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LP
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EMEGO 311LP
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Grain is the third Innode release following on from Gridshifter (EMEGO 168LP) in 2013 and syn (EMEGO 294LP) in 2021. A new methodology to make the album is applied yet again from the trio of Bernhard Breuer, Steven Hess, and Stefan Németh. The approach is more an anti-approach where the trio let the process of creation itself steer the development of the recording, without any prior conceptual agenda. Irregular rhythmic patterns often served as the initial springboard for each piece with Breuer creating a loop either by playing drums or with the aid of a modelling percussion synthesizer. The results often bypass existing formulaic grids. The outfit embraced these anti-precision steps building shapes around the tarnished templates. The process of building upon the core structures laid forth alters throughout. In the case of "Splitter" you can hear an example of Bernhard's core loops dominating a skeletal audio sphere. The title of the track "Impactopium" reflects the process of its construction being a conglomeration of individual titles meshed into a whole. The audio is a non-linear compendium of several fragments of individual elements. A conscious method of exploring a more decentralized architecture saw three disparate elements layered randomly on top of each other with some synths added as a sonic seasoning at the later stages. Elsewhere sonic elements are restructured in unusual ways. One member's contribution is completely stripped away, quiet sounds captured with contact mics are highly amplified, the last track introduces twisted themes of the first track. The title Grain refers to the roughness resulting from these explorations. It also takes note of the term grain as used in analogue photography or in the case of audio as a distorted signal, or "noise. All of these elements, normally eschewed, are here embraced as a thematic thread to instigate the exploratory proceedings. This is a playbox of inventiveness, a hall of mirrors and an endless search for unusual tactics and fresh results. Tackling the initial loop tracks from a wide variety of strategic approaches Innode has concocted a strangely cohesive work. From sparse source material to heavy overdubs of overdubs grain is an uplifting collection of works from this relentlessly curious and exploratory Austrian outfit. Humans make the work but the random embracing of unexpected processes means the gentleman of the outfit is not fully ruling what becomes of these works.
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LP
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EMEGO 294LP
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Syn is the second album by Innode, a trio featuring Steven Hess and Bernhard Breuer on drums as well as Stefan Németh on synthesizers and sampler. Initiated as a solo project by Németh, Innode transformed into a band while working on the live presentation of Gridshifter (EMEGO 168LP, 2013), the debut recording on Editions MEGO, which was centered around electronic pieces with contributions by Breuer and Hess on separate tracks. On Syn, all three musicians provided creative input on the album's development from inception to completion. Sounds, fragments, and arrangements were exchanged and reshaped to form preliminary versions of the compositions, which were subsequently recorded by the trio in the studio. More space was given to the spontaneous interaction between individual band members. The music of Innode has been described as rhythm and noise, with electronic and acoustic elements assembled into precise, quasi-minimalist constructions. With Syn, the band expands on this basic idea in terms of form and sonic palette. There is a clear shift away from programmed drum patterns toward acoustic or electronic drums played live. Synthesizer sounds are still pure, and the arrangement remains controlled, but Innode has broadened their musical investigations to include more expressive passages and micro-melodies. In contrast to previous works, the tracks represent an integration of material coming from three musicians, finally merging into a single unit. Personnel: Bernhard Breuer - drums, drum synthesizer; Steven Hess - drums; Stefan Németh - synths, sampler. Recorded by Nik Hummer and Brigitta Bödenauer (recording assistant) at Minusgroundzero, Vienna, AT Additional drums on "Odessa" and "Moon" recorded by Doug Malone at Jamdek Recording Studio, Chicago, IL. Drums in "PTMKN" recorded by Bernard Breuer. Modular synth on "L" by Nik Hummer. Mixed by Nik Hummer at Minusgroundzero, Vienna, AT. Mastered by Stephan Mathieu at Schwebung Mastering, Bonn, DE. Cut by Andreas Kauffelt at Schnittstelle, Berlin, DE. Artwork by Nik Thoenen.
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EMEGO 168LP
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Innode enters the world with an audacious debut of rhythm and sound, space and silence, and an astonishing blend of the acoustic and the electronic. Spearheaded by Stefan Németh (cofounder of Radian, Lokai) in close collaboration with Steven Hess (Locrian, Pan.American, Cleared) and Bernhard Breuer (Elektro Guzzi, Tumido), Gridshifter is an intense, astonishing sonic experience which navigates the line between formal structures and experimental interplay. Conceived as a series of cross-bred experiments where, on one side, a human rhythm triggers electronic signals while on the other electronic textures sculpt a platform for physical human engagement. The stark dynamics and human/non-human interaction manifests itself as a thrilling exposé of 21st century rhythm and noise. The term "gridshifter" plays on the idea of composed disorder by applying opposing moves upon a template of rigid structure. On certain tracks, a strict timeline or grid is spiked via grids of a different size being played at the same time, while on others, Steven and Bernhard "shifted" the grid by overlaying their own rhythms, resulting in a destabilized sonic environment. As Németh describes the artwork he sums up the entire modus operandi, "These arrays, or biochips, are samples of DNA laid out as a series of microscopic spots bound to a small glass slide. Corresponding images look highly organized, but show a lot of tiny imperfections at the same time... this fact makes them especially interesting for me." Innode explore an exhilarating terrain whereby simple, pure forms, both human and electronic weave together, unfeathered, untarnished, unprocessed, leaving a web of intense, extreme sonic dynamics. "Dedispersion I & II" and "Planes and Numbers" originally written for an exhibition by Andrés Ramírez Gaviria. Members: Stefan Németh (synthesizers), Steven Hess (drums) (on B-side), Bernhard Breuer (drums) (on "Dedispersion I & II").
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