OLD MAN GLOOM JAPANESE REISSUE #2

Enjoying: Aluk Todolo "Occult Rock", Raime "Quarter Turns...", "Oren Ambarchi & James Rushford "Wreckage", JK Flesh/Prurient "Worship is the Cleansing of Imagination", Drumm/Elggren/Gustafsson "DEG", etc...

OLD MAN GLOOM JAPANESE REISSUE #1

Enjoying: Kreng "Works for Abattoir Ferme" box set, Scott Walker "Bish Bosch", Andre Breton - Nadja, Michael Deforge - Lose #4, Deep Listening Band "Octagonal Polyphony", True Radical Miracle "Cockroaches", Black Swan "The Quiet Divide", Burning Love "Rotten Things to Say", Anthrax "Among the Living"....

OLD MAN GLOOM REISSUE LETTERING

Listening: Kristian Olsson "Att Vara...", Bell Witch "Longing", Swans "Soundtracks for the Blind", Krallice "Years Past Matter", Mike Shiflet "Omnivores", Haemoth "In Nomine Odium", Aaron Dilloway "Tractor Cuts", Woven Hand "The Laughing Stalk", etc

HYDRA HEALTH - ART FOR SALE

Above: original artwork (Boris/Torche, Bozzov*en, Melvins/ISIS, Old Man Gloom, Pyramids/Horseback), all up for sale as part of the Hydra Health fundraising project.

You can read more about the project on the Hydra Head news page here and find some of the artwork up for sale in the RTK store here. Some of it is already sold, but I'll be adding a couple more pieces in the near future, as well as more of my own musical equipment, test pressings, etc. I would like to extend a massive thank you to all the supporters of this effort so far - the response has been positively encouraging and will surely help us continue on in some form or another.

Thank you.

UNFINISHED DRAWING, MAMIFFER/HoLC ON 12/01

Above: Drawing originally intended for the Old Man Gloom "NO" album art, but abandoned early in the process. Too controlled for the album - didn't feel like a good fit. Glad I gave up on this idea as the next round of ideas proved far more fruitful.

Also: Mamiffer, HoLC, Thrones, Great Falls show in Seattle on Dec 1. More info here. We'll finally have copies of the Mamiffer/Pyramids LP for this event, and the remaining copies of the cassette version as well.


Enjoying: Trepaneringsritualen "Deathward to the Womb",  Enslaved "RIITIIR", Aaron Dilloway & Jason Lescalleet "Grapes & Snakes", Jason Lescalleet "Songs About Nothing",  Werner Herzog "Nosferatu", MGLA "With Hearts Towards None", Tukaaria "Raw to the Rapine", Arvo Part "Tabula Rasa",  etc.

ISIS "TEMPORAL"

Above: images from the ISIS "Temporal" 3xLP/DVD release. Photography by Mike Gallagher and Faith Coloccia. Design and additional photography by Aaron Turner. The 2xCD/DVD version of this release is available now, 3xLP/DVD available as of 11/19.

Also, if leaving inquiries in the comments section regarding artwork, interviews, etc please be sure to include your email address. Thank you!

Enjoyment: Hive Mind/Workbench "Permanence" split, Blixa Bargeld "Commissioned Music", Arkhamin Kirjasto "Torches Ablaze",  "Crime and Punishment" - Fyodor Dostoevsky, Diamanda Galas "The Divine Punishment", Hooded Menace "Effigies of Evil", Daniel Menche "Vilke", Oxbow duo - live, etc...

NEW SIGE TITLES

Three new SIGE titles are available for order as of now via the SIGE webstore. They are as follows:

Mamiffer/Pyramids - split cassette - SIGE 017. A thirty five minute split from Mamiffer and Pyramids. Oversized tape box with custom packaging and a 28 page hand-sewn art booklet byFaith Coloccia. Edition of 100 copies. 

Jodis "Secret House/Black Curtain" 2 x cassette - SIGE 018. Both full length albums from Jodis, each on it's own cassette. Oversized hand painted tape box with custom packaging and a 28 page hand-sewn art booklet by Faith Coloccia. Edition of 75 copies. 

Menace Ruine "Alight in Ashes" 2 x LP - SIGE 016. The new full length from Menace Ruine. First pressing of 370 copies, housed in 3 color heavyweight screen printed jackets, with 2 color screen printed inserts and 2 colors of vinyl (black and red/black swirl). 

Mamiffer/Menace Ruine tour still underway. Thanks to all who have come and made this an enjoyable experience thus far. Looking forward to the rest!

MAMIFFER TOUR, MAMIFFER/PYRAMIDS, ETC

Above: Cover for the Mamiffer/Pyramids split, forthcoming on Hydra Head Records/SIGE Records/Daymare Recordings. Artwork by Faith Coloccia. You can listen to the album in full here, courtesy of Tiny Mix Tapes. The LP (Hydra Head) will be available on 10/16, the tape (SIGE) and CD (Daymare) will be available 10/24.

