welcome to paradigms recordings

NEWS UPDATED January 21st 2012

• IXTAR "I" NOW SOLD OUT!

• Special AIDAN BAKER double album opus out now!

• Coming soon : THE COSMIC DEAD, IRON FOREST and IXTAR "II" and "III"

• Paradigms Recordings - Albums Of The Year 2011

The rather wonderful IXTAR "I" micro-edition is now sold out! Thanks to everyone who picked up a copy and watch out for the following two parts of this tryptich coming over the next few months. Also watch out for the upcoming kosmische marvel from THE COSMIC DEAD and the bleak electronics / doom-step of IRON FOREST, both coming in February.

Also, it is our pleasure to unveil a exclusive double cd collection from AIDAN BAKER, who we are sure you are all aware of from his monumental work in NADJA and also a rich portfolio of solo offerings. "Loop Studies" is a mammoth album: over 150 minutes of spellbinding glacial ambience and truly one of the most beautiful releases that we have had the priviledge of working with here at Paradigms.

AIDAN BAKER's 'Loop Studies' is available now from the Paradigms online store HERE

aidan baker

"Loop Studies" Ltd Digi-Pak Double CD
(Screenprinted edition of 500 copies Only)
Order HERE

FILE UNDER : Ambient / Modern Composition / Nadja

Toronto / Berlin based musician and composer AIDAN BAKER is most likely well known to you as one half of the crushing NADJA duo as well as a prolific solo artist and Paradigms has always been a keen follower of his magnificent work. So it's with great pleasure that we introduce this very special two disc set. A vast and sprawling double album of Aidan Baker's loop studies -- collected in their entirety for the first time and most of which is debuted right here. To our ears, this is Aidan's very own "Selected Ambient Works" and some of the most beautiful music to have graced the Paradigms catalogue. Deep, glacial and resonating, this colossal body of work spans 2 discs over 150 minutes. Delicately composed with a fine tuning of beautiful, cascading bliss and all the right little quirks and glitches to truly bring this to life.

Recommended for discerning ears and appreciators of Biosphere, Labradford, Oval and Nadja. Presented as a 2 disc set, housed in screenprinted gatefold, heavyboard digi-pak wallets and strictly limited to 500 copies only.

Listen : AIDAN BAKER "Loop Study Six"

"AIDAN BAKER - Loop Studies" is now available exclusively from Paradigms webstore HERE.

ixtar

"IXTAR I" Ltd CDR
(Screenprinted Micro edition of 50 copies Only)
SOLD OUT

FILE UNDER : Modern Composition / Nocturnal Jazz / Electronic

Very pleased to introduce you to the debut work from IXTAR - a triumph in modern composition from Daniel Vujanic, the creative force behind another Paradigms delicacy, HÖHLENMUSIK ENSEMBLE, who's self titled debut was one of our personal favourites of 2011. IXTAR takes Vujanic's craft to slightly more experimental realms, building a rich cathedral of sound from esoteric elements of modern composition and experimental electronica with shadowy jazz and heavy prog leanings into a lush and rewarding experience. Sparse and resonating with an atompshere in part that captures the ambience of such nocturnal artists as Bohren And Der Club Of Gore.

A beautiful introduction to an ongoing series of releases, this first instalment is presented here as a super limited micro-edition cdr album of 50 copies only, presented in a screenprinted arigato box. Enjoy.

Listen : IXTAR "Amulet"

"IXTAR - IXTAR I" is now sold out. Watch out for IXTAR "II" and "III" coming over the next few months.

paradigms recordings - albums of the year 2011

The music that's blown our minds this Year, in order of Greatness

• THE UNTHANKS - Last
• HEXVESSEL - Dawnbearer
• BJORK - Biophilia
• NORTH SEA RADIO ORCHESTRA - I A Moon
• VIRUS - The Agent That Shares The Desert
• CHELSEA WOLFE - Apokalypsis
• I BREAK HORSES - Hearts
• ENTRAILS - The Tomb Awaits
• THE SKULL DEFEKTS - Peer Amid
• ESBEN AND THE WITCH - Violet Cries
• ZOLA JESUS - Conatus
• BYETONE - SyMeta
• THE ADVISORY CIRCLE - As The Crow Flies
• ARBOURETUM - The Gathering
• KRENG - Grimoire
• BON IVER - Bon Iver
• BLUT AUS NORD - 777 Sect(s)
• M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
• RUIN + SOLISTENEMSEMBLE KALEIDOSKOP - 1/2 Skull
• TOMBS - Path Of Totality

rashomon

"Ashcan Copy - Film Music Vol. 3" Ltd Digi-Pak CD
(Screenprinted edition of 300 copies Only)
Order HERE

