In 1914, Sir Shackleton embarked on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition with his crew aboard a ship called Endurance. This journey - considered the last in the age of Antarctic exploration - did not end upon some triumphant return to their motherland, but rather in the sinking of Endurance and the fatal stranding of its survivors... Continue Reading →
I’m of the belief that side projects should be surprising — meaning that I hope the music is nearly unrecognizable in relation to its creator or the creator’s band. Vocalists usually have a harder time with this — especially when you think of someone like Maynard or Beth Gibbons. The distinctiveness of a voice is... Continue Reading →
Split albums are an integral part of the cassette community. Not only do they make sense logistically — being that the Side A/Side B format lends itself perfectly to the concept — but they also speak to the overall ethos that defines the movement. Yes, the spirit that drives a split is a transcendent one... Continue Reading →
Last week, I ordered a “dirty video mixer” from a fellow named Johnny Beck. He lives in Appleton, Wisconsin and produces a variety of other homemade electronics — such as circuit bent keyboards. In addition to my mixer, Beck generously included a couple of cassettes and Bandcamp download codes for albums he's released over the... Continue Reading →
Do you ever wonder how many pieces of yourself you’ve left behind over the years? I’m not talking about the pair of leather gloves you accidentally left on the bench in the subway station last winter or the shoebox of polaroids you forgot in the closet of your ex-lover’s apartment. Such items may have a... Continue Reading →
Album Reviews, Label Spotlights, and More 