This Sunday, October 14th, is the beginning of the Mamiffer/Menace Ruine European tour. Full dates below. We're very much looking forward to this tour, playing some new Mamiffer music, and spending time with our friends in Menace Ruine...


14-10-2012 Arena, Vienna Austria 
15-10-2012 Nkc Park, Zagreb Croatia
16-10-2012 eMCe, Velenje Slovenia

17-10-2012 Chet's Club, Bologna Italy
18-10-2012 Ligera, Milan Italy
19-10-2012 Queen Kong Club, Neuchatel Switzerland
20-10-2012 Dachstock, Bern Switzerland
21-10-2012 L'Espace B, Paris, France 

22-10-2012 Les Passagers Du Zinc, Besancon France
23-10-2012 Magasin 4, Brussels Belgium
24-10-2012 La Zone, Liege Belgium
25-10-2012 Winston, Amsterdam Netherlands
26-10-2012 Christuskirche, Bochum Germany
27-10-2012 Die Stadtmitte, Karlsruhe Germany
28-10-2012 HBC, Berlin Germany
30-10-2012 Firlej, Wroclaw Poland
31-10-2012 Klub Powiekszenie, Warsaw Poland
01-11-2012 Wydzial Remontowy,  Gdansk, Poland
02-11-2012 Artelis, Riga Latvia
03-11-2012 Von Krahl, Tallinn Estonia
04-11-2012 Korjaamo, Helsinki Finland


...and unrelated, a new video by David Bellard for an old Lotus Eaters track cane be viewed here. Thanks David. 

Thank you.

Listening: 

Vincent De-Roguin "Artificines", Deep Listening Band "Needle Drop Jungle", High On Fire "The Art of Self Defense", Richard Skelton "Verse of Birds", Merzbow "Merrzow", etc...

VACATION T SHIRT

I've drawn and designed a new shirt for Vacation Vinyl in Los Angeles. The top image above is an approximation of the final design, below it the original drawing. The shirt is available directly from the shop online or by going to the actual store. Thank you!

Current listening: Swans "The Seer", Daniel Menche & Anla Courtis "Yagua", Raspeberry Bulbs "Finally Burst", Einsturzende Neubauten "Berlin Babylon", Janne Westerlund "Oran", Ambarchi & Brinkmann "The Mortimer Trap", Jesu "Conqueror", Circle "Serpent", etc.

JODIS UPDATE, NEW MUSIC, MAMIFFER JAPAN, ETC

The new Jodis album "Black Curtain" is now streaming in its entirety at Alarm Magazine - go here to listen. The CD will be out on Hydra Head next week, but the LP has been delayed until Nov due to hold ups at the pressing plant. The 2xCS version which will also include the first album "Secret House" is due out soon on SIGE Records, but has also been delayed due to manufacturing problems. That format has been pushed back til Nov 16th, but should be available for mail-order before then.

In related news, the Mamiffer/Pyramids split LP/CS is also going to be delayed but should be out finally in November. The LP (Hydra Head) and CS (SIGE) are both held up due to pressing plant problems (yes, again), but the CD on Daymare Recordings should still be out by the originally scheduled date of Oct 24th.

Lastly, thanks to Daymare Recordings, Earth, Jon Mueller and everyone that came to the recent Mamiffer shows in Japan. We had an excellent time and are looking forward to our next trip, that is, the upcoming European tour with Menace Ruine.

(photos by hatena?)

A SLOW UNRAVELING

Go here for sound clips, photos and an interview relating to the recent "A Slow Unraveling" event which involved the first live performance between myself and William Fowler Collins, as well as Steve Roden and Marc Manning. Thanks again to Robert Crouch and Volume for putting together this wonderful event.

The Imminent Demise of Hydra Head Records

Hydra Head Records has never been a smooth-running operation. We've spent the majority of our existence excitedly scrambling from one thing to the next, taking on more than we could ever possibly hope to achieve, and never quite finding solid footing in the midst of our self-induced whirlwind of chaos. Though not every second of doing this label has been enjoyable, it has been a very rewarding and meaningful project for me, and I hope for many of the other lives to which it has been directly connected. The fact that it has lasted close to two decades at this point is astonishing, and much has changed during that time - the lives of those directly involved with running the label, the bands and artists we've worked with, and the nature of the music industry itself. Though many of these changes have been positive, or at least illuminating, the impact of our history and current industry  circumstances are culminating into a slow and somewhat painful death for the label. It certainly isn't an entirely unforeseen event, but we didn't think it would come quite so abruptly, or (perhaps naively) ever.

