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NEW

mt050- Permanent ‘Hunger Or Nausea’ 12″
Branching out from the bedroom synth of their debut, 2021’s ‘Social Disease’, Durham, North Carolina’s Mimi Luse moves her Permanent moniker more toward more distorted and sample heavy, rhythmically complex clanging industrial-tinged take on DIY basement techno complete with a final track based around a sample made from a melted Janet Jackson record. A migration that was alluded to previously but goes straight for the throat here. A deliciously deviant collection of overdriven beats and tormented sound design.

mt049- Peppy Pep Pepper ‘Decline’ LP
After 3 solo tapes and three LPs with the duos Mitra Mitra and Violetiger it is time for the solo vinyl full length debut from Vienna, Austria’s Violet Candide. On ‘Decline’ she hones her synthcraft to a fine point peppering it with her signature dry yet somehow playful vocal delivery. A fascinating and layered exploration of minimal synth from one of the contemporary Euro-scene’s finest.

Also Kinda New!

mt048- closing. ‘III’ c42
dissonant drones, clipped field recordings and other forms of tape-based dysplasia from the dimly lit corners of nyc.

mt047- Andy Klingensmith ‘My Voice Is Rain’ c30
The Modern Tapes debut from Chicago experimentalist Andy Klingensmith is a post-lowercase exploration of time and place manifested in a musique concreté informed assembly of field recorded texture and sub-bass conflict.

2021

mt046- Unfeeling ‘Neruobiological Traumatology’ c60
Half-slept soundscapes succumb to the resonant rumblings of an unsettled sense of self on Derek Rush’s second release as UNFEELING, the first for Modern Tapes. The title NEUROBIOLOGICAL TRAUMATOLOGY, refers to actual physical changes that can occur in the brain due to emotional trauma. The music stirs misfiring synapses, pulsating blood vessels, and woozy sensations into the kind fog you can only remember in the moments just after you wake up.

mt045- Rovellasca ‘Rhizomes’ c32
Textured, hissing tones give way to the sound of slowly dragging a cassette recorder behind you that is playing the recordings of slowly dragging a cassette recorder behind you.

Rovellasca is the prolific solo presence of sound and visual artist Craig Stewart Johnson, also of Death In Scarsdale, Liminal Haze and the curator of the impeccable Invisible City Records label.

mt044- Peppy Pep Pepper ‘Forced Distance’ c38
Violet Candide needs no introduction to those who have been following Modern Tapes or the contemporary european minimal synth scene for the past few years. For the uninitiated, she is half of the Vienna-based duos Mitra Mitra and Violetiger and has released a pair of tapes on her own as Peppy Pep Pepper. “Forced Distance “ is her second solo release with Modern Tapes and further pushes the high standard set for herself with the solid songwriting and steely production of 2020’s “Granny Chic”.

mt043- Permanent ‘Social Disease’ c50
The debut from PERMANENT, the solo project of Durham, NC based musician Mimi Luse. While some may be familiar with her work as the bassist and vocalist for the post punk band Cochonne, here she handles everything (with the exception of a collaboration track with Yung Target). With nods to the early days of industrial music in the minimalist, distorted drum machines and an experimental/DIY approach to production, PERMANENT takes her influences and molds them into a sound all her own, equally at home in your headphones on a dark night as it is on the weirder dancefloors of the world.

mt042- Shaan ‘In A Land Far Away A Desecrated Essence Is Putting Itself Together’ c50

Utilizing a minimal set of tools (a korg sampler and a roland tb303) SHAAN takes us through three extended tracks of experimental electronics. The sounds bounce off one another with a nervous curiosity balanced by a focused, technical control. The tracks have a central nervous system similar to early electronic music experiments if they had been made with currently available machinery. The songs explore rhythm in a fashion akin to outsider-techno while, at other times, SHAAN reassembles the nuance of manipulated samples into jittery collages.

Following up to her 2018 debut, “Notes From A Peculiar Time In Space” Pancevo, Serbia-based multimedia artist, Jovana Ivanac, under her SHAAN moniker, spreads her wings and explores the space/time continuum more extensively than ever before.. This is a kinetic, inquisitive release and an excellent evolution of this artist’s sound.

mt039- SBTDOH ‘Kill; We Care Not’ c25
A sterling collection of clipped and broken harsh noise sentence fragments from the nether regions of the pacific northwest.

mt038- V/A ‘flirting with the noise floor’ 3xC30 box
The phrase “flirting with the noise floor” has been floating around my head since the mid 1990s. I’ve even said the phrase out loud a few times. Mostly in reference to silence, incidental sounds and space used in improvisation and composition. I spent a good part of the early 2000s focusing on variations of this idea in both what I was making and listening to. Years later, I became aware of a renewed interest in what had by then become known as ‘lowercase sound’ coming from people in the Harsh Noise Wall community. The overlap made sense to me considering HNW’s approach to the other pole of extreme minimalism. It was only a matter of time before the extremes would cross over to one another. This is a collection of artists who are doing just that; coming from a harsh noise background exploring nuance and texture with extreme focus and intensity but not necessarily the relentlessness normally associated with HNW.

