Cyclic Defrost Magazine

Darshan Ambient – From Pale Hands To Weary Skies (Lotuspike)

Posted: 07 Jan 2009 09:52 PM CST

darshan
Michael Allison (Darshan Ambient) is no slouch, having been through musical incarnations as 'singer and bassist for groups such as Nona Hendryx & Zero cool, China shop, Richard Hell and the Voidoids and his own group empty house.'

No matter if you think of certain characteristics of the ambient/electronic field being awash with wafty and New Agey music that often has the effect of sonic wallpaper, inoffensive home décor for people who like to perform yoga and eat health food, it still has made a significant impact and share of the audience. That is if we were to don our hat as cultural observer, cynic and market analyst. Certainly this can be how From Pale Hands To Weary Skies comes across.

'Darshan is a Sanskrit Hindu term meaning sight or a glimpse of the divine'. Definitely there is a signpost here, as language can indicate an idea and art can locate and give pictorial reference to the idea, the encapsulation of the idea and that which stands behind or seeks expression through the idea. That which is totally abstracted cannot be truly found in the material expression of the abstraction, merely signpost. On this reading you could even ask yourself then why am I reading a reading of a glimpse when the suggestion is all articulations are mere failed attempts. Well you have to do something or at least try to gain insight and convey meaning it is called communication, who/what/how of the communication is a question that has made the best minds into fools.

Musically From Pale Hands To Weary Skies is full of beatific melodies and syth chords, reverbed piano and choral washes. It can plonk and whaft along at times but has moments of busy tabla and slight glitch sharp staccato rhythm. It is precise, tight and studied which may sound contradictory but akin to the surrealist art of Yves Tanguy from which it draws inspiration, technical accomplishment and abstract formlessness are not the contradiction that they may appear. It may not be cutting or bleeding edge electronicia but it is beautifully crafted by a skilled musician who remains true to a musical life.

Innerversitysound

“Wow Stina!” - Extended Playlist 050109 - www.2ser.com 107.3FM

Posted: 06 Jan 2009 11:46 PM CST

Starting off with an unusually dancefloor-friendly Diamanda Galás piece (a remix, no less), we catch up on a number of releases that have recently arrived in our crates, including the new Faux Pas EP and a 7inch EP on love is my velocity split between The Tigers and Stina (Thomas, of Meupe fame). We go gaga over Stina. Stina rocks! Hard!!

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Coming up Nextended - Monday 12 January 09
“Born To Be Precious” - Metal Special! We open the doors to our secret METAL workshop. Busy hammer sickle anvil clang clang! Think iron filings and silver linings, think lead feet and solid gold!

More themes at your leisure, please, to extendedplay@2ser.com.
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Diamanda Galás with John Paul Jones - Hex (La Diabla Mix)
("Do You Take This Man?" single - 1994, Mute)

Aboriginal Voices - Automatic
("Aboriginal Voices" 12inchEP - 1982, R.F.)

Daedelus - Make It So (featuring Michael Johnson)
("Love To Make Music To" - 2008, Ninja Tune)

Robert Wyatt & Bertrand Burgalat - This Summer Night
("This Summer Night" single - 2008, Domino)

Milanese - Caramel Cognac
("Plan μ" compilation - 2008, Planet Mu)

Pole - Alles klar
("Round Black Ghosts" compilation - 2008, ~scape)

Grace Jones - Corporate Cannibal
("Hurricane" - 2008, Wall Of Sound)

Ursula Bogner - Begleitung für Tuba
("Recordings 1969-1988" - 2008, Faitiche) (recorded 1982)

Giant Paw - Feral
("The Stars Are Ours" EP - 2008, Feral Electronics)

Magnétophone - …And May Your Last Words Be A Chance To Make Things Better
("…And May Your Last Words Be A Chance To Make Things Better" 7inch - 2005, 4AD)

Monade - Un secret sans importance
("Monade/Scott Bond (split)" 7inchEP - 1996, The Apartment)

Stina - Apple Of Mine
Stina - Only Two
("Stina/The Tigers (split)" 7inchEP - 2008, love is my velocity) #

Luxuria - Redneck
("Redneck" 7inch - 1987, Beggars Banquet)

Faux Pas - Rose’s Lament (Remix of Inquiet - Rose Rose)
("Waterfalls EP" web release - 2008, www.iamfauxpas.com) #

Tunng - Shove It
("Teaism - Music Inspired By The Culture Of Tea" compilation - 2008, Static Caravan)

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