had black mold hanging from the ceilings in some areas. It turned out that that shit was totally toxic and needed to be removed pronto. There is heavy black mold influence running through these tracks. Abrasive and lo-fi drones that sound like they are seeping from swamped out electronics. Vocals heavy like elephant calls coupled crunching guitar and molded basement ambience. There are even a few fist pumping moments! Guaranteed to be an instant classic. In a numbered edition of 100 copies in hallucinogenic tripped out linen bags and cardstock sleeves screened by Jelle Crama.
strange water - environments – arbor - cass - 6$sold out
the first strange water release was a daunting, drenched c60 of confusing murk; now: clarity. dan dlugosielski (uneven universe, body morph) and mike pollard (treetops) create a focused and directed new age piece, consisting of keyboards, electronics, and sax stuck in a rileyian trance. two minds melted into one. smooth moving, everything shines; the clearing of the sky after a storm. a lone track stretched across both sides of the tape. infinity is now, loop forever. in an edition of 75 tapes with full color art and labels.
-arbor
work/death - ruptural strictures – arbor - cass –6$sold out
Providence’s Scott Reber, has been recording under the Work/Death moniker for years, yet no two releases sound the same. Progression is key to W/D, never staying stuck in the same zone for too long, but consistently creating dense, focused compositions. “Ruptural Strictures” combines acoustic piano and string work reminiscent of Lucier, layered densely, creating textured and meaningful drones. In an edition of 100 tapes with full color cardstock covers and printed labels.
-arbor
emaciator - merit – arbor - cass –6$sold out
Rising beyond the ether, Jonathon Borge’s (of Pedestrian Deposit and the Monorail Trespassing label) guitar based drone project floats freely in it’s own realm. Looking down on stone and earth, a feedback torrent swells. Awe-inspiring chords streak through the grey gloom like stone cutters putting everything in it’s right place; a sanctimonious harmony between the give and take of the bleak and the beautiful. Dense and serene. In an edition of 100 tapes with printed labels and art by Borges.
-arbr
body morph - negative face– arbor - cass –6$sold out
Dan Dlugosielski (of Uneven Universe, Mossy Throats, etc) has kept his Body Morph project relatively wrapped up until recently with only a few limited releases on his own Excitebike as well as stellar appearances American Tapes and Gods of Tundra. Body Morph finds Dan at his simplest; a minimal take on strange-fidelity. Smooth saxophone waves wash over a dense bed of electronic warmth, mirroring the ambience of the ocean. Sonic contortions from a willing pallet; a fresh sense of control. In an edition of 100 tapes with textured cardstock covers and printed labels.
-arbor
ten thousand things- crooked on chrome– arbor - cass –6$sold out
Heavy mechanized factory zones, synthetic industrial murk: this collaborative project between East Coast mainstays Geoffrey Mullen (of the Rare Youth label) and Scott Reber (aka Work/Death) reveals a polyphonic wasteland. Covered under layers of tape sludge and deep bass exists a synthesized ambiance, eerie like dark nights in the warehouse district. In an edition of 100 tapes printed on silver cardstock with tape labels.
-arbor
drenches – universal vomit – arbor - cass –6$sold out
Ecstatically moving upward while remembering the gritty deprivation of the past, Branden Diven of Warmth, Quilts, Knife City incorporates elements of his other projects into his latest solo effort, Drenches. The transcendent keyboard loops of Warmth and Quilts meld effortlessly with the twisting static feedback of Knife City. Covering the width of aural planes in a way very reminiscent of Creature Comforter era Black Dice, Drenches mixes the beauty with the carnage, lining itself with subconscious consuming rhythms. In an edition of fifty tapes with double sided collage art and painted labels on grey shells.
-arbor
quilts– light horn – arbor - cass –6$sold out
Shimmer shining strips of sound float through the sky. The light horn is calling. Organ sprawls covered in pit-er-pat percussion. This is the kind of music that you create in your head when you are sitting on the park bench and rearranging the memories of the sounds going around you. Except it is better and it is recorded. Earth drones make dreamy lullabies. These dudes have releases coming out all over the place including a split tape with Quintana Roo on Dnt, as well as a recent release on a new incarnation of imvated, cauliflower dreams. Limited to 50 numbered copies with orient smoke dream art on jade tapes.
-arbor