Peter Jørgensen – ‘Brian Records Kickstarter EP’
Peter Jørgensen – ‘Brian Records Kickstarter EP’ (Brian Records)
Previewed by Paul Lockett.
We’re big fans of Brian Records here at [sic] Magazine – and it’s precisely because of both their eclectic output and their wacky choice of formats. This particular release is interesting and a little different – because it requires people to get on-board to absolutely ensure that it happens. The aim is to release a 4-track EP released on an 8” lathe-cut disc (for those of you who are unfamiliar with a lathe-cut, you play it like vinyl, but because it’s cut on a lathe, it’s completely flat with no raised centre).
The story goes that Brian Records was effectively in hibernation and James (who runs ‘Brian’) published a book detailing all his exploits… and that would be that. But then during discussions around the book with musician Peter Jørgensen, new tracks were shared and Brian was effectively reborn. I’d love to tell you that the story stops there… because the music is recorded and ready to go – but James is so passionate about sharing the full process of making the record and wants to share this with all of you. We as listeners usually arrive right at the end of the process – when we buy a record. We don’t concern ourselves with such trivial exercises as who is doing the mastering (or what mastering is), or hearing from the artist about the actual recordings, or who the guy is who’s cutting the lathes. We simply arrive at a record shop, hand over our hard-earned cash and walk out with a bag. James is looking to change that with this release – with weekly updates to everyone who signs up to buy a copy of the 8” lathe-cut. Each Saturday you can look forward to a little piece of news connected with the making of the disc which eventually lands on your doormat.
All of this is super-exciting, right? But let’s stop just for a moment… When the day eventually arrives and the record is in your hands – what about the really important stuff? – what about the actual music? So… there are three short pieces on Side A and one longer piece on Side B. The three short pieces (entitled ‘Three small pieces for my friend Morten Meldgaard’) are in a post-classical mold (grand piano, viola & cello) and wouldn’t feel out of place alongside Max Richter, Jóhann Jóhannsson and Clem Leek. They’re fragile, intricate pieces of work which you could easily imagine hearing during a film score. The flipside sees a near-8 minute track by Johan Carøe & Peter Jørgensen, which brings to memory the album Felt by Nils Frahm – or even parts of Mark Hollis’s solo album, for its sheer subtlety, quietness and beauty. It was recorded with a piano, Juno 60 and marimba.
The music is sublime. Four pieces – which if you were to close your eyes, could describe the sun setting on a Summer’s day. But you’re getting something more with this release which you’d never normally get – and that’s an involvement in the ‘making of’ process itself. I’ve never heard of this before – and it’s both refreshing and interesting. James has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise enough funds to ensure that this happens – you only need to decide if you’d like to buy the 8” lathe-cut – or maybe go for one of the interesting ‘upgrade’ options, such as the ‘Deluxe Package’, which includes an additional 5” lathe-cut containing two additional remixes.
A word of advice – the Kickstarter campaign ends on Friday 6th August. If the target isn’t hit, then this project doesn’t go ahead… so don’t sit on it. If you’re a fan of post-classical music – or wacky formats – or simply want to be involved in the making of a record, then get involved.