Far from Moscow

Solitude and Smokestacks: Eskiz Koda, Karenin, Nathree, and Heinali

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:39:10 PDT

Quiet sounds emerge from four industrial locations: Krivoi Rog, Kiev, Bryansk, and Izhevsk. In all cases, an imposing context of steel and smoke produces a contrary reaction. Minimalism is fostered among the chimneys.

The Beauty of Loss: MMPSUF, That Sky, Igen Beatz, and Navel Felt

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:55:26 PDT

Four quiet publications from Vilnius, Kiev, Vitebsk, and St. Petersburg investigate the theme of loss. Somewhat unexpectedly, the possibility of failure or collapse is turned to great philosophical benefit.

Sleepiness and Small Families: Kammerton, Dza, Feyorz, and T'chimu

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:50:42 PDT

Four releases this weekend, emerging from various cities around Russia, offer multiple ways to counter dull or disappointing actuality. They include sleep, recreational drugs, fatherhood, and a stubborn optimism.

Softer than Soft: Zimavsegda, Malinen, Kapus, and KrisMirror

Thu, 17 May 2012 16:14:13 PDT

A number of quiet, introspective recordings this week toy with the boundaries of chillwave and soft rock. As simultaneous releases ponder a greater degree of confidence, other poets and traditions are drawn upon. Such as funk-rock!

Plums Fest and the Sound of Spontaneity: 813, Maguett, Drozd, and EU

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:49:31 PDT

Plums Fest is a self-proclaimed "festival of audio-visual experimentation." This year it occurs on May 19th in the Moscow Artplay Center. We examine four Russian outfits - from Moscow and St. Petersburg - invited to play live.

A Hyperboloid Night: Valta, Saburov, NVG, Acid Mafia, and Pixelord

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:54:17 PDT

A forthcoming show, hosted by Moscow's Hyperboloid Records, will bring together some luminaries of the bass music scene. They will arrive from Kiev, Melitopol, Tyumen, and - most notably - the streets of London.

Snow, Emptiness, and Familial Warmth: The Echotourist Compilation

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:37:00 PDT

Echotourist is a fine Siberian netlabel and blog, doing much for electronic music in Novosibirsk and beyond. A new Echotourist album gathers a wide range of musicians - in order both to evoke that landscape and counter its chill.

Byzantine Songs for Every Season: The Aquarium Anniversary Tribute

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:49:30 PDT

Two Russian web projects have combined resources to celebrate the (ongoing) career of Aquarium, arguably the nation's greatest rock band. The cover versions submitted thus far span a wide range of years and places.

Krumping and the Cosmos: Oak, Nakedbear, Kubrick's Cube, and Gorbach

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:59:07 PDT

Not surprisingly, some of the language used to praise US styles within Slavic music borrows from American slang. Talk of anything "cosmically" impressive, however, goes way beyond cliche. A wide range of related imagery opens up.

Quietness: Didactic Scalica, Love Options, Sobrio, and The Inverted Mirror

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:34:17 PDT

From Moscow, Vladivostok, Ufa, and Smolensk come four quiet publications. Between them lies a common interest in the benefits of solitude and silence - once noisy typicality has been left behind.