Step into spring with the latest edition of First & Last, a series of mixes providing a glimpse into the world of Japanese private press, or 自主盤, pronounced “jishuban”, which loosely translates to “independent board.” Included are tracks from two of our favorite records: Book End, whose band leader was also the leader of Primary Mini-Band, and Naotune Saga. The mix also features Buraiha, a band steeped in the avant-garde Angura movement, along with a group called Sharons Forever which (with no liner notes to guide) offers a poignant tribute, leaving us to ponder the mystery behind this mem ..read more

Welcome back to the stacks. It’s Aquarium Drunkard’s Book Club, our monthly gathering of recent (or not so recent) recommended reading. In this month’s stack: the life and times of Island Records' founder Chris Blackwell, the late Jean-Patrick Manchette, blurring the conceptual lines of experimental filmmaking and abstract animation, “the most unread book ever acclaimed,” and more. The post Aquarium Drunkard Book Club :: Chapter 29 appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

Via satellite, transmitting from northeast Los Angeles — the Aquarium Drunkard Show on SIRIUS/XMU, channel 35. 7pm California time, Wednesdays. 34.1090° N, 118.2334° W The post The Aquarium Drunkard Show: SIRIUS/XMU (7pm PDT, Channel 35) appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

It is perhaps at the peak of his unhinged behavior in the mid-70s that Martyn stumbled into his creative apex. Solid Air confirmed that the chops were there, but it was with One World that the artist cemented his potential for crafting masterworks that transcend the folk-singer moniker. The post John Martyn :: One World appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

On Saturday, April 20th, Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions returned to the esoteric grounds of the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles for a living taping with guest host Will Sheff (Okkervil River) in conversation author Sean Howe, discussing Agents of Chaos: Thomas King Forçade, High Times, and the Paranoid End of the 1970s, book on High Times founder, provocateur, and trickster Thomas King Forçade as part of PRS' Earth Day celebration Plantstock. The post Transmissions :: Sean Howe (Live at PRS) appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

On Colours & Light, Project Gemini’s second album, released by certified groove merchants Mr. Bongo, UK bassist Paul Osborne welcomes listeners into the soundtracks of his dreams. Expect acid folk, tropicalia, yé-yé, and Caribou circa The Milk of Human Kindness—when they were still a psych-pop band with two drum kits. The post Project Gemini :: Colours & Light appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

On his second live release this year, Villa Maximus sends jazz pianist and synthesizer maven Greg Foat to Mykonos with his frequent collaborators guitarist Warren Hampshire of the Bees and drummer Ayo Salawu of Kokoroko. But the real wild card here is stellar Greek reedman Sokratis Votskos, who adds flute and bass clarinet to this already formidable unit. The thrilling results range from deep space ambient jazz exploration to funky krautrock blowouts. The post Greg Foat, Sokratis Votskos, Warren Hampshire & Ayo Salawu :: Live at Villa Maximus, Mykonos appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

With Death Jokes Damon McMahon has created a complicated musical and cultural tapestry, inspired by hip-hop sample density. “I just really hope that people take the time to pay attention to the details, because there’s so much in this album. Even my dearest friends are saying, ‘I didn’t understand it until I’d listened to it five times.'" The post Catching Up With Amen Dunes appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

Although a few diehard indie rock fans would probably recognize his album artwork for groups like Galaxie 500, Urge Overkill, and the Butthole Surfers, it’s likely that even that small coterie of people wouldn’t readily recognize Michael Macioce's name. But he documented NYC's avant scene with his camera, offering photos of Sonic Youth, Ween, John Zorn, Galaxie 500 and many more. con The post Reversed Lens: The Return of Michael Macioce appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more

Maximal repetition with minimal deviation: This is the guiding principle of Water Damage, the amorphous Austin, Texas-based collective specializing in 20-minute slabs of hulking, relentless drone-rock for people who think two notes is one too many. An awe-inspiring racket that sounds like Earth taking a crack at making dance music, or a bulldozer covering Faust. The post Water Damage :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview appeared first on Aquarium Drunkard ..read more