Search This Blog

Monday 19 December 2016

Headroom 07 : Crae presents "Alignment"



Our last offering before the arrival of 2017 is a substantial, no nonsense 2 hour techno expedition from "Crae". Fresh from dropping his debut EP "Injection" on Bricolage this week, the talented producer this time puts his mixing skills on show. It's a thunderous and relentless episode with the tracks fastening together like glue. Bulky basslines and weighty beats wait patiently in line for their respective turns and follow each other in a methodical fashion whilst hypnotic grooves chug along endlessly as they get wrenched and splintered by twisted synths and dark explosions. If you're in the doldrums about the weekend being over then take your mind back to the club with this thumping session from the young Glaswegian.

You can stream the mix below or at our mixcloud.



Tracklisting

Dubskull - White Light (Sisko Eletrofanatik remix)
Ilario Alicante - Temporary
David Garez - Apogeo
Joe Kendut and Ina - Plan B
Hell Driver - Wild Life
Valerio Panizio -Press
Drumloch - Aloha (Irregular Synth remix)
Valerio Panizio - Sentence (Hell Driver remix)
K. Sandra - System (Ronny Vergara remix)
Sven Sossong and Fred M - Feel You (Frank Savio remix)
Angy Kore - Tenshi (The Extraverse remix)
Roderside - Klebsiella
Alex Di Stefano - Black Panther
Hell Driver - Astrodynamic
Hell Driver - Red Flag
I'Gor - Gravity (Darmec remix)
Nikoretti and Sopik -Tolerable System
Mark Greene - We're Not Leaving

Monday 12 December 2016

Crae "Injection" (bc022)



The debut EP from Crae starts off with a pounding kick drum and over the next 20 or so minutes there's barely time for a breath as he pours himself into three thrilling techno tracks laced with blistering acid, moody synths, robust basslines and raw percussion on solid productions that belie the age of such a young producer. You'd be forgiven for thinking you were listening to an artist with years and years of experience in the electronic world. Crae, not yet age 23, has delivered a thrilling and heavy hitting release of house and techno. It's not all just booming, smashmouth electronic material though. The closing track sees him kick back on the downtempo effort "Blue Wave" with its free spirited, uplifting keys and little splashes of warm melodics that ping along subtly over the top of a solid drum base. As debut EPs go, "Injection" is an absolutely stellar introduction to the mind and talents of the young Glaswegian and one that lays the groundwork for what's to follow next year. One to keep an eye on for the future, there's way more to come.

You can stream/download the EP in full below or over at our bandcamp.

Sunday 11 December 2016

In The Loop : Episode 17

Episode 17 of In The Loop follows on from yesterdays post that looked at what the first half of the contributing artists from Volume 4 have been doing recently. This post focuses on the latest sounds and goings on from the second half of producers.

One look at the soundcloud page of 'Jaffa Kid' is enough to get an idea of the regularity of his output. A lot of people might think that regular output doesn't always mean quality output but if you listen through all the sounds that emanate from Dan Williams' bedroom studio you'd be very hard pushed to find a bad track. It's just a constant flow of high standard, intelligent electronic music. Of all the most recent productions, "Melgar" and "What You Can Do" are our personal favourites here at Bricolage. What's yours? Check out both those tracks below and head to Soundcloud for more.





---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Oscilloscope' is another producer that constantly churns out top grade electronic works. An artist with a solid backbone of finger drumming skills melded together with an ear for weird, gloopy sounds. "Acid Sorcery" sounds exactly like you think it does. Little acid stabs flirting in and out of a funk laden bassline.



"Crawling" has a squelchy feel to it's harmonies and synth work that overlap each other while a distinctly 80's influenced bassline plods along underneath it.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Ra1n' recently uploaded an older track to his Soundcloud page. "Ceylon" was featured on a 2015 compilation for the Easy Summer Limited label. It's another exquisite piece of liquid drum n bass from the Russian producer. Full of ambient grooves, spotlight melodies and delicate percussion. Listen below and if you like what you hear head on over to beatport and grab a copy.



There's also a new episode of his beautiful Ambient Hour sessions to zone out with over on Mixcloud.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It takes one listen to the 'Octavia Bannon Clark' track from our Volume 4 compilation to sense that you're listening to someone with an eclectic mind. Her track "Heavy Construction" is a joyride through skittery beats and flip flopping bass work. The eclectic element comes to the fore even more so when you check out her Soundcloud page. There's a plethora of electronic sketches that vary from braindance, acid, 80s influenced numbers and jittery IDM. We're sharing the two most recent uploads tonight. "Moon Base Alpha" and "Zenith" both sound like they could have been lifted out of some abstract 80's video game. This sounds like a ridiculous situation but hear me out....... imagine if Warp Records somehow got commissioned to soundtrack the 80s.......this is what it would sound like. It's pure fun, playful vibes over very well thought out IDM structures.





