‘Deathless’, is a vinyl album length collaboration between Jon Seagroatt, Ian Staples and Bobbie Watson. The project draws its sonic fingerprint from a signature mix of extended instrumental techniques, digitally processed reeds, slide guitars, electronics, iPad apps, sample manipulation, drones and disrupted song.

‘Deathless’ has a narrative and structural framework based on the legend of the Minotaur, as refracted through the prism of Steven Sherrill’s novel ’The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break’.
In Sherrill’s re-imagining of the myth, the Minotaur is not killed in the Labyrinth by Theseus, but escapes to wander the world as a mendicant immortal.
Setting his novel in the late twentieth century, Sherrill has the Minotaur living in a trailer park, and working as a short-order chef in a southern USA roadside diner.

The novel is a poetic meditation on ageing and memory, passion and redemption.


Bandcamp

Four tracks from 'Deathless' (2013)

Originally conceived as a hip-hop scratch/battle record for turntablists, ‘Do or Die’ is made up of short instrumental beats interlaced with sound effects and vocal snippets. Predominantly constructed from obscure vinyl samples, the record also features an Emu Drumulator, and live performance samples of cello, organ and percussion. Re-contextualized as home listening experience, the album sounds timeless and fresh, a musical journey rich with drama, romanticism, and humor. 

‘Do or Die’, was produced over the course of a year (2003-2004), and self-pressed by Milk and Beef as 1,000 vinyl LPs at the end of 2004. This pressing was taken on by short-lived label The Thin Man, and released in 2005 with catalog number TTM001. 

Of the 1,000 copies pressed, 100 were distributed directly by Milk and Beef, and we believe a further 150 were sold through The Thin Man. So roughly 750 copies remained in stock, 50 of which were held by the artists, 700 by the label. 

In 2009, Milk and Beef were approached by Bladud Flies! with a view to re-releasing Do or Die. The Thin Man were duly contacted to request the return of the 700 copies, but to our horror and disgust, confessed to having ‘thrown them in a skip’ a couple of years previous. They showed very little remorse, and we were left shocked, upset, and short of 700 records… 

Not wishing to dwell on this distressing and acrimonious situation, we decided to go ahead anyway, individually silk-screening a new sleeve design for the 50 copies still in our possession, and releasing them as a now very limited one off edition: Do or Die (Resurrection). Vinyl purchasers will also receive a free download of a digital version re-mastered by the.bricoluer and featuring 2 bonus tracks, Louise and VW. 

We suspect there are still copies of The Thin Man release of Do or Die out there somewhere, possibly in the back of a record shop, or maybe in a skip near you. However, it’s safe to say that this limited run of 50 editions are all salvaged artifacts to be treasured. 

Is this the end of the Milk and Beef story? Or will there be ‘Life After Death’… 

Produced by D. Batters & S. Boyle. 
Additional production 'Closure' M. Ashley, K. Lemonnier. 
Cello by M. Henry, Bongos by J. Addy, 
Organs by D. Batters, Flute by L. Hawtin. 
Mixed & Mastered by S. Boyle in darkness. 
Digital re-master by the bricoleur.

Ltd Vinyl

09 Arial (Milk & Beef - Do or Die)

07 Closure (Milk & Beef - Do or Die)

04 Girl Tuesday (Milk & Beef - Do or Die)

In flight from Knossos (its teeming streets labyrinthine) the Minotaur sings a great lament.

The Minotaur, his heart racing, recognises the Labyrinth. Leans forward, clicks 'like'.

Daidalos fashions one automaton and later, one labyrinth.

opening; Asterion; Horns' Cradle (song with drones).

Bobbie Watson: vocals.
Jon Seagroatt: woodwind, electronics, drones, spectral and electro-acoustic manipulation, audio scavenging and re-purposing.
Ian Staples: slide guitars, electronics, drones.

Words: Bobbie Watson
Recorded, manipulated & mixed: Jon Seagroatt



Jon Seagroatt plays variously bass, flute, soprano & tenor saxes, bass clarinet, percussion, keyboards, electronics and the occasional bit of wobbly trombone with a variety of ensembles and groups that have included Comus, Current 93, Red Square, B So glObal & Circuit.
He also works as a session player, recording engineer and producer. In one or another of the above guises, Jon has toured, recorded and performed in Britain, Europe and the Far East.

The Minotaur, his heart racing, recognises the Labyrinth. Leans forward, clicks 'like'.

Tracks from 'Deathless'

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