336:. Performing music that required a certain level of calm and concentration on the part of the audience brought with it certain concerns: "We were finding that the quieter tracks were getting talked over to the point where you'd feel like you may as well stop and get up and go to the bar with them. We found to get around this, we had to make our beats and sounds louder and fiercer, so it was harder to talk over."
34:
791:"Whichever way a Magnétophone track is leaning in terms of its 'influence' or 'style', there is a tangible thread of intelligent and careful boundary-searching and maverick but conscientious sound construction through it; and always towards the end of creating a slightly uncomfortable environment for a "proper" song to play out in. Somehow, like
752:
textures of "I Hear Blonde
Falcons" being a case in point), and it is clear that the band at this stage were often concerned with creating original audio 'objects' that have questionable worth outside of pure abstract appreciation; other tracks from this time more clearly reference rock'n'roll's more
736:
inspired, and concern city relationships ("Benny's
Insobriety" and "Without Word") or similar, but set against a rural backdrop ("A Sad Ha Ha (Circled My Demise)" and "The Only Witching You'll be Doing"). The themes explore control, loss, reverence, worth, relationship-pacts.
662:. Their sound is a meeting of the broken and organic and the beautiful and systematised, and the progression of their sound through their eleven-year career, spans dysfunctional electronic instrumental pieces, to 'bewitching, mysterious' city-folk songs.
803:
The band state, "we want our sleeves to be equally as exciting as the music they represent", and to this end, they have presented their music in a variety of quality art 'packages'. The very first single, "You Should Write Music", consisted of a red
361:'s Sonic Boom who met the band at a 'We Brought Our Friends' show and later worked and performed with them. A series of other singles, 12"s, and compilations followed, and a long-term relationship with Static Caravan Recordings began.
509:
released an audio media package called
Visionaire 53 which brought together many disparate artists in the producing of one-minute-only pieces of music. Magnétophone contributed to this release along with other artists including
346:
guitar bands that predominated in the second city's venues; consequently, from 1998 to 1999 Saunders and Hanson organised and promoted their own night of 'alternative' music entitled 'We
Brought Our Friends'.
795:'s 'snail trail of human presence' being evident in a painting, Magnétophone's music quietly announces that they have attended there, whilst suggesting it was perhaps other people."(source: MySpace.com)
424:, which was subsequently released by 4AD (where they remain signed today) to great critical acclaim in some quarters. The BBC used one of the tracks from this album, "So Much As Hold My Hand", on their
197:
and John Hanson formed Magnétophone in 1995 after they met at an art school on the outskirts of
Birmingham in 1992. Their musical backgrounds followed similar lines in that they both played in
407:, and were tied together by strong, though sometimes hidden or intermittent melodies. The pieces were performed live and captured as whole performances, rather than being multi-tracked.
1118:
354:. "You Should Write Music" backed by "Monitor Rocket Science" became the band's first 7" single, and prompted the change of name from Rocket Science to Magnétophone.
756:
Throughout Magnétophone's recorded output, the listener will hear sonic experimentation in the form of mis-firing beats, sliding time frames, processed acoustic
368:
field, but it was also moving outside of it as its 'organic-ness' and obvious human intervention and performance appeared to be informed by guitar bands like
1108:
420:
1103:
182:. Magnétophone rose to international recognition out of a period of vibrant musical activity in the second city, which also spawned contemporaries
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which was a coming together of visual and audio art produced by
Birmingham-based artists. Later that year New York art-house publication
216:
and the possibilities of audio 'art', in 1989 he took up his 'neighbour's neglected guitar' and began forming bands in the style of the
753:
simple appeal, and the balancing of these two ethics across a record creates a unique and unsettling audio and emotional experience.
125:
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In 2008, Magnétophone contributed an instrumental track called "The Old Silver In and Out" to an online tribute compilation to
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as the theme music for links between programmes and news bulletins. Their work since this LP has included collaborations with
78:
634:. However, one is not more apparent than the other and their music is more accurately a mixture of genres rather than bands:
59:
282:. At this time, both their bands simultaneously began to disintegrate leading them to form their own outfit Rocket Science.