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Figurate' is currently putting the finishing touches to his debut EP, "There Are Places Other Than Here", that we're releasing here on Bricolage next month. But he's found the time to rustle up a strange brew in the form of his remix of Bjorks 'Mutual Core'. Unrushed ambient organs and that unmistakable voice slowly turn to dust under a simply insane hardcore infused drum pattern before reappearing again to say goodbye.



'An Exist Strategy' is confirmed as the opening track of his imminent EP and it's dark, micro glitch music full of meticulous, ever twisting drums and vivid bass movements.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Meat Loops" sounds are hard to describe and I mean that in the best way possible. Amid all the coded and weird titles lies a diverse range of short, strange little electronic scenes that all each have their own distinct style but also manage to have the signature Meat Loops feel about them. We've shared a few of the newest tracks below.





------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last but not least, the elusive 'Mister Left'. His track "This Is Your Captain Speaking" closed out our compilation in fine style, A hypnotic, high energy electronic tool with a simple sounding but very complex rhythm base, sporadic and squidgy keys that fall out to allow a sarcastic pilot sample to appear before the journey kicks back in with a thud and an acid bassline. There's now a remix of the track available by Bricolage resident "Roy Or Bison?" that utilizes the heavier elements of the original and cuts out the extended pilot sample in favour of a more straight forward, no nonsense electro acid affair.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you haven't already then be sure to check out the latest compilation featuring all these producers and more on either bandcamp or Soundcloud. Both links below.



Saturday 10 December 2016

In The Loop : Episode 16

Episode 16 of "In The Loop" has a look at the first half of artists from our most recent compilation release, Volume 4. The post covers ground on some of their recent work and what the future has in store.

First up is Dark Fidelity Hi Fi. Just prior to featuring on the Bricolage compilation, DFHF released the track "Third Eye Projections". A spiraling, glitched out dub effort that's awash with neat melodies and percussion. Check out the anti-corporate visual accompaniment below the track and be sure to pop over to the DFHF bandcamp if you want a copy.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The last track to appear on the Bedless Bones soundcloud page was "Foreign Blood Heat", which is the track featured on the Bricolage release but a further browse through the profile will throw up some dark, vocal infused electronics that are a treat for any industrial heads. Our personal favourite is the demo of "Wicked Sprouts" which you can listen to below.



Did you know that, Kadri Sammel, the girl behind the Bedless Bones project is also a member of long running Estonian industrial band "Forgotten Sunrise"? The duos most recent release was the single "Guardian Curtains", which you can find over on their bandcamp.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ix Prospectum has been gearing up for his upcoming full length album release on Bricolage in January by unveiling some of the tracks that are set to make the cut. Over on his Soundcloud page you'll find a plethora of unearthed, wonderfully scatterbrained gems including the epic "Disable It" and the jittery ambiance of "I Want Changed Myself".





------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roman Fahls latest offering is the ambient techno excursion, "Iberia". It's yet more flawless production work from a producer clearly on top of his game at the moment. A precise build up slowly lets a gorgeous vocal bleed though before a thumping kick drum take over followed soon after by more intricate percussion. A classic piece of work.



Our first Bricolage podcast of 2017 will be courtesy of Roman Fahls and you can check out a link to a recent mix of his below to get you in the mood.

Roman Fahls - Osaker mixtape

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Guido has recently been teasing his listeners with a trio of short snippets and previews over on his Soundcloud page.







Scroll a little further down his songs and you'll find "Just A Dream". An electronic foray into dancefloor subconsciousness. A beautiful introduction is promptly backed up with solid percs and and wavy, catchy sequences that bounce playfully along. A track that's equally at home in your headphones as it is in the club.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kold47 only has a handful of tracks online with uncompromising lo-fi techno being his weapon of choice. Any fans of his "Koldstruktion" track that appeared on our compilation will lap up that distinct raw, bass throbbing feel of his latest track "Untitled". No nonsense, straight off the bat pounding techno rhythms.



"Sectarian Religions", a slighty older track, sees the producer turn the acid charm offensive up to 10 with dark pads and drums nestling in at the back of a vibrating but solid acid line.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greek/Hungarian producer Minerva just recently uploaded a fresh slab of fizzing beats and resonating patterns in the form of new track "The Sultans Robe". Drawing on influences including breaks, trance and techno the drum work is a hybrid effort that crosses over many genres with substantial style. Never letting up from it's 140bpm until the last second.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be sure to tune into the blog over the weekend for the second part of our In The Loop special that looks at what the second half of Volume 4 have been up to recently.

