review rave darragh murray mckisko no anchor charles dugan

May 24

Soundcrane Reviewed in Rave Magazine

This is a lovely review of our compilation by Darragh Murray at Rave Magazine. Thanks!

Given the solidarity of the Brisbane music community during the 2011 Queensland floods, it’s no surprise that local musicians have contributed their time to lend our Japanese friends a hand in their time of need. Soundcrane is a compilation of songs drawn from Japanese culture, including popular music, anime and video games, performed by (mostly) local artists with proceeds going to disaster relief. While this may sound like something that could go horribly wrong, the results are impressive, serving as a great introduction to Japanese music for those not overly familiar. McKisko’s downtempo yet serene cover of the Tenniscoats’ Baibaba Bimba introduces a record covering a wide net of Japanese music, demonstrated when Charles Dugan’s assured cover of One Summer Day from Spirited Away appears not too far from No Anchor’s fierce rendition of Boris’s Rattlesnake. While it’s tricky to summarise all the highlights (though special mention deserves to be made of BigStrongBrute’s stunning cover of Tujiko Noriko’s Call My Name), Soundcrane is such an engaging release it’s difficult to believe that this project was thrown together in such a short period. Highly recommended.

http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/27094/181/


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billion japan fundraiser reconstruction money

May 22

What $184 billion looks like…

Reuters reported yesterday that Japanese the government may need to spend 10 to 15 trillion yen ($184 billion) on reconstruction, according to Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano. (Read the rest here)

This page (on a completely different topic) gives a nice tangible feel to how much money that actually is. Below is a picture of US$191 billion in one dollar notes.

191bill

Holy Jeepers. That’s a lot of money. The little black shapes at the bottom indicate the size of a person and a car.

Things are far from sorted out in Japan, so if you thought about donating before, but then things died down and you thought it’s probably too late to be worthwhile, the picture above hopefully emphasises that it is most certainly not too late.

The good news is, you can donate $15 dollars AND get to enjoy some killer tunes here.


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soundcrane fundraiser topology rob davidson mckisko tiny spiders limited express tenniscoats

May 03

Soundcrane cracks $500! Let’s go for a grand!

All the hard work of our artists is starting to pay off, in the form of real help for Japan. We’ve already raised $550, and I’m pretty sure we can get to $1000.

Thanks to everyone who has bought the compilation, and to those who have helped spread the word.

In addition to this good news, I want to share with you all a little more info on some of the musical genii on this project.

Rob Davidson is the leader and bassist of Topology, a polystylistic quintet based at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Since studying composition with Terry Riley, he’s worked with a big range of artists including Geoffrey Rush, the Brodsky Quartet, Katie Noonan, Steve Reich and Michael Nyman. His music is featured in orchestral concerts, festivals and concerts around the world. He is the head of music composition at the University of Queensland.

For the Soundcrane project, Rob’s interpretation of what constitutes a cover has been easily the most creative and unusual. He’s used audio from His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan’s national address following the earthquake and tsunami disaster.


McKisko

Praised for her abstract lyricism, curious song structures, and entrancing live shows, McKisko’s first album ‘Glorio’ was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. She was invited to provide live accompaniment to the German Expressionist Film ‘Hintertreppe’ at the Gallery of Modern Art, and was awarded the Grant McLennan Fellowship for song writing, sending her to Berlin in 2010. She has shared the bill with Tiny Vipers, Juana Molina, Jose Gonzales, Grand Salvo and Bon Iver, among others.

The last two years have seen her performing through Australia and Europe, most recently with drummer Kurt Read. With Kurt she has laid down a version of Tenniscoats ‘Baibaba Bimba’.

Her second album is scheduled for release in late 2011.


Innez and Cam are Tiny Spiders. They’re not quite sure what the music they make is. It’s somewhere between punk, pop and noise. Sometimes people tell them that it’s weird. Sometimes people say something like ‘that’s… not what I was expecting’. They enjoy playing it anyway. It’s a good workout, keeps them fit. They haven’t been together as a band for very long, playing their first show in late 2010. Their first jam together came about because Ian Rogers, of No Anchor / Iron On fame, decided that he wanted to start up a pop band - the three organised a time to meet up, but Ian couldn’t make it. Innez and Cam started things without him.

