Listen to The Free Territory by Manchester's Dead Sea Apes

Ten years ago, Chris Hardman, Brett Savage and Nick Harris first came together as Dead Sea Apes. The Free Territory is their latest and greatest.  

Here's the scoop...
The Free Territory is Dead Sea Apes' darkest, moodiest work to date, their characteristic unfolding instrumentals now cast in high lonesome drones and haunted atmospherics. Taking shape in the shadows over several years, The Free Territory brings Dead Sea Apes’ more experimental and introspective aspects to the fore. Dysmorphic loops, evolving textures and improvisations are suffused with the hiss of old tape decks and analogue effects, and adherence to the default guitar/bass/drums setup is strictly optional.

It also represents a transitional phase for the group, having been partly recorded with departing bassist Nick Harris. More recently, Nik Rayne of The Myrrors dropped in on a winter sojourn to the UK, not only guesting on two tracks but also creating the beautifully detailed copier collage sleeve art.

Never ones to retrace their steps or be steered by voguish reference points, Dead Sea Apes here find themselves at unfamiliar coordinates with only their instincts for guidance. The Free Territory is both spatial and claustrophobic, massive yet weightless, grounded yet in constant motion; timeless yet reflecting and resonating with the age.

The Free Territory is released on Cardinal Fuzz (UK) and Feeding Tube Records (USA) on double vinyl, CD and download. You can grab a vinyl copy of the Cardinal Fuzz version at Ottawa's Birdman Sound (593 Bank St) while the limited supply lasts. Check it out below.

Credits:
Brett Savage: Loops, guitars, synths, harmonium
Chris Hardman: Percussion, synths, tapes, effects, freeze guitar
Nick Harris: Synth & guitar on track 1, bass & guitar on track 3, guitar on track 5
Nik Rayne - Guitar on tracks 6 & 7

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Hardman at Stalybridge, Ancoats, Stockport, 2013 - 2019.

Dead Sea Apes play Todmorden's Tor Festival in scenic West Yorkshire on August 31st. Get yer tickets right here. 

Ottawa's The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol unleash Symbol Ensemble III

On the cusp of Ottawa Psych Fest II, The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol are releasing Symbol Ensemble III in an edition of 100 copies.

Here's the scoop...
On Wednesday, July 4th, 2018, The Band Whose Name Is a Symbol had a regularly scheduled rehearsal. Perched on the eve of the inaugural Ottawa Psychfest, an “Ensemble” recording had been organised to coincide. This would be the 3rd such gathering with an expanded lineup and the sole intention to roll tape and improvise. Outside Birdman Sound it was a humid 42 degrees and warmer still in the culture bunker downstairs. Scheduled to arrive by air was The Golden Rule, a North West, UK based duo who straddle the Penines and feature top lads Brett Savage (Dead Sea Apes) & Dave Cambridge(Cardinal Fuzz). TBWNIS co-founder Mark McIntyre, coming from Canada’s west coast would also be joining us!

What you hear on “Symbol Ensemble III” is 9 people celebrating friendship and commonality with regard to the simple love of music through free improvisation. This event was captured live off the floor and you hear exactly what went down, unfettered by any foolery or gimmicks what so ever. Super pleased to present this super ltd. edition LP that serves to mark the occasion and hope you all dig! Listen to "Mending Fences" below.



The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol – Symbol Ensemble III 
(Birdman Sound Records) # BS 017
Side A
Mending Fences 9:04
Mancunian Blues 7:05
Side B
Atlantic Barnacles 7:31
March Of The Teutons 9:36

Ltd. 100 vinyl 12” LP w/silk screened covers on recycled chipboard jackets. Includes download code with extra tracks.

Symbol Ensemble III
Dave Reford – guitar
Bill Guerrero – guitar
Mark McIntyre – guitar
Brett Savage – guitar
Dave Cambridge – guitar
Nat Hurlow – bass
Scott Thompson – space horn and electronics
Jason Vaughan – synth, keys, percussion
John Westhaver – drums and percussion

For more info about Ottawa Psych Fest II, check the Facebook page right here. 

Whaddya mean you don't know The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol

The latest album from Ottawa's TBWNIS, Droneverdose, is available as a limited run LP from Cardinal Fuzz.