Espermachine Bandcamp Site Active

Espermachine, the band I have been producing over the past year or so is now up on Bandcamp, meaning you can get the tracks digitally immediately.  

Espermachine Previews Online Now

Here are the preview clips for Espermachine's debut album "Dying Life".  I produced this at the same time as I was working on my own upcoming album, "Bruise".  Mr. Esper did the programming for the album in Reason, and I produced the tracks in Logic Audio.  I plan on making this album available digitally tomorrow via Bandcamp, with iTunes to follow.  A limited CD release will follow that.  Want to pre-order the CD?  Just head over to the Assemblage 23 Online Store.

Espermachine Signs to 23db Records

It's been awhile since there's been any news from 23db Records, the small label I run, so it makes me happy to be able to announce our signing of Espermachine. Hailing from the unlikely industrial locale of Arkansas, James Esper has been quietly toiling away in his sonic lab creating an infectious mix of pulsing EBM bass, evocative lyrics, and soaring future-pop melodies. I had the pleasure of producing the album with James and I can't wait for people to hear it. In fact, you shouldn't have to wait too long, so below is a link to a full track you can download absolutely free. This is a rough master and is not indicative of what the final master will sound like, but we thought you might like a preview. Please share the track as freely as you want and let everyone know this album will be coming in May in both digital formats and a limited CD release. Enjoy!


[For the tech-heads, the album was written and initially recorded in Propellerheads Reason and imported into Apple Logic for further programming and production.]

Massive 23db Records Sale All August!

As many of you know, one of the million and one things I do outside of this blog is running a small electronic music label called 23db Records. All this month, all 23db CD releases are available for only $5.99 through the Assemblage 23 Online Store. Get the CD for the price of a digital release!

Lost Signal Release New EP on 23db Records

My little 23db Records label has released the first new music from Lost Signal since 2006's critically acclaimed "Eviscerate". The 5-track EP, entitled "Apparition" shows the project further refining its sound with haunting melodies, pounding dance beats, and rich, melancholy vocal harmonies. The release will be digital-only (although it will eventually be available on CD via Amazon On Demand) and is available for immediate download via BandCamp. In the coming days and weeks, the EP will also become available on other services such as iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, Spotify, Zune, and more.

http://lostsignal.bandcamp.com

Check Out Some Cool Electronic Music for Free

As some of you may know, one of the many hats I wear these days is as the owner of a small electronic music label called 23db Records. We're not like most labels in a lot of ways. We don't stick to a specific "sound", and we're not looking to become the next big thing. We just put out stuff we like and think other people might dig, too.

We also don't keep a regular release schedule, and just put out stuff as it comes. As such, it's been a little over a year since our last release. We're gearing up to put out a release or two around the end of the year if all goes well, and to prepare for that, I've done something I'd been meaning to do for awhile - I've set up pages for each of my bands on BandCamp. I'm not going to go too in-depth into the things this service offers, as they do a good job of explaining it themselves, but suffice it to say, it provides a number of handy tools for bands and labels to expose their music to people, and hopefully sell and album or two.

As part of an experiment, I thought I'd make my label's catalog available on BandCamp at a "name your own price" price-point (with a minimum of .50 a track or $5 an album). So check these bands out and see what you think. If you like what you hear, you can use BandCamp's sharing options to share streaming tracks with friends, and, better still, you can pick up a track or two and support the bands further. You'll notice I added links to each album on the side-bar too, so you can check this stuff out any time you like.

Nerve Filter - Linear
Nerve Filter is a project of mine that explores a more experimental angle than my main project, Assemblage 23. It's kind of a mish-mash of styles with influences from IDM, electro, drum n' bass, ambient, and what have you. Very heavy use of Native Instruments Reaktor on this one.



Lost Signal - Eviserate
Lost Signal is a project from a friend of mine from Philadelphia named Charles Rehill. His style is sort of a mix of melancholy trance and synth-pop with a dance feel. Charles has an enviable collection of old analog synths which he utilized on this album, but in a very contemporary way.



SD6 - Between Noise & Transmission
SD6 is the project of my friend Brandon Jerwa, who many may know as a comic book writer of some notoriety. Their style is difficult to nail down, but throughout you can hear influences ranging from Depeche Mode to Underworld. I also happened to produce and mix this album.




Lost Signal - Catharsis: Redux
Catharsis, was Lost Signal's debut album, which I produced back in 2001. It was the first thing I ever produced for another band and that lack of experience, combined with a horrifically-botched mastering job (not by me), meant that the album as released was never really heard as it was meant to be. So, many years later, I had Charles send me the Logic files again and gave everything a fresh mix from the ground up, thus the "Redux" part of the title. Heavy use of Korg Z1 and MS-2000 on this, along with Yamaha TZ81z, a Kawai K1, Access Virus B, Emu-E6400, Sequential Pro One and more.