242:
Despite the similarity of their respective bands their paths didn't cross until 1992 when they enrolled on an art course at
812:
7", with a matching textured sleeve and a single white sticker, containing the band name and track titles. Their work with
572:
85:
824:
has produced some unique sleeves, from the three-quarter cut-sleeved, double vinyl LP of "I Guess
Sometimes...", to the
553:
350:
During this time, the duo sent out demos to record labels, and one in particular caught the attention of London label
768:
exhibits the sonic exploration of their early work, whilst also employing traditional acoustic instruments including
44:
615:
369:
92:
63:
48:
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Magnétophone's melodies, whether sung or played on an instrument, are supported by dirty, scratchy synths, solid
764:
manipulation and these are generally presented in 'alternative' song structures. However, their most recent LP
673:, detuning guitars and sonic 'artefacts' that blink-in and out of the audio picture-frame seemingly at random.
74:
840:, which contained eight small double-sided cards, printed with domestic interior images and cryptic phrases.
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389:
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was an ardent supporter of the band's output at this time and they recorded two Peel sessions, one at the
956:
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pillar-disc that accompanied the CD version of the same LP, to the high-quality cardboard, gate-folding
499:
320:. Their music at this early stage was instrumental and often repetitive, recalling the sounds of early
227:
Hanson's first steps into music also began in the mid-1980s, and at the local community centre playing
157:(born 1972) and John Hanson (born 1973). Since their inception in the mid-1990s they have released two
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587:
404:
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598:. Saunders' solo productions are recorded under the alias of Veil and latterly The Assembled Minds.
313:
232:
934:"...And May Your Last Words Be a Chance to Make Things Better" (2006, CD compilation, Sunday Best)
925:"I Hear Blonde Falcons" (2002, '10p 1 Play' compilation CD, Robots and Electronic Brains Magazine)
631:
559:
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The records between 1998 and 2000 showed the basis of the Magnétophone sound to be rooted in the
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This first single was met with great enthusiasm by the press, and by fellow musicians, including
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Maida Vale
Studios, and one at the Irish Centre in a live performance in Birmingham in 2000.
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In 2007, Magnétophone contributed to
Birmingham UK/Italian artist-collaboration-compilation
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931:"...And May Your Last Words Be a Chance to Make Things Better" (2005, 7" single, 4AD)
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SID chip in particular) around 1986, composing instrumental three voice music and
937:"Systems Thinking Business Modelling Consultant" (2006 compilation, Magazine/CD,
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480:. Shortly after its release, in late 2005, Magnétophone recorded a session for
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and it consisted of five records, 2 CDs, a record player and dome container.
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2008 also saw a new development from Magnétophone with the duo setting up a
576:
473:
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333:
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913:"Eve Transmission" (2000, 'Interface' compilation, CD, Spaceage Recordings)
384:
department. These records were still instrumental and took in elements of
833:
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is notable for its 'challenging' nature (the pounding, broken, distorted
690:
647:
511:
452:. In 2004, Magnétophone's track 'Kel's Vintage Thought', co-written with
429:
340:
271:
228:
146:
907:"The Science Must Continue" (as Tape Recorder, 1999, 12" comp, Earworm)
606:
Magnétophone's records reference a number of different influences from
591:
308:
and used a four-track recorder to play back a combination of processed
286:
217:
1028:"Kel's Vintage Thought – Outhud Remix" (2005 Glimmers – DJ Kicks, !K7)
922:"Relax, It's the End of Electronica" (2002, 7" single, Static Caravan)
1011:"Run From Safety" (2007 Octoberman – Run From Safety LP, White Whale)
769:
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321:
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Saunders began experimenting with keyboards and computer soundchips (
158:
381:
239:, and went on to form bands also playing Led Zeppelin-esque tracks.
380:
records of the same period and which caught the attention of 4AD's
895:
825:
781:
568:
246:. Here, they developed a friendship, sharing their enthusiasm for
231:
in the basement, in drop-in style workshops. Later, he discovered
19:
This article is about the music group. For the tape recorder, see
740:
Much of Magnétophone's music from the early singles to the first
788:
vocal lines and song structures approaching the 'conventional'.
