International Tapes

Seth Cooke: “The Tower”

Luke Carrell — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:00:27 +0000

The word “mammoth” doesn’t usually figure into many album reviews, but we can’t think of a better word for the 6 CD set, Missing Nothing. This various artists compilation, put together by the Southampton, UK music collective/online community known as Bang the Bore, gathers tracks ranging stylistically from experimental composition to improvisation to noise. The scope of this set is nothing short of amazing and it this album is a fundraiser, kids! The folks at Bang the Bore will use the money made to fund shows in the Southampton area by purchasing a PA at first and maybe more if the set sells well. In a statement on the group’s site concerning the collection they wrote, “We wanted to release something beautiful that people would want to keep; something that represents the musicians who have played for us during our first three years of events; and something that helps introduce some lesser known bands from our hometown of Southampton, UK.” Well, mission more than accomplished because this set is beautiful. It features artists such as: John Butcher, After the Rain, The A Band, Ashtray Navigations, Seth Cooke, and many more. If these names are foreign to ya, never fear because we’ll let you in on a secret: they’re all good.

The 6 CDs are arranged thematically, with the first disc containing shorter tracks, though on this set “short” is a relative term because most cuts clock in at double digits. The second disc holds ecstatic noise and electronics. Disc three is more DIY style noise, but doesn’t get too freaky. The fourth disc is dedicated to improvisation. Disc number five is on the trippy side, what some might call “psychedelia.” And finally, the sixth disc is made up of tracks recorded either live or in unique locations away from a studio/room set up (listen to Seth Cooke’s “The Tower” recorded in a “derelict cooling tower” below). So how does a listener navigate such a monster of a set? Try starting at the beginning. As much music as there is on this comp, it could take your next road trip, series of long ass bus rides, weeks of traffic jammed work day commutes, or repeated sweaty exercise sessions to listen to all of Missing Nothing. The music reveals itself slowly and since there’s so damn much of it, it makes it easy to answer the question of, “What the hell am I going to listen to today?”

The Missing Nothing compilation is now available from Bang the Bore

Written by Jeff Daily

Sick Hyenas: “Weather of Death”

Henning Lahmann — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:24 +0000

The ramshackle garage-informed psych pop of Hamburg-based outfit Sick Hyenas is probably exactly that kind of music you’d expect to emerge from the run-down dockside warehouses of Germany’s second city, while in fact a fresh and raw cut like “Weather of Death” with its jangly melody lines and muffled vocals all drowned in thick distortion is not only more or less unheard-of among the old port town, moreover I’m also inclined to deem it one of the rare examples of sunny and unabashed guitar pop from this country that is not outright ridiculous, but maybe that’s just me. The song is part of the altogether enjoyable, summery lo-fi routine The White Mofo Drug Smuggla Tape, a five-track EP that underscores the initial feeling that we should keep these guys in mind. Rumor has it that there’s a 7″ following soon as well.

The White Mofo Drug Smuggla Tape is out now in an edition of 20 and available at the band’s live shows. It may also be downloaded for free on Soundcloud

Written by Henning Lahmann

Helado Negro: “Pressed” and “Octubre 22”

Nathan Reese — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:00:23 +0000

Our appreciation for Helado Negro here at International Tapes is no secret, so it’s with great pleasure that we present not one, but two new visual accompaniments to his recently released Island Universe Story One, both directed by Roberto C. Lange himself. The tracks are two of the more experimental on the album, foregoing both Lange’s trademark croon and traditional percussive elements of any kind. “Pressed,” the more disturbing of the tracks (both conceptually and sonically), is built from grinding synths and chirps that would give even the most robust tweeters a workout. This abrasive soundscape is set to imagery of a young boy sniffing either a pen or glue, as stereoscopic geometric shapes flash and his eyes roll back into his skull. It’s troubled stuff, but also remarkable in its ability to relay the frayed, surreal nature of drugs on a young mind. “Octubre 22” is a comparatively calming affair, with hypnotic neon shapes that flash in time with staccato synth stabs. Think of the brainwashing machine from Lost, relayed through a Beta player, and set to an infinitely more pleasant soundtrack. Both are worth your time for very different reasons, and represent disparate but related aspects of the Helado Negro’s Island Universe Story One. We suggest big headphones and a bigger screen for best viewing results. Other stimulus is optional.

