Sleeperhold 5.3 – ‘Disappears’
We’re very happy to see this new release of our friends from Sleeperhold Publications. Even tough it get harder and harder to keep track of their issues (what I like), issue 5.3 is here!
Chicago’s Disappears are Brian Case (also of the Ponys and 90 Day Men), Jonathan van Herik, Damon Carruesco and Noah Leger. Their latest album “Pre-Language”, released on Kranky records, features Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley on the drums. Disappears’ druggy, rythmic rock music has often been compared to Neu!, Spacemen 3 or Jesus and Mary Chain at their noisiest.
This output features the demo versions of 2 new songs and a rework of “Love Drug”, from their acclaimed last album “Pre-Language”, recorded in a single track at their rehearsal space The material could not be more unpolished and this rawness only adds to the magic of the songs. The blown-open sound and potential of these versions is enormous. Brian’s barked, deadpan vocals remind of The Fall’s Mark E. Smith, while the music shivers on. Disappears’ interplay between tention and release is seamless and compelling.
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The etched artwork on the b-side of this vinyl was done by Belgian photographer Stine Sampers.
The diptych she created, captures the mood of the music so perfectly one could see it as the 4th song of the album.
Samper’s pictures seem to dissect the beauty of the empty, simple moments within the human lifespan. Her pictures capture the hidden self of her subject. It seems as if the spectator is allowed to gaze into a world that’s completely indifferent to his/her presence. Her work is highly personal, helping her cope with love, loss and regret. But Sampers doesn’t just register. By taking a picture Sampers builds a visual narrative around the subject, similar to a diary entry. They often speak of despair or desillusion, as often as they evoke happiness. There is no in-between in Samper’s work.
By using her camera she picks the moments, framing and thus, its meaning. Her pictures don’t tell precise stories, they honour the vagueness of the self. In her work, Sampers often refers to classical painting or literature: Sylvia Plath, renaissance portraiture as well as Egon Schiele go hand in hand.
Listen to a sample here.
→ Design by ward Heirwegh.
→ Order from the Sleeperhold website for 17 euro (plus postage).
→ www.disappearsmusic.com
→ www.stinesampers.com