And of course, if you haven't already then be sure to head on over to our bandcamp and grab your copy of the latest compilation.

Friday 9 December 2016

Crae : Injection EP Preview



On Monday, we release the debut EP from fast rising Glaswegian producer, Crae. This post offers you a sneak preview of each of the four tracks that make up the release with exclusive clips from the smashmouth acid of title track "Injection", slicing drums and slamming hits of "Pressure", the brooding synth work on "Tension" and the free spirited ambient melodics of closing track, "Blue Wave". They're all on show in the two promo packs below. Be sure to check the usual Bricolage outlets on Monday for the full release.



Monday 5 December 2016

Bricolage Podcast #16 : Figurate




Figurate takes the driving seat for our last podcast of 2016 and has supplied an hour of glitch harmonics and off kilter beats combined with some beautifully serene moments. We start off with a classic BoC remix before the journey then proceeds to swing with ease between both sides of the pendulum. There are moments of lush melodies and intricate pattern work that are effortlessly counteracted by weird, leftfield electronics, some damage proof bass music and a whole heap of angular sonics. Crisp, shifty structures remain throughout the backbone of this curious mi that never misses a trick. Essential listening for any experimentalists and beyond.

You can stream the mix in full over at our mixcloud or below.

Monday 28 November 2016

Leit Motif "Till We Have Faces" (bc021)



Six months after releasing his debut EP "Supine" through Bricolage, Leit Motif returns with more finely crafted atmospherics and grainy, fractured ambiance on his new three track release, "Till We Have Faces". The new EP is every bit as spacious sounding as it's predecessor with light drones and pad swells gliding their way in and around all the tracks. The listen starts off on quite a somber note with "Mis-en-abime" feeling it's way in through a series of manipulated effects before a sample from the American Beauty film gives way to a haunting analogue synth melody that carries on through to the finale. "The Keepers Of The Flame" is next with a field recording of burning wood crackling in the background and a tenori-on melody chiming it's way slowly to the forefront backed up by glowing drones and deep, resounding vibrations in among an array of melodies. "A Lovers Reincarnation" finishes of the EP. It's a classic slow burning ambient epic. A mixture of piano work, gentle guitar twangs and soft reverb laden sequences that patiently build up and release themselves in an extremely uplifting crescendo of delicately placed illuminating harmonies.

The EP is available for streaming and free download or PWYW below or at our bandcamp.



Friday 25 November 2016

Winter 2016/2017

The ball keeps rolling here at Bricolage as we look forward to a jam packed winter full of fresh new music and expansive mixes.



We start off with a new 3 track EP from Glasgow ambient analogue producer, Leit Motif. Coming of the back of his fantastic, downtempo, "Supine" release back in May, "Till We Have Faces" follows suit and includes some very spacious, and thoughtful, ambient/drone sound designs. Named after and inspired by the C.S. Lewis novel of the same name, it's the perfect companion for cold winter nights.

Today we can offer an exclusive first look at the sublime artwork for the EP.



Have a listen to two of the tracks from the release below and be sure to check our Soundcloud page on Monday for the final track and a download link and info for the full EP.





------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moving into December, we have an experimental and inventive podcast from glitch conoisseur, Figurate, to start the month off. We've already had a listen and it's a fascinating collection of obscure gems that we're excited to share with you.

We follow that up with a double header from young electronic producer, Crae. The Glaswegians work rate and musical output has hit new peaks recently and we're proud to be releasing his debut EP "Injection" through Bricolage on the 12th of December. 4 tracks that perfectly showcase the diversity of his sounds from pulsing techno and house into the more melodic range that he possesses. Crae follows up his EP by curating and mixing the latest volume in our 2 hour Headroom mixing session. Expect chaos.



Keep an eye on our Soundcloud page next week for a preview of his upcoming EP and head on over to his mixcloud to get a listen to some of his previous mixes in anticipation of his 2 hour special.

Listen to a Crae techno mix from October last year below



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We kick off 2017 with a podcast from Roman Fahls. His sounds are one of the newest additions to Bricolage and his track "Alaric" recently appeared on the latest edition of our Various Artists compilation, Volume 4. 

Listen to "Alaric" below and head to the Bricolage bandcamp for your download.



He recently uploaded a mixtape to his Soundcloud and one listen was enough to convince us to head hunt him for our January podcast.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After that we have an EP from the aforementioned Figurate and a full length album from Ix Prospectum

Figurate has created a micro universe of technology infused glitch work and complex backgrounds to transfer the listener to a totally different world. "There Are Places Other Than Here" sees its release on the 9th of January. You can check out the track 'Exist Strategy' below to get a feel of what's in store come then.



