Back in 2003 I wrote an essay for The Wire’s ‘Epiphanies’ section. The piece detailed my high-school encounter with a bootleg cassette compilation of Japanese noise stitched together by RRRecords. It was published in their April issue (coverboys: Autechre). Here’s an except:
The RRR cassette was polarising, but it was also personal and fragile; and I had the sense that if I didn’t listen closely, it might pass unnoticed. I knew nothing about these groups, but it was obvious that an individual with photocopier access and a dual cassette deck could make a substantial difference in their world. This scene had a tangible scale. It stood within grasp, which suggested that I could actively participate in music – any music, especially the weird stuff – rather than remain a well-informed consumer.
…and here’s a PDF of the entire article.
really nice piece, I might have to jam some Masonna later.
Wow, that’s a blast from the past. I remember reading that article when it first came out – I’m ashamed to admit that it was the first time I realised you weren’t actually Catalonian. Intrigued by the quote from the Australian guy at the end of the article. I’ve been living in Japan for a while now, and the noise scene is still very much alive – what’s perplexing is that the younger performers seldom do anything that the older guys (Incapacitants, Astro, Pain Jerk, etc.) can’t do better. It’s weird that music so abrasive could end up feeling almost nostalgic – the same thing’s happened with most of the PSF heavy psych crowd.
Btw, are you ever planning on heading back here?
i specifically remember this article — it’s a good one.
nice job man!