The decision to pull the plug has not been an easy one, and in some ways is a not a choice at all.  The simple fact of the matter is we've been running on empty for a while now and cannot afford to keep our doors open for much longer. Years of imbalance between creative ideals and financial realities, personal problems amongst the label operators, an unwillingness to compromise our aesthetic standards, a tendency towards releasing challenging (i.e. unmarketable) artists, and the steady decline of the music industry in general, are amongst the chief reasons for our inability to continue. It is a harsh but undeniable reality, and one which we are attempting to confront with as much integrity and grace as is afforded by the circumstances.

For the short term we will continue to operate as we have been, effecting our first step into shutdown this December, at which point we are cutting off new releases from the label. Thereafter, we will be remain operational only in the interest of maintaining our back catalog, with the ultimate aim of repaying our rather sizable debts. Grim though this prospect is, in the midst of it all I still feel an extreme gratitude for everything that has happened and for all the wonderful people with which we've been involved over the years. We've been lucky enough to work with some of the most unique and provocative artists of the last two decades, many of which have made indelible impressions in the underground, and by extension the larger world of music in general. We've also been fortunate to have had the support of a small but loyal following, who've constitute the very essence of our life force. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and love to each and every person who contributed to making this label what it is - all the artists who entrusted us as the custodians of their work, all the people that bought or listened to our releases, and all the people who performed the various label duties at various offices (and houses) across the continent. 

...and this brings us to the present moment, where in all honesty we are in need of financial assistance from anyone and everyone who's willing to throw us a rope. Though it is highly unlikely we'll be able to resuscitate the label, we do wish to follow through on the final round of releases to which we're committed and pay off our debts to our artists and manufacturers. In order to do this we are initiating a massive sell-off of everything we can dig up and produce for the next 6-12 months. This will include discounted bundles of CDs/LPs/posters/etc, represses of certain titles for which we still have parts, test pressings, and whatever worthwhile items we can pull together. For anyone that is able and willing to fund our funereal arrangements please visit our direct mailorder or webstore and pick up whatever you can. Any and all support is greatly appreciated by our remaining team, and will be put to the best use possible.

There is no way to sum up nearly 20 years of incredibly important music, experiences, and evolution other than to say a big heart felt "thank you", and that we hope this closing will provide an opening into other even more positive and rewarding experiences for all of us and all of you who have been a part of our shared experience. For now we bid you all a very fond farewell....

-Aaron Turner
09/10/12

NEW JODIS TRACK

*Photo by Dante Torrieri

New Jodis track "Silent Temple" streaming courtesy of Tiny Mix Tapes. Go here to listen. Also note another William Fowler Collins track premiere at the same location...

As previously mentioned the "Black Curtain" CD/LP will be coming out Oct 2nd via Hydra Head. SIGE Records will also be releasing a double cassette from Jodis on Oct 16th which will contain both "Black Curtain" as well as the debut album "Secret House". The cassette box will include new/modified artwork by Faith Coloccia, complete lyrics, and the vinyl only bonus track from "Secret House".

Thank you.

WILLIAM FOWLER COLLINS+AARON TURNER, LA, SEP 1st

photo by Faith Coloccia

Sat. Sep 1st: "A Slow Unravelling" at Human Resources Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. A presentation of Volume and Vacation Vinyl. Show begins at 8 pm, entrance is free. Performances by:

Hive Mind 
WIlliam Fowler Collins + Aaron Turner
Steve Roden
Marc Manning

As mentioned in a previous post, William Fowler Collins and I have begin work on a collaborative recording project. This will be our live debut as a duo and we'll be performing modified versions of some of the material from our initial recording sessions. William will also be joining Old Man Gloom on the road for our west coast tour which begins two days after this event. His new album "Tenebroso" is out now, you can preview a track from it here.

Thank you.

JODIS "BLACK CURTAIN"

Above: layout pieces from the LP version of the forthcoming Jodis album "Black Curtain" - CD/LP due out Oct 2nd via Hydra Head. Photography by Faith Coloccia. Sound samples coming soon...

Intake:  Mauser "Isolation", Helm "Impossible Symmetry", Diamanda Galas "Divine Punishment", Kathy Acker "Blood and Guts in High School", Philip K Dick "Martian Time Slip",  Christian Cosmos "Enthronement by God...", Nihill "Verdonkermaan", Thomas Köner "Novaya Zemlya", Keränen "Moon Over Torrelorca", Menace Ruine "The Die is Cast", KTL "V", Alleypisser "Sult"...

EARTH + MAMIFFER - JAPAN

NEW DRAWINGS, JULY

Listening: Alleypisser "Glemt", Daniel Menche "Guts" and "Quanta of Light", Mario Diaz De Leon "Hypnos", Doktor Kettu "Soft Delerium", Charlemagne Palestine X Joachim Montessuis "Voxorgachitechtronumputer", Hell/Thou - split, etc...