Ix Prospectum has an enviable and ultra regular output of tracks that prove he is the perfect candidate for a full length album release with a mixture of IDM, glitch and ambient techno compositions and a clear musical brain for track structure. His as yet untitled album will round off January here at Bricolage.

Listen below to "Telescope", his contribution to our most recent compilation.



His most recent upload, "Disable It" carries on that unique warped sound.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's an exciting few months ahead at Bricolage. Stay tuned via our social media pages for updates and releases as they happen.

Bricolage Collective (Facebook)

Bricolage Collective (Twitter)

Bricolage Collective (Soundcloud)

Monday 21 November 2016

futurendeavours : Fifteen Minutes Of Fame (Audio/Visual)



Last month, futurendeavours, dropped their highly anticipated debut track on Bricolage. "Fifteen Minutes Of Fame" is a high octane, melting pot of ever evolving rhythms, layered synth work, tough melodics and carefully selected loops. Warped samples and minimalistic acid form the basis of a skewered, hybrid electronic track . It's certainly one for dancing to. With that in mind, our visual specialists, Digi Aye, have put together a video with tongue firmly in cheek and the dodgy dance factor turned up to 10. A fifteen minute bonanza full of questionable dancing and nods to retro culture.



You can download the track over at our bandcamp or below.

Monday 14 November 2016

BRICOLAGE : VA VOLUME 4 (bc020)



Today we released Volume 4 of our various artists compilation project and it's another selection of, unique and eclectic, producers hand picked from across the globe coming together on one release that's brimming with a collection of intriguing and engaging sonic adventures. Each track plays its own important part as an individual component but also flourishes as part of the bigger picture in what proves to be a captivating digital landscape. A spectrum of melodies, immersive textures and an assortment of rhythms that drift between electronic experimentation, flat out techno, glitch movements, drum n bass and back again. The journey starts off with some vivid, trippy dub and dark ambient before moving into more beat based territory and a deep, woozy, resonating hybrid of bustling electronica, ambient techno, IDM and some rigid lo-fi tech frequencies. There's a diversion off path in the form of drum n bass before the trip continues and we leap into the most substantial experimental part full of intelligent drum work and dense, unpredictable musical sketches that collide into one another before finishing on a warped, techno/electronica composition.

 A massive thank you goes out to everyone who contributed and made the release possible.

As always the release is free download or "pay what you want" and can stream or grab a copy of the compilation from the embed below or at our bandcamp.


Sunday 13 November 2016

Introducing The Collective 52 - 55

Our latest compilation, Volume 4 of our various artist projects, lands online tomorrow on digital release. We've spent a lot of time assembling fresh producers with unique sounds for this release and over the last week or so we've been introducing you to them. Today we unveil the final four artists in the form of The Oscilloscope, Kold47, Meat Loops and Bedless Bones.

52. THE OSCILLOSCOPE



The Oscilloscope is a unique electronic project based around finger drumming and engaging landscapes. Cosmic textures and futuristic sounding pads that clash together in a genre defying state. Warm analogue sounds and melodic experimentation are at the forefront of this exciting artists work.

The Oscilloscope (Soundcloud)

The Oscilloscope (Bandcamp)

The Oscilloscope (YouTube)

The Oscilloscope (Instagram)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

53. KOLD47



Kold4 is a French techno producer with a knack for delivering gritty, lo-fi techno escapades with a tinge of acid and 8bit influence and more than a nod to the dreamier and dustier side of industrial sounds.

Kold47 (Soundcloud)

Kold47 (Bandcamp)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

54. MEAT LOOPS



Meat Loops is a suitably obscure name for an obscure artist. The obscurity is also strong and consistent when it comes to his track titles. He hasn't given much away about himself in terms of a bio to us. Simply preferring to focus on explaining his sounds which we would class as short bursts of ambient infused, glitch and IDM soundscapes.

In his own words, "Sounds and sequences, presets and modifiable parameters, DAWS that don't last and seemingly esoteric VSTs."

Meat Loops (Soundcloud)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

55. BEDLESS BONES



Bedless Bones is an experimental electronic music project of Kadri Sammel, based in Tallinn. It draws its lifeblood from eerie cinematic atmospheres, uncanny sensations, dark nocturnal ramblings and the light bliss of the impending end, colliding with elements of dark ambient, industrial music and darkwave.

Bedless Bones (Soundcloud)




Wednesday 9 November 2016

Introducing The Collective 48 - 51

Tonight we continue introducing you to some more of the fantastic artists we have lined up for your listening pleasure on our latest compilation. Various Artists Volume 4 is out this Monday, the 14th of November. So without further ado, let's say hello to Roman Fahls, Dark Fidelity Hi Fi, Minerva and Ra1n.



