NEW 2CD by dave phillips: should a seeker not find a companion who is better or equal, let him resolutely pursue a solitary course; there is no fellowship with the fool / cicada trance (released by no part of it)

dave phillips' trajectory as an experimental recording artist began in the mid-80s, with a punk background that expanded to wilder and more nuanced territories as a solo artist.

having utilized field recordings, both raw and arranged, for over 20 years, not to mention his well-established work with bombastic body sounds, surrealist strings, and tribal percussion, phillips has honed his use of source material in a way that comes off more as a soldier's sense of duty than anything resembling a hobby. with "should a seeker... / cicada trance", he returns with two badly needed physical issues of integral field recording-based pieces that were previously only available for digital download.

"should a seeker..." was initially published as a digital release on the radical matters label in 2008. it is a structured arrangement of sounds with reptilian, amphibian, and insectan origin, remastered for physical release in 2023. for over 56 minutes, gurgles, primal roars, and screams from creatures of the night swirl in and out of the stereo spectrum in complex, yet somewhat rhythmic patterns, for an almost hyperreal effect.

the main insect featured in "cicada trance" is the first one that drew me to another world, through its sound. i imagine these singing ringing cicadas create trance states. like being high on life, ultimately immersed in the present moment: immersion - to be part of something. 

recorded in thailand, vietnam, indonesia and south africa between 1994 and 2015.

cicada trance is dedicated to the most important beings on this planet: insects.

should a seeker not find a companion who is better or equal... (xcerpt)

sound as communication in direct and primal form, a tool of metaphysics, a conscience and a consciousness, unrestrained language, vibration. sound as a means to activate primordial shared emotions otherwise hidden under the debris of civilisation. works that oppose the omnipresent restriction and reduction of life and living. inviting rumination, encouraging intervention, endorsing catharsis & environmental e/quality, touching sentience, cleansing. dp re/searches and ponders existences and behaviourisms via audio de/construction, psycho-acoustics and sound rituals. sonic activism, ritual protest music, humanimalism.

solo works since 1987. 
part of SCHIMPFLUCH-GRUPPE (with Rudolf Eb.er, Joke Lanz, Marc Zeier, Daniel Löwenbrück etc.) since 1991.

projects present and past include OHNE, dead peni, perverts in white shirts, PK, ketsu no ana, fear of god & more;  collaborations with G*Park, Francisco Meirino, Randy Yau, Hiroshi Hasegawa, GX Jupitter-Larsen, Chris Galarreta, Masonna & more; ScHimpfluch Associates label with Rudolf Eb.er etc blablabla

contact/booking dp@tochnit-aleph.com