1348/Jeffrey Surak

[Balor/SS1535]

Last week I picked up a (still sealed, 25ish years on!) copy of 1348's Enthusiasm album just because it was listed at $2.99 at my local record store.  Suffice to say, I was very pleased with this blind buy!

Though it felt more like a compilation of experiments than a fully worked-out album, I still enjoyed the dedication to minimalism.  Despite entirely being made with only a Casio synth and a sampler/delay pedal, no two tracks sound the same---running the range from dungeon synth-adjacent ambiance to full industrial harshness.  The closest thing it brings to mind is maybe Maurizio Bianchi?

Doing some minimal research on the project and the guy behind it, it seems he has had some longstanding connections with important people from the early tape trading days, and that he has continued to be involved with experimental music around the world since the 1980s.

Overall, I am curious to explore more of what he has done.  Any thoughts on him and his output?

[Theodore]

I'm always on the hunt for his 1348 old tapes, without much luck though. Perfect example of the forgotten treasures the past hides. You can listen / download them here : https://zeromoon.bandcamp.com/ . Also check New Carrollton, a band he was in. About his recent works I think I have listened only one under his name, which I found OK, or good, don't remember, but the point is I wasn't disappointed as usually happens with recent works of the old guard. Is it usually really or maybe I am preoccupied ?

Edit: I was thinking there were more on Bandcamp. Maybe I combined with archive https://archive.org/details/zeromoon?tab=collection&query=1348 . More New Carrollton in the archive.

[Apes Clog Snag]

Good topic! I have come upon the name of the project previously but I doubt I have given it a listen before today. Right now listening through 1348 & John Hudak - The Idiot from youtube and this is pretty much perfect stuff! Obscure, weird, minimal, abstract, noisy. Very 80's. Nothing like this is done today, really. Gave a listen to "Enthusiasm" also and it's nice too. Maybe could name drop Odal instead of MB, although the difference is not that significant? Feels more disruptive in it's blown out repetitiveness than the collaboration with Hudak.