German Army: “Stone Walls”

April 30, 2013 0

German Army is an Los Angeles based post-punk duo whose members apparently go by the names Chin Genie and Meatball Maker (seriously). While the duo has released music on Kanye West’s favorite Danish noise label SKROT UP and Shawn Reed’s excellent Night-People, for its new tape Burushaski – named after a dialect spoken in Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan – the band has turned to Swedish label Beläten, whose focus on “post avantgarde pop for a pre-apocalyptic world” seems right in line with the act’s often ominous sound.

Referred to by Beläten as “29 odd minutes of Cabaret Voltairesque post-punk,” the release may be dark, but fragments of catchy, even danceable, melody often emerge from the murk. While the band has thrown in dub affectations in the past, Burushaski tends toward Throbbing Gristle-leaning industrial with the addition of Suicide’s minimalist streak. (The occasional found-sound radio recordings on the record give further weight the album’s post-nuclear vibe.) Album standout “Stone Walls,” does a great job showing German Army’s strengths with its blend of baritone vocals and coldwave synths. For a band where gloom and grit is such a large part of its personae, the spacious compositions are testament to the band’s confident songwriting – these guys clearly know when to agitate and when to lay off. While German Army obviously enjoy abrasive tones (see the also excellent “Clan Bride”), just because “Stone Walls” is atramental doesn’t mean it’s inaccessibility. Instead, pop songwriting glimmers through the band’s chillingly bleak take on coldwave. Take a listen to the whole tape though. It’s certainly worth your time.

Burushaski can be downloaded now Bandcamp, and the casette released can be pre-ordered from Beläten

Written by Nathan Reese

G’OLD KOREA VINYL Mixtape

February 23, 2012 1

I started the G’OLD Korea Vinyl site with my DIY concert/art collective SuperColorSuper. G’OLD (good-old)is a playlist that highlights lost Korean gems from the 60s to the early 90s. I invited my friend Eric, who plays in the band Table People, to help write about and sort through all this vinyl the SCS Collective assembled. The site is just three months old- barely walking around on its own- and already we are proud parents. It’s pleasing to show that there is more to Korean music than modern K-Pop, and to find one’s core connected to sounds from another culture, another generation. In this mix we added a pre-Korean war track as well as some new discoveries that surprised us. Here find tastes of Korean parallels of The Cars, Stevie Nicks, Hendrix, Cyndi Lauper, Devo, MC5.

1. San Woolim- Anibulsso (1977)
2. Lee Gumhee & Johney brothers – Twist with Ya – (1975)
3. Lee Eun Ha – night bus (1978)
4. Kim Chu Ja – Naomi (1980)
5. Nami – Bingul Bingul (1986)
6. Kim Jung Mi – Your Dream Like A Stream (1973)
7. HE – 6 A4 (1972)
8. Kim Yong – hwan Kkolmang Arirang (1939)
9. Lee Tae Shin – A Scent of Love Potion No.9
10. Yoo Soo Il – Apart (1982)
11. Kim Wan Sun – Dance in that Rhythmn (1987)
12. Kim Sunghee – Charm (1982)

“글 모르는 귀신 없다.”/ “Even ghosts can read” is a Korean proverb saying the least we should learn to read to prepare to meet our future.

Submitted by Sean of G’OLD Korea Vinyl

Tags: G’OLD KOREA, Korea, mixtape, Mixtapes

Molly Nilsson Mixtape

February 15, 2012 1

DEATH IS A BEAUTIFUL CAR, a mixtape by Molly Nilsson for International Tapes:

Death is a beautiful car parked only
to be stolen on a street lined with trees
whose branches are like the intestines
of an emerald.

You hotwire death, get in, and drive away
like a flag made from a thousand burning
funeral parlors.

You have stolen death because you’re bored.
There’s nothing good playing at the movies
in San Francisco.

You joyride around for a while listening
to the radio, and then abandon death, walk
away, and leave death for the police
to find.

