Sunroof, Daniel Miller & related artists

out for a while: Silicon Teens – Music For Parties [Mute]

Artist:
Silicon Teens

Title:
Music For Parties

Label:
Mute

Cat#:
STUMM2

Release Date:
01st September 1980 (original release date)
1993 (CD release)
12th October 2018 (re-release)

Format:
CD, vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist CD / Digital:
01.
Memphis Tennessee

02.
Yesterday Man

03.
Do Wah Diddy Diddy

04.
TV Playtime

05.
You Really Got Me

06.
Chip ‘N’ Roll

07.
Do You Love Me?

08.
Let’s Dance (1)

09.
Oh Boy

10.
Sweet Little Sixteen

11.
State Of Shock (Part Two)

12.
Just Like Eddie

13.
Red River Rock

14.
Judy In Disguise

15.
Let’s Dance (2)

16.
Sun Flight

Tracklist Vinyl:
A1.
Memphis, Tennessee

A2.
Yesterday Man

A3.
Doo-Wah-Diddy-Diddy

A4.
TV Playtime

A5.
You Really Got Me

A6.
Chip ‘N Roll

A7.
Do You Love Me?

B1.
Let’s Dance

B2.
Oh Boy!

B3.
Sweet Little Sixteen

B4.
State Of Shock (Part Two)

B5.
Just Like Eddie

B6.
Red River Rock

B7.
Judy In Disguise

Press Info:
(Arguably) The world’s first manufactured electronic pop band. Comprised of members Darryl, Jacki, Paul and Diane, Silicon Teens were the brainchild of producer Larry Least.

Ahead of their time both in concept and sound, but unfortunately they only released one album, Music for Parties, following the release musical differences drove the band apart, but their profile was raised when John Hughes used the track Red River Rock prominently in his film Planes, Trains and Automobiles which starred John Candy and Steve Martin. The album includes re-imagined rock n roll classics like Let’s Dance, Memphis Tennessee and You Really Got Me.

Originally released in September 1980, the second album to be released by the independent record label Mute, Daniel Miller’s successful company which he launched with his own single under the moniker The Normal and worked closely with Frank Tovey.

Snippets:

Video:
“Memphis, Tennessee”

Special:
Daniel Miller – “NovaFuture Blog Mix June 2020”

Recommendations:
The Normal’s “Warm Leatherette / T.V.O.D.” on Mute
all stuff by Daniel Miller & related artists we featured
all stuff on Mute & sublabels we featured

Buy CD:
MuteBank
WOM
more soon

Buy Vinyl:
MuteBank
Juno
OYE Records
Boomkat
Bleep
JPC
more soon

Buy Vinyl Limited:
MuteBank
more soon

Buy Download:
Silicon Teens @ Bandcamp
Qobuz
Boomkat
iTunes
Beatport
JunoDownload
Bleep
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Tidal
Qobuz
Spotify
Apple Music
Deezer
Youtube Music

Websites:
Mute
Mute Germany

out now: Sunroof – Electronic Music Improvisations Vol 3 [The Parallel Series / Mute]

Artist:
Sunroof

Title:
Electronic Music Improvisations Vol 3

Label:
The Parallel Series / Mute

Cat#:
PSST8

Release Date:
29th November 2024

Format:
CD, vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
Splendid

02.
Brotherly

03.
Ensnare

04.
Stratum

05.
Freezer

06.
Earthen

07.
Second Thoughts

08.
Link

09.
Conspiracies

Press Info:
Sunroof [Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones] have announced details of a new album, Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 3, set for release on vinyl, CD and digitally via the Parallel Series of Mute on 29 November 2024.

Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 3 is a collection of nine improvised tracks, recorded using the duo’s Eurorack modular systems, and builds upon the self-imposed parameters laid out on their 2021 debut. With nothing pre-planned or rehearsed, each of the nine tracks were recorded using four channels (two each) with no overdubs. Explaining that “Our practice is more abstract than thematic. Every time we meet, we attempt a fresh start” the Miller and Jones arrived to each recording session with the spirit, energy and discipline of improvisation and recorded the tracks as live performances, with very little post-production work done once the tracks are recorded.