48. ROMAN FAHLS



Intricately weaving together influences of techno and ambient electronic music, Roman Fahls works to create a sound that generates as much pleasure on headphones as it does on the dancefloor. His is music for the mind and feet.

Roman Fahls (Soundcloud)

Roman Fahls (Facebook)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

49. DARK FIDELITY HI FI



DFHF are underground, Mancunian record producer, Rick Jones, and several guest players. The DFHF style incorporates mixing and recording all formats of sound from a varied selection such as 90's loungecore to dark trap and dub to lofi groove all with absorbing and curious textures. Each track stands out and provides an individual, engaging experience. The debut album "Dub Tests and Sky Pop Transmissions" was released last year on DIY Manchester label, Soundwaves Here We Come followed by a 6 track EP this year, "No Wave Control Manual". DFHF are settling into somewhat of a creative roll and we're glad to have them continue regular output as part of the new compilation.

Dark Fidelity Hi Fi (Soundcloud)

Dark Fidelity Hi Fi (Facebook)

Dark Fidelity Hi Fi (Reverb Nation)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

50. MINERVA



Minerva is the alias of Ariadne Vinerma. A young, female electronic producer of half Greek, half Hungarian heritage. She has released music on many local labels since her teens. Up until recent times her releases and sounds were focused on a heavier, industrial palette but as of late her style has taken a more experimental approach. The techno side of things still remains but there's a more playful and melodic edge to some of the tracks. This new direction is evident by the different stylings over on brand new "Minerva" Soundcloud page.

Minerva (Soundcloud)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

51. RA1N



Rain is the musical vehicle of 29 year old Alex from Russia. His output falls mainly under the drum n bass and ambient categories but he takes influence from a vast array of performers in the electronic world and beyond. Citing the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Chemical Brothers and Depeche Mode as just a few of his most cherished childhood vinyl memories. His taste in drum n bass is also exquisite with artists such as London Elektricity, Fanu, Sunchase and Electrosoul System name dropped among his favourites. For Alex, it's not just making his own music that's a hobby but also creating stories through his popular mixes. His "Ambient Hour" episodes on Mixcloud are full to the brim with dowtempo and chilled out drum n bass gems.

Ra1n (Soundcloud)

Ra1n (Discogs)

Ra1n ('Ambient Hour' episodes)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This weekend we'll introduce the remaining artists then it's full steam ahead towards the release :)

Monday 7 November 2016

Bricolage Podcast #15 : International Debris


Almost exactly a year on from creating our first "Headroom" mix, International Debris returns to Bricolage on mixing duties with our November podcast. We welcome that unique, I.D, taste and style back with open arms. Effortlessly bridging that gap between autumn and winter with dollops of vaporwave, beautifully structured ambient pathways, powerful soaring synths and intelligent, intricate electronics. There's enough downtempo material and tranquilizing crossroads to ease your senses while you listen and just the perfect amount of warped little melodies floating in and out to keep your musical brain ticking over.

As always stream the mix below or over on our mixcloud.



Find more fascinating mixes @ the 'International Debris' mixcloud.

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Introducing The Collective 45-47

 Last week we introduced you to the first lot of new artists on our upcoming compilation. You can check out the bios of Jaffa Kid, Guido and Ix Prospectum here. Today we introduce you to another three new acts in the form of Mister Left, Figurate and Octavia Bannon-Clark.

45. OCTAVIA BANNON-CLARK



Octavia Bannon-Clark has a body of work on Soundcloud and beyond that marks her work out as pretty much undefinable. Influences that range far and wide have culminated in a palette of sounds that range from 80s style synthpop happenings, breakbeat patterns, glitch infested tracks, acid, weird samples and more. All backed up with a ridiculously keen ear for making catchy melodies and the knowledge of how to use them.

Octavia Bannon-Clark (Soundcloud)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

46. FIGURATE



Figurate is the pseudonym of a secretive glitch experimentalist. His sounds are a strange and intriguing brew of granular drum work among a slew of processed textures soaked in all kinds of reverb. There's a near dystopian atmosphere to his tracks that serve the percussion well and create small sonic landscapes for the listener to get lost in.

Figurate (Soundcloud)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

47. MISTER LEFT




Mister Left is an up and coming electronic producer located in Manchester. He specializes in razor sharp, slightly dark electronica with more than a hint of techno. He's just starting off on his journey into the world of making music and we're happy to be able to give him a platform for his sounds here at Bricolage.

Mister Left (Soundcloud)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next batch of bio's will be up soon. Stay tuned.