1. Richard Brautigan – Death is a beautiful car parked only
2. Wale – Ambition (instrumental version)
3. Chris Rea – Thinking of You
4. Loredana Bertè – Non Sono Una Signora
5. Rihanna – Man Down
6. Mad Melon & Black Mountain – Sensimilla
7. Lecrea ft. Trip Lee – Jesus Muzik
8. Basutbudet – Efter två
9. FL Studio 10 – Uplifting Trance (YouTube channel: itsoktodance94)
10. Brennan Heart & Wildestylez – Lose My Mind
11. Moby – Go
12. Arvid Tuba – The seasons are sitting on chairs
13. DJ Hixxy- Music is my first love
14. Transa – Prophase
15. DJ Raaban – Anima Libera
16. Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (Paul Devastate Remix)

Submitted by Molly Nilsson, whose latest release, History, is available from Dark Skies Association and The Pop Manifesto

Tags: berlin, Germany, mixtape, Mixtapes, Molly Nilsson, stockholm, Sweden

Night-People Mixtape

February 1, 2012 0

I can’t reform or seem to slow down, I burn my lunch money on LP’s and 7inches. The record player spins endless at Night-People HQ right along with the dubbing station and the in house assembly floor keeps it all hectic and manic. As is typical with me, some NZ, AU, UK and barely heard long lost Garage Gems + a couple other weirdos hanging out. Making Mix Tapes sits high tide with the DIY Spirit, which I guess I have plenty of. Always enjoy when I can find the time to dig into the collection even deeper both analog and digital and obsess out a mix. Goes out to all my pals down under, wish I was hanging out in the sun on some Aussie beach with some of you. Iowa winters are cold and dark by four in the afternoon.

Submitted by Night-People founder Shawn Reed

Mixed for International Tapes by Michael Kasparis

Tags: iowa, mixtape, Mixtapes, night-people, shawn reed, United States

Helado Negro Mixtape

December 9, 2011 1

The title for this mix comes from Big Trouble in Little China. It’s a film thats influenced me in so many different ways. It was during a time when everyone rocked Chinese stars and ninja shoes. I feel like there’s an era like that re approaching. Hopefully more Delta Force movies and American Ninja flicks too. This mix features friends and imaginary friends, hopefully it fills up some time between all the gift buying and food eating. Enjoy.

Everybody Relax I’m Here – Song Selections by Helado Negro

1. Gallop by Epstein y El Conjunto
2. Cumbia Del Organo – Unknown Found on Compilation CD in Monterrey Mexico
3. Electronic Sidewalk 1 – Gerhard Trede & His Electronic Instruments
4. Basheeba – Angel Rada
5. Can You See the Fires (edit) – The Eternals
6. Tone Poem – Feathers
7. Regalo – Prefuse 73
8. Sweet Mountain – American Spring
9. Enchanted Mirror – Luiz Bonfa
10. El Escapismo – Algodon Egipcio
11. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence – Ryuchi Sakamoto
12. Champagne – Guy Fantastico
13. Mines – Roberto C. Lange
14. Say Heh – Prince Zimboo
15. Magnolia – Jorge Ben

Submitted by Helado Negro

Tags: all, helado negro, mixtape, Mixtapes

Lawrence English Mixtape

November 28, 2011 0

This mixtape is something of a stream of consciousness, a kind of echo and reflection through sounds that seemed to have resonated for me in 2011. Music from friends, collaborators, conspirators and inspirationalists (new word for the day). A testament to the year that was, could have been and forever will be….2011….