"NO" OLD MAN GLOOM, INTERVIEW, ETC

The Old Man Gloom album "NO" is out today via Hydra Head Records (US & Europe) and Daymare Recordings (Japan). It is streaming courtesy of Self Titled mag here. (Cat/Gloom photograph courtesy of Santos Montaño).

Also, percussionist extraordinaire Jon Mueller has interviewed Mamiffer and Locrian, the results of which are now viewable courtesy of NPR. Go here for further reading.

Lastly, the next Jodis album "Black Curtain" will be released September 4th via Hydra Head Records.

Thank you.

The summer din: Daniel Menche - live, Martyrdöd - live, JK Flesh "Posthuman", Odz Manouk - s/t, Oren Ambarchi - live, KTL "V", Pete Swanson "Man With Potential", etc....

MAMIFFER, PORTLAND, 06/18/12

On Monday, June 18, 2012 Mamiffer will be performing in Portland, OR at Holocene, along with Oren Ambarchi and Daniel Menche. For more info go here.

Also, Mamiffer will be touring Japan in September with Earth. For more info on that please go here.

Thank you.

TRACK, SHOW, ALBUM, ETC

(Old Man Gloom photo by Jason Hellmann)

- "Common Species", a track from the new Old Man Gloom album is now streaming on Pitchfork. Go here to hear.

- Mamiffer will be playing a show with Oren Ambarchi and Daniel Menche in Portland, OR on June 18th at Holocene. Here is the flyer.

- The second Jodis album "Black Curtain" is finally complete (really!). Official release date to be announced shortly.

- SIGE Records has a new release now available: "Constantinople", the debut full length from Ides of Gemini. Go here for more. SIGE will also be releasing a new full length from Menace Ruine later this year.

Thank you.

---

Vital supplements: Tragedy - live, Entombed "Clandestine", Ascension "With Burning Tongues", Infinity Window "Artificial Midnight", "Martian Time-Slip" Philip K Dick, MGLA "With Hearts Towards None", Virus "Carheart", Scott Walker "Tilt", Circle "Taantumas", Jussi Lehtisalo "Interludes for Prepared Beast", Oren Ambarchi "Audience of One", etc.

OLD MAN GLOOM "NO" ALBUM ART

Above: images from the LP layout for the Old Man Gloom album "NO".

The drawings made for this are based on original monographs by Faith Coloccia. I made collages from that set of drawings with added textures from various sources. Faith created the type treatments and assisted with the design as well. The LP version is a regular/non-gatefold jacket, with an oversized 11" x 11" booklet, all on uncoated stock. The tour version of the LP substituted a xerox insert in place of the booklet, and had hand stamped labels as well. The "official" release date for the regular LP as well as the CD and cassette is June 26th via Hydra Head Records. Pre-order for that is up now.

Also - massive gratitude to everyone who attended and played the recent Old Man Gloom shows on the East Coast. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and appreciate everyone who helped make the tour possible. Thank you.

OLD MAN GLOOM "NO" NEW ALBUM

Old Man Gloom has a new album. It's called "NO". It will be available as of tomorrow, that is Wednesday May 2nd. For the time being it will be available only at the Old Man Gloom live shows happening this month. On June 26th "NO" be widely available through the usual channels. Audio and full art previews coming soon, and in the meantime there's this.

Thank you.

SPRING UPDATES

Some news:

Old Man Gloom tour starts this week. Complete dates + info can be found here. We have some special surprises in store for show attendees. More on that tomorrow.... 

Also, the Mamiffer & Locrian "Bless Them That Curse You" 2xLP has been repressed (on two new colors), and is currently available directly from SIGE Records. The new colors will also be available in the webstore as of next week. Coming up next on SIGE is the debut album from our friends Ides of Gemini - more on that here.

Lastly, Cvlt Nation invited Split Cranium to come up with a mix tape for their Sonic Cathedrals series. Here is what we came up with. Thanks to CN for hosting this.

MERZBOW - GRAFT

Great album - one of the best I've heard from Merzbow in recent years. I also like the artwork, though I have no idea who's responsible for this one. Released on Cold Spring Records....

NEW DRAWINGS, APRIL

Good stuff: Oranssi Pazuzu "Kosmonument", Aaron Dilloway "Modern Jester", Ilsa "Tutti Il Colori...", Vaura "Selenelion", Menace Ruine "The Die Is Cast", Ides of Gemini "Constantinople", Ambarchi/Brinkmann "The Mortimer Trap", Circle "Manner", Daniel Menche "Quanta of Light", Corrupted "Garten der Unbewusstheit", etc...

More news soon....