BMF being based in Sheffield its only right that we shine a spotlight on established and emerging local talent. Not long back we posted a featured on the citys Tye Die Tapes. A label incarnation that ran a decade long. Adam who ran Tie Dye Tapes has the bug again and launches a new manifestation of creative curation, Utility Tapes.
The key focus for the new label is on experimental music and exposing novel approaches to musical creation. The label’s release schedule unified by a central theme of minimalist and utilitarian design aesthetic. Favouring standard packaging with little variation over bespoke release artwork. The labels artwork and presentation a humble subtext to the music and artists themselves.
Deliciously ambiguous we thought, so found out more.
Utility Tapes is a cassette tape label releasing left-field, outsider music from acts featuring members of naisian Acid Mass Night Flowers Dwarfcraft Devices The Ronald Raygun and more.
Space Malk premieres as Utility Tapes release rosta. E1 is a favourite track for me from Land of Malk and Honey. An organ dirge with narrative bassline. A kind of garage blend soundtrack psych with a soft swagger percussion. The four track EP is a noisey, jazzy experimental rocker. More Elkhorn or Arp Ensemble than GoGo Penguin. The lo-fi debut from Minnesota Nice and and label boss Zejma is a two tracker crackling with acidic abrasive tech noise. A real darkside vibe that generates fitting field music for a noir horror. Completing the trilogy is Cicada 3301 from Sammartino. Three tracks of synth pop akin to Avalanche and Holy F. Vocoder vocal led retro nuwave bubblers. Oscillating emulations of familiar synths over organic percussion that makes for a new take on a classic sound.
The first three releases from the label are available now at their Big Cartel store.
To celebrate the project launch the label are holding a release party at The Bishops House, Sheffield on March 7th from 8PM featuring performances from Sammartino | Space Malk x Zejma | DETAILS | Expect improvised experimental rock, meditative noise music and synth pop for the end times.
Find out more | Utility Tapes | Facebook | Soundcloud | Big Cartel
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