Tiny Spiders have prepared a gloriously raw cover of “Halation” by one of Osaka’s crazier groups, Limited Express (Has Gone?).


Ghost In The Shell hazards of swimming naked video

May 02

Hazards of Swimming Naked have made this great video for their Soundcrane contribution!


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soundcrane compilation music fundraiser japan covers

Apr 19

Here it is!

Soundcrane is up and available for purchase!

http://soundcrane.bandcamp.com/

To reiterate, no-one involved with this project is being paid, and every cent you pay goes to the Red Cross disaster relief effort in Japan. And if that’s not enough to make you want to buy it, look at the abundance of talent in the final tracklisting below.

1. McKisko - Baibaba Bimba
Original by Tenniscoats, from Tan-Tan Therapy (Häpna 2007)

2. Hunz - Astroboy
Original from Astroboy TV Series (Tezuka Productions)

3. The Rational Academy - Chew it in a Bite
Original by Salon Music, from Chew it in a Bite (1996)

4. Shem Allen & Chris Perren - Konayuki
Original by Remioromen, from Horizon (Victor Entertainment, 2006)

5. Charles Boat - One Summer Day
Original by Joe Hisaishi, from Spirited Away Soundtrack (Studio Ghibli, 2002)

6. Rob Davidson - The Emperor’s Speech
Original by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan

7. Hazards of Swimming Naked - Making a Cyborg (from Ghost in the Shell)
Original by Kenji Kawai, from Ghost in the Shell Soundtrack (Production I.G. 1995)

8. Robin Boat - Elegy to Betrayal
Original by Nagisa Ni Te, from On The Love Beach (2002, Jagjaguwar)

9. aheadphonehome - Aoharu Youth
Original by Supercar, from High Vision (Ki/oon Records 2002)

10. No Anchor - Rattlesnake
Original by Boris, from Heavy Rocks (Quattro/UK Discs 2002)

11. Secret Killer of Names - 333
Original by Ryoji Ikeda, from Formula (NTT Publishing, 2002)

12. The Holy Cow & Billy Bodean - Genesis
Original by Goth Trad, from Goth-Trad/Silkie (2) - Genesis / Dam 4 Split 12” (Soul Jazz Records 2008)

13. Subsea - Forbidden Colours
Original by Ryuichi Sakamoto, from Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (London Records K.K., 1983)

14. Ed Guglielmino & Chris Perren - Sakuran
Original: by Shiina Ringo, from Heisei Fuuzoku (Toshiba EMI/Virgin Music 2007)

15. Sebu - Aerith’s Theme
Original by Nobuo Uematsu, from Final Fantasy VII Soundtrack (Digicube 1997)

16. Big Strong Brute - Call my name
Original by Tujiko Noriko, from Make Me Hard (Mego, 2001)

17. Mr. Maps - Himitsu Girl’s Top Secret
Original by Zazen Boys, from Himitsu Girl’s Top Secret (Matsuri Studio 2005)

18. Tiny Spiders - Halation
Original: by Limited Express (Has Gone?), from The Best is Coming (Memory Lab, 2007)

19. Lawrence English - Requiem (for String Orchestra) [Reduction]
Original by Toru Takemitsu, from Requiem for String Orchestra (1957)


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the rational academy aheadphone sebu supercar salon music final fantasy nobuo uematsu HelpJapan

Apr 14

Some More Excellent Contributors

Today’s episode takes us through the underbelly of Brisbane independent music, with experimental pop stalwarts The Rational Academy, pioneers of the lofly Hangar scene aheadphonehome, and sonic explorer Sebu.


