White+ traveled to Germany in 2011 to record their first album at the celebrated Anderebaustelle Studio, where Blixa Bargeld, frontman of Einstürzende Neubauten, had produced White’s album in 2007. PK14’s Yang Haisong along with Marco Paschke, a frequent collaborator with EN, handled the mixing for White+’s debut album while its cover was designed by Fu Han, the vocalist of Queen Sea Big Shark. One of the most original moments of the album comes at the very end with the acclaimed Beijing musician Han Lei rapping to the theme “reD.”
The album reflects White+’s influences, from German avant-garde music to minimalism. Shouwang’s spare vocal line provides an ethereal accompaniment to the the swelling web of effects and melodies, while WangXu’s drumbeats are the driving pulse that propel the songs forward.
The songs on “White+” are all named after colours, breaking the album down into tracks like light through a prism. Layer those different colors of light back together, and as a whole, they form White+.
Credits for Dying Livers: Recorded at Sun Distortion Studios in mid 2012. Mastered by Carl Staff. Art and Design by Errol Hoffman.
Credits for Secular: Recorded by David Williams at Wavelength Recording Studio and VIA Studios. Mixed by David Williams. Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, New Windsor, NY.
Performed by Leon Perkin, Robb Perkin & Joshua Strange. Additional instrumentation by David Williams and vocals by Rob Schlegel in the track ‘Secular’.
Thanks to all our families, friends, partners, bands we’ve played with, Shaun Tenzenmen, Chris Brownbill and Errol Hoffman.
Pairs, Xiao Zhong, F, Smart Beijing, Morgan Short, Round Eye, Genjing, Shanghai, Layabozi, Naohai, Residence A, Al Jazeera, Birdstriking, Fever Machine, Dan Shapiro, Gum Bleed, This Town Touring, GoKunming, Hell Yeah, P.K.14, Steve Albini, China Music Radar, Rainbow Danger Club, Yugong Yishan, Wuhan, SMZB, John Carroll
Cover artwork by Yogi of Jurumeya: yogi_skin@yahoo.com Mastering by Matheson of Michael Crafter Lay out by Indra of To Die Cover printed by Franco of Gerbang Singa
Bamodi’s 19‐track second LP Smell Heaven (tenzenmen) is just under half an hour of throat‐banging punk rock that flirts occasionally with power violence, pop and greyhound racing. There are some slow songs, fast songs, and an unlikely cover version of Beat Happening’s Ponytail.
Recorded by Wil Hooper and Matt Bairstow at Stable Sound. Mastered at Chicago Mastering Services.
After Michael Crafter toured South East Asia, they met SMG and fell in love, decided to make things official (grind-style) and release a split 7″. Both sides features songs written and inspired by the S.E.A. DIY scene. For lovers of mincing, power, mincecore, violence and vibes.
About a year ago I asked newsletter subscribers to tell me what they thought defined tenzenmen. I got many nice comments such as these,
“a label with a conscience, bold, supportive of its artists, non-commercial, genuinely interested in having its artist’s music heard, the type of label that puts out music which my friends make…above all, I see tenzenmen as an exploratory label where you bring aural treasures from a variety of places and styles and offer them up – we may not have heard them, but trust you and give them a chance based on the fact that you’ve come up with the goods for us before…” – Maris
“tenzenmen represents the unending pursuit of discovering new, relevant and good music that is generally overlooked by ‘majors’, as it doesn’t fit into their particular ‘sales strategy’. There is nothing like music discovery and labels like tenzenmen consistently bring it” – Justin
It’s very heartening to receive these kind words because I often wonder if people understand what I try and do. The back catalogue is rich and diverse and probably overwhelming to most casual browsers. The reason for this diversity is simply a reflection of my own interests in music that has obviously expanded over the years of my life. I can happily listen to some Chinese neo-folk alongside Malaysian screamo, experimental Aussies and Vietnamese death metal! The key factor is the passion and the creativity that has gone into the production of this art, sometimes in exceptional circumstances. I do understand that not everyone else will have such varied tastes and want to buy their own complete collection of tenzenmen releases. Please, if you have a chance, take a few minutes to check out some other releases on the label that you may not have heard before. Go old school and take a chance just by checking record covers (like flicking thru the vinyl bins) – easily done at the bandcamp index page here.
tenzenmen will continue along its merry way, defiant of success and profit, motivated by the love of our music shared. Thanks for your support.
Advance Warning
tenzenmen will be overseas from the beginning of October until the middle of November so no orders will be able to be shipped during that time. Balls will still be rolling with plenty going on in my absence and a big run-up to the end of the year and no doubt another huge one in 2013!
Whilst I’m away I’m a little disappointed to be missing a show I’m organising on Saturday Oct 13th at Black Wire featuring many good friends including crazy Japanese two-piece Mekare-Kare who will have a split 7″ out on Heartless Robot in time for their full Oz tour. That tour and split 7″ is with Perth gonzo’s Bamodi who will have their LP out on tenzenmen by then too! Listen to the split 7″ tracks here (released by our good Perth buddies at Heartless Robot). Rounding out the show will be the ever wonderful Dead China Doll and ever incredible Making.
Nikko tour dates 20 September The Empress, Melbourne (acoustic) 21 September The Old Bar, Melbourne 22 September The Metro, Adelaide
Bamodi tour dates 7 October The Bakery, Perth 9 October Metro Hotel, Adelaide 10 October Bar Open, Melbourne 11 October Gasometer, Melbourne 13 October Black Wire, Sydney
Pairs, Xiao Zhong, F, Time Out, Bob Blunt, Carsick Cars, The Gar, Beijing Daze, David O’Dell, China Daily, Lolly Fan, Maybe Mars, The Beijinger, Nevin Domer, Anarchy Jerks, Jonathan Campbell, Yaogun, Streets Kill Strange Animals, Andy Best, YuYinTang, Forests, Skip Skip Ben Ben, Taipei Times, MTVIggy, Taiwan, China Music Radar
1994ever 