Tape Pieces Vol. 2 by Chris Child & Micah Frank

Tape Pieces Vol. 2 represents the next installment in the collaboration between composer Chris Child (Kodomo) and sound artist Micah Frank. The Release will be in Digital & Cassette.

While the first EP focused on the layering and cascading of asynchronous tape loops, this second EP pushes the tape loops further into drone territory, dissolving the sense of a repetition through the heavy use of filtering with effects so the loops blur together and bear just an echo of resemblance to its original. The pieces are slower to evolve, exploring longer and amorphous forms, as in “Static Wheels”, which clocks in at just over 10 minutes.

TRACK LIST

• 01. Distances
• 02. Static Wheels
• 03. Every Comet
• 04. Kettle Cove 

As with the last EP, the songs emerged out of a weeklong jam session in Chris’s Portland Studio. Favoring two TASCAM 4-Tracks, the two recorded layers of short tape loops using a few vintage synths and a Rhodes. The loops were further disseminated into drones though an array of guitar pedals. Field recordings from Portland’s coasts were subtly woven in, providing a tactile sense of place which inspired the moods of these pieces.

The physical release of Tape Pieces Vol. 2 features a high bias cassette tape and artwork from Portland, Maine based artist Bryan Graf. Only 50 copies are available. The first 20 sold will ship with a 10.5″ W x 13″ L poster print featuring the cover art. All poster prints will be signed and numbered by Bryan and Chris. 

About Chris Child & Micah Frank

Chris Child is an Emmy award winning composer based in Portland, Maine and produces electronic music under the moniker Kodomo. In 2018 he founded the label Foil Imprints with the intention to release inspired electronic music, highlighting the diverse interests among its artists. Child’s music has appeared in numerous TV shows and video games, and is regularly played on NPR.  Micah Frank is a Brooklyn-based sound programmer and electronic music composer. He is the owner of the Puremagnetik music and sound label. His instruments and compositions have appeared in numerous publications including Remix, XLR8R, PBS, Computer Music, Keys and many more. In 2011, Micah won a NYFA grant for his sound installation project Junction. 

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Strata | Particle Tape Loop Device

Puremagnetik released Strata, a free plugin to complement Tape Pieces Volume 2 by Chris Child and Micah Frank – out now on Foil Imprints.

Strata is a plugin inspired by both microsound and tape music. It is a tape loop emulator and granular (particle) processor that can warp, bend, dissect and “analog age” all types of incoming audio. 

Tape Pieces Vol. 2 by Chris Child & Micah Frank

Tape Pieces Vol. 2 represents the next installment in a series of collaborations between Micah Frank and Chris Child (Kodomo).

While Tape Pieces Volume One focused on the layering and cascading of asynchronous tape loops, this second EP pushes the analog material further into drone territory, dissolving the sense of repetition through the heavy use of filtering with effects so the loops blur together and bear a faint echo of resemblance to its source. The pieces are slower to evolve, exploring longer and amorphous forms, as in “Static Wheels”, which clocks in at just over 10 minutes.

Tape Pieces Vol. 2 includes the free plugin, Strata – Particle Tape Loop Device. Instructions for Strata are included in the Bandcamp album download. Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC, and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app. Micah Frank is an award-winning electronic sound artist that uses algorithmic, generative, and stochastic methods to build sound sculptures. Much of his work incorporates field recordings, hand-built software, and real-time synthesis techniques.

Strata can be used as a simple ad-hoc buffer looper or you can build complex sound sculptures by putting it in “ADD” mode and tweaking the grain controls. 

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FOIL – Tape Pieces Vol. 1

Tape Pieces Vol. 1 represents the first in its series — a collaboration between composer Chris Child (Kodomo) and sound artist (Puremagnetik owner) Micah Frank. 

The EP began with a question: “How can we move away from Puremagnetik’s familiar tools that govern the structure and precision of creating loop-based music?” While the DAW offers virtually limitless control, it can also be stifling, leading to predictable working methods and results.

The answer became apparent through Frank’s four-track cassette recorder. The two decided to use the four-track as the main recording mechanism, creating tape loops in the studio from a few hand-played synths, a Rhodes, and a piano.  The loops were naturally asynchronous due to the lack of control over time and tempo. 

The tape loops were then layered and re-recorded through effects pedals, building up a slow, hypnotic mass of sound.  The artifacts introduced from the tape-shaped the sound of the pieces, giving them a warm and nostalgic quality. Frank and Child also made use of their time field recording in and around Portland, weaving the ambiances into the music. Both artists were inspired by the landscapes, light, and slowness of the environment.  

High Bias Cassette Tape featuring artwork from Bryan Graf. Only 100 copies are available! The first 25 sold will ship with a 10.5″ W x 13″ L poster print featuring the cover art “Swamp Things” by Bryan Graf. All poster prints will be signed and numbered by the artist and by Chris & Micah.

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