Here’s the cover and tracklisting for the upcoming Softoft Techech EP out 2/27/12.
1. Sonic Tooth
2. Exp
3. Moon Patrol Remix
4. Plentyc Remix
5. Spa Basics
Softoft Techech Cover and Tracks
February 3rd, 2012Ad Hoc blog
February 1st, 2012We appreciated Altered Zones coverage of some of our releases (and it’s content in general) so we’re supporting this new project Ad Hoc. Visit the kickstarter page.
OIAG live photos
February 1st, 2012
1-9-12 Blue Shell, Cologne, Germany
Paul Slocum Video Interview
January 25th, 2012Here’s a Brooklyn Independent TV interview with Paul of our upcoming Softoft Techech release. He demonstrates some of his creations in his studio and raps on all things Slocum.
Introducing Softoft Techech
January 16th, 2012Happy New Year Alchemist friends! Our first release of the year came to us in a serendipitous fashion. It’s from a new project called Softoft Techech, which is the work of Paul Slocum who is something of a veteran at pushing the boundaries between musician, artist, programmer and tinkerer. His well received world touring band, Tree Wave, used self made hardware and software (including a dot matrix printer turned percussion synth and an atari 2600 synth) to make music not normally associated with such gear. Instead of quaint little video game Chiptunes, Treewave made fuzzed out Shoegazey kind of stuff with depth and a range of emotions and feels. The new EP we’re putting out, self titled Softoft Techech, represents a continuation of his focus on making music from the ground up, this time relying mainly on his own sample sequencing software “Looper”. The resulting work explores earthy fuzzed out post-dance sketches with layer upon layer of rhythms, voices and tones swirling and stomping all covered in unknown warmth and intrigue. It is a unique sound that seems somehow futuristic like some kind of weird funk you’d hear in a sci-fi film scene of a disco on another planet yet at the same time seems very primal and ancient like ritualistic music from a jungle tribe’s ceremony. This is a case where process is important and the resulting work carries unique watermarks of is creation and makes it an inviting listening experience. The Softoft Techech EP will be out on Feb. 27th on tape and digital. We’ll have the album art and traclist up soon.
In addition to his musical output check out his artwork, gallery, programming/hardware and his software/app development which incidentally bears the same name as this music venture. We asked Paul some questions about this EP and some of his other work and here are the results.
So there seems to be some remnants of your previous project Tree Wave in these tracks. Am I hearing that correctly?
Yes. Plentyc is an abstract remix of a Tree Wave song, and there are other Tree Wave samples scattered around. But also, some of the songs have samples from other bands that sound like they could be Tree Wave.
Did you use some of the same instruments and processes to make these tracks as you did in Tree Wave (ie dot matrix printer, 2600 etc)?
I wanted to try something different, so this album actually doesn’t use much of the old gear. A couple of tracks include my Commodore 64 synthesizer, but I think that’s about it. Sonic Tooth and Exp were made entirely with a Windows-based sample sequencer that I wrote called Looper. The other songs were made with a combination of Looper and general MIDI softsynths.
There’s definitely a techno and rave element to these tracks. On your site you’ve got some of your early Techno tapes is that something you’ve kept an interest in and carried through to these new tracks?
Yes. Although my overall approach was different with the old house and techno stuff, it definitely has a lot of similarity to this new set of songs, and I am reviving some of my old house production techniques.
Did you start with a concept of what kind of sounds and things you wanted to do with these tracks or did they just evolve over time with messing around?
My goals were to use Looper a lot, and to try making music without vocals or lyrics again. Other than that, it was a lot of experimentation.
I like the idea that Softoft Techech is a software/app company but also puts out experimental beat music. How do you see the correlation between the apps and this set of music?
I hadn’t finished the apps when I made these songs so the apps are not used on this album, but the Softoft Techech name seemed to fit the music, and it made sense because most of the music I’ve ever made has featured my own software.
Are you at liberty to say what other projects you have in the works and what things might be on the horizon for Softoft Techech?