One exception is on ‘Ensnare’. The original, where glassy percussion works alongside submerged rhythmic beats, has been given two separate remixes by Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones, allowing listeners a glimpse into their very different but intrinsically intertwined processes.

Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones have been collaborating for four decades. Although neither dwell on their past work, preferring to constantly explore new ways to create, Miller and Mute’s legacy is given a nod on ‘Splendid’ which opens with the distinct hiss of analogue tape over a rhythmic heart beat before oscillators burst and collide. This track was recorded using the original 4-track TEAC that Miller picked up second hand in the late 70s and used to record The Normal’s Warm Leatherette 7”.

Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones’ collaboration began in 1982 when Miller asked Jones to work with him on what became Depeche Mode’s Construction Time Again. After Depeche Mode had gone home for the day, the two would stay on to work on their own sessions, a practise that continues to this day. By the mid-nineties Sunroof had become a remix project, reworking the likes of Can, MGMT, To Rococo Rot, Kreidler and Goldfrapp, amongst others, and their first recordings appeared on a compilation paying tribute to Neu!

In 2019, Miller and Jones were heading to a György Ligeti concert at the Barbican and beforehand the pair spent a couple of hours improvising with modular systems. Unusually, this time they decided to record the session and over a pre-concert meal, Gareth asked, “Are we actually going to make a record together before we die?”

The resulting album, Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 1 (2021) was followed by Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 2 (2023), and since 2021, Sunroof have been performing select live shows – at venues such as Café OTO (London), the London School of Economics, the Museum of Modern Electronic Music Frankfurt, Silent Green in Berlin, Ombra Festival (Barcelona), Oslo Cathedral, Golden Pudel (Hamburg), DG Kunstraum (Munich), and IKLECTIK (London) – allowing their live performance to feed back into their recordings. Some of these recordings were released last year as a Bandcamp exclusive, Electronic Music Improvisations Live in London and Frankfurt (see recommendations).

Snippets:

Specials:
Daniel Miller – “NovaFuture Blog Mix June 2020”

Gareth Jones – “Abbey Street 2”

Recommendations:
Sunroof’s “Electronic Music Improvisations (Live In London And Frankfurt)” on The Parallel Series / Mute
Sunroof’s “Electronic Music Improvisations Vol 2” on The Parallel Series / Mute
Sunroof’s “Electronic Music Improvisations Vol 1” on The Parallel Series / Mute
Gareth Jones’ “Electrogenetic” on Calm + Collect
The Normal’s “Warm Leatherette / T.V.O.D.” on Mute
Populist’ “TtatLD001” on The Temple And The Low Dive
compilation “Hammahalle” w/ Daniel Miller track on Sisyphon
all stuff on Mute & sublabels we featured

Buy CD:
MuteBank
Sunroof @ Bandcamp
WOM
Roug Trade
Juno
Bleep
Boomkat
MediaMarkt
Dussmann
more soon

Buy Vinyl:
MuteBank
Sunroof @ Bandcamp
Juno
HHV
Deejay
Decks
Rough Trade
WOM
MediaMarkt
Dussmann
Bleep
Boomkat
more soon

Buy Download:
Sunroof @ Bandcamp
JunoDownload
Beatport
Bleep
Boomkat
iTunes
more soon

Commercial Streaming Services:
Tidal
Qobuz
Spotify
Deezer
Apple Music
Youtube Music

Websites:
Gareth Jones
Daniel Miller
Mute
Mute Deutschland

out now: Sunroof – Electronic Music Improvisations (Live In London And Frankfurt) [The Parallel Series / Mute]

Artist:
Sunroof

Title:
Electronic Music Improvisations (Live In London And Frankfurt)

Label:
The Parallel Series / Mute

Cat#:
PSST7

Release Date:
16th October 2023

Format:
download

Tracklist:
01.
Chapter 1
(Live At MOMEM, Frankfurt, 2023)

02.
Chapter 2
(Live At MOMEM, Frankfurt, 2023)

03.
Chapter 3
(Live At IKLECTIK, London, 2023)

04.
Chapter 4
(Live At IKLECTIK, London, 2023)

Press Info:
Welcome to Sunroof’s Bandcamp Exclusive album, Electronic Music Improvisations Live in London and Frankfurt. Following the release of their second album, this collection of recent recordings captures Sunroof’s unique live performances at two incredible venues: MOMEM, the Museum of Modern Electronic Music, in Frankfurt and IKLECTIK in London.

