ICE YACHT “pole of cold” C40 (Snatch Tapes / Fragment Factory)

It’s time we spent the Summer with the Snow Bees don’t you think?

Sir Philip Sanderson, one half of Storm Bugs, and formerly known as Claire Thomas & Susan Vezey, also the proprietor of London’s Snatch Tapes guides us to the Great White North in sonic luxury. This is no exploitative faux documentary/docudrama Nanook of the North although it is based on actual events. The pseudonymous Sanderson offers finery, and expedition in luxurious boatery, albeit in the sub-freezing climes of where most dare not travel.

There are riveting scenes, particularly on Vostock Station Hallucinations, floating on a Steinway, joining in a drum circle to prevent frostbite. A seamless combination of edgy synths and haunting daunting rhythms invoke the terror of polar isolation not unlike John Carpenter’s The Thing --film and OST. Sometimes the keyboard settings mimic an ultra light nylon string guitar fed through a ring modulator.

Although Philip Sanderson is known to sing or vocalize on other outings, Ice Yacht sticks to the instruments here, letting the sounds do the talking. Most of Pole of Cold exhibits proficiency in sequential layered loops, and sometimes it goes full ambient improvisation. Lots of gear, lots of rope, and a cinematic vocabulary combine for a chilling dive into the ice water.

Cool Runnings.

Ice Yhot!


--Adam Padavano

DAVE PHILLIPS & CHRS GALARETTA “the invisible cage of comfort” C-30 (Fragment Factory)

I am offering fair warning for any listeners living in the suburbs. This applies to the most seasoned sound/noise aficionados who name their kids after Martin Rev or Alan Vega. Actually, in that case, one may notice the resemblance to “Frankie Teardrop” rather than associate the cassette output with the neighbor’s temperamental lawn mower.

What if someone with this cassette lives in a Quonset hut? What if the recreation department in that town stores all the track and field equipment in said Quonset hut, and that someone manages to take shelter among the stacks of hurdles and javelins? When it rains on that corrugated metal, how does one sleep? Is there a real need for this recording once one finds oneself living in these conditions, hiding out from Coach Franklincense and Lieutenant Effington? It ain’t easy getting around those cats. They have resources like you wouldn’t believe.

The fellows responsible for “the invisible cage of comfort” worked together and separate to make these recordings during live performances in Basel, Switzerland. Don’t assume anything here. Don’t take it personally. Take seriously the things of little importance. Don’t take seriously the things of great importance.

Fragment 33
bandcamp

--Adam Padavano

AARON DILLOWAY & TOM SMITH C48 (Fragment Factory)

Check out this collaboration between sound artist / ex-Wolf Eyes member / Hanson Records proprietor Aaron Dilloway, and To Live and Shave in LA guru Tom Smith. Out now on Fragment Factory.



label blurb:
A documentation of a most memorable event, held at FSK Hamburg in summer of 2012. 2 full sets, approximately 20 minutes each. At first Dilloway solo, followed by a remarkable super duet with Smith, who appeared out of the blue that night, suddenly finding himself on the non existent stage next to Dillo!

Ohio based Aaron Dilloway runs the influential Hanson label since 1994 and was a member of Wolf Eyes when they blew up the noise scene in the late 90's/early 2000's. He's been part of a vast number of projects and collaborations ever since, The Nevari Butchers, Spine Scavenger, The Beast People or Violent Ramp, just to name a few.

US refugee Tom Smith has been a core member of the notoriuos To Live And Shave In L.A., played with Pussy Galore in the 80's and has been a part of Ohne alongside of Reto Mäder, Dave Phillips and Daniel Löwenbrück. His ongoing collaborations with Kevin Drumm are semi-legendary, to say the least.Smith is currently living in Hannover, Germany.

ORDER: http://fragmentfactory.com/