2020

mt041- Violetiger ‘Transformation’ 12″
The debut from this Vienna based duo finds Violet Candide aka Peppy Pep Pepper, also from Mitra Mitra teaming up with the enigmatic Tigerlilly to bring us 5 tracks of stark, hook-filled, DIY, minimal synth greatness. A stellar introduction to this new project.

mt040- Staring Problem ‘Eclipse’ LP
Early goth overtones, proto-shoegaze allure and raw DIY production have informed this incredible collection of songs. With themes ranging from flora and fauna, love and loss to science fiction, Staring Problem gives us their strongest work to date in celebration of their and Modern Tapes’ 10th year not only in collaboration but in existence.

mt037- Closing.- “I” cassette
Dissonant drones and a hissing but murky ambience. The sound of isolation, slumber, depravity, rebellion, lonliness, whatever you want to project onto it. Grim minimalism for weary ears.

mt036- Human Aspic “The True History Of The American Human Salvage Program” cassette
Harsh noise expose of the unspoken usage of human originated meat as a part of the american food supply since 1942.

mt035- Dosis Letalis “Surroundings” cassette
this prolific serbian noise wall artist goes understated for his modern tapes debut. static and what feels like the hum of living are buried underneath the textures, ambient in an uncomfortable way.

mt034- Verhalten “Corrupted Structures v.3” cassette
third in the series of releases focused on humanity’s obsession with designing its own obsolescence. This time the focus is pointed inward. Electromagnetic field recordings from various points in the town where this transient sound mangler was raised. Chopped up, spit out in misaligned patterns and clipped beyond recognition.

mt033- LANA “Lana” cassette
a 6song, 1 track tribute to Lana Tisdel. An imagining of a forlorn and angry karaoke set. Blown out and lonely. Distorted synthesizers and drum machines wail away.

“The scene is a karaoke bar where Brandon Teena’s lost love sings to her former lover hoping she can mean what she sings enough that Brandon will hear it. The room is smoky and everyone is a little drunk, but everyone sits rapt as Lana spills out her heart through a set of old favorites.”

mt032- Peppy Pep Pepper “Granny Chic” cassette
The second solo release (the first was on Transformer Music) by 1/2 of Mitra Mitra and Violetiger. Cold and beautiful synth and drum machine constructions from Vienna’s one and only Violet Candide.

2019

mt031 Scholl “Angesichts Konstanter” cassette
augmented debut release by this new project from Peter Keller (Unser Verhängnis, Condo Horro, Dosenöffner, Bacillus, ad infinitum). repetitive noise for a paranoid dancefloor that doesn’t exist.

mt030 Dosenöffner “Push For Signal” cassette
the duo of Peter Keller (aka Unser Verhängis, Scholl, Condon Horro, Bacillus) and Casey Chittenden Jones creates evolving textures of modular noise ranging from the harsh to the understated. an intriguing collection of improvised sounds captured live.

2018

mt029 Verhalten “Corrupted Structures v.2” cassette
Second in a continuing series of releases for Verhalten. Distorted rhythms are woven with crackling walls of noise and syncopated sine waves pushing the further reaches of the audio spectrum. An exercise in tonality, texture and repetition. A minimalist exploration of the structures humanity creates to its own detriment.

mt028 Rien “the Grey Tape” cassette
the sound of implosion, of sound eating itself. we hear what is left behind.
stellar static-noise and sub sonic minimalism from this prolific swedish provocateur.

mt027 Verhalten “Corrupted Structures v.1” cassette
The first in a series of releases for Verhalten further weaving distorted rhythm with crackling walls of noise. An exercise in texture and repetition. A minimalist paean to humanity’s penchant for building something to inevitably tear it down.

mt026 Verhalten “Number” cassette
A new installment of modular cacophony rooted in the concept of incredulousness. Connecting Verhalten’s distorted, rhythmic and melodic work with his more static, noise-based wall textures. Number as in identity but also as a poorly articulated feeling of being more numb.

mt025 Shaan “Notes From A Peculiar Space In Time” cassette
A minimalist electronic conversation from satellite to satellite. A stark and curious debut for this fantastic Serbian assembler of sounds.

2017

mt024 Unser Verhängnis “Peace Is A Lasting Legacy When The Earth Is A Silent Grave” double cassette
Ambient noise walls for the contemplation of our undoing. double cassette from this project of the ever prolific Peter Keller aka Condo Horro. Grim ambience.

mt023 Volhnn “artefact” cassette
ambient noise wall project of this French provocateur, otherwise known by his Chier alias. Bleak and cold.

mt022 Verhalten “Forgiveness” 12″ vinyl edition. (cassette out of print)
Verhalten returns with a collection of tracks based around brutalist rhythm and slow melody. Well, underneath the layers of static and feedback that is.

mt021 Verhalten “Oxter” cassette
Further evolution into the deeper realms of noise, Verhalten returns with a claustrophobic din of modular cacophony. Harsh noise walls give way to an almost ambient conclusion.  The first in a series of HNW assemblies.

