From the forthcoming album "Reigning Cement", an A/V project by visual artist Jesse Draxler. Using solely environmental sound recordings by Draxler, 20+ musicians offer their interpretations of the same body of assets.
released on September 4th. First edition double LP vinyl and 100 page book limited to 500 copies sold out. Second edition variant of 100 copies currently available here: "Reigning Cement" will be
In the pandemic summer of 2020, Jesse Draxler unveils Reigning Cement, an audio-visual project pairing a 100-page book of the artist’s location-specific photography and collage work with a collection of music created by over 20 musicians handpicked by Draxler himself. The list of participating artists is a veritable dream team of dark underground music: Chelsea Wolfe & Ben Chisholm, Greg Puciato, Dylan Walker (Full Of Hell), Eric Ghoste (Ghostmane), Vowws, Street Sects, Uniform, Exploited Body, Jaye Jayle, Gendo Ikari, Intensive Care, Virgin Mother, Lisa Mungo (Fucked & Bound), O Future, Planet B, Portrayal Of Guilt, Reeko, Shifted, Thirst Church, TR/ST, Surachai, Virgin Mother, and Trentemøller.
The concept behind the audio portion of Reigning Cement was inspired by an experiment that Draxler participated in a few years ago, in which a group of collage artists were each given the exact same packet of visual assets with which to create a piece. Similarly, Draxler provided each musician on Reigning Cement with the same 34 sonic elements—all recorded in the noisy industrial environment just outside his studio on the edge of Los Angeles.
Reigning Cement comes as a hand numbered 2LP gatefold vinyl comprised of 22 tracks, and a beautiful 100 page photo book. First pressing is limited to 500 copies, and is available for pre-order immediately below.
With shape shifting cowboy guitars and acid rain synths, VOWWS’ new single “Esseff" opens with a shadowy, foreboding intro, before a rapid drum fill instantly transforms it into a boot-stomping dance club banger.
"Esseff is like James Bond spy music updated for the modern world. We wanted to create a sound that felt like you were being chased by something scary, but enticing... like a tornado, or drugs. We embrace menacing intent in our music, but that's not everything - even the bleakest shit has light in it... so we turn up the contrast and make both sides of the coin shine." - Vowws
The single released today, is the second cut from VOWWS' upcoming album Under The World, out in March 2018 on Anti-Language Records.
The 2016 collection is a response to struggle — to reconcile our self perception with our reflection; to bring to consciousness the unconscious; to bring to light that which lay within the shadow.
Inspired by Carl Jung’s philosophy of the shadow aspect, the collection explores the unconscious aspect of the personality that the conscious ego does not identify in itself, and imagines the assimilation of this unconscious darkness with our own reflections through the degradation and contortion of traditional forms such as chain links, hooks and eyes. Surface treatments range from the subtle through to the austere; façades weathered by unknown stretches of time. Oxidised detailing and black gems such as onyx, black diamonds and spinel help underscore the theme of the shadow aspect throughout the collection.
The campaign has been produced in collaboration with LA-based multidisciplinary artist Jesse Draxler, whose artworks deeply affected the mood and direction of the collection development; and Melbourne-based photographer Stephanie Cammarano.
