The Minimalists

From the forthcoming 2CD compilation of remixes, rarities and unreleased tracks entitled "Memory and Matter", coming out on October 7 on Darla Records.

www.darla.com


"Memory and Matter comprises selected remixes and rarities from the past seven years, nine of them previously unreleased and many of them only issued only on hard to find EPs or as Japanese release bonus tracks. Far from being merely a collection of every single oddity, these tracks were carefully selected into a consistent whole that maintains the same high standard of proper Manual albums. This two-disc compilation is also a labor of love.

Like it's predecessor, Lost Days, Open Skies and Streaming Tides, released in 2007, disc one demonstrates Jonas Munk aka Manual's expertise in creating elegantly layered, shoegazey pop, while disc two focuses on minimalist, slow-moving pieces created mostly from processed guitars. The latter adds an excellent postscript to Confluence - an album that has gained near-classic status in ambient/drone circles since it's release in 2008.

Munk's way of remixing other artists usually involves a complete reconstruction of the original piece, rearranging heavily and adding loads of fresh layers of sound to it, which is obvious when listening to his haunting and atmospheric reworkings of Blue Foundation's ballad ”Dressed in Black” or Mice Parade singer Caroline's ”Sleep”, or the Robin Guthrie produced Annie Barker track ”Cruel”. For Manual fans it's a treat to hear Munk's lush signature sound paired up with (often female) vocals. Disc 1 closes with the 17 minute Manual original ”Camellia”, the most new age-indebted piece in the Manual oeuvre, originally created for a digital-only compilation on Attack9. The track's placid sense of drift and delicately weaved harmonies makes it a standout in Munk's entire body of work.

 Disc 2 is darker, more ambiguous in tone, with ”Three Parts” as the center piece – an enigmatic composition originally created for Ghostly International's ambient/drone compilation SMM: Context in 2011. Other notable selections includes  ”Fields”, a meditative collaboration with Jason Kolb from Auburn Lull, and ”Memento”, a somber piece that exhibits Munk's flair for intensive guitar manipulation."


Manual: "Miraparque"

Joshua & Ryan discuss focus, pacifiers, success, priorities, goals, and much more, and they answer the following questions: How do we better educate ourselves about negative media? How can minimalism help us develop and maintain clarity of mind? Can pacifiers be useful? How do we maintain a minimalist lifestyle? How do we stay grounded with so much going on? Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Podcast 036 | Focus

Joshua & Ryan present two chapters about "Minimalism" and "Stuff" from Essential. Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Podcast 040 | Essential

Joshua & Ryan talk about creating a meaningful holiday season, and they answer the following questions: How do you get into the holiday spirit with all the everyday challenges of life, as well as the constant bombardment of holiday advertising? How do you avoid succumbing to the overconsumption of alcohol amid all the pressures of the holiday season? How do you discuss with your family that you want to replace holiday traditions that no longer add value to your family's holiday season? Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Podcast 041 | Holidays

Joshua & Ryan talk about creativity, craft, passion, and different types of creative work, and they answer the following questions: Do you consider the value of your content for your audience while you’re creating it? How can I improve my craft? What is the best method for editing my work? How do I create a blog? Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Podcast 042 | Creating

Joshua & Ryan present two audiobook chapters from Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life. Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Podcast 043 | Meaningful

Joshua answers questions about parenting as a minimalist, including: How do you minimize the accoutrements that seem requisite when you have young children? How do you initiate a minimalist lifestyle with family members, and how do you maintain and measure the results of such a lifestyle? How do you help children adopt and maintain minimalist practices on their own? What are the best gifts for children? How do I let go of sentimental items? Should I hold onto my children’s items for future children I may or may not have? When co-parenting in divided households, how do I explain to the children how to reconcile the different values and beliefs of each household? Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Podcast 045 | Parenting

Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus discuss living a meaningful life with less.

Podcast 041 | Holidays

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