Blueprint: a plan, a model, a template.
Over the past 10 years 12k has established itself as a label on the forefront of minimalist music and has become home to some of the most important artists of the genre. It is label that time and time again has not been afraid to release debut albums from new artists, drawing on the new energy they interject into both the scene and the label.
With the release of Blueprints, 12k presents 2 tracks each from 6 artists new to its roster and showcases some of the new sounds and influences that will carry the label into its 10th year (2007). The artists on Blueprints span the globe and offer a variety of sound that both compliments and expands on the style that 12k has become known for.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: (US)
Christmas Decorations’ recordings tread a fine line between organic and electronic, experimental and rock music. These tracks move away from the structured songs of their debut Model 91 (Kranky, 2002), with a more open-ended exploration of order and time. Their forthcoming full length album Communal Rust (community library, 2006) explores ideas somewhere between the two.
SEAWORTHY: (AU)
A three piece collective that revolves around core member Cameron Webb as well as Sam Shinazzi and Greg Bird, was formed in early 2000. Their compositions often blur the lines of conventional categorisation with elements traditionally considered part of “indie” or “post” rock blended with processed musical and field recordings usually associated with electronic artists. Instruments and samples are often looped through amps and effects pedals, giving the sound an organic feel. Avoiding the muscular approach of loud/soft dynamics, Seaworthy concentrate on subtle shifts in melody, tone and texture to convey a sense of time and place.
As well as releasing limited edition material (CDRs & lathe-cut 7”s) themselves, Seaworthy have worked with many local and overseas labels including Feral Media (Australia), Black Lodge Audio (Australia), Celebrate Psi Phenomenon (New Zealand), Misplaced Music (UK), 555 (UK), Marino (US) and Fat Cat (UK). Seaworthy’s Map in Hand (12k1040) cd is being released simultaneously with Blueprints in the autumn of 2006 on 12k .
AUTISTICI: (UK)
Autistici creates audio narratives exploring the interchange between sound and space. Space in this context includes the subjective response within the listener’s head, where reflection and fantasy serve to bring personal meaning to the experience. Autistici’s music incorporates a wide range of sources and inspirations including obsessional microsounds, textural orchestration, near silence and field recordings. Autistici has released tracks on labels such as Audiobulb Records, Hippocamp and Kikapu.
JODI CAVE: (UK)
Jodi Cave is a sound artist from West Yorkshire, UK. He was first introduced to electronics whilst studying composition, and has since gone to learn computing at the Ircam in Paris. Jodi is currently exploring the potentials of home-made, MaxMSP based software, to extend, augment and re-contextualize acoustic sound in composed works and improvised performance. He has full-length CD forthcoming on 12k in the beginning of 2007.
PJUSK: (NO)
Pjusk is a project from Bergen, Norway consisting of two musicians and one graphic designer. They create an electronic sound that is deep, dark and pulsing that evokes a narrative and sense of other-wordliness.
LEO ABRAHAMS: (UK)
Leo Abrahams is a London-based composer and guitarist. He has collaborated with artists including Brian Eno, David Holmes, Ed Harcourt and Paul Simon, and released two solo albums: Honeytrap (Just Music, 2005) and Scene Memory (Bip_Hop, 2006). Using a laptop to process his guitar in real time, he creates music which contains elements of folk, electronica and contemporary classical.
