SERA014: Satellite Era presents "Distant Arrays Volume 05" - the fifth edition of our various artist series that aims to diversify our collection of experimental dance music.

Our long-awaited return to the Distant Arrays series finds us venturing back to the core idea that encapsulates our label: experimentation. This edition targets eccentric subgenres, maximalist sound design, and distinct ventures to glitched-out realms. We are thrilled to introduce an entirely new cast of producers onto our roster, each wielding an unparalleled approach to the world of leftfield electronic music.

Setting a stylistic precedent for the release, we welcome @disektor and @tenebralcortex to our label with “Selective Exposure.” Based in Morocco and France respectively, the two Geometric Corruption artists combine their efforts to deliver a challenging track that focuses on forward-thinking sound design. Panning glitched tones travel through the spatial soundscape, while a distorted kick drum consistently drives the song’s energy. Beneath all its glitchy gloriousness lies a notable foundation inspired by both braindance and breakbeat.

Following his remix on our latest compilation “Year Two: Revisited,” Los Angeles-based artist @ramonpang joins forces with Italian producer @pcnxo to deliver a track that closely ties their different styles together. Blending precise drum work with pleasant vocal cuts that feel like a motif, “Death-Singing Flower” is an ode to experimental music that is unafraid to be emotional. As of late, both artists have been delivering highly acclaimed projects individually: Psykh proudly represents the Millennium Strike crew, while RamonPang just released a full-length record on his Tabula Rasa imprint.

Having been on our radar since the start of the label, we welcome Montreal-based producer, visual artist, and event organizer @fxbip. With formative releases on Concrete Collage, he finds sonic inspiration just about everywhere, from modern electronic to microtonal and contemporary classical music. His latest track “Hydrogen Cocktail” is a clear nod to the niche world of breakcore - frantic percussion, alerting pads, and a gabber-like bassline all align to create an authentic experience for avid followers of the subgenre.

Based in Northern California over the years, @lobie has quietly grown with the experimental bass music scene historically from that region - this is a clear influence in “Grid,” with its attentive sub and melodic synths. The track was produced and performed live without the use of a digital audio workstation, utilizing his personal arsenal of synthesizers and samplers. Implementing polyrhythmic patterns that are rotated throughout the progression, this unique track has found a proper home on the off-kilter side of our label.

Distant Arrays is an immersive showcase of our audio/visual capabilities as a collective. We are honored to introduce you to our growing team, continuously expanding our newfound interpretation of sound.

"Stationed beyond the horizon lies a cluster of autonomous satellite arrays - each serving as capsules of detained time, points of transit between diverse concepts, and the sensorial relation between tangible audio and visual worlds. They fill the thin air with varied frequencies and beam optic elements into the minds of drawn newcomers and devoted adherents alike. Though each array hosts different creators from every remote edge of this decaying planet, they communicate with us through the vigorous potential of art. They link together to create a limitless field without borders – only human connection. These are the Distant Arrays..."

Buy/Stream

Fxbip - Hydrogen Cocktail

Out now on @satellite_era !
SERA015: Satellite Era presents “The Heaviness Of Hovering EP” - a collection of boundary-pushing tracks by Mike Castañeda, better known as Terminal 11

100% of the proceeds made from this release will be donated to La Frontera on a monthly basis. They are a growing nonprofit that offers comprehensive crisis and community behavioral health services to children, adults, and families throughout the state of Arizona.

Learn more about La Frontera: lafrontera-empact.org

With a musical career spanning over two decades, Phoenix-based artist Terminal 11 has made it a priority to continuously adapt to the latest in sound design and technology. After a handful of highly acclaimed releases, we welcome him to our family with some of his best and admittedly most personal work yet.

Emerging from the pinnacle of an early breakcore movement in North America, Terminal 11 became a household name on legendary experimental labels worldwide such as Cock Rock Disco, Hymen, Opal Tapes, and Love Love Records. Although his pioneering sound has mutated over the years, the genre-free, forward-thinking mentality he wields has stayed consistent, allowing him to transcend past any particular style or trend.

