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[ parvoart ] recordings: a microlabel and publisher based in the german baltic sea port of wismar. check our website parvoart.org for more about us. we 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 these addresses;
cd baby (portland, OR, usa)
discogs.com
a-musik (cologne, germany) (click on the shop name and you'll be redirected).
available now:
duncan ó ceallaigh - psalms 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 009
117
22
139
in the same week as [ parvoart ] label ‘boss’ (and tea boy and everything in between) duncan ó ceallaigh released his third EP psalms 4AD band the mountain goats released the life of the world to come, both of which share a somewhat unusual premise – all the tracks on both releases are named after passages in the bible. that’s probably just about where the similarities end however, for while john darnielle bases his songs on “twelve hard lessons the bible taught me, kind of“, ó ceallaigh attempts to convey sentiments expressed in king david’s lyrics in a more elliptical, abstract manner.
the inspiration for this approach comes from an artist outside of the musical idiom that ó ceallaigh has admired for some time – japanese american painter makoto fujimura. almost uniquely, fujimura has tackled religious, and more specifically christian, themes in the visual realm using a blend of abstract expressionism and traditional nihonga styles. “his art, while largely abstract, is never remote or cold. rather, it always brushes against the edge of mystery, inviting us in, asking us to trust that there is order behind chaos, grace behind pain.“ this key inspirational quote about his work became the yardstick to which psalms aspired.
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
van der papen - path 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 008
eisenbahn
signpost
london
majestic, van der papen’s debut EP on [ parvoart ] recordings was all about wide, open spaces, the …ahem… majestic sweep of it’s vangelis-via-GAS synth pads evoking any number of northerly landscapes, whether it be tundra, forest, ice floe or fjord. for their sophomore release paths however, van der papen have gone urban, delivering three slow burning tracks that soundtrack the city at every level – from above and below as well as at street level. this is not to say however that elements vital to what made majestic an aesthetic success are not present and correct here – amidst the hiss and vinyl crackle, the driving sub bass grooves and subdued yet driving percussion continue to underpin a rich but nuanced palette of dubbed-out textures. but new to the mix are the use of field recordings (if recording one of germany’s main railway stations can be considered a ‘field’!) and rhythmic elements and samples from other genres as far apart as bossanova and dubstep.
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
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
"All told, an appealing set that covers a lot of stylistic ground in a mere twenty-three minutes." (www.textura.org)
€6,50 (excluding shipping)
john r. carlson - foresight 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 006
forthcoming
persevere
"Different in character from the other two releases for being improvised (wholly spontaneous improvisations recorded in a single take, in fact), Foresight features two long pieces by US-born and Wismar, Germany-based composer and pianist John R Carlson. The three-inch CD completes a trilogy Carlson's recorded for Parvoart (In November and Recollections the others). As occurred on the preceding release, Foresight pairs Carlson with drummer Oliver Sonntag but the results this time sound just as conducive to a piano lounge bar or London pub as a formal conservatory setting. “Forthcoming” is by turns bluesy and pensive, and playful and rollicking, with Sonntag following Carlson's every twist and turn and abrupt shifts in direction. Towards the end of the thirteen-minute piece, the duo work up the kind of muscular rhythmic steam that'll get listeners moving whether they're naturally inclined to do so or not. “Perservere” [sic] carries on without a pause separating the two pieces, with Carlson sprinkling repetitive showers of raindrops over Sonntag's cymbal patterns. The pianist's elegant playing is both uptempo and unfailingly melodic, despite the emphasis on motorik pulsation." (www.textura.org)
€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
"4 {H2O}, NY-based sound artist Stephen Spera's contribution to Parvoart's catalogue, intermixes themes of memory and aquatics. Spera uses a broad array of production methods and resources—old tape decks, field recordings, analogue effects, software—to produce multi-layered ambient settings that both evoke childhood afternoons by the seaside (a track title such as “Ocean, Boy, Sky” suggests as much) and the mysterious enigma that is water itself. In the CD's four pieces, instruments blur into hazy, submersive wholes of slow-moving character. Spera's no novice. He's been making music for over two decades and has established himself in the NYC art scene as a photographer, painter, and installation artist (his work is part of the MOMA's permanent collection). Certainly he shows a deft command of his tools in the four settings that compose 4 {H2O}, with a controlled handling of atmosphere and texture helping to distinguish the wistful “Even As We Spin” and the piano-based haziness of “Troubled Dreams of Beauty.” (www.textura.org)
"Let me just say, first off, that I love-love-love 3-inch CDs.
They're cool, they're cult and they're collectible. In fact they're pretty much the only CD-related medium -- besides CD-Rs -- that's fun anymore... Strangely enough, the format seems tailor-made for Spera's aims. The four minimalist compositions of 4 {H2O} take max advantage of the smaller crawlspace, filling the time allotted with all manner of found sound/tape loops/synths/etc. rather than letting lengthy expansions of near-silence bore the listener to tears... Spera's scenic sprawl is so delicate it gets blown apart easily, scattering into the summer wind like dandelion seeds or weed smoke. But once you find the right volume -- as this is also exceedingly quiet -- and space, {H20} is liable to take you with it into eternity. Indeed, there's a moment within "Ocean, Boy, Sky" where a particular frequency strikes such a nerve it's almost like coming off a drug when it ends...I can't think of a better way to bring a short song suite to its conclusion. The Parvoart label and Mr. Spera have themselves a legitimate backer..." (www.gumshoegrove.blogspot.com)
“4 {H2O}” is Spera’s debut CD on German’s Parvoart label in which he works with tape decks, field recordings, laptop and analogue effects to produce four ambient pieces of multilayered textures shaping organic forms.
On “Chalkwhite Sea” the sound of water and people voices evoke a familiar encounter at the beach. The music is relaxing and makes reference to the emotions hope and happiness.
“Ocean, Boy, Sky” is a loop based song with tapes in backwards and blissful harmonies. “Even as we Spin” shows a more disturbing atmosphere but with an epic touch.
“Troubled Dreams of Beauty” - the final cut – is a perfect soundscape for a haunting and romantic film." (Guillermo Escudero for www.loop.cl)
€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
SOLD OUT!
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
cd sold out! available as high quality download at bandcamp
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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