|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LP
|
|
WHYT 075LP
|
Process of Elimination, El Hardwick's sophomore's album, explores sickness as a teacher for anti-capitalist modes of being; a rewilding of the self. Out via AD 93, the record is the product of an attempt to be indestructible; this sickness has an unknown diagnosis. El Hardwick's album follows their experience of becoming chronically ill after years of treating their body like a machine. El explains: "After failing to receive a diagnosis, which is only given via a lengthy process of elimination, I instead turned to autonomous modes of healing rooted in mysticism and herbalism; putting aside the need to be defined. My journey towards accepting my disability is told in parallel to my coming-out as trans. I also see my non-binary identity as a process of elimination: I am neither gender, both, in-between. It is through rewilding myself from capitalism and gender normativity that I learn how to connect to my body and the earth; no longer allowing either's energy to be extracted from. The less I sought answers, language, metrics and analysis, the more peace I found." Silvia Federici's Caliban And The Witch influenced the album in telling how dissident women and gender nonconforming people have been historically labelled as hysterical and heretical when questioning the cartesian dualist mindset that laid the groundwork of capitalism. Donna J Haraway's Staying With The Trouble and Jenny Odell's How To Do Nothing were further inspirations in how humans can rebuild relationships with the earth. The album features a number of London-based musicians and friends: Alex McKenzie (Gentle Stranger, Shovel Dance Collective, Caroline) on clarinet, flute and saxophone, Laura Misch on saxophone, Marysia Osu (Levitation Orchestra) on harp, Memory Play on co-production, double bass and saw, and Sasha Wilde on vocals. El Hardwick is a multidisciplinary artist living in London, UK. Identifying as trans non-binary, their work weaves narratives between queer world making practices and how listeners can heal on a damaged planet.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
LP
|
|
TTTT 008LP
|
El Hardwick's debut album, 8, explores an alternative cyberspace at the crossroads of climate and digital justice. Originally imagined as a sci-fi graphic novel back in 2016, over the following three years, 8 expanded into a concept album. Combining photography with poetry and song, Hardwick spins a cautionary tale in which technocrats advise a social elite to give up their bodies, upload their minds to a server, and migrate into cyberspace. Those the algorithm deems less worthy are left behind on a depleted earth. Channeled through Hardwick's vaporous falsetto, 8 unfolds along two paths: the A-side builds, while the B-side destroys. In the shimmering "Bitter Lake", Hardwick reflects on grief and creates a spiritual energy that moves between hope and grief. "Ration Without Reason", "Tidal" and "Expect" delve into more personal territory. For Hardwick, these three tracks are ecological love songs that address their relationship with capitalism. Track eight, "Vanishing Point", captures the tipping point at which one person's creation becomes someone else's destruction A prominent photographer in the music industry, Hardwick has constantly expanded their talents, from cocurating a zine on shapeshifting and hosting shows of young women photographers, to DJing as Moonbow at queer raves. They recently launched a new series of projects, titled Desire Lines, with a compilation in support of QueerCare. Last year, Hardwick banded with Discwoman affiliate Ciel, who remixed the album's fifth track "BNND WDTH" for a 12" single, released on West Friends label. Features Cardinal Fang, Conrad Kira and Elliott Arndt, Sim Hutchins, and MX World.
|