Saturday 29 October 2016

Ghost Stories


It's Halloween weekend, or All Saints Day, Samhain, All Hallows Eve or any other of the many names it can be called. Some people love it, some people hate it. Me, personally, I can go with or without. It's not an occasion I immensely look forward to nor is it one that I abhor. I'm not one for dressing up and haven't really made the proper effort to do since my teens. The one thing I do love about this time of year though is the influx of horror films on TV, old and new. Then there's the ghost stories and, of course, Halloween playlists. I've always been a sucker for playlists, especially themed playlists.

So with that in mind, a few days ago we asked a few of the Bricolage artists to give us their Top 5 Halloween type, creepy/eerie songs and a little bit about them. There's a lot of diversity in among the selections. Atmospheric stuff, alt.rock, twisted techno, downright creepiness and childhood memories.

First up with some alternative choices and a video game classic is Mute Branches....

1. Tim Hecker - 'Virginal II'




"
From the opening stabs of piano, you should probably have a good idea why I thought this was a good place to start. Like much of Hecker's work, 'Virginal II' is a track that comes to sound compellingly and beautifully hellbent on its own self-destruction. To me, 'Virginal II' paints in my head the image of being chased by something, and sprinting through a nightmarish landscape that gradually degrades into glitching digital noise."

2. 
Broadcast - 'Black Cat'




"Throughout their tragically short career, Broadcast had pretty close ties to the horror genre. As well as being influenced by films like 'Valerie and Her Week of Wonders' and the cult 70s TV series 'Children of the Stones', the band also soundtracked Peter Strickland's 2012 film 'Berberian Sound Studio'. On 'Black Cat', from 'Tender Buttons', the stripped-down line-up of James Cargill and the late Trish Keenan create a surreal, creeping atmosphere through the lo-fi scrapes and squalls and stutters of creaky electronics. In terms of the lyrics, "awkwardness happening to someone you love" is a brilliant example of the vague sense of threat that emerges through Keenan's cut-up poetry, as well."


3. 
Akira Yamaoka - 'White Noiz'




Trying to find something that can match the ghostly, bleak, and downright weird atmosphere of 'Silent Hill 2' (or, I suppose, specifically the memory of playing it in a tiny bedroom on a little old tube television) has led me down all kinds of interesting cultural paths both in and out of the horror genre. This track, which opens the game, captures perfectly the air of lonesome dreamlike melancholy that makes 'Silent Hill 2' the classic that it is."


4. 
Slint - 'For Dinner...'




"'Spiderland' is a mysterious album. The cover art is strange, its backstory is strange... just about everything about 'Spiderland' (and Slint, in general) is strange. The music is no exception: unorthodox time signatures, the whispery spoken word vocals, and the "loud / quiet dynamics" are utilised seemingly with the primary aim of unsettling the listener. 'For Dinner...' is one of the most successful of their efforts: a constant build-up without a crescendo, the instruments always sound like they're creeping up on you, on the verge of striking. Then, just as you're about to turn and look, they disappear again back into the shadowy silence."


5. 
Sonic Youth - 'Death Valley 69'




"Basically anything from 'Bad Moon Rising' would fit here. Sonic Youth sound pretty convincingly like a band formed in the aftermath of a nuclear apocalypse on this album; and, crucially, the cover art depicts a pumpkin-headed scarecrow man (is there a more Halloween-appropriate image than that?). Having spent much of the album slowly building up a sense of dread, Sonic Youth (with Lydia Lunch) let it all out on 'Death Valley 69' and unleash five minutes of violent, aggressive noise-punk into your ears."


Mute Branches, just yesterday uploaded his own Halloween inspired track to Soundcloud, "Huh? Radio?" is a tense affair with a slow building, foreboding, guitar soundscape that turns into a short burst of white noise and glitchy effects and cut up samples. Listen below.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next, Edinburgh techno aficionado and purveyor of deranged electronics, Willy, offers us his Top 5 Halloween-esque techno tracks.

1. Yaleesa Hall - "Fourth Perrin" 




2. Blawan - "Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage"





3. Blacknecks - "Life for Rent"





4. Developer - "Hands of Inevitable Change"




5. Blawan - "Blue Bottle" 





Check out one of his own creations below. "Fiddlin'" is full of creepy climbing arps flowing over rapid fire percussion.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bricolage's resident split personality, "Roy Or Bison?" , is next up on the ghost train with his spooky selections....

1. Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster - "Puppy Dog Snails"



"This one starts off straight from the bat with a creepy, almost music box, style guitar and then Guy McKnight's baritone delivery only adds to the mood. For me, the lyrics throw up an image of a coven of witches gathering around their cauldron in an old castle."

2. White Ring - "Ixc999"



"A bit of witch house is always gonna need to find it's way into any Halloween playlists. There's no better track to utilize than this one by White Ring. A buzzing synth, soft whispering about 'my face is falling off'  and an almost child like haunting vocal spouting lyrics and chants. I love the feeling of decay that somehow spreads through this track. The video is also a tad mental!"

