q and also a :: Daniel Klag
And now, the latest q and also a. Here are the answers of ambient sound artist Daniel Klag.
q: What is the last song you (really) heard?
My wife recently bought me the LP of the Fantastic Planet soundtrack. I’ve been listening to it a lot lately, especially “Le Bracelet.” Such bizarre music, yet it perfectly complements the (equally bizarre) visuals of the movie.
q: What is your most common reaction to hearing your own music?
I tend not to listen to my own music once it has been released. But while I am still in the process of recording new music, I will listen to half-finished tracks over and over again during my morning commute, looking for any flaws and trying to decide whether I am happy with the recording or not. Through this process, a lot of tracks end up getting revisited or trashed. If I were to listen closely to my music after it has been released, I would have this perpetual desire to want to go back and refine/re-record things.
q: What is your favorite artist/band to see live?
Probably No Neck Blues Band. It has been a couple of years since I last saw them; I’m not even sure they are still performing these days. Every time I have seen them live, it has been completely different experience from the previous time, yet never disappointing. “Always different, always the same,” as John Peel said of The Fall.
q: What is your favorite venue (in NYC, if applicable)?
I have always had a lot of love for the Silent Barn. My wife and I had one of our first dates at the old location; I will never forget the feeling of excitement we had, dancing atop the Silent Barn kitchen table. I am really glad that the Silent Barn dudes have been so successful in the new location – usually when a DIY space shuts down, you never hear from them again.
q: What piece(s) of culture are you really really excited about right now?
I’m currently excited about the “cassette renaissance” that we seem to be in the midst of right now. I think there is no way that this trend will last, nor do I think it will be as far-reaching as the comeback of vinyl has been. For the time being, however, cassettes are a great way for musicians to create a physical product inexpensively, while also offering something that shows the kind of care and consideration that you are unable to get from burned CD-Rs. I am continually surprised to see people’s interest in this medium. At the last few shows I have played, my tapes have been selling more than my records!
q: Anything we should know about your latest project (whatever that might be)?
I have a new album, Twin Labyrinths, coming on April 22. The album is an extension of my last album Inner Earth (2013, Constellation Tatsu); I continue to use guitar and vibraphone samples to build ambient sounds. The album’s title comes from a short story by Borges, which communicates the idea that labyrinths come in many forms. For me, a labyrinth does not need to be a physical construct; the aim of this album was to create a sound space that one could get lost in. You can pre-order a cassette or stream the album here.
Streamable: Twin Labyrinths (bandcamp)
You can preorder the Twin Labyrinths cassette at miscreantrecords.bandcamp.com.
Daniel Klag is on Bandcamp
Daniel Klag is on Facebook
Daniel Klag is on Twitter
Daniel Klag is on Hype Machine
Daniel Klag is on Miscreant Records
Daniel Klag is on Constellation Tatsu
Daniel Klag is on La Station Radar
Daniel Klag is on AMDICS
Daniel Klag is on Insound
Daniel Klag is on eMusic – not available in US :(
BONUS: Moth Wings (mp3)
