Kym Amps- You Don't Know My Name 7''

Minimal synth has been getting an awful lot of press these days, and it's rather refreshing to see. The latest efforts by Led Er Est and Xeno and Oaklander are eating up the blogosphere, while both Wierd Records and Minimal Wave have been thriving with a series of new releases. Up next, via Wierd Records is the Cold Waves and Minimal Electronics compilation, which will be released on Angular Records on February 22nd. The compilation is a perfect starting point for new enthusiasts, and includes classic tracks by The Neon Judgement, End of Data, Absolute Body Control, and many more. Additionally, Pieter Schoolwerth has chosen ten of his very favorite releases for Dusted Magazine Online, records which essentially sparked the creation of Wierd Records. Peep it here.

Also, Veronika Vasicka has just curated an equally excellent compilation entitled Minimal Wave Tapes Vol. 1, which collects several of the classic releases reissued by Veronica's label, including tracks by Ohama, Tara Cross, Das Ding, and many more. You can pick up a copy here, and view Veronica's top 20 minimal wave recordings here.

Which brings us to my next post. Astute readers may have spotted several of Pieter and Veronica's favorites here on these back pages, including Nagamatzu, Oppenheimer Analysis, End of Data, Borghesia, and tons more. With that in mind, I've uploaded one of the few I was previously unfamiliar with, a one off 7'' by Kym Amps. Not much information about the release, so let's let Veronica's blurb on the record speak for itself:

This one is a melancholy minimal synth track with female vocals. It’s dark and mysterious, and pretty much sounds like what the cover looks like. The bassline is simple and solid, and the melodies create a nice atmospheric mood for the vocals, “You don’t know my name (but I know you)”. It’s a sad love song about loneliness and obsession. There’s a 120bpm TR808 kick drum through out the track, and never a snare or hi hat. That sparse rhythm section creates a nice build-up of tension.

Here's the info:



Kym Amps- You Don't Know My Name 7''
1. You Don't Know My Name (But I Know You)
2. You Love Me

*download it here*

Expect more goodies to come, but don't forget to support both of these incredible labels as often as possible!

Xeno and Oaklander's "Freak Scene" mix

Just two years ago, I kicked off Systems of Romance in a more track-oriented/review format. My second post was on Wierd Records artists Xeno and Oaklander, consisting of the musical talents of both Sean McBride (Martial Canterel) and Liz Wendelbo (Xeno and Staccato). The band, a personal favorite on the roster, is gearing up to release their first official LP sometime this year, and have been performing heavily in the New York area, much to my great enjoyment.

Over the past few months, it seems as if both Wierd Records and Xeno and Oaklander's following has grown exponentially. The label has been featured in several prominent magazines and blogs as of late, and The Fader has just published a post featuring a fantatic "mixtape" as plucked by Xeno and Oaklander. The mix features several obscure minimal wave cuts alongside Wierd Records favorites (including a new track from Led Er Est and an untitled number from Sleep Museum).

A proper post will follow this one momentarily, but in the meanwhile, please divert your attention **HERE** to read more on Xeno and Oaklander and to download these great minimal synth mp3s. To further entice you, here's a list of their selections:

Cleaners from Venus- "This Rainy Decade"
Jon St. James- "Trans-Atlantic"
Epee Du Bois- "Misery"
Lister- "The Boogabe"
Ann Summer- "Ann Summer III"
Xeno and Oaklander- "Celeste"
Twilight Ritual- "Somewhere in My Heart"
Resistance- "The Gash"
Led Er Est- "Unkept Area"
Nagamatzu- "Magic"
Automelodi- "Schema Corporel"
Sleep Museum- "Unknown Song"
Glenn Winter- "Herrens Svar"
Martial Canterel- "Shrapnelle"
Staccato Du Mal- "Addiction"
Magic de Spell- "And the Burned Puppet"

Again, click here for the good stuff.

Wierd Records / Xeno and Oaklander

Allow me this opportunity to plug a rather solid compilation of new, rare minimal and coldwave acts that has been making the circuit and breathing fresh life into it. Since 2003, Wierd Records has existed in the recess of the NYC music scene, a series of weekly events that combine live music and solid djs spinning synth, gothic, darkwave, post-punk, etc. The label is run by artist and DJ Pieter Schoolwerth, and this compilation, released on vinyl last year (3 lps and a bonus 7''!) yields a hefty bounty for anyone with a proper turntable and a passion for underground wave.

Today's tracks are featured on this compilation and come from Xeno and Oaklander, a NYC-based minimal outfit featuring multi-instrumentalists Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride (also the brainchild of fellow Wierd act Martial Cantarel). Pulsing layers of synthesizers and catchy female vocals lace these two songs, and I hope you all enjoy 'em.

download Xeno and Oaklander- 'Non-Senti'
download Xeno and Oaklander- 'Cold Forever'

and here's another youtube video for you folks, featuring Xeno and Oaklander playing 'Non-Senti' live at Wierd Records' original night in Brooklyn.

more information about the Wierd Records compilation, including tracklisting and purchase information can be found here:

Wierd Records

and on myspace (check here for information about their new weekly night at Home Sweet Home in NYC):

Wierd Records on myspace