3. Aphex Twin - "Gwely Mernans"



"I've always thought this track was a great epitome of eeriness and a weirdly unsettling track that is actually somehow relaxing. Does that make sense??? Sometimes a minimalistic approach is more effective in creating the suitable tension needed for these kinda tracks. The track got even darker for me when I found out the meaning behind the title. I've always thought 'Gwely Mernans' looked Welsh but for whatever reason I never looked it up. Also, AFX, has a tendency to just use random titles or old Cornish language so I thought nothing of it. Then a few years back, a Welsh friend, told me that "gwely" means bed and "mernans" is death. So this track literally translates as "Deathbed". Sweet!"

4. Daniel Avery - Reception (Perc remix)



"Now, this one is just plain raw. A weird sequence of industrial, sawtooth type sounds, a pounding beat and a distorted, creepy vocal lead you up a path which comes to a sudden halt before the main melody from the original dives out on you and is shortly backed up by Perc's take no prisoners percussion and the return of aforementioned creepy voice. It's a very jarring but very interesting composition."

5. A Place To Bury Strangers - The Falling Sun



"As if their name isn't enough, 'APTBS', go all out dystopian soundscape on this one. A haunting shoegaze soundscape and a droning, depressed vocal make it seem like the end of the world is imminent. And if we're all going to be honest, what is more scary than the world we live in ending?"

'Roy Or Bison?' delivered a dark ambient, haunting track for our winter compilation last year. You can listen to "Night Vision" below.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lastly, drone and guitar experimentalist, Sleep, Data gives us his nostalgic take on what Halloween means to him.....

1. AC/DC - "Hells Bells"



"It's always Halloween when you play that in Arkansas."

2. Flash and The Pan - "Jetsetters Ball"



"As a kid growing up the local radio station always had a Halloween party and this was its theme song. So when you heard it you always knew Halloween was coming."

3. "Grinch Is Gonna Get You"



"One of my favourite things about Halloween was cartoons. And I didn't have to get up early to watch them!"

4. Helloween - "Halloween"



"Epic and 30 minutes long! It isn't but that's how I remember it."

5. The Dickies - "Killer Klowns From Outer Space"



"Last but not least, 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space' by The Dickies. Also, one of the greatest movies ever!"

You can check out the immersive "Interpretive Death" from 'Sleep, Data' below.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Last week we provided you with a 2 hour Halloween themed mix as part of our Headroom mix series. It's an amalgamation of horror cut ups and samples, dark techno, haunting ambience and soundtrack snippets. It's been received rather well and we've been asked a few times now for a download of the mix to made available. You can stream the mix below or at our mixcloud. Read a bit more about the mix and get the full tracklisting fom our previous blog post and grab your free download of the mix here. Perfect for Halloween parties or just giving yourself a good fright!🎃


Wednesday 26 October 2016

Introducing The Collective 42-44


 On the 14th of November we release Volume 4 in the series of our various artists compilation. It's set to be our most beat driven release to date. We've assembled another batch of talented producers from around the globe that create some fantastic sounds. Over the net few weeks we'll be introducing you to all of them. Tonight we start off with The Jaffa Kid, Ix Prospectum and Guido.

42. THE JAFFA KID



The Jaffa Kid hails from Newcastle in the north of England. His output is full of catchy melodies that emanate from dusty synths with enough droning electronic weirdness to keep the music menu fresh. It's bedroom electronic music at it's purest. He has released music on various labels throughout 20 years of button pushing including but not limited to Recycled Plastics, Expanding Electronic Diversity and Retropublik.  His musical influences range through an eclectic taste from the likes of John Carpenter to Tangerine Dream.

The Jaffa Kid (Soundcloud)

The Jaffa Kid (Bandcamp)

The Jaffa Kid (Discogs)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

43. IX PROSPECTUM


Ix Prospectum is the musical project of Alessio Circi. Born in Berlin and currently living in Rome, he started releasing music under the Ix Prospectum moniker in January 2013 and his productions are a mix of traditional elements that are shaped by his surroundings, acute experimental textures and tight percussion. His music is free from genre stereotype and hard to pigeonhole but it's as sharp, intelligent and enjoyable as they come.

Ix Prospectum (Soundcloud)

Ix Prospectum (Facebook)

Ix Prospectum (Mixcloud)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

44. GUIDO


Guido is a young electronic producer and DJ from Portugal. We're huge fans of the sounds he's churning out. He's a master at effortlesssly switching from the melodic side of the scale to the darker heavier side.