856:
I Guess
Sometimes I Need to Be Reminded of How Much You Love Me
421:
I Guess Sometimes I Need to Be Reminded of How Much You Love Me
163:
I Guess Sometimes I Need to Be Reminded of How Much You Love Me
1050:
916:"Little Boy's Acorn" (2000, '4WD Motion' compilation, CD, 4AD)
412:
373:
179:
27:
515:
1047:
BBC Radio 1 John Peel Session, Live in Birmingham (2000)
901:"Lights in the Eye" (1999, 7" single, Active Suspension)
224:, playing pubs and clubs around Birmingham city centre.
894:"Box Flow" (1999, 'Infrasonic Waves' compilation, 7",
488:
show at the Maida Vale Studios, and for BBC Radio 1's
285:
Rocket Science's first gig was at The Jug of Ale in
987:"Kel's Vintage Thought – Outhud Remix" (2004, 4AD)
919:"Come on the 'Phone" EP (2000, 12" and CD EP, 4AD)
910:"Lubeecha" – Lathe Cut (2000, 7" single, Earworm)
904:"Temporary Lid" EP (1999, 12" EP, Static Caravan)
418:In March 2000, the band completed their debut LP
472:, was released in 2005 and was voted best avant-
376:, and it is this that separates them from other
891:"Air Methods" (1998, 7" single, Static Caravan)
1119:Musical groups from Birmingham, West Midlands
8:
928:"Kel's Vintage Thought" (2004, 12" EP, 4AD)
884:"You Should Write Music" (1998, 7" single,
62:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
944:"22 Calibre Family" (2006 compilation, 'A
339:Magnetophone's music was at odds with the
990:"MNPLIE4AD – Lost in Edit by JM Lapham" (
575:and all the tracks were supplied as free
126:Learn how and when to remove this message
1062:Mixing It Session, Live in London (2001)
494:show, both broadcast in November 2005.
977:Tribute', online compilation, Topher)
962:"Much Less Than A Day: Edit" (2008, '
760:, minute background 'happenings' and
7:
973:"The Old Silver In and Out" (2008, '
573:Moyokoyani & His Robot Orchestra
464:as the Rebel Playlist winner on the
289:, Birmingham. The duo played simple
60:adding citations to reliable sources
1109:English experimental musical groups
1080:' Studio / Echo Gate Studio (2005)
14:
1069:Session, Maida Vale Studio (2005)
1044:Session, Maida Vale Studio (2000)
959:' CD compilation, Static Caravan)
175:and are currently signed to the
32:
16:English electronic/art rock band
1104:English electronic music groups
955:"Much Less Than A Day" (2007, '
293:keyboards put through numerous
1056:Session, Live in London (2001)
1018:Remix compilation, Audraglint)
1:
966:53' 12" and CD compilation,
460:, was voted by listeners of
171:, plus numerous singles and
1114:Intelligent dance musicians
563:. The compilation included
1135:
820:and photographer/designer
235:and his 'first love', the
18:
879:Singles, EPs, and various
332:, and the lush washes of
1023:DJ mixes of Magnétophone
1099:English art rock groups
1006:Remixes by Magnétophone
982:Remixes of Magnétophone
864:The Man Who Ate the Man
838:The Man Who Ate The Man
766:The Man Who Ate The Man
730:The Man Who Ate The Man
545:, who scored music for
470:The Man Who Ate The Man
468:show. Their second LP,
168:The Man Who Ate the Man
153:, England, composed of
602:The Magnétophone sound
149:band originating from
732:are more poetic than
554:2001: A Space Odyssey
56:improve this article
994:) Remix (2005, 4AD)
748:and unrecognisable
616:My Bloody Valentine
370:My Bloody Valentine
300:, acoustic guitar,
201:-influenced bands.
