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The Sleeper Awakes 

Ben Chatwin - Mirroring

AMBIENT SOUNDSCAPES INSPIRED BY THE DREAMLIKE WRITINGS OF HP LOVECRAFT.

NECRONOMICON DREAMS: THE LIGHT WITHIN

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known

Taken from his forthcoming album 'Spells' out June 10 on Erased Tapes.

Pre-order the LP/CD/DL here: www.erasedtapes.com/store/index/ERATP085
iTunes: http://snip.ftpromo.net/spells
Spotify: http://snip.ftpromo.net/goldentimes
Bandcamp: http://snip.ftpromo.net/spellsbc
or any other good record store worldwide

"It's just incredible" – Mary Anne Hobbs, BBC 6 Music
“Strangely upbeat nocturnes" – The Wire

‘Spells’ merges programmed piano pieces with live instruments, combining the controllable technical world and the often unpredictable aspects of live improvisation. In some ways it continues where his underground debut ‘Gravity’ left off, though a lot of weight is lifted, making room for a lighter and more energetic listen. Friend and fellow Erased Tapes artist Nils Frahm mixed and mastered both albums. Ben is not a master pianist like his dear friend, but his sound collages are so meticulously designed that after hearing the result an impressed Nils declared: “from now on, if anyone asks – this is a real piano”. 

His intricate, humanised programming – enhanced by drummer Achim Färber, cellist Anton Peisakhov and harpist Lara Somogyi, and a considerate selection of echoes, delays and compressors – has been used to create a hybrid sound that intends to deceive, question and challenge existing listening habits. Utilising the contrast between reduction and decoration, ‘Spells’ can be seen as a quest to find out how much or how little composition is required to constitute a song. Why the ear can and should be deceived about the authenticity of instruments. What significance these instruments have within this process, and why the personal perception of balance and sound exclude ultimate truths. 

Linking the two albums are the four movements of ‘Nocturne’, an ever-developing conversation that on occasion flirts with the grandeur of compressed rock drums. The first single, ‘Golden Times 1’, received a world premiere by BBC 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs, proclaiming it as "incredible." An alternative version of ‘Sleepers Beat Theme’ – composed for the soundtrack to a short film about the Trans-Siberian Express – opened Jon Hopkins’ Late Night Tales album from 2015, who noted “I thought it was such a calming and sensitive piece that sounded to me like the beginning of something...the warmth and depth of the sound entrances me every time”. 

Though ‘Spells’ and ‘Gravity’ are his first albums recorded under his own name, as acclaimed electronic producer HECQ he’s released nine albums since 2003, exploring everything from ambient to breakcore. He has simultaneously established himself as a trusted composer and sound designer, working for a wide array of clients including Amnesty International and Marvel Comics; composing for feature films, games, art installations and convention opening titles.

After embracing this demanding line of work, in 2010 Ben felt the need to explore his roots and early education, which inspired these albums under his own name. Born in 1981 as the third child of opera singer Deirdre Boysen and actor Claus Boysen, his classical music training on piano and guitar began when he was seven years old; the works of Bruckner, Wagner and Bach laid an important foundation. Rediscovering this music shared with his parents – united with the sounds of Autechre, Cristian Vogel and Jiri.Ceiver to Pink Floyd and Godspeed You! Black Emperor – brought back an understanding of why he wanted to write music in the first place.

“Finding my views understood, reflected and welcomed by Erased Tapes was an encouraging experience, crowned by the offer to release ‘Spells’ and re-issue ‘Gravity’ with them. Through many caring conversations with Robert I felt that there’s no better home for the existing ideas and no better cradle for new ones.”  – Ben Lukas Boysen 

TRACK LISTING:  	

01. The Veil  02. Nocturne 3  03. Sleepers Beat Theme  04. Golden Times 1
05. Nocturne 4  06. Keep Watch  07. Golden Times 2  08. Selene

Spells

Golden Times 1

Buy LP/CD/DL

Ben Lukas Boysen – Golden Times 1

My father died on 16 March 2011.  His body had battled emphysema for years.  After complications caused by a bout of pneumonia he finally succumbed.  In the aftermath of these events I turned to my piano for solace and escape.  The resulting record attempts to address the emotions experienced during the 7 days between his death and funeral.  In collaboration with Ed Hamilton, who brilliantly tapped in to my experience and emotion, and with contributions from Christoph Berg, this record is about, and in memory of, my father. - Euan

............

Glacis is Euan Alexander Millar-McMeeken with Ed Hamilton

All pieces written and performed by Euan Alexander Millar-McMeeken and Ed Hamilton

Violins on tracks 1, 5 & 7 performed and arranged by Christoph Berg

Violins on track 6 performed by Christoph Berg, arranged by Ed Hamilton

Piano recordings by Ana Roman and Alex Galler at the University of Edinburgh

Produced and mixed by Ed Hamilton

Mastered by James Plotkin

Art by Todd Umhoefer
www.oldearthcontact.bandcamp.com

Writing by Ali Millar 
www.readthesupplement.com

Released through Fluid Audio (May 2016)
www.fluidaudio.bigcartel.com

............

Thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks
 
In memory of Euan's father, Sandy McMeeken 6 November 1937- 16 March 2011

............



Glacis - From One Room To Another (So You Leave Me Now)

Taken from the forthcoming album 'Asylum For Eve', released February 10th 2017.

Featuring new material and reworked soundtracks, the album drifts from plaintive piano-led passages to brisk chamber music and back again, tied together by the textured layering of found sounds and instruments that distinguishes Thomas’s music.

After tracking down an old Bechstein Model 9 upright piano for ‘Asylum For Eve’, Thomas set about modifying and preparing it with cardigans, screws and nails in order to provide the textures and timbres which characterise the album’s dense, affecting sound. Techniques employed for the album include the intricate layering of bowed guitars and ukuleles, and fingerpicked violins, banjo and charango. It’s processes such as these, coupled with Hill’s high quality composition and musicianship, that see the album at once expansive and intimate.

Asylum For Eve

Buy on iTunes

Thomas William Hill - Cirrostratus

Bersarin Quartett - St. Petersburg

Live performance using Ableton Live's Looper.

<a href='https://theartistunion.com/tracks/b4bb13'>Download for free on The Artist Union</a>

Impromptu No. 1

Free Download

Autumn

Buy on Bandcamp

Jim Perkins - Faces In A Crowd

MARTIAL CANTEREL - Windscreen

http://www.soundcloud.com/pleasurecurses
http://www.facebook.com/pleasecurse
http://pleasurecurses.bandcamp.com/
http://pleasurecurses.tumblr.com/
http://www.youtube.com/pleasurecurses

PLEASURE CURSES - Lines On A Wire

ltd. 12" available here: itsyourunhappybirthday.bandcamp.com/album/kraken-2

unhappybirthday - Himitsu

Dust2Dust

Written, recorded and mixed by Janek Sprachta at Einraum Studio Berlin.
Violin played by Susanna Lundgren. 
Mastered by Nils Frahm at Durton Studio, Berlin. 

Impromptu No. 1

Jonathan Yandel

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