Hidden Shoal News
Markus Mehr "Lava" CD Release
Hidden Shoal Recordings today announced the CD release of the album Lava by German experimental ambient artist Markus Mehr.
Lava holds true to its title – blending the dense surge of Tim Hecker with the radiant luminosity of Mountains, making new paths as it pushes through the landscape. But, after any destructive force there is new growth. Green shoots of melody arc out of the surface and populate the terrain as new possibilities emerge. A new master of heartbreaking ambient drone has arrived. These tracks evoke time spent transfixed, gazing through a giant looking glass, waiting wide-eyed as new discoveries are revealed in the album’s textured contours.
On epic opener ‘Agenda’, layers of gorgeous synth gradually accumulate into a gloriously massive chord. On single ‘Hubble’, a bedrock of fuzzed drone is decorated with glistening counter-melodies, tracing shards of light across the coal-black skies. ‘Softwar’ builds and then falls away, only to return with a spine-tingling theme that crumbles under its own majesty.
“…there’s something so fresh about Lava… The German musician/composer simply sounds liberated, despite the familiar vocabulary and nods to his various influences… Lava explores a wealth of approaches and destinations without getting in its own way. It’s wonderfully slow, enriching going.” – Cyclic Defrost
“Hubble is the most gorgeous synth orchestration I’ve heard in ages, a 1000-yard low drone gathering sparkles of melody as it rolls.” – The Underground of Happiness
The CD version of the album comes in a custom amaray case with gorgeous widescreen artwork. It is distributed through n5Mailorder where it is also available for online order. Lava is also available in all digital formats through Hidden Shoal Recordings and all good digital stores. Buy the album here and read a full press release here.
Markus Mehr – Softwar Markus Mehr – Softwar
Slow Dancing Society – Warmer Climes and more…
The ever sublime Slow Dancing Society was featured on the enigmatic Warmer Climes last ‘week’. Take a look here (scroll down a wee bit). On a side note, the video for ‘and to the dust we shall return’ has been featured on Textura and A Floating World, both zines more than well worth the read. But don’t take are advice check it out for yourselves.
Slow Dancing Society – and to the dust we shall return Slow Dancing Society – and to the dust we shall return
Salli Lunn Reviewed on Delusions of Adequacy
Salli Lunn’s awesome Heresy and Rite has just received a glowing review on the Delusions of Adequacy music review site. Pop along to DoA to read the review, and you can stream the album in full at the HSR Store.
Markus Mehr's "Lava" RTRFM Feature Album
Lava, the stunning debut from Germany’s Markus Mehr, will be the RTRFM Feature album all next week (starting the 2nd August, 2010). The album will be featured across a whole range of shows on RTR and there’ll be a bunch of chances for RTRFM subscribers (or those willing to become one) to win the album. There will also be an interview featured with Markus on Adam Trainers Out To Lunch show on Monday (12pm to 3pm Perth, Western Australia time). If you’re not in Perth or can’t get near a radio you can stream the station live or listen to re-streams of all RTRFM shows after they’ve aired. Head to their website for all the details.
Markus Mehr – Cousteau Markus Mehr – Cousteau
Boxharp Reviewed on MOKB and Rave Magazine
Boxharp (Wendy Allen and Scott Solter) are turning more heads with their intoxicating dream-pop, receiving reviews from MOKB and Rave Magazine. Have a read and a listen; you can thank Wendy and Scott later.
Boxharp – Rainbirds Boxharp – Rainbirds
Slow Dancing Society and Latvian Filmmaker Ieva Balode
Wonderful Latvian filmmaker Ieva Balode recently created this stunning video for Slow Dancing Society‘s ‘…and to the dust we shall return’. This glorious seven-minute song and image marriage sees the gradual accretion of reverberant guitar tones, emerging from the silence as sparse reflections across the stereo field as fire engulfs a living room set, slowly swallowing each domestic object it encounters. The song and video resonate with a rich emotional core – and the choking realisation of our own transience.
The track is lifted from Slow Dancing Society’s latest ambient epic, Under The Sodium Lights. Be sure to also check out more of Ieva’s wonderful film work at Vimeo.
Slow Dancing Society – ‘…and to the dust we shall return’ from Hidden Shoal on Vimeo.
Boxharp Interviewed on [sic] Magazine
Boxharp‘s Wendy Allen was interviewed by [sic] magazine last week, discussing an array of topics, capturing in rather intimate detail Wendy’s lifestyle, musical influences and upbringing. Check it out here.
Boxharp – Leatherwing Bat Boxharp – Leatherwing Bat
Markus Mehr and My Majestic Star on Pelly Twins Blog
Hidden Shoal received a lovely mention on the Pelly Twins‘ blog this week, with a special mention of recent releases by both Markus Mehr and My Majestic Star. Put you’re feet up and have a listen below, and have a read here.
Markus Mehr – Hubble Markus Mehr – Hubble
My Majestic Star – Crampling My Majestic Star – Crampling
Markus Mehrs 'Lava' Making Waves on WNYU
Yet more mishaps and mistakes. Markus Mehr’s stunning debut album Lava was sitting at number 11 on the WNYC CMJ Radio Chart, you can take a peek at the full list here. Still standing the test of time, if you haven’t already, take a listen below.
Markus Mehr – Hubble Markus Mehr – Hubble
Markus Mehr's Lava Reviewed on Cyclic Defrost
Markus Mehr’s stunning ambient album Lava has received a fabulous review at Cyclic Defrost, one of the finest Australian music sites. Scoot along to CD to read the review and visit the HSR Store to stream the album in full.
Hidden Shoal MixTape