The Rational Academy are a noise/pop band based in Brisbane, Australia active since 2004. After a slew of 7” vinyl EP’s and compilation appearances they released their debut album in 2008 to international acclaim. Produced by Lawrence English, “A Heart Against Your Own” married the Academy’s pop leanings and guitar heavy approach with avant garde and experimental interests. In 2009 they released their sophomore effort “Swans”, embarked on their first international tour to Japan and were awarded “Best New Music / Experimental” at the QMusic QSong awards where they were also nominated for “Song of the Year”.

They have shared stages with a diverse array of groups including Deerhunter, Deerhoof, Mum, Xiu Xiu, Tujiko Noriko, Tenniscoats, Beach House, The Blow, Scout Nibblet, Dear Nora, Grouper & Spoon. In 2008 they were invited by the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art to perform as part of their “Andy Warhol” exhibition program.
The Rational Academy grace Soundcrane with a cover of the beautifully noisy “Chew it in a Bite” by Salon Music.


aheadphonehome

aheadphonehome is a Brisbane band who play otherworldly indie/kraut/post rock songs. Recently expanded to a four piece, ahph features Pete Maclean on the guitar, Chris Perren (Mr. Maps) on bass, Brendan Mawn on the drumkit and Phillip Laidlaw on guitar, electonics and vocals.

The first aheadphonehome album, 2007’s “in the static” was a beautiful, layered weave of fuzzed out, cut up vocals, organ and guitars, with handmade beats, and samples culled from op shop vinyl and radio intercepts. Critically lauded, it set the aheadphonehome tone – a commitment to finding new ways to create an immersive world of sound.

The expanded line up is currently completing the strange and powerful new album “Dream Reverb”, for a May 2011 release.

For Soundcrane, aheadphonehome give their take on a Aoharu Youth, from Japan’s long-standing kings of electronically-tinted indie rock, Supercar.

Sebu is a spacefunk ambassador who draws inspiration from the golden age of soulful electronic music - oldschool electro, Detroit techno and boogie funk. His DJ sets aim to tell a story, not showcase a genre. He has been quietly working away at creating a digital/organic twist on the delicate melancholy of Nobuo Uematsu’s “Aeris’ Theme” from Final Fantasy VII.


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shem allen skinny jean chris perren mr maps matt oneill the holy cow billy bodean ed guglielmino remioromen goth trad shiina ringo

Apr 12

Team, team, team.

We are in the final furlong of production for Soundcrane and we are looking to release it to the world by the beginning of next week.

In the meantime, this project has brought some unusual collaborations out of the woodwork, proving that musicians can indeed play nice and get along. Here are a few of the teams striving to exceed the sum of their parts for your listening pleasure.

Shem Allen plays in Skinny Jean and Little Scout. Chris Perren plays in Mr. Maps and Aheadphonehome. They’ve collaborated previously on the Wicky Massive, early Mr. Maps material, and Skinny Jean’s “A Blessing” from Dolce Doggerel.

For soundcrane they are taking on the J-Rock mega hit “Konayuki” by Remioromen.

(Photo above by Mem Rynne)


The Holy Cow is multidisciplinary artist Matt O’Neill. Billy Bodean is journeyman musician Fergus Scott. Cumulatively, the pair’s work encompasses everything from breakbeat and the avant-garde to folk-pop and reggae. For Soundcrane, the two have decided to combine their considerable talents to drastically overhaul Tokyo dubstep luminary Goth-Trad’s seminal ‘Genesis’ single.

Ed Guglielmino is a Brisbane singer-songwriter whose quirky sound draws on rock, pop, folk and noise. For soundcrane, Ed has teamed up with Chris Perren to cover the soulful “Sakuran” by Shiina Ringo.


japan helpjapan soundcrane recovery

Apr 10

One month later…

It’s been a month since the earthquake, and in Japan the recovery is only just beginning. It may not be on the news anymore, but things are still looking pretty grim around the devastated areas of Northern Japan.

These photos give an insight into how things are looking a month after the quake.

