themilkfactory – An Announcement
At the end of September, it will have been thirteen years since themilkfactory first appeared. Thirteen years is a long time…

Header: interviews

LFO Low Frequency Opportunist
2002 Interview with Mark Bell by the milkman
Tonight, Monday 13th October 2014, the news of Mark Bell’s untimely death, apparently from complications following a medical procedure, has been confirmed by Warp Records.I am exceptionally reviving themilkfactory to republish an interview I did with him in 2002. RIP Mark, you are a true legend, and were a true gentleman.

Header: features

Welcome To Norway: Phaedra/Jenny Hval, The Borderline, London, 19/3/2012WELCOME TO NORWAY
Phaedra/Jenny Hval, The Borderline, London, 19/3/2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Both responsible for two of last year’s most stunning records on Rune Grammofon, Phaedra and Jenny Hval finally came to London to showcase their very different and individual sound.

Tom Arthurs/Simon Vincent, Tom Arthurs/Ollie Bown/Isambard Khroustaliov/Lothar Ohlmeier, Kings Place, London, 30/1/2012OF MACHINES AND MEN
Tom Arthurs/Simon Vincent, Tom Arthurs/Ollie Bown/Isambard Khroustaliov/Lothar Ohlmeier, Kings Place, London, 30/1/2012
Reviewed by themilkman
British experimental trumpeter Tom Arthurs partners with Simon Vincent, then with Lothar Ohlmeier, Ollie Bown and Sam ‘Isambard Khroustaliov’ Britton for two performances in which he confronts acoustic and electronic and explores the possibilities of improvising with machines.

Header: album of the month

Sisdel Endresen & Stian Westerhus: Didymoi DreamsSIDSEL ENDRESEN & STIAN WESTERHUS Didymoi Dreams
RCD2131 Rune Grammofon 2012

Reviewed by themilkman
Norwegian vocalist extraordinaire Sidsel Endresen and experimental guitarist Stian Westerhus have teamed up for a live performance at Nattjazz in Bergen, Norway last year, which is documented on this stunning record.

Header: albums

Stian Westerhus: The Matriarch And The Wrong Kind Of FlowersSTIAN WESTERHUS The Matriarch And The Wrong Kind Of Flowers
RCD2133 Rune Grammofon 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Following his recent collaboration with Sidsel Endresen, Norwegian experimental guitarist Stian Westerhus returns to Rune Grammofon with his third solo album for the label.

Philippe Petit: Extraordinary Tales Of A Lemon Girl Chapter 2: Fire Walking To WonderlandPHILIPPE PETIT Extraordinary Tales Of A Lemon Girl Chapter 2: Fire Walking To Wonderland / Chapter 3: Hitch-Hiking Thru Bronze Mirrors / Una Symphonia Della Paura
AGO048 / AGO052 Aagoo Records 2012 / URCD071 / Utech Records 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
With the second and third instalment in his Extraordinary Tales Of A Lemon Girl triptych, Philippe Petit pushes his processed avant-garde textures into new grounds, but his release on Utech shows a much darker and radical side to his work.

Chris Dooks & Machinefabriek: The Eskdalemuir HarmoniumCHRIS DOOKS & MACHINEFABRIEK The Eskdalemuir Harmonium
KOM1NO004 Komino Records 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Chris Dooks and Machinefabriek collaborate on this fascinating album for which they document a decaying harmonium and bring it back to life.

Sinner DC: Future That Never HappenedSINNER DC Future That Never Happened 

MG083 Mental Groove Records 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Swiss trio Sinner DC take their electro-charged pop to Geneva-based imprint Mental Groove with their seventh album.

Valgeir Sigurđsson: Architecture Of LossVALGEIR SIGURÐSSON Architecture Of Loss
HVALUR13 Bedroom Community 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Originally composed for the Stephen Petrnio ballet of the same name, this album sees Valgeir Sigurðsson bridge the gap between the electronic textures of his debut and the sweeping orchestral work of his second album.

Animal Collective: Centipede HzANIMAL COLLECTIVE Centipede Hz
WIG274 Domino Recording Co. 2012

Reviewed by themilkman
Three years on from their last outing, Animal Collective return with their tenth album, and once again, they tread a fine line between majestically brilliant pop and utter chaos.

Nico Muhly: Drones & PianoNICO MUHLY Drones & Piano / Drones & Viola / Drones & Violin
SELUR2 / SELUR3 / SELUR4 Bedroom Community 2012

Reviewed by themilkman
For his latest project, a trilogy of releases each based on a lead instrument, for Bedroom Community, Nico Muhly investigates drones and develop harmonic structures to bring them to life.

Spill: FluoresceSPILL Fluoresce
MONO050 Monotype Records 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Spill is the collaborative project of Berlin-based Magda Mayas and Necks drummer Tony Buck, and this is their second recording together.

Waves On Canvas: Into The NorthseaWAVES ON CANVAS Into The Northsea
PSY048 Psychonaviation Records 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
Although this album is imbued with the spirit of This Mortal Coil, it would be foolish to dismiss it for a pastiche project as Waves On Canvas mastermind Stefano Guzzetti infuses it with contemporary electronics.

Nathan Fake: Steam DaysNATHAN FAKE Steam Days
36BCCD Border Community 2012
Reviewed by themilkman
For his third album, Nathan Fake brings together the pastoral tones of his debut and the techno influences of his second to create a rather playful soundtrack.

 

LUKE VIBERT We Hear You

ZIQ240 Planet Mu 2009

Reviewed by themilkman

Luke Vibert returns to Planet Mu for his latest assortment of beats and grooves, once again bundled into on hell of a record.