now...this! // melb, aus

[n...t]

focusing on eclectic, cut-up harsh noise and loose percussion, now...this! spawned from a deep seeded distaste for the programmed and pristine, without the archetypal frequent release schedule. /// operated by myself / brad / ordeal, expect to see a range of collaborations between myself and local noise enthusiasts + further international scum smugglers, known or not, format to format. http://www.nowthis.com.au
if you'd be interested in submitting some stuff to reach an australian audience and consider yourself to fit the categories listed above, you can let me know here or get in contact - onxxt [at] nowthis [dot] com [dot] au

currently available for trade / purchase:

{nt002} Ourobonic Plague -
Sweatbus [For Rammellzee] / Live 208.5610 [c40]
Audio sample: http://soundcloud.com/ourobonicplague/sweatbus-for-rammellzee


{nt003} Royal Vomit / Ourobonic Plague / Ordeal -
OPVRVVO [c30]
Audio sample: http://soundcloud.com/now-this/royal-vomit-ourobonic-plague-ordeal-opvrvvo


{nt004} Josef Nadek / Ordeal -
Self Titled split [3" CDr]
Audio sample: http://soundcloud.com/now-this/josef-nadek-ordeal-self-titled


{nt005} Screwtape -
Blood and Chunder [c22]
Audio sample: http://soundcloud.com/now-this/screwtape-do-not-summon-that-which-you-cannot-put-down


All $4 each inside aus, otherwise $6 each worldwide, postage included. If you want them all, I'll be happy to do them for $15 worldwide, postage included.

To hear more examples of the work, go to http://soundcloud.com/now-this or http://www.nowthis.com.au

[n...t]

i recently put out a cassette for melbourne artist screwtape which was a fantastic little tape featuring heavily masticated hip-hop tunes. unfortunately, the quality of the release was quite poor due to the duplication standards of the business that handled the batch.
i'm very happy with the quality of the product that andrew has given me, however due to the fact that the duplication was not to satisfaction, i've decided to offer the item as a free download instead.
the cassette will be sent to those who are interested for free as a supplement but do know they don't represent the full quality of the intended material. for more on what andrew had to say, see here: http://solaranus.synthasite.com/index/blood-and-chunder

available for free download here: http://www.zshare.net/download/86584644487475fa/

[c____r]

In response to Andrew's criticism of "micro-labels" and using recycled tapes. I can completely see where he is coming from, he doesn't want the quality of his art compromised. However, as I haven't personally had any complaints about the quality of any cassettes I've released, I have to assume this is an isolated incident. It is to be expected that there will occasionally be problems when you use recycled cassettes for dubbing. I operate under the understanding that if anyone has an issue with a tape's sound quality, they can contact me and I'll send a (tested) replacement. I use recycled tapes for a number of reasons; firstly, I am not wealthy enough to be able to sink large amounts of money into releases no-one is likely to buy, maybe one day I will but not yet. Secondly, I like recycled tapes and I like the idea of using something that is essentially garbage by most people's standards to make something new. Thirdly, I think it fits in with the aesthetic of what I'm trying to do with the label well.

In your case Brad, I wouldn't have paid Lifeshaper until I ensured the tape quality was listenable (I always pay after I receive/check the tapes). For the record, Lifeshaper has never done anything dodgy by me. Hell, you should just dub them yourself over the existing shitty dubs to save wasting those tapes.

[Andrew McIntosh]

I haven't personally had any complaints about the quality of any cassettes I've released

Well, there where those copies of "Grey" you sent me.

I think the biggest impediment to anyone putting out decent quality tapes, especially here in Ausfailure, is both the cost and the scarcity of resources. I don't know what it's like in other countries, but in the Melbourne area there's only either Dex or Lifeshaper, and I would certainly not recommend anyone dealing with Lifeshaper, not just because he's put out dud tapes that people are paying for, which is bad enough, but because, at least as far as Brad's told me, he doesn't really care when approached about the dud tapes. That should be a loud alarm to anyone, really. So, really, there's only either Dex or making your own tapes at home. It seems to me that if you are putting out small quantities of tapes at home there really isn't much excuse for not checking them before sending them to people. If I was patiently dubbing about twenty copies of something, I'd ensure that each copy was audible, since I'd have the time and resources to do that. It seems pretty logical to me.

What I would do, if I was dubbing at home, is rather than do a limited edition of twenty or so, I'd simply put a few in local shops, distros, etc., then advertise the thing and dub copies when each order comes in. Would save a lot of time and stress.

[n...t]

In your case Brad, I wouldn't have paid Lifeshaper until I ensured the tape quality was listenable (I always pay after I receive/check the tapes). For the record, Lifeshaper has never done anything dodgy by me. Hell, you should just dub them yourself over the existing shitty dubs to save wasting those tapes.

Yeah, it was the first time dealing with Lifeshaper and while I do check everything before I send it out, given that he was a self-proclaimed "professional" duplicator, my assumption was that the tapes would be fine and after checking one, they seemed quality enough to consider of standard. Exacting standards, as I mentioned to Andrew, are something I didn't come to expect from noise productions as I figured half of the ethos surrounding the product was the 'under-par' nature of the intentions, lack of respect for the standard of the quality.

Andrew has helped me to understand that there's still a level of quality that should be upheld when releasing product to help maintain the respect and integrity of the artists original material, as best matched. Therefore, the Blood and Chunder release is now as is in it's digital form so punters can hear how it was supposed to be intended rather then offer this lackluster tape.

I think you got a great operation going Cooper and I continue to support the material you & Tommy release. Something like this I think could of been avoided on my behalf and as a result, the operations of Now...This! are going to take on a more quality standpoint with higher end releases.

What I would do, if I was dubbing at home, is rather than do a limited edition of twenty or so, I'd simply put a few in local shops, distros, etc., then advertise the thing and dub copies when each order comes in. Would save a lot of time and stress.

The thing with this is that the small quantity and unique packaging that accompanies micro-label products from labels such as Magik Crowbar & Altered States is part of the appeal. Limited quantity means get in quick or get nothing. Unique packaging feels like it's yours and that the creator slaved over this and you were special enough to get a copy. Making copies as they're requested means anyone can get a copy at any time so long as the creator is happy enough to churn them out, but if they're all done at the same time maintaining the same style and they've got a level of continuity, it saves you more effort later and call it convenient, but it is.

As Cooper said, nobody seems to have an issue with his stuff and although my future efforts are going to upgrade based on Andrew's advice and this incident, each to their own.