"I am Portuguese, born in Lisbon. I was born in 1992 and am currently living in Madeira Island. I started DJing 2 years ago and producing in August this year. I basically began collecting electronic music from the age of 12. What I look for when producing is doing out-of-the-box stuff but still easy enough to appeal (I hope). I am trying to cover as many styles possibles and no creation is remotely similar from the previous. I strive to create powerful meaningful music to dance to, my own identity, my ideals inspired from all the artists that gave me the musical knowledge I possess today."

Guido (Soundcloud)

Guido (Mixcloud)

Guido (Facebook)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be sure to check back soon for introductions to more new artists over the coming weeks and stay in touch with our goings on via the Facebook page.


Monday 24 October 2016

futurendeavours "Fifteen Minutes Of Fame" (bc019)



"futurendeavours" debut release on Bricolage sees the duo hit the ground running with their electronic opus "Fifteen Minutes Of Fame". A melting pot of ever evolving rhythms, layered synth work, tough melodics and carefully selected loops. It's a concoction full of heavy, driving house music origins, sharp techno, minimalistic acid and warped samples. All of those elements fused together, through part analogue work and part digital methods, create a thrilling collision of some very different musical worlds.The end product is a skewered electronic landscape with a knowing nod to the past and one foot firmly in the future.

The release is free download or PWYW over at our bandcamp, where you can also stream the track. Or alternatively use the link below.



Soundcloud link @ futurendeavours



Saturday 22 October 2016

Headroom 06 : Bricolage presents "Hallowmas"



We promised you a treat in time for Halloween and it comes in the form of our latest volume in the Headroom mix series. A few of the artists on our label have came together to provide what can only be described as a turbulent vortex and sound collage of dark techno, eerie ambient soundscapes, unsettling sound bytes, alternative Halloween tracks, chaotic, twisted noise and disturbing electronic scenes all spliced together with excerpts from some famous horror films. How many can you spot?

It's a journey you could use to soundtrack a party or if you feel like giving yourself a scare then sit back, look out the monkey nuts and toffee apples and press play. But be warned, it'll creep up on you when you're least expecting it.

There's hopefully something for everyone in the mix. It ranges from A Perfect Circle to Aphex Twin, Blawan to Burial Hex, Marilyn Manson to Shackleton and soundtrack work from Interview With The Vampire.

You can stream the mix below or at our mixcloud.



Tracklisting (not including self produced samples)

Dat Oven - Icy Lake (Total Freedom remix)
Roy Or Bison? - Night Vision
A Perfect Circle - Counting Bodies Like Sheep....
O.Children - Ruins (Drop The Lime remix)
Rush Webb - Voice In Head
Orphx - Dead Zone
Headless Horseman - Sanctuary
Xhin - Blade Moth
Ruiz Sierra - Insect
Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Ricardo Villalobos remix)
Blawan - Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?
Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams
Elliot Goldnthal - Libera Me
The Body - Darkness Surrounds Us
Burial Hex - Will To The Chapel
Plastikman - Ask Yourself (Knobs remix)
Burial Hex - Will To the Chapel
Burial Hex - Go Crystal Tears
Aphex Twin - Come To Daddy
John Carpenter - Halloween Theme

Thursday 6 October 2016

Bricolage Podcast #14 : Alpha Skies



Our October podcast is a trip down nostalgia lane in more ways than one. Putting aside the favoured and modern methods of overlapping tracks and mixing one into another, Alpha Skies, has instead given us a short half an hour mix in the most traditional form possible. Its an old school style mixtape session, some of his favourite tracks from his memories of being in dancehalls as a child alongside a few more modern selections and a few of his own 80s and 90s inspired electro creations and edits. It's littered with catchy synth stabs, soul type vocals and sweet 909 work. Put all those elements together and you have a school disco type vibe running throughout and an overall nostalgia soaked, feel good, sentimental listen. It's like summer never ended.

As always you can listen below or on our mixcloud.






Monday 3 October 2016

Lo-Jacker "Live Stuff" (bc018)



Bricolage is proud to present "Live Stuff", the latest EP from Lo-Jacker. It's a release that gives an unique insight into the eclectic electronic world of Lo-Jacker. Four tracks, recorded in realtime at his home studio, that represent his adventures into a more expressive way of creating music. Tiring of what can be the sometimes tedious task of constant track editing, this live EP gave him the chance to redirect his energies into more spontaneous methods. It's a break from the norm and a change of approach to designing the ever evolving sounds of Lo-Jacker.

Lo-Jacker : "It became more about improvising and capturing important moments rather than spending hours and hours trying to force them"

You can stream and download the EP below or at our bandcamp. As always it's PWYW or free download.



FUN FACT: The artwork is an old school manual style diagram of the actual set up Lo-Jacker used to record the EP.

Listen to "Spencer Road Barber Roulette" from the EP below