Assemblage 23 - Early, Rare, and Unreleased (1988-1998)
Although I released my first album on a proper label in 1999, I had been making music more or less as a hobbiest under that name since I was 16 years old. When A23 made some waves in the industrial scene, many fans asked if this older material would ever see the light of day. This is the first collection of that material. Not my best work by a long shot, but I think it does a pretty good job of showing my roots. Everything you hear is done on an Ensoniq SQ-80 and EPS-16+.



Burikusu!!! - 2080
I think this is one of the most unique albums I've had the pleasure of releasing. Burikusu!!! is a Swedish duo comprised of programmer Claes Johansen (who programmed the Surge softsynth as well as coding DSP for Ableton before starting his own venture Bitwig), and vocalist Timmy Nillson. The album is an unlikely mix of heavily edited and manipulated rapped and sung vocals over a bed of melodic IDM. Definitely be sure to check out the track "Mikeeboi", which twists a rant from boxer Mike Tyson into a rap. A really technically impressive album that doesn't take itself too seriously.



Assemblage 23 - Early, Rare & Unreleased Volume 2
The first collection of early A23 rarities was really well-received by fans, so this is the follow-up consisting of more tracks from the same period. Also includes my deconstruction of the Pyschedelic Furs classic "Love My Way".



T.H.D. - Subconscious Drip
T.H.D. is a name that may be familiar to industrial old schoolers. Although they started out with an album they themselves will admit was basically a Front Line Assembly rip-off, after that, the band evolved into something far more interesting, introducing elements of techno, trip-hop, IDM, and other styles. The song themes and lyrics explored dystopian, sci-fi themes over beds after bed of vintage synths and samplers. (Seriously, these guys had one of the most mental synth and drum machine collections I've ever seen...). Subconscious Drip is an EP that heralded their return. While it bears the unmistakable earmarks of the old school (Cabaret Voltaire, Skinny Puppy, and Lassigue Bendthaus are noticeable influences here), the new material shows a newfound maturity and depth that the earlier tracks only hinted at. This EP is available to download absolutely free (although donations are accepted as well in the form of a name your own price price point with no minimum).



T.H.D. - The Evolution of Our Decay
The full-length album that compliments Subconscious Drip. More future-retro beats dripping with more vintage synths, samplers, and drum machines than most of us will ever see in a lifetime.

New Free Music from Burikusu!!!

Innovative duo and 23db Records artists Burikusu!!! have released an absolutely free epic track for their fans. Go get it! And if you like what you hear, the EP will be available for purchase on iTunes.

Be sure to check out their previous album, "2080" too!

Tech Interview with T.H.D.

Total Harmonic Distortion originated as a duo of Shawn Rudiman and Ed Vargo based in the tiny town of Frackville, Pennsylvania (population: boredom). Throughout the mid to late 90's, the duo released several albums of gritty, highly technical industrial music. Then, they disappeared for 10 years.

Now, THD is back as a solo project of Rudiman (although he insists Vargo will always be an official member), with two new releases on 23db Records - an absolutely free 10-track EP called "Subconscious Drip", and a full-length album entitled "The Evolution of Our Decay"().

In addition to putting these releases out on my label, I had another connection to THD. In the early days of my own musical career, I used to go to their studio to record since they were the first people I knew to have a computer-based digital recording set-up. During that time, they became not only mentors to me, but very good friends. So it was with great pleasure that I sat down to talk with Shawn to talk gear, process, and just where THD disappeared to for the last decade...

WAVEFORMLESS: Okay, the obvious first question - what have you been up to for the past ten years?!

THD: Wow. Big one... ugh. Fell head over heels for Detroit techno and techno in general. Less politics and more rhythm and funk and soul. Kinda left the angry side behind and found more depth. Found there are more sides to life than the one you are brought up in. Got involved in running techno labels and releasing, playing live and touring. It's been a pretty interesting 10 years. A lot of up and downs.

WAVEFORMLESS: How was it to revisit T.H.D. after so many years? How did your experiences since the last T.H.D. album help shape the new material?