I’m currently using a Roland drum machine as a MIDI sequencer for my sampler app, Sir Sampleton, and I expect my next music release will make use of this setup. Software-wise, this year I will probably release some new features for the Sir Sampleton app, and I’d like to eventually port my Looper program from Windows to iPhone and iPad. It takes a long time to write apps and I have to do freelance development sometimes to pay the bills, but in a few years I hope to have a pretty good catalog of music apps that are tailored to the way I like to make music. And hopefully others will find them useful too. :)
For all urbanists
January 15th, 2012Alchemist Holiday Vibes
December 16th, 2011
Last holiday season we had some great free tunes submitted by Alchemist artists. In lieu of any new contributions this year, here’s a re-post of those jams from Austin Wood (of Atlantic At Pacific) and Blackbird Blackbird (feat. The Beatles), BAnanas Symphony and One In A Googolplex. Happy Holidays!
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A Look Back At 2011′s releases
December 10th, 2011It’s been a pretty busy and fruitful year here at Alchemist and we’ve been taking a bit of a breather lately but we’ll be back in action next year with many great new releases planned. Here’s a look back at this year’s releases and links to some free tracks from each. Enjoy!
Local Winds – In The World Of Ours…..
We began the year with this short but sweet EP from Scott Dickson aka Local Winds and it is has aged well over the year still seeming as compelling and meditative as it did back in February. We still have some copies of the 3″ cd and cassette here. Enjoy track “Small Towns” again.
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One In A Googolplex – Lilly
Following close on the heels of his excellent 3rd LP The Dropout Cats Sebastian Zimmer of One In A Googolplex unleashed the “Lilly” digital 7″. A more perfect electro infused pop song is hard to imagine and the b side “My Sister’s Poems” is a nice come down. Download “Lilly“.
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GDC – Jours Avec Jennie
Keyboard wizard Zach Phillips has put out almost as much music over the last few years as he has used different monikers for said sounds. Known for his work as Blanche Blanche Blanche, Horse Boys and more, we are lucky to have put out his only outing as GDC in which, he makes a “faux French Masterpiece” that is like a dream jam with Serge Gainsbourg and Bruce Haack.
Download “Leur Heure“.
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BAnanas Symphony – Two Sided
A solid collection of the best of Philly resident Yohsuke Araki’s solo work. Everything from experimental arpeggio jams to more 60′s and garage rockin kinda stuff all topped off with an amazingly great voice and melodies to match. “Know a good thing when you hear it, and this is a fuckin’ great thing” – the fmly. Check out “To Love Somebody“.
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I and I – The Alpha Future
Concludes a trilogy of I and I’s first 3 LPs exploring rhythmically based altered pop. Sampled optimism to combat downpression. Wide open spaces with long horizons full of synths, voices, beats and words. “really impressed by the intricacy” – Smoke Don’t Smoke
check out “Should Have Been A Beekeeper“.
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Arrange – PlantationThis dude (Malcom Lacey) has made a whale of a record at the age of 18! It’s full of the kind of patient and subtle song craft that is way beyond the sophistication one would expect from such a young blood. Choice sound design, drifting pianos, pumping beats and lilting voices all combine into a wounded r&b soul expression portrait. Music as therapy, therapy as music. Pitchfork gave it high marks “patient and quietly stunning“. Still have a few tapes left. Check out “When’d You Find Me“.
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Eric Sarmiento – The Friend Is This Animal
One of the best from someone who’s no stranger to making good ones. Different colourful branches on a unique sonic/melodic tree firmly rooted in the forest of the modern world under a contemplative sky. Where are we? How did we get here? What do we mean to each other? How do we find meaning? This is the road map and travel guide. Witness “These Little Winters“.
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One In A Googolplex - Win Win
Cologne resident Sebastian Zimmer aka One In A Googolplex delivers on the promise of single “Lilly” with another modern pop standout of an LP. This time adding guest performances and dialing up the energy a couple of notches. Tigers, Lions, Bears, Watermelons and Four Leaf Clovers rendered in resplendent technicolor. See “You Were a Mess When You Were Seventeen” for details.
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FAVORS – Five Million Years
Yes we still like pop music especially when it’s intelligence and originality equal it’s hooks and when it’s a little skewed like this one. Every song on this could be a single from the synth/beat driven jammers like “D.D.D”, “Never Fun” and “The ATM” to the future primitive funk of “Cave Wall”. Bowie talked about ‘Five Years’, FAVORS skipped next level and jumped light years. Enjoy “D.D.D.”.
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Holiday Sale 2011
December 4th, 2011As an incentive to get some more Alchemist music into your scene we’re offering our annual holiday sale. This year 20% off every order until February 1, 2012. Just type in the code: holiday11 in the blank for coupon or voucher in the cart.
Look for a year end recap shortly. Stock up!
eat drink man woman
December 4th, 2011
