|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7"
|
|
SEA 002EP
|
"The Caspian label is proud to present Mike Wexler. A Brooklyn musician whose name will no doubt be revered and uttered in hushed tones by those lucky to hear Wexler's music, for years to come. A virtuoso of sorts, without a scene or history to explain or contextualize his talent, Wexler seems to have arrived from nowhere to hypnotize us with quietly exotic songs that caress and unsettle in equal measure. Wexler seeks and finds unusual spaces within his songs, creating moments of lyrical and sonic tension that evoke Scott Walker's late work, arrangements that now include drums, piano and keyboards, two and three part harmonies and long, linear, labyrinthine instrumental passages. Wexler's lyrics avoid the confessional and favor instead the deep image, the mythic talisman. His voice functions on an instrumental level in the tradition of Annette Peacock or Elizabeth Fraser, though employed to different, more understated ends. Exaggerating the spaces between notes and between words, Wexler keeps the listener engaged but always once removed. 'Axis, Road of Awe' plumbs Bert Jansch-territory; but where Jansch's vocals are fragile and delicate, Mike's remain enigmatic. 'Axis, Road of Awe' was recorded at Exile, along with the rest of the album from which it is taken (Sun Wheel -- out now in the US on Amish Records)."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
7"
|
|
SEA 001EP
|
"Sleeping States is a musical project undertaken by Markland Starkie, a Midlands-born artist who has so far spent the first half of his twenties living, working and studying in London. Having grown up with classical musical training, Markland became enamoured with the possibilities of noise in a musical context and so began to play with noise in various bands, including noise-pop outfit, Kaito. After moving to London, and feeling a subsequent sense of dislocation, Markland began a series of home recordings of short songs from the heart that were more minimal in both volume and arrangement, with melodies taking more of a central role. Sleeping States was born. Armed with an electric guitar, found sounds, vocal samplers, and a strong DIY punk ethos (developed from a love of labels like K and Slampt), Markland has amassed a wealth of material over the past few years and has developed an impressive range of styles; from lovesick ballads (his cover of Bacharach's 'Don't Make Me Over'), to multi-layered choral drone pieces ('Counterpoint A/B') to a capella pop ('A Trip To NYC') to off-kilter indie rock, such as 'I Wonder,' one of the songs featured on this double A-side release. Sleeping States is influenced by tape hiss, Optic Nerve comics, knitting and Stratford-upon-Avon."
|