THD: It was a real breath of fresh air, honestly. It was nice to leave the techno behind for a minute and look at things with eyes that have been shut for a long time. It was great to be able to finally give THD the vocals it deserved. I always hated my past vocals minus one track. I thought they always were always just wrong. I couldnt get it - I was trying to be someone else, really. I just had to let my voice be my voice. My experiences since the last THD album have been vast to say the least. A nervous breakdown, Euro tours, a whole new life and a whole new look on the world, really. It's been the hardest years of my life I think. So many crazy things have happened, good and bad. All those things have shaped the new releases greatly. The albums are pretty much built around my life and my views, thoughts, etc., so it's like a biography of sorts. You listen to it instead of reading it.

WAVEFORMLESS: You've got a number of projects outside of T.H.D. each covering different styles. Do you sit down to create a track with a specific project in mind, or do you figure out which songs fit into the style of which project after the fact?

THD: No, I just sit down with my therapist (Dr. Akai MPC) and we just work things out. Sometimes it's industrialish, sometimes synthpopish, sometimes techy, sometimes house, etc. etc. etc... It's whatever has its hold on me. Like possession, really. I've learned that certain moods translate to certain styles better. It's weird... if you make the mood and inputs a certain way then things output a certain way. It's weird to think of yourself like that. I definitely figure out which songs go where after the fact.

WAVEFORMLESS: Tell us about the gear you used on the new T.H.D. material.

THD: Everything from analog synths, 16, 12, & 8 bit samplers, drum machines, and yes, even plug-in synths. Mostly hardware though. Akai MPC-3000 for main sequencing and the majority of the drums, Oberheim Xpander and (Sequential Circuits) Pro One a lot. Umm.. E-mu Esynth Ultra and E6400, Akai S900, Rhodes piano, Imposcar plug-in, Angelina plug-in, Roland MC-4, 808, 909, 606, (Sequential) Studio 440, (E-mu) SP-12... Lots of low-priced effects processors form the 80's. Just a large smattering of gear, really.

WAVEFORMLESS: What's the one synthesizer you've always wanted, but never owned?

THD: Hands down a PPG 2.3 and a (Sequential) Prophet VS. I'll fuckin' fight hungry timber wolves for either one. They are 2 of the most original sounding machines I've ever heard.

WAVEFORMLESS: What do you reckon is the rarest piece of gear you ever owned?

THD: Fairlight II with MIDI. Or the Korg SB-100 Synthebass I still have. Or maybe my Studio 440... it's a tie, I guess.

WAVEFORMLESS: Recording has changed a lot in the past ten years. Are you doing things differently, or is the recording process pretty similar to how you did things back then? Maybe go your process for us?

THD: Yeah, it's pretty much the same for me. Ed and I always had HD recording so it's not new thing for us (as you know, Tom!) only recently have I been able to multitrack things. This helped with THD stuff a lot. I would get rough rhythm and synth tracks down and then do overdubs and things when I was in between other things. Worked out good overall and led to not getting worn out on one song too much. Sometimes the songs were done as a whole, sometimes piece by piece of odubs over time. It's nice to not have a pattern. Keeps it fresh for me. Sometimes they were 8 or 16 bars "tracks" that just got edited and arranged in the digital domain. Then other times they were all laid out linearly on the MPC start to finish. It's nice to be able to have a total range of ways to work depending on my mood. Sometimes I just don't want to be in coralled into a linear structure. Other times I'm holding onto it like a ladder that's 500 feet off the ground.

WAVEFORMLESS: What's your favorite mic? Monitors? Mixer?

THD: Favourite mic: I'd have to say this 300 dollar AKG one we have here in the studio for whatever. It just works well with my voice. For monitors I use my KRK V6's. They work good. Wouldnt mind having the V8's though. I'm a fan of the KRK stuff. Mixers... my favourite mixer is the SSL 4000. I'd beat my mom up for one. But since they're 17-250 G's.. ahhh. Don't think I'll be getting one anytime soon. I use an allen and heath GS3V 32-channel analog desk. It sounds real nice and has subtle parametric EQ's, mute groups, VCA groups and mute/VCA automation. It's a really nice desk, has in line channels (tape ins and channel path are flip-able for mixdown), 4 auxs, direct outs, inserts, 8 busses and just feels and sounds good. I'll keep this guy for a while. Looking into an AMEK BIG 44 maybe. Since it has a lot more busses, but I really dig the mute groups and such of the A&H.

WAVEFORMLESS: What is it about 12-bit drums that sounds so frigging awesome?

THD: It's the grime and alias. The things that were never intended to sound good. The things that companies tried soooo hard to get rid of. Those things make 12-bit drums so great. When you put 12-bit drums thought a nice compressor and then a good EQ you get a great sound. They add life to a sample - more than what was put into it. Just a little.

WAVEFORMLESS: What's the one piece of gear you couldn't live without?

THD: AKAI MPC 3000.