Sunroof is a collaborative project by Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller. Drawing from their extensive experience in the electronic music scene, these two friends have cultivated a unique sonic landscape within their own modular world of improvisations.

The live recordings featured in this release are a testament to Sunroof’s ability to conjure up immersive worlds in the moment, a spontaneous journey of electronic textures and rhythms that evolve in real-time.

MOMEM, Frankfurt, and IKLECTIK, London, are renowned creative spaces for experimental and electronic music, making them the perfect settings for Sunroof’s sonic experimentation. From pulsating beats to ethereal melodies, these live performances showcase the duo’s constant exploration of electronic music.

Snippets:
@ Bandcamp

Special:
“Abbey Street 5”

Recommendations:
Sunroof’s “Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 2” on TPS / Mute
Sunroof’s “Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 1” on TPS / Mute
Gareth Jones’ “Electrogenetic” on Calm + Collect
The Normal’s “Warm Leatherette / T.V.O.D.” on Mute
Populist’ “TtatLD001” on The Temple And The Low Dive
compilation “Hammahalle” w/ Daniel Miller track on Sisyphon
all stuff on Mute & sublabels we featured

Buy Download:
Sunroof @ Bandcamp
more soon

Websites:
Gareth Jones
Daniel Miller
Mute Deutschland @ Facebook
Mute @ Facebook
Mute

out now: Sunroof – Electronic Music Improvisations Vol 2 [The Parallel Series / Mute]

Artist:
Sunroof

Title:
Electronic Music Improvisations Vol 2

Label:
The Parallel Series / Mute

Cat#:
PSST6

Release Date:
17th February 2023

Format:
CD, vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist:
01.
January #2

02.
July #2

03.
November

04.
July #3

05.
October

06.
September

07.
July #1

08.
January #1

Press Info:
Sunroof [Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones] have announced details of a new album, Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 2 – out on limited edition white vinyl and digitally, via the Parallel Series of Mute on 17 February 2023.

The new album is a set of eight improvised modular electronic music instrument pieces recorded at the duo’s respective home studios following the release of their debut, Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 1 (2021) and where Vol. 1 was the result of four decades of friendship and collaboration, this new album came together in a relatively short space of time. Recorded in the same spirit as their previous sessions – with no pre-planning and no rehearsal – they met up with “unpatched” modular systems, and began improvising. Without any of the parameters they followed in the first sessions, the duo allowed the pieces to expand naturally, keeping editing to a minimum.

“I suppose this is the difficult second album,” jokes Gareth, “it took 40 years to make the first album and just nine months to create this one!” Daniel expands, “We got on a roll and didn’t really stop recording once we had that momentum.”

During the sessions they found themselves aiming for more clarity and space within their improvisation, allowing the listener to be drawn into the pieces in a different kind of way. Textures glide, while random sequences knock against one another – forming then disintegrating before re-forming, and while they do so, uncovering minimal glitching rhythms.

The video imagery of “January #2” (see below), created by Sunroof, depicts manipulated sequences triggered by software connected to the audio – a technique that they introduced into their live performance during a short run of live shows Vol. 1’s release. The album artwork, a watercolour painting by Gareth, draws an extra line between the visuals and the music, as Gareth explains, “the watercolour paintings take on their own life when the water interacts with the colour, bringing a creative connection to how the electronics react to our interaction.”

Daniel Miller (founder of Mute, the “accidental label” that began with the release of his own 7” single The Normal’s T.V.O.D / Warm Leatherette) met Gareth Jones, (the innovative and influential producer, engineer and artist) back when Miller asked Jones to work with him in late 1982 on what became Depeche Mode’s Construction Time Again. After Depeche Mode had gone home for the day, they would stay on to work on their own sessions, a practise that continues to this day. By the mid-nineties Sunroof had emerged as remix project going on to rework the likes of Can, MGMT, To Rococo Rot, Kreidler and Goldfrapp, their first recordings appeared on a compilation paying tribute to Neu!

The eight pieces that make up Electronic Music Improvisations Volume 2 are imbued with the experimental playfulness of early electronic pioneers but retain their modernity thanks to their creator’s constant explorations in electronic music.

Snippets: