Video for the Book of Lost Tales, released on Beko Digital Label in France – Video by the multi-talented Zenbullets, via Vimeo….

Fluid Audio and Handstitched* have joined forces to release an ep by Hessien entitled “Obelisk|Stelea” including exclusive reworkings of the original source material by Solo Andata, Jasper TX, Zelienople and Konntinent. Limited to 200 copies for the world, packaged in recycled, printed gatefold wallets and slipped into hessian cloth bags for safe-keeping. Release date to be announced soon, keep checking here and Fluid Radio.

The Blundering Pilot, 1/5 of the ep ‘Skurjn’ …. follow the links to hear and buy ‘Skurjn’.

Now up on Soundcloud – Cubiculo by Maps and Diagrams — Released by Fluid Audio, catalogue number: FA 004. Follow the link….FluidAudio

After much demand for ‘Skurjn’ to be released in digital format, the ep is now available at Bandcamp. Below are reviews from Cyclic Defrost (AUS) and Norman Records (UK).
_____

The long-distance collaboration between “acoustic noise artist” Charles Sage in Australia and Tim Diagram of the band Maps and Diagrams in the UK, Hessien makes its debut with a 20-minute EP limited to 100 copies in hand-stitched cork sleeves. (It will eventually see digital release, though). Recorded either late at night or early in the morning – depending upon which side of the time difference you look at – these compositions feel cast in a fitting sort of half-light. Manipulated field recordings are mingled with strands of acoustic guitar and hazy effects, blurring the lines between all of those ingredients.

The EP is steeped in quietude, starting with the shivering ‘When I Look Down 3’ and the especially translucent ‘The Blundering Pilot’. The middle track, ‘Small Earthquakes’ is more atmospheric than the others, while ‘Neroli Orange Blossom’ is slightly disconcerting somehow yet still quietly vibrant. Each could be a mirage, always wavering and never quite revealing its true form. The closing title track has a lullaby quality to it, and there are similar moments of tranquility elsewhere on Skurjn. Yet there’s an air of uncertainty to it, thanks to so many tiny, fleeting details. Doug Wallen
_____

In between hanging around with Aussie sound art artist chap called Charles Sage, Tim Martin (Maps & Diagrams) has been hob knobbing and hanging around with Dennis Nilsen and Jeremy Bamber, Crazy times! Tim & Charles (no Jeremy an Dennis though…) have created some music under the guise of Hessien. They’ve collaborated to make a rather lovely 5 track EP called Skurjn. Like the other releases on the Handstitched label it’s lovingly packaged in some hand stitched cork and uber limited (there’s 100 of this one). Well nice!! This is dreamy stuff…. beautiful post rock style guitars over fuzzy soundscapes. Plenty of micro noises and electronics going layering over the field recordings to make a complex yet accessible lump of ear noise. It’s very busy yet un cluttered. Listen to it with headphones though and you’ll be amazed at the level of detail and the richness of the music comes alive. Fans of Moteer, Mobeer, Manual will lap this up!! This will make a superb addition to your 3″ family but be quick as the last 2 releases on the label sold out in hours!

This self-titled Hessien ep was originally released for free download from Hessiens’ web site in December 09 as a prelude to the ‘Skurjn’ ep on Handstitched* Recordings. After much demand for these songs to be released in flac/lossless formats they have been remastered and now appear at Bandcamp for easy, accessible downloading. There is also an extra, bonus track ‘Varieties of Parable’ that didn’t appear on the original ep.

