Interview with Don Hassler

An interview with Don Hassler

You have a new release out with Ross Healy how did that come about?

I think posting audio files on a sharing site created an opportunity for a long distance friendship and collaboration. I think the work has less to do with the music, rather our mutual love of new music in general.

And you both have never met each other in the real world?

Sadly, no…

I like the way the album is 2 solo performances put together to form a new recording. Did you both work out what to play and when?

On my end, I was just collecting recordings and calling them pieces after naming them. I think we did go back and forward a little, but in the end, it was cut and paste.

What got you into electronic music?

Probably Switched On Bach. I was really into music as early as I can remember. The synthesizer was just too magical to resist.

Your use of the Buchla is fantastic on this new release, you seem to have a great understanding of the synthesizer. Your first solo release also on VICMOD Records, was all EMS Synthi AKS. Do you have different uses and approaches for each synth?

I’m not so sure I would claim to have a great understanding of synthesizers, more I think I just love to work with them. My approach is the same with each; I treat them like a radio. I just try to find stuff with them.

Do you perform solo live or with others?

If what I do can be called performing, then yes, sometimes. I’ve worked a lot with Jason Butcher. He’s amazing, and it has been a wonderful privilege. I’ve also with Dick Robinson, who has been working in electronic music since 1964!

Thanks for your time Don

Metal by CRAY

Metal by Cray
Just knocked this together in 10 minutes started playing with just the 261e and Strymon El Capistan then added a bit more. Sounds like a guitar but I dont own one, don't even like the things.

4 min track here http://soundcloud.com/cray5656/metal-by-the-virtual-fuqwits

VICMOD Healy Hassler improv modular madness!

VICMOD is pleased to release .......Modular synth improv at its finest!
Healy/Hassler
Degenerate Stimuli Much Notification
VMDL04

Ross Healy- Serge Modular, EMS Synthi AKS. Recorded Amnesia International, Mobile Unit 1, Melbourne Australia.
Don Hassler - Buchla 200e recorded at home USA.

Don Hassler and Ross Healy have been involved with electronic music for over 3 decades.
Through communications online, via electronic music forums, the two became friends and started to share recordings.
Ross decided to mix Don’s solo Buchla recordings with his own solo Serge/ EMS tracks and that is what you hear today!

Don Hassler, Atlanta, Georgia.
Born 1960 Ohio, USA
30 years of abstract electronic music and sound art.
Performed in free improvisation group Accidents Of Culture in the early 80's.
Created site specific sound sculptures.
Helped develop and taught experimental sound class at now defunct Atlanta College of Art.

Ross Healy, Melbourne, Australia.
Born 1968 Melbourne, Australia.
Has been recording and releasing albums around the globe since 1990 under many artist names and styles.
Ross’ most recent artist name is Cray.
His music has appeared in the odd TV commercial in Japan, TV shows and web pages.
Ross is the co- founder of VICMOD and VICMOD Records.

You can purchase a VICMOD Subscription for US$25 and get a years 12 releases ( one new release a month) plus the entire back catalogue!

Or

purchase individual releases at US$5 for a digital download.

purchase here

Interview with Ryou Oonishi

Interview with Ryou Oonishi

You have an interesting new release, 7in 45 out on VICMOD Records, the second release within 25 years, please tell us about it and why have you remained so quiet?

I was stalked by the guys at VICMOD a year ago and they told me they loved my cassette release of 7in45, from back in the 80’s. They wanted to re-release it but I wasn’t so interested in releasing it again, I was shocked that anyone had heard it or even remembered it.! I did suggest that I would make a modern day version of it and they were happy with that. The new version isn’t so far removed from its origin.

I have remained quiet musically because I have been away from the planet for a long time, and I had to relearn many things.

What do you mean?

I lost my mind and was institutionalised for about 10 years. I use to believe that I had been stuck between frames of consciousness, on a different plane, I think you would say. I am ok now but only wanted to do this as an experiment.

Can you tell us what equipment you used on the original cassette version and what you are using now.

I had great fun with my equipment back in the day, mostly Roland gear, System 100, Space Echo, tape machines, test oscillators, field recordings and a Sequential Circuits Drumtracks that I use to trigger sounds from tape.

Today I just use a computer running Linux with some home made programs, an editing program, Moog Voyager, turntable and the original recording from cassette.

You say you make your own programs, can you tell us what they are?

Just some time shifting, warping of sound stuff. I don’t really want to talk about the equipment too much, it is very personal.

When you originally recorded 7in45 you were trying to create an atmosphere. I find both recordings to be quite dream like, surreal. I feel as though I am sitting on a hill watching time go by.

I was just trying to create what I could hear in my mind, memories of old Japan etc. I did want to create sound poems with field recordings looping and tone melodies.

Can we expect to hear anymore releases from you?

I don’t know, I am happy with this work. Maybe in another 25 years I will recreate it again!

VICMOD Records new year 12 new releases

VICMOD RECORDS is starting the new year with the promise of a new release each month. We are offering a US$25 subscription for a full years releases and with the subscription you get access to our back catalogue. The other option is to pay US$5 per release.

The first release for the year is by Japanese man of mystery RYOU OONISHI.

The original version of Ryou's- 7 in 45 was release in limited quantities back in the mid 80's on cassette only. We finally managed to track down Ryou and ask him if we could release his cassette.
He wasnt so interested in releasing the original recordings but did say he would recreate the original with the equipment he currently has.
How could we say no!

Listen/ purchase to 7 in 45 via VICMOD Records web page
February release will be between Don Hassler and Ross Healy.

Kyma outbreak

Having fun with Kyma, my first week

Top 12 of 2010

Top 12 releases of 2010

Autechre - Oversteps (Warp)

Mark Fell - Ul8 (Mego)

Marcus Schmickler - Palace of Marvels - Queered Pitch (Mego)

Night Slugs - Night Slugs All stars Vol 1 (Night Slugs)

Mount Kimbie - Crooks and Lovers (Hotflush Recordings)

Hecker – 3 Track (Mego)

Robin Fox – Handful of Automation (Mego)

Sam Prekop – Old Punch Card (Thrill Jockey)

Charanjit Singh – 10 Ragas to a disco beat(Bombay Connection)

Atom TM – Mole C (Rather Interesting)

Ben Vida - Patchwork (Autumn Records)

Merzbow _ Merzbient 12 CD box ( Solimoon)