FILE UNDER : Sinister soundtracks / Sound Library / Giallo / Exotica

For the uninitiated, RASHOMON is Matt Thompson, founder member of London's prolific and intoxicating GUAPO. Thompson formed Guapo in 1993 and played with them until 2004, releasing 6 albums on labels including Cuneiform and Ipecac. From 2005 onwards RASHOMON has been his focus, releasing 3 albums so far. Taking influence equally from soundtrack composers such as Ennio Morricone and Toru Takemitsu, and artists like Magma, Univers Zero and Popol Vuh, RASHOMON is a rich experience of decadent exotica, "Ashcan Copy (Film Music Vol 3)" being no exception; a monumental collection of avant exploitation soundtrack / sound library recordings.

Listen : RASHOMON "The Door Has Two Sides"

What the critics are saying :

“A restless Univers Zero / Popol Vuh vibe pervades, at times delicate and sensuous, but often heavy, oppressive and dark as a grave fitted with blackout blinds.” (Rock-A-Rolla Magazine)

“Krautrock like, montage styled collages of sound, banging rock structures, swirling organs, jazzy, minimal music and maximal music. Trip music that works well, even without any filmic reference.” (Vital Weekly)

“Matt's obviously been busy imbibing the spirits of Goblin, Fabio Frizzi and Angelo Badalamenti which loom large over these eight tracks. Those influences seep out from each cut like a carmine miasma, but most brilliantly never give the game away - this could just have easily been imagined and fashioned in the late '70s or today. His execution is scarily close to the original aesthetic, from frantically spiralling organ outings and acid-fuelled tension to authentic psyche-funk breaks, harrowed Moog jams and doomy chamber jazz, all played with an incredible instinctive touch” (Boomkat)

“The styles of music vary quite a lot from Goblin esque prog zombie horror, to kitsch sounding library music, eerie prog, elements of jazz. He's clearly listened to a lot of film soundtracks as the music he's created sounds super authentic. Excellent stuff!!” (Norman Records)

"RASHOMON - ASHCAN COPY (Film Music Vol 3)" is now available exclusively from Paradigms webstore HERE.

yr iliad

"Welcome To Concrete" Ltd Digi-Pak CD
(Screenprinted edition of 300 copies Only)
Order HERE

FILE UNDER : Psyche / Drone / Folk

YR ILIAD is the magical collaboration of Geoff Morris, Christopher Giamo and Lee Camfield, three psyched-out stargazers from San Francisco, California. Their sun-drenced, blissed out instrumental drone-folk radiates throughout their Paradigms debut, "Welcome To Concrete". A glorious, organic and evocative opus, delicately conceived in a bunker that the band call home.

"Welcome To Concrete" is presented as a special edition of 300 silkscreened digi-pak cds. Available exclusively from the our webstore HERE

Listen : YR ILIAD "Grow In"

paradigms recordings playlist - october 2011

The music that's blowing our minds this month

• MACGILLIVRAY - Wolf
• SCOTT WALKER - The Drift
• BJORK - Biophilia
• CHELSEA WOLF - Apokalypsis
• ZOLA JESUS - Conatus
• NUCLEUS TORN - Andromeda Awaiting
• NON - Children Of The Black Sun
• ANDREW HILL - Illusion (Disc 2 / Jazz Vaults Series)
• DIF JUZ - Extractions
• SONGS:OHIA - s/t
• FOOD - Molecular Gastronomy
• ERIC DOLPHY - Last Date (1964)

kinit her

"Mosaic Of The Hyacinths" Cassette Micro-edition (Limited edition of 100 copies Only)
Order HERE

Madison, WI’s neo-folk brethren return with a special cassette only micro-edition on Paradigms. KINIT HER were formed as a trio back in 2007, now a duo of brothers they continue to explore a rich musical heritage of neo-classical and early music influenced occult neo-folk of ever deepening richness and sorrowful wonder. Their organic forest mantras and sacred sigils embrace a lush orchestration of horns, mournful strings, delicate twelve-string guitars to accompany the vocal incantations of woodland mysticism and a search for higher knowledge in conflict with the veil of the modern world. Something beautiful and arcane smolders here.

With several acclaimed releases to their name already, including a split album with Burial Hex and an upcoming new album on Pesanta Urfolk, KINIT HER continue to bewitch us with their intoxicating folk psychedelics that flow through blood and earth on “Mosaic Of The Hyacinths”.

