Synapses is a Brussel based motley duo focusing on instant composition. By means of a sound sculpture, flute, imaginary language and electronics, they create a spontaneous music where classic, noise and ambient coexist to create an hypnotic language. The musical sculpture of Christophe brings the element of force and noise while the flute of Line adds some lightness and melodies and her lyrics and spasms add the mystery and beauty for an intriguing and beautiful result. A intriguing video for Seveneï Taïs:
And them performing live:
Christophe Grout: sound sculpture, revox, electronics Line Daenen: flute, voice, electronics Cédric Plisnier: Mix and mastering Rudy Romanowsky: music sculpture designer - builder
Christophe and Line
Digital release on the 27th of March 2020. Track listing: 1: Introduction 2: Seveneï Taïs 3: Breathless 4: Extension 5: Intro a Gabrielu 6: Gabrielu
This is the first album created over a few days in his new studio Fiasco III since he moved out of the city of Brussels to live in the country.
The house is completely isolated from the people and social life and lies in the fields.
Those first few weeks in this new location are probably what influenced Pierre's music for this album.
From pure improvisations to builded rhythms and melodies, sounding at times like a lost country album from a tired cowboy or like the sky ending close by, Stardom is definitively an album of huge perspectives of the world around him and of huge prospectives for a bright future full of new music! 3 tracks, each made of one long solo guitar recorded in one take...that's all folks!
OUC025 : Kostas Boukouvalas / Memories from a Sea View
Kostas Boukouvalas is a Greek composer and pianist based in Athens.
Amateur theatre performances, short films, commercials, as well as school plays have been accompanied by his music. He has also been a member of art and electronic music groups from time to time.
In December 2011 he released his first personal recording “Few notes are enough to change the world”.
In 2016 he founded the ensemble “The Last of the Romantics”, with which he presents his music in various art venues in Athens.
In 2018 he composed the music for the “YOYO” Erasmus+ European Project (Educational Yoga for the YOLO Generation).
Memories From a Sea View” was composed during his one year stay in Crete.
The savage and mystical environment of this beautiful Greek island exerted a big influence on him and inspired him to compose music significantly different from anything he had composed until then. “Memories” are 12 minimal-neoclassical-ambient pieces originally written for solo piano. He made the arrangements a few years later back in Athens with the purpose to capture and retain the unique mood that this magic place created for him.
Kostas
All compositions and arrangements by Kostas Boukouvalas
Kostas Boukouvalas: piano, synth, various samples, electronics, field recordings.
Stathis Apostolopoulos: acoustic and electric guitars
When the band takes to the stage you know what to expect. Because in terms of judicious collaborations these ladies are uncompromising (see also OCD018, OCD033 and ODG070). Such is the case with « Searching for Grace ». Among the guests are Joe Goldring (Enablers, ex-Swans…), Eve Libertine from the legendary punk collective Crass, as well as multi-instrumentalist Mathias Bressan. The EP comes with a colouring/lyric book designed by British artist Alice Smith. In the past, Baby Fire has worked with ex-Buzzcocks member Tony Barber, who produced their second studio recording. The band has also collaborated with Eve Libertine and Penny Rimbaud (Crass), Eugene Robinson (Oxbow) and Dana Schechter (Insect Ark, Swans…). Baby Fire’s third studio album was produced by Pierre Vervloesem (dEUS, Madensuyu…). The trio has played shows in France, America, Germany and the Netherlands and has supported Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Laetitia Sheriff, USA Nails, Lydia Lunch & Gallon Drunk, And Also the Trees, Mike Watt, Part Chimp, Bardo Pond. « Searching for Grace » is comprised of four intense tracks. Intense as though a feline had ripped them from inside to let through rays of light. Served by subdued lyrics and carried by the voice of a vocalist with English roots, « Searching for Grace » seduces with its naked beauty and haunted grace. The Post-Punk that emerges through the dryness of the guitar is a mere detail. Because you can’t tell whether it’s night or day, dark or light, or rather the fragile moment when it shifts from one to the other, in pursuit of grace. Dominique Van Cappellen-Waldock (voice, guitar, loops) and Cécile Gonay (drums, violin, backing vocals) have been joined by Lucile Beauvais on keyboards, guitar and backing vocals.
The video for 'I'll Take the Sun':
Digital release on the 6th of March 2020. Track listing: 1: I'll Take the Sun 2: Perhaps the Hardest Lesson 3: Glowing Heat 4: Breath
OMT008 : Big-T / The World Within Me Thabang Montsho AKA BIG-T was born in the township of Mamelodi in the east of Pretoria. His love for music started when he was 2 years old. It all started with his grandfather who was an opera singer and played the piano. He would always listen to him practice and start doing the same and that’s how it all began. He started out as a street rapper and DJ and as time went by he found the sound that he was most comfortable with. His beats and music are a South African blend of Hip-Hop, Kwaito, RnB and House music while his flow is a mix of English, Tswana and Zulu. He's currently compiling a single that will venture into the newly found Kasi genre called Amapiano and adding that into the mix. Music is his life and he honestly can’t see himself doing anything else. Here is his first EP with four powerful titles that represent perfectly the man and his music! Time to listen and enjoy!
Big-T
Cover for Mashonisa
Digital release on the 28th of February. Track listing: 1: Mashonisa 2: Stele 3: Lapeng 4: Waya Waya
Released originally in 2010 (see OPV005), Pierre thought that it would be fun and exciting to re release a new version of the album John Koenig for its tenth anniversary!
There you are with John Koenig 2020 completely remixed and remastered.
It's more fun, more powerful, more modern...it's Caca 2020!!!
Original cover
Digital release on the 21th of February 2020.
Track listing:
1: Africans on the Moon 2020
2: Gallbladder 2020
3: Simple Rites 2020
4: Walkathon 2020
5: Rubber Life 2020
6: To Drive a Carrot 2020
7: Funambulism 2020
8: Zink Wheels 2020
9: War Games 2020
For an obscure reason, the album is not available on Itunes or Spotify, but you can listen to it and buy it on Pierre's Bandcamp page here:
Remo Zanin is a contemporary musician who does sound experimentation. In the past he collaborated with Enrico Vezzi creating sound installations in Italy and France. In 2018 Christa and Remo recorded the album 'Violence' at home using a computer, some outboards for effects, and a phone app for the drum beat. As for the lyrics, they used the cut up technique, cutting words from a contemporary art newspaper. 'Violence' is a lo-fi album made also as a tribute to staying at home, relaxing and creating music without pressure. The mastering of the album was done by Mark Kramer who has also collaborated with Allen Ginsberg, Half Japanese and Daniel Johnston among others.
