Harp Mix Tape V

 

This week we're veering a little more back in experimental territory. One other thing that a lot of these track have in common is it is difficult to distinguish what that actual artist's name is from how it's listed in bandcamp. To purchase or listen to the albums heard here in full, click on any of the links in the notes below. To hear this playlist on BNDCMPR where you can purchase the individual songs, head to Harp Mix Tape V. 

Cyclea + Bell Toll is first up with harp over uneven beats that reminds me somehow of autechre. The album is called Zeropisces, a collaboration with harpist Kathy Fay (Bell Toll) and Jonathan Jindra (Cyclea) on electronics.

DJ SENSESCAPE (listed as Ricardo Huisman, silent noise production) uses harp loops over lots of mechanical noises and possibly field recordings. I like it, I'm not sure it's playable by a person as opposed to a computer. Both tracks are good and I had a hard time deciding which to post. You can hear why on the EP Sense Harp Scapes.

Wend creates a lovely wall or wave of sound with harp (of course) and vocals weaving in and out. This is a relaxing albums aptly titled Meditations.

Zeena Parkins plays a very avant-garde processed harp. This could sound like confusing noise, but she is so skilled it is incredibly compelling. She is much more prolific than bandcamp would suggest.   Captiva is her most recent solo work.

Markus Guentner (on the label A Strangely Isolated Place) makes a wash of glisses from the harp over what sounds like recordings of space. This is the only track on Empire with harp, played by Tom Moth.

The Cloisters, also known as Michael Tanner/Plinth, gives us a spare, muted solo harp over the wind  whistling outside, that transforms into a ghostly and otherwordly chorus. The album is Little Winter.