You can check out the rest of Island Universe Story One on Bandcamp

Written by Nathan Reese

Canopies and Drapes: “The Door into Summer”

Luke Carrell — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:29 +0000

The recent Ç86 compilation offers an excellent snapshot of the contemporary Japanese DIY scene. Spearheaded by the Chiba-based outfit Moscow Club, it highlights bedroom artists fascinated with sample-heavy dance-tracks and indie-pop-leaning compositions, the mix as a whole bursting with color. Tokyo’s Canopies And Drapes, counts herself as part of this bright-lit movement – she enlisted Moscow Club to remix a track from her forthcoming And Putting Love Away cassette tape – yet new song “The Door Into Summer” sneaks hints of grey into the formula. The bass and the song’s minimalist construction say “twee,” but the channel-hopping synths coupled with Canopies And Drapes’ vocals add a layer of unease. Her singing, in particular, slides along softly with the music, while her words never overpowering the bare-bones surroundings but rather peaking out from a corner. Simple words like “how could I forget?/how could I help?/I still love you” turn into ennui-rich mumblings thanks to Canopies And Drapes’ delivery. “The Door Into Summer” is still pastel-drenched indie-pop, it just also hides some alluring touches underneath all the color.

You can hear more from Canopies and Drapes on her Soundcloud

Written by Patrick St. Michel

Geoffrey O’Connor: “Proud”

Luke Carrell — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:57 +0000

Melbourne’s Geoffrey O’Connor – also a member of The Crayon Fields – couldn’t possibly sound more dispassionate in his new video for “Proud,” which dropped last week. ”I can’t tell that people flirt with me, because I’m miserable,” he coolly intones, against a heady backdrop of sax-fueled angst. So tragedy glam.

The purple-hued video itself is an ode to blasé chic, from O’Connor’s mirrored browline glasses to a scene where he takes pills featuring his own likeness (meta!) on the bottle before finally OD’ing. Good thing that bombastic, borderline cheesy ‘80s synths keep the track from being a total downer.

You can find more of Geoffrey O’Connor’s tracks on his Bandcamp

Written by Jasmine Zoo

Inkjet: “Now”

Luke Carrell — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:31 +0000

By default, an introspective moment should be accompanied by music; ideas emerge, feelings become exposed, senses surface and most importantly inner-directed thoughts are conceived. Most commonly, a moment of introspective thinking is triggered by a thought or even a song, hence the case of Inkjet, a solo project from Tijuana, Mexico, which introduces a perfect combination of sequences and harmonious rhythm.

In perfect terrain, synth-pop converges with downtempo beats adhering to the voice, which serves as Inkjet’s hallmark piece, bathed in harmonious delight with bittersweet nostalgia. Every soothing vocal melody and sequence loop combines into a marvelous piece.

Deep-rooted influences of bands such as My Bloody Valentine, Ride and Chapterhouse are perceived throughout Inkjet’s music. Diverging from a run of the mill sound, he engages in refreshing tonality through musical fusion.

Optimistic, joyful, and cheerful moods are probable reactions to contemplating Inkjet’s sound. It often creates an impractical, yet introspective moment of music and nostalgia. Synth-pop delivered to the hands of downtempo beats continued by soulful composition. Make sure to listen to this song with your best audio and (preferably) closed eyes, unless you’re watching the gorgeous video, that is.

