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[ parvoart ] recordings: a microlabel and publisher based in the german baltic sea port of wismar. for an explanation of the name, take your pick between a poorly disguised anagram in homage to fellow baltic artist arvo pärt, or the latin for ‘small’ art. with minimal resources, the label is concentrating on releases in four main genres – microsound / ambient, contemporary classical, dub-flavoured techno and old-skool post-rock / slowcore.
the label defines itself in two important ways: firstly through a unified design aesthetic based around duncan ó ceallaigh’s photographic and design work and secondly through the use of the mini-album / ep on 3” cd as its basic format.
[ parvoart ] can also be found elsewhere on the 'net - click on any of the following sites:
facebook
virb
last.fm
bandcamp
our releases listed below can be purchased here directly using paypal
or at
cd baby (portland, OR, usa)
minimamedia (berlin, germany) and
microsuoni (Murio Siena, italy)
a-musik (cologne, germany) (click on the shop name and you'll be redirected).
available now:
various artists - [ parvo ] art 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 007
porzellan ~ vopar tar
tomas phillips + marihiko hara ~ prosa II
rim ~ here are gold mines
krzysztof orluk ~ blind man
duncan ó ceallaigh ~ re-fit
based on steinbrüchel’s recording «pas(s)t» synchron sync004
shinkei ~ joriki
the boats ~ george herbert leigh mallory
"the meaning of the word friend took a serious blow when the social networking site myspace decided to call contacts made there ‘friends’, irrespective of whether the contact in question is indeed your best mate from school or a highly successful chart act – let’s say coldplay - with over half a million similar acquaintances. [ parvoart ] recordings, with just 700 contacts at the time of writing, has a hard time maintaining any meaningful relationship with any more than fraction of them, which has sort of bothered us (along with the associated devaluation of the language and meaning of words) . it bothered us enough to think about how to buck the trend, if only in a small way. [ parvo ] art is the result.
[ parvo ] art (latin for small art, in german kleinkunst) is [ parvoart ]’s first compilation, and features – as you might have guessed by now – friends on the [ parvoart ] myspace page whose music we also ‘discovered’ there. as our seventh release, it seemed a good idea to feature seven artists, each with just under three and half minutes playing time. the ‘small’ concept can refer to the amount of time given to the artists, their sound, the number of instruments / textures used or any combination thereof.
whereas the first batch of releases from [ parvoart ] only featured artists from wismar, germany. it is a great pleasure to showcase both new and established talent from the microsound / lowercase / ambient scene from the US, UK, japan, france, germany, poland, italy and (indirectly) switzerland and ireland "
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
john r. carlson - foresight 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 006
forthcoming
persevere
"foresight marks the american-born, wismar, germany based composer and pianist’s third outing for
[ parvoart ] recordings and completes a conceptual triptych of improvised works that included in november and recollections. the latter release saw the inclusion of long-standing musical partner oliver sonntag on drums and percussion on two tracks – a role he reprises to greater effect on this release, bringing more structure and rhythmic density to the two extended pieces featured on the EP - each of which clocks in over 10 minutes - than we have been hitherto used to from john’s work. the regular pulse and use of repeated motifs that slowly vary melodically and rhythmically recalls the minimalism of john adams and steve reich, which john and oliver have combined with simplified chord structures that won’t be completely unfamiliar to rock/pop audiences. the result is a more muscular sound than the more overtly romantic overtones on the previous two releases, although not abandoning a melodic sensibility that is trademark of john’s composition. john’s sense of playfulness and optimism also remains, as witnessed by the snippet of irish folk melody that forms the very final musical stanza on this release, and not least in the choice of track / EP titles.
once again it is worth emphasising that these recordings are in effect live in every sense – spontaneous improvisations recorded in one take. it is testament to the musical prowess of the two musicians involved that one might well be mistaken for thinking some sort of structure had been discussed prior to pressing the ‘record’ button. this was not the case, and as such the rhythmic and dynamic empathy on display is all the more astounding. this session was so successful that a new, as yet unnamed duo project has been founded and we can all look forward to the debut recordings later in the year. but until then we can be more than content with this latest offering."
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
stephen spera - 4 {H2O} 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 005
chalk white sea
ocean, boy, sky
even as we spin
troubled dreams of beauty
"for most of us, a highlight in our memories of childhood is often feature a trip to the seaside. although new york-based sound artist stephen spera’s first release for [ parvoart ] 4 {H2O} is ostensibly dedicated to the life sustaining substance (the dhmo.org hoax notwithstanding), the aged blue-green photography, dream-like production and track titles point more to a homage to the memory of those childhood seaside excursions.
using a full array of production techniques with everything from old tape decks and analogue effects and
devices to the most cutting edge software, stephen immerses us in a melange of field recordings, aquatic piano and hazy tones and melodies that very effectively evokes both the blurry reverie and sometimes unsettling disorientation dreams or memories involving water often contain.
the aural tapestry stephen has created is certainly worthy of brian eno’s definition of ambient music – superficial enough to serve as a pleasant backdrop, but rich enough in detail to make deep listening worthwhile.
"
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
van der papen - majestic 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 004
april
30483
uvea
review:
"... Twin siblings Ronald and Christoph Lonkowsky’s interest in euphonic ambient techno started after a friend of theirs, Duncan ó Ceallaigh, lent them records by the likes of Gas and Yagya. Immersed in the deep and heavy sounds of these seminal albums, the brothers married this with their love of soundtrack composers such as Angelo Badalamenti and Harry Gregson Williams and Van Der Papen was born.