WAVEFORMLESS: What's the album that first got you interested in electronic music?

THD: Electronic in general or industrial? Electronic in general I think was the Flock of Seagulls album, industrial was (Skinny Puppy's) "VIVE SECT IV" I can remember being at my grandmother's house on Xmas eve listening to it on a dubbed cassette while everyone opened gifts. If they could hear the soundtrack to the that Xmas as I heard it..."walk straight bi-ped... human disease.." I don't think they would have liked it :)

WAVEFORMLESS: I know you're a hardware man at heart, but what is your feeling on software synths?

THD: Honestly they have come around and gotten better. No matter what they don't have the balls of old machines, though. The low end on that digital/VST stuff just can't get as heavy and thick as the real thing. But some softsynths are ridiculous. I dig the synths that are using the power of PCs to do things that are new and that aren't recreations of old ones. Exploring new directions and things that analog couldn't do. I like those a lot.

WAVEFORMLESS: If you could travel back ten years and tell anything to your younger self with the wisdom you've since gained, what would it be?

THD: First you're supposing I have gained wisdom. Second, I'd tell myself to buy every last fuckin' synth I could find and store them for 10 years. Then open a vintage store. Then I'd tell myself that I should never ever again even think about having a career in music.:)

Ex-Ableton Employees Start New Company

This isn't exactly new news, but if it got any press coverage, I sure missed it. At any rate, a number of ex-Ableton employees have started their own company called Bitwig, aimed at providing "next generation" music applications. Here's what they have to say:

"Within the virtual environment of a computer anything is possible, yet on a fundamental level, the way music is created today with computers is still very similar to how hardware studios were used. With an entirely new approach, we want to take the next step in the evolution of the computer music studio and create the music software we always wanted to use ourselves.

Bitwig is based in Berlin and founded by Claes Johanson, Pablo Sara, Nicholas Allen and Volker Schumacher. Our experience in the computer music software industry includes Ableton, where we were all part of the development team behind the successful music software Live, and Vember Audio, creator of the critically acclaimed software synthesizer Surge."

Alert readers may recognize the name Claes Johanson as one half of the band Burikusu!!!, who also happen to be signed to the record label I run.

One for the Analog Freaks: New T.H.D. Album and Free EP Available Now!

I am happy to announce 2 new releases from 90's industrial act T.H.D. on my label 23db Records. These releases represent the first new material from the act in nearly 10 years!

Aside from being excellent releases in their own right, these may be of interest to my fellow vintage synth freaks out there, as T.H.D. have a drool-worthy studio packed with analog synths, vintage drum machines, and old school lofi samplers.

Still not convinced? Then download the absolutely free 10-track EP "Subconscious Drip" and hear for yourself. (If you like what you hear, the EP is also available for purchase for those who want to show the extra bit of fan support...).

Both "Subconscious Drip" and the full-length album "The Evolution of Our Decay" are available through finer digital music retailers everywhere including iTunes, iTunes Canada, iTunes Europe/UK, iTunes Australia/NZ, Rhapsody, eMusic, Amazon MP3, Napster, Shockhound, Lala, and Amie Street.

Buy "Subconscious Drip" on iTunes.

Buy "The Evolution of Our Decay" on iTunes.

23db Records Signs T.H.D.

23db Records is proud to announce the addition of T.H.D. to our roster. Readers may remember the band from their several critically-acclaimed releases through Hard, Cleopatra, and Pendragon Records in the mid to late 90's.

Now, 10 years since their last release, they're back with a brand new, digital-only album entitled "The Evolution of Our Decay", which will be out on April 28th through iTunes, iTunes Canada, iTunes UK/European Union, iTunes Australia/New Zealand, Amazon MP3, Rhapsody, eMusic, Napster, Lala, Amie Street, and Shockhound. The album picks up where 1999's "Under a Statik Sky" left off and mixes the echoes of seminal acts like Cabaret Voltaire and Lassigue Bendthaus with the retro-futuristic, heavily analog sound T.H.D.'s fans know them for.

As a special thank you to their fans, T.H.D. will also release a free, 10-track EP entitled "Subconscious Drip" consisting of entirely different material than what is on the album. This will be available for download on April 28th via: http://www.assemblage23.com/THD.html

The EP will optionally be available for purchase through all the outlets listed above should any fans wish to show an extra bit of support.

Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/totalharmonicdistortionthd

Stream Nerve Filter "Linear" for Free!

Here is the 2006 album from my project Nerve Filter for you to stream for free. Lots of Reaktor and Logic instruments on this one. If you like it, buy it on or head on over to http://www.assemblage23.com/store.html#linear to buy the physical CD!

