2020 * 2021 * 2022 * 2023 * 2024 * Music Exchange Guidelines
Here is our playlist for 2023:
01: January: Xeres of Xeron
What an excellent way to kick off our 2023 Music Exchange, than with a new group member, offering a new flavor and texture to our proceedings. This first release is a CD of recordings featuring Xeres of Xeron, a local performer who lives somewhere in the wilds of Oregon, and has been performing in bands since the 80’s. This CD contains a brand new song – “Three Nines” – complete with a lyric sheet that folds out, and explanatory notes, too! Also included on the disc are three piano compositions performed just before the old Kohler & Cambell was hauled away. Also included are four pieces from the two different “XANDAR” sessions (Xeres AND Austin Rich), which are here in a rough form. (Plans to release these in another, remastered form are in the works.) Xeres new song is an evocative performance that captures a sound that feels new and familiar at the same time, and the sequencing on the disc makes for an organic and delightful listening experience. An excellent beginning to what promises to be an exciting year of exchanges!
02: February: Sentimental Witches
New to our group this year, “Sentimental Witches” has produced a modern classical arrangement of our January Release! It’s all very layered: performed by Bir Nəfər’s Xymphonic Utopchestra, consisting of a large number of players that almost requires a separate page so we can credit them all, “XardoX” is the album that we ultimately get to enjoy: 78 1/2 minutes of compositions, spread out over five tracks. A truly unique release, and a great way to enjoy February. Hopefully you didn’t have to destroy the packaging to get the disc out, which almost happened to me.
03: March: Delusions of Parasitosis
Another entry from our friend, Delusions of Parasitosis, who continues to dredge up old recordings, making them new again to all of us. Never officially released, but distributed among friends in the 90’s, this tape was a series of four track experiments, trying to push both composition and musical form into new directions for this artist. In a way, the blueprint for many future endeavors.
04: April: ØÜð – Mold 02
As mentioned in the liner notes, this year, Igor (Lezet to those who were with us last year) has sent this 3″ disc from Serbia – by way of the Lava Lamp Lounge – to offer you a glimpse into one of their other projects. Self-described as a “plunderphonics” project, for this release, Igor captured recordings of 110+ year old 78 RPM recordings, and then re-mixed and “mangled” them, to create the sounds you hear on this collection. Essentially an EP’s worth of new ideas created from old ideas.
05: May: The Eleven-SixtyFours – The Mitchum & Price Single
A new single by The Eleven-SixtyFours is usually something you can set your clock to, and this time, there’s a bonus track even! “The Mitchum & Price Single” offers two dark, film noir stories in convenient, musical formats. No more sitting in dark theaters! You can instead get the same feeling from songs you listen to on headphones. Plus: a little self-reflexive tale about making punk songs. Enjoy!
06: June: Josh Blanchard
07: July: Ghosts of Ghosts – We’re Here for the Boos EP
A three piece band, with bass, synths and drum machines, Ghosts of Ghosts is a group comprised of the members of bands that are no more, reviving songs and ideas that were never quite finished, from their past. This three song EP offers a taste of what they’re all about, and is a wonderful slice of what Portland Oregon has to offer.
July Bonus: Human Dinosaur – Origin Story EP
As a little bonus this year, Xeres and I formed a new band, Human Dinosaur, and we thought you should enjoy our debut release. In January, Xeres sent out some “proto” tracks, under the name Xandar, that has since evolved into the Human Dinosaur project. (It turns out there are a lot of bands called Xandar, and none named Human Dinosaur.) This is a free-improv jazz ensemble, with a spoken word narrative on top, where you get to know Stanley Stegosaurus, your new best friend.
08: August: Primer Green – Demo Tracks EP
Taking the spirit of punk via the Dead Milkmen, this solo act brings you a slew of songs about the everyday moments that make up life. Short and sweet, to the point, and yet, full of plenty of earnestness, too, this is a new project, this year, and a couple songs haven’t made it out to the general public, yet. Enjoy!
09: September: Shot Reverse Shot – The Wary Wayfaring EP
The space grunge stylings of Shot Reverse Shot are back, with a new EP of songs about the Hyperion, and their journeys through deep, deep space. Will they ever get home? Will they survive the pirates and natural disasters that befall many travelers? Listen, and discover the exciting story of this incredible crew, as they try to find their place in the universe.
10: October: Obadiah Baird
11: November: Kalaloch – Little Bit ‘o Lullaby
Having not missed a year for our exchange group, we were excited to get this advanced “preview” of a project Kalaloch is working on. Six stripped down tunes, straight from the heart. Thanks again for sharing your music with us!
12: December: Cyveiliog – 6 + 7
This late entry into our group is another cassette release from Cyveiliog. “Somehow it seemed right to do 19th century hymns haunted by ghosts.” A very quiet and reflective album, and a great way to close out the year.
Austin Rich 