The Unexplained Sounds Group is a label run by Raffaele Pezzella, a.k.a. Sonologyst. So far, they have released many anthologies from countries where we sometimes had no clue there was an experimental scene. Portugal, Latin America, Lebanon, Indonesia, China, India, Iran … In that sense, U.S.G. works in the same area as the now Berlin-based Syrphe, which is run by C-Drik Fermont. If exploring experimental scenes from other countries is of interest to you, I can only advice you to also pick up or check out the Syrphe ‘Uchronia’ triple CD as well as the highly acclaimed book ‘Not Your World Music: Noise in South East Asia’ which comes with a CD, of course. That’s one.
Another thing I want to reflect on is Australia (which can, but should probably not, be mentioned in the same breath as New Zealand). As you all know I am an old fart and I try not to use the ‘back in the days’ too often. Although… ‘Back in the days’ when it was still difficult or expensive to record music or generate sounds, and distribution was done by mail instead of download, I had a weakness for the project Lights in a Fat City. From what I understood—and I might be wrong, but in that case it’s a fun story to be wrong about—Stephen Kent, a member, learned to play the didgeridoo, which is full respect to the original. A bit in the way Carlos Castaneda learned about Mexican Shamanism from being amongst the people. And all tracks by Lights had a great ethnic (as I believe it’s called) feeling about it.
Thirdly, New Zealand had SPK / Graeme Revell, who created industrial music within a different reference than what English, European mainland, or American artists did. Yes, in my opinion, a country can have its unique style or scene. But how is it now with terminology like globalisation and worldwide connection through the interwebz? I am curious, before listening to this album, if it is still possible to make a sampler dedicated to a country. And my answer is: You have to decide for yourself.
“Anthology Of Experimental Music From Australia” is a splendid sampler, don’t get me wrong. The atmosphere is lush, there is a lot of ambient and minimal beats, and I don’t think I’ve heard of any of the artists before. So, because I love exploring new names, this album is entirely up my alley. Sgout out to Amby Downs with “Garrawang Biderap Black Field Cricket Mating Song (Excerpt)” and Tuonela “Underhouse” as well as Matt Warren, whose “(en)snaring the elements of here” really struck a snare … But for me, there is no ‘proof’ these are Australian artists. Or why they shouldn’t be releasing as ‘just great artists with great sounds’ because if minimal ambient with occasional repetitive structures and field recordings is what you like, DON’T WAIT AND GET THIS !!! It’s gorgeous and goes well with Steve Roach, Alio Die and O Yuki Conjugate. Just as a direction …
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