By combining niche machines such as music trackers and modular systems, Terminal 11's production is a unique blend of aged subcultures and keen futurism. Each track serves as the reflection of a live performance that incorporates real-time sampling and looping, modular jams, live effects, and general improvisation. With a desire to keep challenging himself, his audio workstation tends to reform between projects. For his latest EP, he brings out his sharpest tools in an effort to forge something timelessly special.

"The Heaviness Of Hovering EP" may sound familiar to the avid listener of leftfield electronic music - thumping basslines, off-kilter drum programming, and disorderly synths effortlessly fill the soundscape. Terminal 11 expands on these ideas by refining the foundation of his previous work, forming a more lively sound that feels freshly discovered. Caustic ooze pours out of the stereo in "Von Bridges Kit" as the track progresses into a dystopian realm. "Pressure Cooker" is a clear nod to acid techno and braindance, providing a proper rave anthem for dancefloor enthusiasts. Frantic drum work embodies "To Disappear," slowing in tempo but ensuring to fill each second with altering percussion sequences. The metallic snap in "Rabid Mist" is playfully attentive as the track shapeshifts between a fusion of breakcore and dancehall. The title track repurposes old guitars from his newly founded personal collection to create emotive drones, adding a sentimental touch that serves as a perfect ending to this project.

The completion of "The Heaviness Of Hovering EP" meant much more to Terminal 11 than simply releasing music - it marks a pivotal moment in his fabled career amidst the underground. Setting these repressed emotions free has allowed him to continue progressing not solely through music, but also as a human. A healing moment proves to be monumental for his growth and just as important for our collective.

“I created these tracks while experiencing a mental state that oscillated between a blur of healthy functionality and numb avoidance, easing slowly only with time. The experience was a result of deep grieving - my mind had me hovering outside of myself while simultaneously feeling weighed down by life. This project was made gradually over the last two years during the pandemic within rare times that I could disappear into creativity. The tracks are presented in chronological order, keeping true to the timeline of conception and the sequential themes of transformation, healing, and ultimately returning to a fully lucid connection to purpose.”

CREDITS
Mike Castañeda - production, mixdown
Amir Mashayekhi - mastering
Nic Juister - cover art, visuals

"Dedicated to my father - Jorge Guillermo Castañeda (1961-2020)"

The Heaviness of Hovering EP

The Heaviness of Hovering

The Heaviness Of Hovering

Releasing on Defunkt Records September 30th 2022.

DEFUNKT005
Christopher Lombardo
Cephalgian EP

Get it here:
 https://bit.ly/3CniFzm

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0:00 - Eidolon Tides

0:37 - Blue Nine

1:03 - Cynosure

1:34 - Lost Hive Process

2:17 -  Detached

Mastering by Julien "Stazma" Guillot at Electric Voyage Studio in Lyon, France
Artwork by Christopher Lombardo.

http://defunkt.co
©2022 Defunkt Records

Christopher Lombardo - Cephalgian EP [DEFUNKT005] Clips

Remix / recomp of Daed's entry for Renoise Mutant Break 13:
Orig, track here: https://soundcloud.com/daed/division-nightmare

Dividing Daed's Nightmares Remix MB13.1

fly ar [microns +5]

Released on nanoloop mobile compilation 2

https://nanoloop-mobile-compilation.bandcamp.com/album/nanoloop-mobile-compilation-2

Nanoloop Mobile Compilation 2

Ipexp

//àç!è(è///

The Never Ending End

Hitori Tori - cubic sausage

https://loveloverecords.bandcamp.com/album/lord-rover

Thorstein Hold

Hitori Tori - Berignsi (CC005)

Slorb Gash12

Experimental electronic music to make your brain dance.

Since 2015, Defunkt has hosted high- energy showcases featuring live performances by some of the most innovative artists in the electronic underground.

Founded by Sarah Lachhman aka TearXenon & Ian Lambert aka Daed.

Christopher Lombardo - Cephalgian EP [DEFUNKT005] Clips

Defunkt Records

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