My Dreams Of Sunday Mornings Are Your Nightmares Of Saturday Night – Lawrence English Mixtape

1. Andy Stott – Signature
2. Otomo Yoshihide New Jazz Quintet – Eureka
3. Jim O’Rourke – Eureka
4. Pimmon – Chirippk
5. Neil Hamburger – (Write My) Name On The Toilet
6. Omar Souleyman – Dabke 2001
7. Keith Fullerton Whitman – Live At Fabrique
8. Douglas Quin – Weddell Seals
9. Tujiko Noriko – Endless End
10. Grouper – Hold
11. Ben Frost – We Love You Michael Gira
12. Christian Marclay
13. Xiu Xiu – No Friend Oh!
14. Joji Yuasa – Part 3/5
15. Tenniscoats – Sea Of Japan

Submitted by Lawrence English, whose 12″ LP, entitled The Peregrine, is now available from Experimedia

Tags: all, lawrence english, mixtape, Mixtapes

Upset the Rhythm Mixtape

November 3, 2011 1

Here’s a collection of some current Upset The Rhythm required listening. Some of the tracks like the GROUP INERANE and HALO HALO songs are anticipating our excitement about next month’s upcoming shows whilst we’ve also included a lot of demos and forthcoming tracks from upcoming UTR releases too including a frantic pulse grab courtesy of ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT, and a fist-pumping outtake from JOHN MAUS’ last album Pitiless Censors. Thoroughly rubbing shoulders with all this is a selection of tracks we’ve been recently loving from near (BOMBER JACKETS) and afar (ISSUE), we hope you enjoy them all!

Upset the Rhythm Mixtape

01. GENTLE FRIENDLY – Speakers
02. ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT – Car
03. PEEPHOLES – Tunnels
04. WAY THROUGH – Halfway House (demo)
05. GROUP INERANE – Deran Deran
06. HALO HALO – Manananggal
07. JOHN MAUS – Castles In The Grave (demo)
08. QUIET HOOVES – Can’t Catch A Break
09. KIT – Lazarus Taxa
10. HIGH CASTLE – Crustaceans Demise
11. BOMBER JACKETS – Pauline’s Quirks
12. FUTURE ISLANDS with WAY THROUGH – We’ve Been Here Before (demo)
13. FORMER GHOSTS with ANNIE LEWANDOWSKI – 90245 (demo)
14. THE URXED – Staying At Home
15. TEST HOUSE – I’ll Never Leave
16. ISSUE – 4

Submitted by Upset the Rhythm

Tags: all, mixtape, Mixtapes, upset the rhythm

Stephanie Bonham Mixtape

October 24, 2011 0

Lately, I find myself gravitating toward the rawness of minimal synth, the experimentation inherent in the home recording process & the sheer zaniness found on obscure, private-press releases. This hour-long mix features sixteen selections from Europe, the United States and Australia, 1980-1987.

ISO 9000 Mixtape

1. Pension Stammheim – Madox-Mutanten (Germany, 1981)
2. John Bender – Glacial / Thought (Cincinnati, 1983)
3. Executive Slacks – Sexual Witchcraft (Philadelphia, 1984)
4. Ann Summer – Baby Doll-Play Suit (Sweden, 1985)
5. Mindless Delta Children – Gogo Dancer P.V.C. Apron (Australia, 1980)
6. Steaming Coils – From His Thrown (Los Angeles, 1987)
7. Somnambulist – Tribe (Belgium, 1983)
8. Der Plan – Schnee-Cristel Unterm Baum (Germany, 1980)
9. Bene Gesserit – Clear Blue Sky (Belgium, 1984)
10. Mock Turtle – Thank You For Sending Me An Eno (Washington DC, 1981)
11. A. Xax – Banging Your Head (Indiana, 1981)
12. Grauzone – Film 2 (Germany, 1981)
13. Xex – You Think (New Jersey, 1980)
14. Conrad & Gregor Schnitzler – A3 (Germany, 1981)
15. 08-15 – 1000 Gelbe Tennisbälle (Germany, 1981)
16. Dzeltenie Pastnieki – Apsuudziibas Dziesma (Latvia, 1984)

Submitted by Stephanie Bonham

Tags: all, Mixtapes, Stephanie Bonham