2016

mt020 Staring Problem “Ghost / Lifelines” 7″ single
For our 20th release, Modern Tapes welcomes the return of our friends who started it all, Staring Problem.  Two brand new installments of Lauren and Alix’s patented brand of minimalist, melancholy and magnificent post-punk.  Happy to have them back!

mt019 Worker/Parasite “Escitalopram” cassette
After a series of impressive releases of hardware based techno for labels like Opal Tapes and Classicworks, Oakland’s Worker/Parasite comes to Modern Tapes with 6 tracks of more experimental work made using only an MPC and the Axoloti, an open platform digital synthesizer.  Escitalopram is an impressive expansion of an already intriguing sound palate further connecting abstract sound design with the weirder corners of the dancefloor.

Overdue follow up to 2015’s “the key broke off in the lock” Ep. Four songs of urgent post punk/synth wave from Modern Tapes resident troubador. Silkscreened black cardstock jackets, limited edition of 50.

mt016 Mitra Mitra “s/t” cassette
debut full length from this Vienna based duo. Fantastic, infectious minimal synth. We’ve returned to the silkscreened jackets, especially for this release, gorgeous all around.

2015

mt015- Portable Morla “Confront The World” cassette
She made her MT debut way back on the MT mix tape (mt004!!) Her last full-length was released in 2010, its been a long time coming for this one, and we’re really excited for it. Beautifully constructed minimal synth for all you fabulous space introverts out there!  8 songs of awesome!

mt014- Unur “The Key Broke Off In The Lock” cassette
four songs keeping the taste in our mouths until the next lp comes our way.  A brand new song, an all synth version of “Meanwhile…” from the first cassette, a Smog cover and a minimalist modular+synthi workout.

mt013- Froe Char “Foreigner Skin” cassette
split release with our friends at Spielzeug Muzak in Paris.  4 new songs of further evolved dark synth mastery.

mt012- Cellule 34 “s/t” cassette
another split release with Spielzeug Muzak.  4 song collection of post punk guitars and lo-fi synth tracks from various compilations for this new brussels based artist.

2014

mt011- Unur “No Human Self” cassette
After a pair of Modern Tapes Eps collected conveniently onto vinyl by the kind folks at Genetic Music, Unur has returned with his first proper full-length.  13 new songs of further evolved minimalist post-wave noir.

2013

mt010- Froe Char “Fossils” 12″ Lp
Fossils is the third release from Froe Char, the solo alias of Christina of the also amazing Parisian duo Illustration Sonore.  Where her first recordings as Froe Char writhed in distortion and doom Fossils pushes the rhythm to the forefront and breaks the synths through the haze creating an opaque yet completely minimal mutant wave masterpiece.  Simply put, i fucking love this record.
***split release with the awesome Spielzeug Muzak label from Paris, if ordering from Europe/overseas shipping will be considerably cheaper from HERE

mt009- Bootblacks “Narrowed” cassette
4 songs of slinky post-punk.  Pounding yet tasteful drums, grinding bass, guitar like a lasso and vocals that will make your skin crawl while you swoon.  pop music for deviants to say the least.  happy to have them as part of the MT family.

2012

mt008- YOU. “Brick” cassette
6 song mini-lp of buzzing, wailing, grinding minimal synth from this Brooklyn conglomerate.  Cassette version of the vinyl being released by Blind Prophet records.  This version features a song not on the vinyl.

mt007- Gel Set “Cell Jets” cassette
6 songs of hazy, spacey, sparse minimal synth from this wonderful chicago artist.  We’re very happy to have her as part of the Modern Tapes family.

mt006- Unur “Anyone” cassette
4 new songs of drum machines, synths, guitars, and blurred vocals.  Comparisons have included everything from The Wake and Kas Product, to Wall Of Voodoo.  The companion piece to the “Anywhere” cassette.  Compiled on the Genetic Music vinyl 12″ release “Anywhere / Anyone”.

mt005- Momentform “Four Days” cassette
6 songs of fantastic French coldwave from this young Parisian musician.  Catchy bass lines and synths in every direction.

2011

mt004- Various Artists “Modern Tapes Mix Tape” C30
11 song compilation made as a giveaway for the Chicago bar The Whistler’s “50 Free Records” night.   Bands on the label, soon to be on the label, or just friendly to the cause.  Staring Problem, Unur, Guitar Party, Catholics and The Pill, Prom Concussion, Portable Morla, Locks, Radar Eyes, All Men Of Lidice, Mit Gas, and Jesus Heels.

mt003- Guitar Party “birthday” C30
12 song full length of beautiful guitar atmospherics, lo-fidelity experiments and primitive songwriting.  A family affair in collaboration with some of the Twin cities’ finest minds.

2010

mt002- Unur “anywhere” C15
4 song ep of drum machines, analog synths, fuzzy guitars, and smeared vocals.  All telling tales of tiny apocalypses.

mt001- Staring Problem “s/t” C20
8 songs of Catchy, dark, post punk from the bowels of southern Illinois with a hint of light at the end of the tunnel.