Listen : KINIT HER "Mosaic Of The Hyacinths"

"Mosaic Of The Hyacinths" by KINIT HER is presented as a very special micro-edition, limited to 100 copies only. Four glorious tracks over twenty minutes. White audio cassette encased in screenprinted card box with artwork from KINIT HER's Nathaniel Ritter. Order HERE

tele.s.therion

"Tele.s.therion" CDR Micro-edition (Limited edition of 100 copies Only)
Order HERE

FILE UNDER : Hermetic / Ritual / Drone / Musique Concrète / Metal / Avantgarde

TELE.S.THERION is the collaborative work of Italian sound artists Pietro Riparbelli / K11 and Sandro Gronchi. Releasing past works on such formidable underground labels as Touch, Aurora Borealis, 20 Buck Spin and Cold Spring, as well as their own Radical Matters imprint whilst also working with larger ensembles including Astral Lueur and Mortuary Drape, the TELE.S.THERION incarnation unveils this colossal edition via Paradigms.

Almost 80 minutes in length, "Tele.s.therion" collects three monolithic pieces into a seven track album, featuring recordings from "The Chapel" - conceived as an acoustic audio installation for the Rothko Chapel, "Nature Unveiled" - based on the Current 93 album of the same name and "HINTHV.RITVVM" - based on Etruscan occult ritual texts. TELE.S.THERION is an esoteric sigil based on the name of the temple of Eleusis. The symbolic current of TELE.S.THERION can be expressed in the "Rule of Silence" (Echemythia): the Law of the Cult of the Mystêryon, perceived through the Hermetic Laws of speculative Freemasonry. The double dotted "S" is the hidden sigil of the silenced form of Horus / Hor Pa Khered (Harpocrates) / Sigelion.

Listen : TELE.S.THERION "Grimoire XIII"

"Tele.s.therion" by TELE.S.THERION is presented as a very special micro-edition, limited to 100 copies only. Printed CDR encased in screenprinted arigato box with insert. Order HERE

upcoming this autumn on paradigms

This coming Autumn is unfolding into a most productive and exciting season here at Paradigms. Coming up in October we have an amazing collection of avant exploitation soundtrack / sound library recordings from RASHOMON (Matt Thompson of Guapo) and it's our pleasure to introduce some psyche drenched bliss folk from California's YR ILIAD, who's "Welcome To Concrete" debut album will also be released that month. November will usher in a sublime double album from AIDAN BAKER (Nadja).

Paradigms will also be leading with two very special micro editions too, one from IXTAR; part one of an exploratory vanguardist tryptich from Daniel Vujanic of the Höhlenmusik Ensemble, and another from IRON FOREST, who's doomed electronics can be witnessed on the Paradigms Autumn sampler and also on their Crucial Blast debut album

And to celebrate the Yuletide festivities, as is the way here at the Paradigms lodge, we're excited to announce upcoming wonders from A SENDING SERVICE and THE COSMIC DEAD. More information to follow shortly.

paradigms recordings playlist - september 2011

The music that's blowing our minds this month

• JEX THOTH - Jex Thoth
• HUMCRUSH - Rest At Worlds End
• I BREAK HORSES - Hearts
• THE PUPILS - The Pupils
• SILVER SUMMIT - Silver Summit
• NORTH SEA RADIO ORCHESTRA - I A Moon
• THE ADVISORY CIRCLE - As The Crow Flies
• KRENG - Grimoire
• VIRUS - The Agent That Shapes The Desert
• ERIC DOLPHY - Out To Lunch
• FUZZY LIGHTS - Twin Feathers
• WOODEN SHJIPS - West
• MARCUS FJELLSTRÖM - Schattenspieler

exclusive new paradigms t-shirt designs out this week!

We've been working on two new Paradigms t-shirt designs to accompany the Autumn releases. We're happy to preview the print designs. Artwork and shirt prints below. Available from the Paradigms online store now. Order HERE

owlfood screenprints and new york times!

It was especially nice to see the OWLFOOD collection featured in the New York Times back on August 14th with a glowing feature in their Sunday playlist. We are also especially proud of the screen printed design for this release too. The band's imagery converted into silver and white inks on a heavy board digi-pak turned out beautifully and really does embody the new presentational aesthetic of Paradigms into the future, we feel. A few images of the glorious finished print are shown below for your viewing pleasure :

 

Full details of both the HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY and OWLFOOD albums can be found below, along with preview tracks from both albums. Each album along with exclusive t-shirts are now available from the Paradigms webstore here.

heinali and matt finney

"AIN'T NO NIGHT" CD Album (Limited edition of 500 copies)
Available Now with exclusive T-Shirt
Order HERE

Following the official release of the acclaimed "Conjoined" recordings earlier this year, Paradigms is proud to release the brand new album from HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY. Entitled "Ain't No Night", it sees this collaborative duo from the Ukraine by way of Alabama transcend their already monolithic sound to glorious new heights.