Van Der Papen have clearly studied those aforementioned records, the influence of Wolfgang Voigt is prevalent throughout, particularly notable in the soaring, layered synth work on each of the three compositions featured. Though, dismissing this record as a blatant carbon copy would be wrong, as the Lonkowsky brothers use their grounding in chillout, club and noise to add their own spin on proceedings.
Immediately noticeable on this recording is, the comforting, velvety production job. Right from the first few seconds Van Der Papen shroud everything in a blanket of whispering vinyl crackle and surface noise, fashioning a woozy, tranquil ambience throughout each piece...
Though their approach is streamlined, Van Der Papen at least attempt to forgo the traditional dynamics of this genre. Of course, this Ep features all the expected hallmarks of an ambient techno release, from the gliding, glissando synth work, submersed, aquatic basslines and rhythms of looped beats. They still, however, manage to carve out their own unique niche in a saturated genre – and for that I commend them.
Michael Henaghan @ Angry Ape
>>> last two copies available from a-musik in cologne <<<
john r carlson - recollections 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 003
Remembrance
Elegie
Fragrance
Mediate
Recollections Of Emily
"Our second round for Parvo Art, second 3"mcd and yes, second good release... This American musician really reminded of Keith Jarrett's "Koln concert" style hybridized with some Satie and why not, Riley when playing piano. Due to its extremely simple nature this effort also bring to mind some music appositely written for children and I'm expressively thinking to Bela Bartok; sometimes I've happen to think it's a pity these tracks have no vocals and just minimal arrangements, since it could have enriched the global listening, it could have been not that far from the solo work of Mark Hollis just way less narcoleptic and less melancholic but it's not that hard to imagine his vocals on a such a good texture. Forget electronics and ambient meant a la Eno, but if minimal satiesque piano doesn't leave you unmoved that's for you."
Andrea Ferraris @ chain DLK
original review here
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
john r. carlson - in november 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 002
Silk
Flagrant Deep
Gone And Went
November's End
Epiphany
"...Five unedited improvisations on a grand piano in a room with a very nice, crisp acoustic. Ranging from just over two minutes to eight and a half, American-born Carlson..s pieces are all very pretty and witty, optimistic narratives which do more to ward off the November chills that attempt to recreate them (that task is ably accomplished by the sombre landscape photography gracing the back and front covers by label partner ó Ceallaigh).
Carlson is in my mind some improviser - the skill and symmetry with which each number is designed and executed would lead the uninformed to believe them fully composed before the soloist took his seat. Carlson is thinking his way several steps ahead of what he is playing at all times, seeing the whole picture in his head. This tiny perfect album is available through www.parvoart.org"
Stephan Fruitman @ sonomu
original review here
'In November', a suite of five compositions recorded on a vintage 1903 grand piano without second takes or studio-trickery, ebbs and flows spectacularly, serenading from a comforting solitude to animated dramas, while covering everything else in between ... His music is, of course, channeled and highly focused... Resplendent harmonics clash with notes doused in a somnolent intimacy, as wintry grays blend seamlessly with crisp, autumnal textures and a variety of colours and emotions.
There’s a discernable sense of flow throughout this recording, exuding beauty as well as suspense, with Carlson proving to be adept at controlling the tension/release of each piece. More impressive is his virtuosic performance on 'In November', it stamps an indelible authority over a style of music that often sounds identikit, while retaining a rich, emotional depth.."
Michael Henaghan @ Angry Ape
original review here
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
duncan ó ceallaigh - esr 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 001
Ecclesia Semper Reformanda
Spatial
Steel String + Static
Perpetuum Mobile
"from the elegantly paced, lilting geometry of “ecclesia...”, to the visceral, needle-sharp textural backing and finely sketched washes, this disc wouldnt be out of place next to the great mr {alva} noto - a very nice piece of work indeed, a worthy release and a label that deserves your attention. Go buy."
bgn @ WHITE_LINE 30.03.2008
original review here
"ó Ceallaigh’s sound is a collection of close-knit textures, processed instrumentation and fuzzy crackles, chirps and clicks. coupled with the smart packaging complete with his own photo artwork, “Ecclesia..” is a breezy affair, as poignant as a bright flower blooming amidst a drab cluster of weeds.."
Michael Henaghan @ Angry Ape
original review here
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
'distant voices, still lives' 3" CD EP u-cover records u-cdm19
place your order here
Out Of Darkness
Finnmark
The Sea And The Sand
Watching, Waiting
Low Across Dawn Waters
Sábhaílte
"Duncan Ó Ceallaigh has released here a quite amazing mini-album from Belgium’s U-Cover. Starting with ‘Stars of the Lid’ -like, harmonic-majestic soundscapes via latently noisy lo-fi tracks where the tension derives mainly from shifts in the [component] layers onto an electro-acoustic jewel by the name of ‘Watching, Waiting’ - whose glockenspiel and gently plucked guitar wistfully long again for the early days of labels such as Karaoke Kalk - this CD (besides its somewhat slender playing time) caters to all desires."
Blumberg **** DE:Bug 30.01.2008
original review (in german) here
"... Ó Ceallaigh creates six electro-acoustic settings that are closer in spirit to 12k than Boltfish. Subtle processing treatments and textural flourishes dominate meditative material such as “Out of Darkness” and the string-heavy evocation “Low Across Dawn Waters” while “The Sea and the Sand” and “Sábhaílte” exude a hymnal quality reminiscent of Stars Of The Lid. Providing a change of pace, pretty keyboard, acoustic guitar, and glockenspiel melodies grace the more song-based ballad “Watching, Waiting.” Ó Ceallaigh's twenty-three-minute release impresses throughout."
rob schepper, textura.org 01.05.2008
original review here
'winter in wismar', A5 photo book, 75 pages, € 9,90
see some of the photos in the gallery.
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