1014:"Antiphon" (2004,
1001:Remix" (2006, 4AD)
957:Binary Oppositions
948:Compilation', CD,
941:Magazine (Spring))
685:arrangements. The
632:Velvet Underground
500:Binary Oppositions
478:Piccadilly Records
446:The Mountain Goats
195:Matthew J Saunders
155:Matthew J Saunders
476:album of 2005 by
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997:"Benny's Trip –
758:field recordings
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687:time signatures
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588:Test Conditions
405:sound sculpting
352:Earworm Records
306:tone generators
233:acoustic guitar
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565:Mike Paradinas
548:Eyes Wide Shut
442:James Yorkston
298:effects pedals
212:. Inspired by
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75:"Magnétophone"
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543:György Ligeti
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528:Cindy Sherman
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524:Pet Shop Boys
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520:Michael Stipe
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77: –
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72:
71:Find sources:
65:
61:
57:
51:
50:
46:
41:This article
39:
35:
30:
29:
26:
22:
1073:
1072:BBC Radio 1
1065:BBC Radio 1
1054:John Kennedy
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681:, sometimes
679:contrapuntal
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584:record label
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489:
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469:
466:Steve Lamacq
454:The Breeders
419:
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363:
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349:
338:
310:found sounds
304:and various
291:FM synthesis
284:
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226:
222:Led Zeppelin
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177:record label
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139:Magnétophone
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54:Please help
42:
25:
1094:4AD artists
1078:The Earlies
1067:Rob da Bank
1060:BBC Radio 3
1039:BBC Radio 1
992:The Earlies
844:Discography
734:rock'n'roll
640:electronica
636:psychedelia
596:electronica
590:to release
560:The Shining
491:Rob da Bank
482:BBC Radio 1
462:BBC 6 Music
458:Kelley Deal
434:Kelley Deal
402:avant-garde
386:drum'n'bass
378:electronica
302:bass guitar
280:photography
276:printmaking
268:Woody Allen
256:Steve Reich
214:rock'n'roll
21:Magnetophon
1088:Categories
999:Sonic Boom
968:Visionaire
964:Visionaire
822:Chris Bigg
806:audiophile
683:monophonic
620:Spacemen 3
539:electronic
506:Visionaire
450:Sonic Boom
366:electronic
359:Spacemen 3
330:Aphex Twin
328:albums by
318:breakbeats
264:Aphex Twin
248:Spacemen 3
151:Birmingham
143:electronic
86:newspapers
1076:Session,
1074:Blue Room
1042:John Peel
874:(Ensnare)
830:turntable
762:synthesis
675:Tape hiss
652:post-rock
628:Talk Talk
577:downloads
541:composer
535:classical
486:Blue Room
474:post rock
409:John Peel
334:Brian Eno
260:Talk Talk
190:Biography
184:Broadcast
116:June 2010
43:does not
834:digipack
808:-weight
778:melodica
648:synthpop
512:Yoko Ono
430:Kim Deal
341:Brit Pop
272:painting
147:art rock
886:Earworm
870:(2006)
861:(2005)
854:(2000)
799:Artwork
667:electro
656:ambient
612:Suicide
592:dubstep
586:called
394:ambient
382:A&R
326:ambient
287:Moseley
252:Suicide
218:Beatles
141:are an
100:scholar
64:removed
49:sources
939:Esopus
849:Albums
770:guitar
726:lyrics
671:breaks
630:, and
398:techno
322:techno
295:guitar
159:albums
102:
95:
88:
81:
73:
896:Ochre
867:(4AD)
858:(4AD)
826:laser
810:vinyl
782:Anglo
774:drums
746:beats
622:, to
569:u-ziq
344:indie
229:drums
107:JSTOR
93:books
786:folk
776:and
750:bass
724:The
644:folk
618:and
594:and
571:and
557:and
537:and
448:and
432:and
400:and
372:and
278:and
237:bass
220:and
199:rock
165:and
79:news
47:any
45:cite
1051:XFM
836:of
814:V23
728:of
706:or
660:pop
567:'s
484:'s
413:BBC
390:IDM
374:MC5
206:C64
180:4AD
173:EPs
58:by
1090::
780:,
772:,
742:LP
721:.
658:,
654:,
650:,
646:,
642:,
638:,
626:,
614:,
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579:.
551:,
526:,
522:,
518:,
516:U2
514:,
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784:-
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104:·
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66:.
52:.
23:.
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