The media focus has mainly been on the nuclear disaster, which is obviously a huge and terrifying problem. But aside from this, hundreds of thousands of people still have no stable place to live, and there are still tens of thousands missing. (read more)

Demountable housing has been created to accommodate some of the displaced families, but at the moment there is only room for 1 in 50 applicants. (read more)

The media may have largely moved on, but the clean-up in Japan is only just beginning.

Back at home, the tracks are coming in for the Soundcrane compilation, and they are sounding awesome! We will be mastering this week with the help of the talented and generous Andrei Maberley, and I think we will be ready to release by the end of the week, so stay tuned!

Thanks to all of the artists on Soundcrane for helping out, and thank you in advance to those who buy this compilation. None of the artists or producers involved with this project have been paid, and there’s no staff or marketing budget to cover, so you can be sure that every cent that you spend on Soundrane will go towards rebuilding lives in Japan.


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no anchor hazards of swimming naked noise drone soundcrane boris ghost in the shell

Apr 05

Soundcrane: The Dark Side…

Today we introduce the heavy side of Soundcrane. Two artists who sculpt beauty from white noise and fuzz, and are best listened to at window-rattling volume.

No Anchor are a crushingly weighty trio of noise-makers from Brisbane, making intense drone/noise/rock music reminiscent of the Melvins and Fugazi. They’ve been around since 2008 and over their 3 releases have forged a reputation for awesome artwork and packaging, hugely epic recordings, and overwhelming live shows.

They expose some of their roots for us at Soundcrane, tipping their hats to Boris - the Japanese kings of avant-garde noise rock.

hazards of swimming naked are a very loud instrumental guitar group of rural beginnings. Ominous and lush with equal parts harmony and discord, their live  performances surge from cinematic expanse to visceral intimacy.

They will attempt to unleash the reserved savagery and austere beauty of Kenji Kawai’s themes from Ghost in the Shell.


soundcrane lawrence english hunz the boat people japan earthquake fundraising

Mar 30

Meet some contributors

This is shaping up to be a pretty excellent compilation, with some really talented artists jumping on board. Over the next couple of weeks, in the lead-up to Soundcrane’s release, I hope to introduce some of the characters involved. For today’s installment, meet Lawrence English, Hunz, and The Boat People.

Lawrence English

Lawrence English is a Brisbane-based & world-renowned artist and curator. In amongst running the successful experimental music label ROOM40 and his newer avant-pop label someonegood, Lawrence creates compelling textural music using electronics, field recordings and various other sources.

He is contributing an exclusive track to soundcrane - a cover of Toru Takemitsu’s majestic Requiem for Strings, but with an unmistakably Lawrence English take.

Hunz is a Brisbane-based purveyor of epic and often dark electronic rock. At the helm is Hans Van Vliet, talented composer, producer, vocalist, animator, and former legend of the 90s online tracker music scene. Bass and drums are delivered by Phil Evans and Richie Young, making a tight three-piece that drill out consistently amazing live shows.

Hunz also operates as “7bit hero” - an equally excellent chip-tunes project.

Soundcrane isn’t sure whether we’re gonna have something from Hunz or from 7bit hero, but either way you should probably brace yourself for a hunzicated version of one of your favourite childhood TV shows. Rocket Boots may or may not be involved.

For Brisbanites, not much needs to be said of The Boat People. They have been on the indie pop scene since 2000, making clever indie music which has garnered them critical acclaim and international attention. Across 3 albums, 4 EPs, and 10 singles, the Boaties have changed their sound considerably along the way, but quality songwriting and killer musicianship characterizes the whole catalogue.

The Boaties will be reworking a tune by Japanese Psych-folk-rock duo Nagisa Ni Te. It can’t possibly go wrong. I can’t wait.

A huge thank you to Lawrence, Hunz, and the Boaties for giving their time and talents.

Follow this tumblr account to get more updates on soundcrane and find out more about the artists who are giving their time to help out Japan. Alternatively, you can find us on facebook if that is more your thing. If you are an artist and you’d like to get involved by covering a Japanese composition, get in touch via chrisperren [at] gmail [dot] com. Don’t wait around though - the deadline for tracks is April 10, 2011.