Browse by Artist: HRSTA

Artist:	HRSTA
Title:	L'éclat du ciel était insoutenable
Label:	ALIEN8 RECORDINGS (CANADA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$10.00
Catalog #:	FANCY 003CD

Repressed. "Hrsta (pronounced 'hursh-tah') is Mike Moya, founding member of both Godspeed You Black Emperor and Molasses, as well as a member of Set Fire to Flames and the Lonesome Hanks. This scintillating release, infused with endless waves of psilocybin pathos, does little to enlighten listeners confronted with the mystery that has enshrouded the name Moya, once thought to be a wayward rail-hopping tomcat. It does, instead, compound the intrigue with layers of hypnotic drones, haunting melodies, beautiful vocals, and streams of bewildering lyrics. Essentially a solo effort with Moya providing guitar, tape loops, organ, bowed desk, melodica, kazoo, and vocals; this release also features guest performances from Bruce Cawdron (godspeed you black emperor/set fire to flames) on drums, bowed cymbals, and idiophones; Norsola Johnson (godspeed you black emperor/molasses) on cello; Scott Chernoff (molasses) on acoustic guitar; and Fluffy Erskine (molasses) on saw, and bowed cymbals."

Artist:	HRSTA
Title:	Stem Stem In Electro
Label:	CONSTELLATION (CANADA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	CST 036CD

"Hrsta (her-shta) is the latest addition to the Constellation roster and Stem Stem In Electro is the band's second record, following a critically-acclaimed debut album release on Montreal's Fancy Recordings in 2001. The band's ring leader is guitarist and singer Mike Moya, who was a founding member of Godspeed You! Black Emperor back in 1995 and played on that band's first two records. Stem Stem In Electro is a gorgeous collection of songs painted in psych-rock tones and timbres, minor key progressions, and unsettling invocations of haunted transcendentalism. The opening track, with its trance-like group chorus of 'we climb to the light,' is akin to a cultish hymn, with Maya's guitar howls and washes underscoring the disquieting downwards chord structure. This sets the stage for 'Blood On The Sun,' a chilling ballad delivered in Maya's otherworldly voice, like a sedated Daniel Johnson or Wayne Coyne. The trip continues with a delicate instrumental and the tremulous swing of 'Folkways Orange,' which would not be out of place on a more sparkly orchestrated Devendra Banhart record."

Artist:	HRSTA
Title:	Ghosts Will Come and Kiss Our Eyes
Label:	CONSTELLATION (CANADA)
Format:	CD
Price:	$15.00
Catalog #:	CST 048CD

"Hrsta (her-shta) is the brainchild of founding Godspeed You! Black Emperor guitarist Mike Moya, who is joined on this third album (the band's second on Constellation) by Brooke Crouser (Jackie-O Motherfucker) on organs, guitars and various effects. Brooke has emerged as the core second member of the band, joining Mike on live dates since 2006, and contributing to composition and arrangement on this new record. The ever-faithful rhythm section of bassist Harris Newman and drummer Eric Craven provide additional backbone on select songs. Ghosts Will Come And Kiss Our Eyes is a collection of gently foreboding psych-folk, anchored as always by Mike's unique guitar sound and otherworldly, cracked vocals (think a sedated Daniel Johnson or Wayne Coyne). With Hammond and pump organs now featured prominently in the mix, much of the new material here sits on a thick, saturated foundation of shifting tones, drones and sustained chordings. Alternating between vocal tunes and instrumentals, the album creaks and cascades through hazed visions of cataclysm and calm, worry and wonder."

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