Pre-orders for Assemblage 23 "Early, Rare, & Unreleased Volume 2" Now Open

In conjunction with my band's 2007 US tour, I released a CD of a bunch of tracks I did before I got signed. Some of them from WAY before. Because the original tapes hadn't aged well, and sounded awful anyway, I used the original sequences and gear (lots of Ensoniq for you synth geeks out there) to re-record the songs from scratch. The album was a big hit with fans, and it quickly sold out. (Although it is still available digitally).

So, I'm releasing a second volume on February 10th. Like the first one, this will be limited to 1,000 copies, so once they're gone, they're gone. I also anticipate being able to ship pre-orders about a week early. Want to reserve your copy? Go here.

Burikusu!!! Debut Released

Today is the official release of "2080", the debut album from Burikusu!!! on my label, 23db Records. If you haven't already, take the time to check out the sample clips from this album - I think you'll be impressed. These guys are definitely one of the most original acts I have heard in ages.

If you like what you hear, you can order your own copy here.

Or, for those who prefer to buy their music digitally get it on or on Amazon MP3

Now Accepting Pre-orders for Burikusu!!! - 2080

Time for a little crass commercialism... As some of you may know, I run a small indie label called 23db Records.  On November 17th, we will be releasing the debut album from a Swedish band called Burikusu!!!  Of course, I am biased, but I think this is one of the most innovative electronic albums I have heard in ages.  I'm not going to wax eloquent trying to describe them to you, as it's nearly impossible to do so.  Just check out these preview clips and decide for yourself.  If you like what you hear, you can place a pre-order for the album here.  And be sure to spread the word to your friends or anyone else you think might dig it.  You'd be amazed at how important word of mouth can be for independent releases!

(Oh, and of possible interest to readers of this blog, one half of the band is none other than the man behind Vember Audio, creators of Surge, as well as being responsible for a lot of the nifty DSP in Ableton Live...)

Burikusu!!! Remix Contest

Vember Audio, creators of the critically acclaimed Surge softsynth, in conjunction with 23db Records are happy to announce the Burikusu!!! 2080 Remix Contest. To help introduce the world to the genre-busting electronic sound of Sweden's Burikusu!!!, the band has uploaded the submix stems for their song Year 2080 for you to cut-up, remix, and smash to bits! All entries will be reviewed and judged by the band themselves, with prizes going to the top two contestants:

1. FIRST PLACE PRIZE - A free copy of Vember Audio's critically acclaimed Surge softsynth, a signed copy of the Burikusu!!! debut album 2080 (out on November 17th on 23db Records), and free copies of the entire 23db Records catalog!

2. SECOND PLACE PRIZE - Free copies of the entire 23db catalog, including releases by SD6, Lost Signal, Nerve Filter, and Burikusu!!!

Now for those pesky rules.

The remix kit (including stems) is downloadable at: http://burikusu.net/remix/

All submissions should be in MP3 format at 320kps and should be sent to: remix@burikusu.net.

Deadline for all submissions is November 5th, 2008. Winners will be announced November 7th, 2008. The rights to stems and all remixes belong to Burikusu!!! and 23db Records. (Don't worry, we're not going to sell your remixes and make money off them, this is just to protect the band from unauthorized parties trying to commercially release their remixes. Remixes are a derivative of the original track, and thus remain under copyright protection.). By entering this contest, you are giving permission for 23db Records and Burikusu!!! to share your remix with the rest of the world as a free download. All decisions are final.

You can hear the original version of Year 2080 at http://www.myspace.com/burikusu

Now get to remixing and show us what you've got!

23db Records Signs Burikusu!!!

Okay, the blog should be back to normal this week, but if I may start things out with a bit of crass commercialism, I'd like to tell you about a new band I have signed to my label.

23db Records, the independent electronic music label I run, is proud to announce the addition of Sweden's Burikusu!!! to the label's roster. The band will release their debut album, entitled 2080, on 23db Records later this fall as both a physical CD and via digital distribution.

Burikusu!!! is the brainchild of Claes Johanson (creator of the critically acclaimed Vember Audio Surge softsynth and DSP programmer for Ableton Live) and Timmy Nilsson. Musically, the band is a highly technical mix of stuttering rhythms, haunting melodies, and severely manipulated vocals, all the while fearlessly melding elements of IDM, synthpop, hip-hop, experimental, and even straight up pop. The result is an astonishing melange of futuristic beats and forward-thinking programming that gracefully leaps over the cutting edge and bravely forges ahead into previously uncharted terrirtories.

But enough of the label hyperbole. Check them out for yourself at: http://www.myspace.com/burikusu �