Hessien appear on Fluid Radio Friday 19 March with an exclusive hour-long mix, tune in at 7pm BST. Fluid Radio and now available to listen to via mixcloud

Tobis Lilja – Days Pass Faster
Spinform – Yppersta Utposten
On! Air! Library! – 195
Hessien – Monsoon
Tarantel – When We Almost Killed Ourselves
Library Tapes – VIII
People Press Play – Studio
Tobias Lilja – My Teacher Died
Goddamn Electric Bill – Clouds and A Bee
Maps and Diagrams – T’horbed Earth
Mogwai – Wake Up and Go Berserk
Hessien – Gazed and Pale Reflections
Dictaphone – K2
Opitope – A Quiet Morning Arriving to the Valley
Tunng – Tale from the Black
Zelienople – Little Little Eye-Full
Hessien – Neroli Orange Blossom
Dirac – Bantu

Taking some time out from making music with Charles Sage as Hessien, Tim Martin brings his Maps and Diagrams project back to the surface with four exclusive songs for Fluid Audio. ‘Cubiculo’ features a more structured, loop-based arrangement, drawing attention to a rounded and melodic stencil with focus on subtle, crystalised, micro-rhythm, surrounded by self-assurance and tangled textures with a salute towards the work of Oval and their deconstructed works of the 90′s. ‘Cubiculo’ creates a less-harsh listening environment compared to ‘The Giant Woods’ album on Yuki Yaki, released in December 2009 - this is another steadfast release carefully crafted, interwoven with unfolding elements that makes Maps and Diagrams’ compositions so precisely enduring. ‘Cubiculo’ will be available for free download in FLAC, mp3 and ogg formats via Fluid Audio and released on 12 March, out now from Fluid audio

Maps and Diagrams – Cubiculo:

The Melancholy of the Weavers
Kopangyang
Gnomish Twang
Fragments of a former Moon.

Released 1 march - two new and exclusive tracks by Hessien on the wonderful French label Beko. ’To the Finland Station’ and ‘The Book of Lost Tales’ are available for free download,  for more information and to download more of Beko’s digital catalogue visit Beko ….and dont forget, for fans of the Beko_33 ep there’s still some free, downloads of Hessien music over HERE

New release from Maps and Diagrams on the I, Absentee label. A continuation of ‘The Giant Woods’ album that was released on Yuki Yaki late last year. ‘Tööpuudus’ is made up of 3 songs spanning 20 minutes. to purchase a copy or for more information visit the I, Absentee website here

Norman Records says this about Tööpuudus:

Size matters not when it comes to Maps And Diagrams 3″s of pleasure that sort of looks and feels very much like a Cactus Island release. The disc is comprised of three tracks, the first of which ‘Urschîpfung’ has really grabbed my attention, its a real lush and emotional swirling track with vibrant textures and drifting synths that transports me to another place entirely. Then the sublime and mega gorgeous ‘Glottal’ is heavenly, like the sound of an angel playing a harp (no really!). I’m going to have to completely disagree with the press release here “featuring three ambient/minimal pieces” There really is nothing minimal to my ears just lots and lots of gorgeous electronic sounds that just flood my ears with emotion. It’s deeply soulful and feels very personal and introspective… The final number ‘KÑsiraamat’ is a super deep listen, it feels slightly uneasy, almost sorrowful and a little dark, there’s lots of layers of interesting electronics and I’d probably go as far as saying that this is quite possibly the one of the finest things in the Maps & Diagrams catalogue. Each track is a gem so you best be quick as only 100 copies exist!

I, Absentee says: 

Maps And Diagrams is the highly-esteemed, long running solo project of Tim Martin. Ranging many forms of electronic music, he has released work through Static Caravan, Arable, Expanding Records, Ak Duck, Akward Silence, Unlabel, Toytronic, Smallfish, Moamoo, Symbolic Interaction and many more. He also runs the critically acclaimed labels Cactus Island and Handstitched*. After delivering a remix for us last year for The Twilight Fires: Volume Three, we agreed to do a 3″ together. The result is Tööpuudus, a collection of three newly recorded tracks of ambient / minimal. We’ve provided clips below, but these are sprawling pieces, meant to be heard in their entirety. If you’re fond of past releases from us such as Sounds Look Similar or Anyteazers / Swepstone Songs, you’ll likely enjoy this. Tööpuudus is a limited edition release of 100 copies. – I, Absentee