By far their most compelling and adventurous work to date, each of the four sprawling tracks here conjure a rich cinematic haze. Fusing a delicate palatte of droning metallic post-rock and dense washes of shoegaze, both the rapturous peaks and somber interludes of introspection are brought together effortlessly by Matt Finney's spoken-word prose, here as razor sharp and melancholic as ever.

The title track takes the duo on paths untrodden, driven by the haunted soul of the delta Blues, cascading and crashing around the narration of urban decay like a Badalamenti score to an unnerving David Lynch vision. Quite spectacular.

Listen : HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY "Ain't No Night"

 

"Ain't No Night" by HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY is presented as a limited edition of 500 copies only, with stunning spined sleeve and Paradigms inner wallet.

CD album and also exclusive T-shirt and CD bundle package available to order today. Shipping now. Order HERE

owlfood

"OWLFOOD" CD Album (Limited edition of 500 copies).
Available Now with exclusive T-Shirt
Order HERE

Now, you may recall Boston's OWLFOOD from their perfect contribution to our very own "Death Aesthetics" compilation release back in 2009 and it is now our pleasure to present their debut full length self titled release this month. "Owlfood" collects pretty much all the band's glorious output to date, beautifully presented in heavy board, four panel digi-pak with silkscreen print in silver and white inks.

The OWLFOOD trio is Thommy Saraceno, Anna Saraceno and Michael Hutcherson and their work brings together a rich kaleidoscope of hypnotic mantras; totally psyched droning songcraft, outsider folk, subdued electronics and cosmic mysticism channelled into blissed out, reverberating melodies and melancholy. "Owlfood" is a perfect document of this spectral collective thus far; keenly currated, this album is a truly affecting and powerful opus.

Listen : OWLFOOD "10.14.35"

 

"Owlfood" is presented as a limited edition of 500 copies only, finely crafted in beautiful heavy board, 4 panel digi-pak with bespoke screen printed design in silver and white inks.

CD album and also exclusive T-shirt and CD bundle package available to order today. Shipping Now. Order HERE

paradigms recordings playlist - august 2011

The music that's blowing our minds this month

• CHELSEA WOLFE - The Grime And The Glow
• SUPERSILENT - 10
• BON IVER - Bon Iver
• WHITE HILLS - H-p1
• MARISSA NADLER - Marissa Nadler
• SQUAREPUSHER - Burningn'n Tree
• KONTROLORGAN - Kingfisher Exile CDR
• TROPIC OF CANCER - From The Sorrow Of Two Blooms
• ROSE KEMP - Golden Shroud
• BLACK MONOLITHE - Demo
• BARN OWL - Ancestral Star
• FAIRPORT CONVENTION - Liege And Lief
• DEATHPROD - Morals And Dogma

free stickers, badges and patches!

A fine array of Paradigms paraphernalia has just arrived! : there's a set of four new Paradigms badges, two new stickers and a limited edtion screen printed Paradigms logo patch! You'll get a selection of these badges and stickers free with every order from our webstore and on orders over £50.00 we'll also throw in one of the lovely patches for free too.

recent releases

THE SLAVES "Grey Angel" CD Album

Order here

THE SLAVES are Barbara Kinzle and Birch Cooper. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, this compelling duo craft a luscious haze of droning, psychedelic and haunting ambient pop soundscapes. Waves of warm, spectral synth, processed guitars and electronics perfectly layered with Barbara's pure, ethereal tones to almost spiritual effect. Pure and beautiful yet somber and melancholic, "Grey Angel" is a monumental release for Paradigms and reminds us personally of those rich 4AD atmospheres, the misty lakeside mornings of Twin Peaks and a contemporary ambience like a totally blissed out Zola Jesus, perhaps.

Listen : THE SLAVES "Visions"

"Grey Angel" is THE SLAVES' debut for Paradigms Recordings. Presented as a limited edition of 500 copies only, with stunning spined sleeve with Paradigms inner wallet. Listen to a sample track on the Paradigms audio player. The album is available to order exclusively from our online store now. THE SLAVES are currently working on their new album for Paradigms and will be heading to Europe in the Autumn for a full tour. Most worthy of your attention!

