Tuesday, October 2, 2018

J. Peter Schwalm: How We Fall


Multi-instrumentalist and electronic composer J. Peter Schwalm worked on How We Fall between treatments for a brain tumor, a situation that couldn’t help but be represented in his music. With intermittent assistance from guitarist Eivind Aarset and bassist Tim Harries, Schwalm carefully layered sounds from various guitars, piano, drums, and a slew of electronic devices to create this series of relatively dark and melancholy pieces. From the sludgy psychedelia of Strofort which opens the disc to the spare and ambient finale Singlis, Schwalm’s distinctive juxtapositions prove to be surprisingly emotional soundscapes. While I’m sure that Schwalm would have been more than glad not to deal with such a life-threatening condition, he did manage to piece together the endlessly intriguing music of How We Fall. Here’s to his good health and continued creativity!
RareNoise RNR096; J. Peter Schwalm (g, p, electronic devices, acoustic & digital sound modules, d, synths) Eivind Aarset (g on 1,3,4,5,8,9) Tim Harries (b on 1,4-7,9); prob. Frankfurt, Germany, 2017; 1.Strofort/ 2.Battenfeld/ 3.Auua/ 4.Ibra/ 5.Gangesthal/ 6.Stormbruch/ 7.Clingon/ 8.Musles/ 9.Singlis; 55:29. www.rarenoiseecords.com

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