“Now” can be found in Inkjet’s self-titled EP, which is set to be released in June 2012 on the mysterious cassette only label Prima Crush

Written by Marty Preciado

Heat and White: “Standing Wave”

Luke Carrell — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:00:39 +0000

Olof Persson of Swedish duo Broken Boys made quite a splash this past week with Sea-Through, the first release of his solo material under the name of Heat and White. Where Broken Boys favor inventive sampling and passive aggressive beats in their ominous tunes, this new project relies on a more relaxed palate of sounds reverb heavy guitar and reliably punchy drums. It’s highly conversant with the always trendy “beachy” guitar jam and semi-Balearic Nordic tropicalia, while still managing to do its own thing. The track “Standing Wave” is a simultaneously more complex and pop friendly adaptation of the musical element of Persson’s conceptual multimedia project Stående våg, which translates as, you guessed it, standing wave. The track’s wafts of highly melodic guitars, pianos, and melodicas (?) mesh beautifully, as barely controlled synth arpeggiations threaten to break the song’s delicate balances. Our advice: put on some good headphones, direct your eyes at the ceiling, and let the track evolve.

Sea-Through is now available from Zeon Light

Written by Luke Carrell

Tommyboy Mixtape

Luke Carrell — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:01 +0000

Medianaut Tommyboy of sqwelsch and – the much missed – ARAWA.fm fame is the man to see for a good time, especially if your idea of a good time is a slice of audio/video magic. He was kind enough to make us one of his signature mixes:

Influenced by the season, a sense of change, and the feeling of love, this mix is an attempt to address my fondest tracks in one “mixtape” perfectly suited for tranquil summer nights spent with lovers and friends.

01. Coati Mundi – Prisoner of My Principles
02. Buggles – I Love You (Miss Robot)
03. FG’s Romance – What’s Love Today
04. Lonnie Liston Smith – If You Take care of Me
05. Fashion – You Only Left Your Picture
06. Tony Banks – By You
07. Johnny Warman – I Love My Planet
08. Seaside Lovers – Evening Shadows
09. Trevor Herion – Love Chains
10. Sandii – Zoot Kook
11. Eurythmics – I Did It Just The Same
12. Nevia Preex – Fly Robin Fly
13. Tamiko Jones – Tamiko’s Groove
14. Rod Stewart – Passion
15. Hiroshi Sato Feat. Wendy Matthews – Say Goodbye
16. Altered Images – Love to Stay
17. Laid Back – Fly Away
18. Dhuo – Walking
19. Missing Persons – Surrender Your Heart
20. Vanity – Romantic Voyage

Submitted by the multi-talented Tommyboy

Yunost: “Face the Sun”

Luke Carrell — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:00:41 +0000

Somewhere between Novosibirsk, Moscow, and Crimea there should be a lodge where mythical guy who calls himself “Villi Memory” reinterprets sounds of socialist pop from the middle of 1980-s. His project Yunost recalls a Soviet synthesizer brand ‘Unost’ made mostly in Latva — the notable sound can be found mostly in every movie that was made those days. Depending on the website that lead you to Villi, his project is called Yunost (translation: Youth) or Sny (translation: Dreams), I doubt that he’s made a final decision, because both names perfectly suit a project that uses classic synthetic drums and pays tribute to the first wave of post-Soviet commercial music. His latest work to date, “Face the Sun,” strengthens the sense of nostalgia, making me realize that this might be one of the first post-Soviet synth experiences that gives me chills.

You can hear more Yunost on Soundcloud

Written by Dmitry Vesnin

Cloudy Busey: “Who Says They Love You”

Luke Carrell — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:20 +0000

Over the past few months, Osaka’s Cloudy Busey has been busy carving out a sonic identity. The solo project of Bob Willey, who also fronts the outfit Ice Cream Shout, initially sounded like an extension of his primary band, to the point where the spacey indie-pop of last year’s “Broken By Inertia” started creeping into Ice Cream Shout’s live shows. This year, though, Willey has made his Cloudy Busey project distinctive from Ice Cream Shout by embracing dance music. “Who Says They Love You” is the culmination of this shift, a song still carrying traces of twee – see the lyrics – but with a sound that’s built for the club. Willey describes the track as “acid, Latin break, Stardust,” and those influences certainly show over these bouncy four minutes, but he places these sounds within the constraints of pop, making sure no section ever trails off and that the catchy chorus is never far away. Regardless of what sounds he’s dealing with, “Who Says They Love You” is further proof that Willey is distinguishing himself as one of the best songwriters in Japan today.

Watch for more Cloudy Busey on Soundcloud

Written by Patrick St. Michel