PRÖN FLÅVÜRDIK "OPUS 3 - THE MOTOWN YEARS" CD Album

Order Here

PRÖN FLÅVÜRDIK are one seriously monolithic quartet from Rouen, France. And this is one heavy scene! "Opus 3 - The Motown Years" - a colossal piece over 40 minutes; crushed by the primeval Riff, fueled by a hypnotic, pulsating organ and driven by a thundering bass and improv percussion into a wild, psyched horror frenzy. Like a macabre slasher / exploitation soundtrack of classic Italian cinema with a distinctly experimental edge, a truly masterful score. Then just wait until it breaks, !!MAMMOTH!!; before the opus drifts into a Trans AM / Kraftwerk 'Futureworld' rhythmic haze. Highly recommended for appreciators of Goblin, John Zorn, Zombi and the Melvins. Mighty indeed!

Listen : PRÖN FLÅVÜRDIK "Opus 3 (excerpt)"

"Opus 3 - The Motown Years" is PRÖN FLÅVÜRDIK's debut for Paradigms Recordings. Presented as a limited edition of 500 copies only, finely crafted sacrificial wrap around cover sleeve and insert, printed on special paper stocks and Paradigms inner wallet. Listen to a sample track on the Paradigms audio player. The album is available to order exclusively from our online store now. PRÖN FLÅVÜRDIK are currently working on their upcoming new album for Paradigms and often menace a French live audience. Kill. Kill. Kill!

HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY "Conjoined" CD Album

Order here

Now, this is something rather special; the Paradigms debut of collaborative work from Ukrainian composer Heinali and American poet / spoken word lyricist Matt Finney. 'Conjoined' is a vast sonic work - cascading, crashing layers of enveloping hazy heaviness crafted into beautiful, warm yet introspective songs interlaced with Matt Finney's haunting spoken word delivery. An emotionally affecting recording of powerful "doomgaze" which has drawn comparison to Nadja and the like, yet way more focused, engaging and rewarding, in our humble opinion. Quite spectacular.

Listen : HEINALI AND MATT FINNEY "Under God's Heaven"

"Conjoined" - Six epic, introspective waves of colossal sound presented in printed velum sleeve with black on black inner wrap around insert and Paradigms inner wallet. Artwork and design developed by Holy Mountain Media. Limited edition of 500 copies only.

HÖHLENMUSIK ENSEMBLE "Höhlenmusik Ensemble" CD Album

Order here

The debut album from Stuttgart's HÖHLENMUSIK ENSEMBLE is an absolute triumph of experimental electronica, avant jazz and modern composition. A mayor step forwards into the ether for Paradigms, this ensemble effortlessly crafts a luscious debut album incorporating some of the finest players in the scene and a cosmic jazz milestone to blow minds. Fusing rich strings, vibes, double bass, woodwind and precision percussion alongside delicate electronics into a vast musical vision. Truly spectacular and highly recommended for appreciators of Jaga Jazzist, Isotope 217, Alice Coltrane, Supersilent, Tortoise and David Axelrod, perhaps. Totally beyond.

Listen : HÖHLENMUSIK ENSEMBLE "Xibal"

 

"Höhlenmusik Ensemble" - Seven movements over 50 minutes presented in finely crafted spined cardboard wallet sleeve with Paradigms inner wallet. Limited edition of 500 copies only.

GREAT FALLS "Fontanelle" CD Album

Order here

In stark contrast, we're very privileged to introduce Seattle's GREAT FALLS to the Paradigms family. Their self titled debut is one truly mammoth mechanised beast of angular, pulverizing noiserock from distinguished stock indeed. Featuring ex-members of Kiss It Goodbye and Playing Enemy with a very special vocal appearance from Ryan McKenney of TRAP THEM, such predigree speaks for itself. Mathematical heaviness prevails throughout it's industrial beauty with moments of atmospheric light between the claustrophobic bleakness. Intelligent, calculated walls of black sound with nods to The Jesus Lizard, Godflesh, The Austerity Program, Shellac and other such noise pioneers. Colossal.

Listen : GREAT FALLS "Another Starving Excuse"

"Fontanelle" - Nine crushing tracks presented with exclusive artwork by Great Fall's Demian Johnston, printed on textured papers and card wrap-around, with Paradigms inner wallet. Limited edition of 500 copies only.

thanks folks, until next time...

Paradigms Recordings, Winter Solstice 2011