Astro:Dynamics

Singing Statues - Persian Prince

Following on from a free 4 track EP last year, the prolific Ben Thomas returns on Astro:Dynamics in January 2013 with Persian Prince – a track Dummy referred to as “a downbeat electronic take on dream pop.” This further demonstrates the young producers deft, and somewhat unexpected touch in incorporating his own subdued vocal and guitar parts within the hazy electronic palette heard on collaborations with Brainfeeder’s Teebs, and full-lengths for the acclaimed Rush Hour label.

It comes backed with a remix under Thomas’ BNJMN guise. A long time favorite in his club sets and now finally seeing the light of day, the reworking represents some of Ben’s best work within the realms of his understated and melodic 4/4 works. Released in January 2013, with photography by Johan Ar.

Jabu - Jabu

Jabu are Amos Childs and vocalist Alex Rendall - part of the same Young Echo collective that has spawned the likes of Kahn, Vessel and El Kid. In addition, Childs also forms half of Zhou, who have released previously on Punch Drunk and A Future Without, and collaborated with Vessel on the ‘Tremble/Release Me’ single we released in August 2011.

The EP varies between beat-less loop-based miniatures in the vein of William Basinski and brooding vocal-led drone, with vocal appearances from Kahn featuring on 'Still'. A bold yet understated statement of intent from one of the most unique duos to emerge from Bristol in recent times. Released in November 2012 with art by Harry Wright.

 "A pristine 15 minute-odd song suite with nods to Darkstar at their darkest and Odd Nosdam at his oddest" - FACT Magazine

1991 - 1991

1991 is Axel Backman, a Swedish artist experimenting with lo-fi electronics, tape distortion, and dystopian synth-scapes. This, his first EP, is a collection of grainy and hissing oddities which perfectly illustrate why he has been receiving praise and support over the past months from the likes of Vessel, Evian Christ, Lukid and Samoyed amongst others.

"Somewhere between new age regression therapy and hypnagogic pop experiment" - Boomkat

"His self-titled EP for Astro:Dynamics wears its influences on its sleeve, but, unlike plenty of whey-faced synth revivalists, pushes worn ideas into new places" - FACT Magazine

Singing Statues - No Disguise EP

Our first ever free release on the label comes from Singing Statues, an alias of Ben Thomas (better known as BNJMN or Jackhigh).

Ben’s music as Singing Statues utilizes inspiration and influence from the likes of Animal Collective, Grouper, Radiohead, Atlas Sound, and My Bloody Valentine, and combines the electronic sound palette of his recordings as BNJMN with the addition of guitars and Thomas’ subtle, understated vocal. The result is a washed-out and wistful hybrid of the electronic and the organic, at times incorporating the wall of sound approach of MBV and at others the more pop influenced dreamscapes of David Sylvian. Released in May 2012, with photography by Johan Ar.

 

Tapes - Dungeness

Following records for Jahtari, praise from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and recent releases with reggae and dancehall elders Vernon Maytone and Pampidoo, Tapes (aka Jackson Bailey) drops this new 7” for Astro:Dynamics. "Stripped, sombre, raw, discombobulated digi" (as Honest Jons Records put it) combines with unhinged, chiptune-esque percussion and salty skanks. Released in May 2012, with artwork by Louis Johnstone.






Crackazat - Explanation EP

Ben Jacobs aka Crackazat is an accomplished jazz instrumentalist with a distinct talent for a finely constructed groove, as previously witnessed on remixes for the likes of Rekordah and Dorian Concept's JBSL - along with his contribution to our inaugural various artists compilation. Now Jacobs drops his first solo record, Explanation EP, comprising jazzy deep-house, 80s funk, jazz, and zapped-up beats. Released in March 2012, with artwork by Kate Sherman.

Baron Zen & Tekblazer - Daniel Savio Remixes

Astro:Dynamics meets Stones Throw Records. Two tracks from Baron Zen & Tekblazer's 2011 Electrik Surgery EP get the remix treatment from Sweden's Daniel Savio. Savio’s strutting and swaggering percussion fuses with the golden-era energy of the originals, making this cross-hemisphere link-up the perfect fit. Released in February 2012, with artwork by Liger Vision Media.

El Kid - Snow Amnesia (Samoyed Remix)

Snow Amnesia, a track by by El Kid (aka Sam Kidel), was originally released on the VeElSkSiEdL split tape with Vessel. Here it gets a beat-driven update by another Astro:Dynamics favorite, Samoyed.  Kidel's hissing keys are supplemented by Samoyed's sub-heavy bass and bit-crushed percussion. Released in January 2012, with artwork by Kate Sherman.







GSD / GG Alien - More Pregnancy

Two tracks of sublime weirdness from Louis Johnstone (aka Wanda Group aka Dem Hunger). A split release between two of Johnstone's many aliases, GSD and GG Alien, the tracks combine avant experimentalism in the vein of Power Electronics with spectral Radiophonics. Released in October 2011, with artwork by Louis Johnstone.






Samoyed - Spit EP

Debut EP from Andrew Cook (aka Samoyed). Three original tracks plus a remix from Werk Discs' Lukid. Granular and earthy atmospherics mingle with muted vocals, and stripped back, reverb-drenched percussion. Released in September 2011, with artwork by Andrew Cook.




 

Vessel & Zhou - Tremble / Release Me

Following on from the much praised split EP with Young Echo associate, El Kid, Vessel teams up with two other affiliates of the Bristol-based collective, Zhou, to create a pair of stripped-back downtempo gems that come across like a Bristolian take on Rhythm & Sound-esque minimalism. Released in August 2011, with artwork by Kate Sherman.






Slow Hand Motëm - Vanity Hugs

Nice big slab of weirdo-funk from Canada’s first stalwart of Skweee, Slow Hand Motëm.  Utilizing his vocal and live meandering synth line, Motëm perfectly contrasts the stripped back mechanic 4/4 beat with his unique style and charisma. Backed with a slo-mo acid neck-snapper of a remix from Finland's Mesak. Released in June 2011, with artwork by Jeremy Kenemy.
 
 



Vessel & El Kid - VeElSkSiEdL

From the same Young Echo collective that spawned recent Punch Drunk signing, Kahn, come Bristolian producers Vessel and El Kid for this split cassette EP. Immersive soundscapes combine with broken house rhythms and found sounds. Released in May 2011, with artwork by Kate Sherman, and photography by Lily Fannon.

Various - Astro:Dynamics

The first release on the label is a 16 track compilation, imaginatively titled Astro:Dynamics. Featuring all previously unreleased works by the likes of Lukid, Clause Four, Slugabed, The Blessings, Subeena, Mike Slott and BNJMN, amongst many others. This record serves as a fine introduction to our little section of the universe. Released in June 2010, with artwork by Sirius Berlin.