From the venerable Erstwhile Records’ Bandcamp site: “”Transference is a dialogue of sonic gestures and traces of visits to places and the spirit that occupies them. It unfolds as a map of subtle and drastic differences, a space where the contours of sound and silence merge, and where listening becomes Continue Reading
Finland
Yoichi Kamimura & Olli Aarni – Kōri no ryokō / Jäämatkailu
Yoichi Kamimura, a Japanese composer, teams up with Finnish musician Olli Aarni for a release on mappa, a Slovak record label. From mappa’s Bandcamp site: “Water can retain or wash away memory; flowing or freezing. It gives life and shapes earth, while frozen imprints of an ancient past are waiting Continue Reading
Thee Baby Cuffs – There Ain’t Enough Roses
We offer a Chicano soup gem from the now legendary Finnish label, Timmons Records. From the release’s Bandcamp site: “If there’s a group in this age that faithfully carries the torch of real group soul harmony, it must be these three cats from the US west coast by the name Continue Reading
Barbora Xu – Olin Ennen
I regret missing this release from our friends at Nordic Notes! Barbora Xu is a Czech singer and multi-instrumentalist who explores local poetry, string instruments, and vocal techniques in her music. According to her official biography, “Her work is deeply inspired by nature, capturing the calmness, fragility, and softness found Continue Reading
Hadal Sherpa – Void Weaver
Many thanks to the Finnish instrumental prog-rock/Neo-Krautrock band Hadal Sherpa for sending me notice about their latest release, Void Weaver. The music definitely reminds me of the heavier, weirder, more Buddhist/cannabis-ladern sound that would have fit in well during the late 1960s and early 1970s as music for Krautheads on Continue Reading
Áššu – Luoteniegut
Sadly, our dear friends at Nordic Notes are not offering downloads through Bandcamp, which is understandable as there is something nice about holding a CD or a piece of vinyl in your hands, but you can hear this magnificent recording of Sami music over at Apple Music. From the press Continue Reading
Bronze, Silver & Brass – Conrad’s Lesson
Timmion Records is on a roll! This funky gem comes to us from a band very new to me, Helsinki, Finland’s very own Bronze, Silver & Brass. Worthy!
Helen Svoboda – The Odd River
Helen Svoboda is a Finnish-Australian composer, double bassist and singer whose work reminds me in some way of Laurie Anderson’s work, but perhaps denser and more lush. This makes for a pretty phenomenal listen.
Johanna Juhola – A Brighter Future
What a joyous release this is! Accordion-based music out of Finland is just what the doctor ordered for our chilly Beijing day. Johanna Juhola is one of many incredible artists on the Nordic Notes imprint who have blown my mind this year. Imagine a collection ranging from traditional music melded Continue Reading
post doom romance – fragments
Post Doom Romance is a project between Mykel Boyd and Seah, and their collaboration produces a collection of sweeping drones dedicated to their supporters, immortalizing them on disc. A noble project, but more importantly, the sound is engaging and hooks the listener into a pleasant ambient lull.