Month: December 2013

When not delivering lectures on tone-clusters to beehives and ghosts, April Larson made some of the year's most beautiful music.  Here is a selection of the music she enjoyed in 2013.----------------------------------------------------------BEDLAM — Soundtrack to a Film that Hasn’t Been Made Based on a Novel that Hasn’t Been Written, by Dirty Knobs  http://zacbentz.bandcamp.com/album/bedlam-soundtrack-to-a-film-that-hasn-t-been-made-based-on-a-novel-that-hasn-t-been-writtenBEDLAM is at times hauntingly beautiful, smothered in… Continue reading April Larson’s 2013 Round-up →

Sophie Cooper has two albums out at the moment: a solo tape 'Labyrinth' on Exotic Pylon, and a split with Ignatz, reviews of both to follow in the new year.  She has been a member of The Stoke on Trent Wind Orchestra, Cooper Jones, Leopard Leg, Tom Cool, Wing Horses, Remedial Queen of England and The… Continue reading Sophie Cooper’s 2013 Round-up →

Rano had a brilliant run of releases this year: the woozy spooked ambience of MICROFL▼RSCNCE - III; Laica's excellent Puls; the amazing Hot Jone by Maurice's Death Hotel; and more.  Here are the label's thoughts on 2013.-------------------------------------------RANO 2013 SHIT LISTShipping rate increasesSharknadoCassette Store DayNSABadger CullHorse Meat ScandalGovernment ShutdownOpen LettersCrack MayorSelfie  A selfie.  Not of Rano.-------------------------------------------Rano's Bandcamp… Continue reading Rano Record’s 2013 Round-up →

Illustration by Emma-Jane RosenburgLeigh Wright is the editor and creator of Wyrd Daze and also records music as The Ephemeral Man.  Here are his thoughts on 2013.-------------------------------------------------My Top 10 Things of 2013 in no particular order by Leigh Wright aka The Ephemeral Man1 – Music :How to possibly go about this? If I took the… Continue reading Leigh Wright’s 2013 Round-up →

OH/EX/OH has so far been responsible for two amazing albums; 'Extant' and 'House in the Woods' are both releases you should investigate as soon as possible.----------------------------------------------------------------------OH/EX/OH’s Ten of 2013 (in no order)Stones Throw & Leaving Records: Dual Formhttp://www.stonesthrow.com/store/album/various/stones-throw-and-leaving-records-present-dual-formStones Throw have been my go to label for the past ten years and it’s releases like this which keeps… Continue reading OH/EX/OH’s 2013 Round-up →

Justin and Helen Watson are the creators of the wonderful Manchester label 'Front & Follow'.  Their releases over the last few years have been exceptional; including the 'Collision/Detection' series of EPs; Sone Institute's 'A Model Life' from 2012; 'Blind Mouths Eat', the latest album by Doomed Bird of Providence; and the astoundingly good 'The Outer Church' compilation, masterminded with… Continue reading Justin Watson’s 2013 Round-up →

Forebrace are a new quartet from Alex Ward (clarinet), Jem Doulton (drums), Roberto Sassi (electric guitar), and Santiago Horro (electric bass).  ‘Bad Folds’ is a great introduction to the group.  It kicks off with the Beefheart-like intensity of Presage’ which confounds attempts to follow its briefly straight lines, a racing and thunderous opener.  Other highlights… Continue reading Forebrace – Bad Folds (Copepod) →

Shabaka HutchingsOpening this Boat-Ting was the poet Zolan Quobble and his verse featuring angels on pins and dancing photons.  This was musical poetry set to an internal beat, rhythmic and absorbing, a perfect opener.  Performing next was a trio of Kay Grant (vocals + electronics), Sylvia Hallett (violin + electronics) and Caroline Kraabel (saxophone).  They played a… Continue reading Boat-Ting – Zolan Quobble/Sylvia Hallett + Key Grant + Caroline Kraabel/Alison Blunt + Gianni Mimmo/Steve Noble + Alex Ward + Shabaka Hutchings – Bar & Co, Temple, 18th November →