Category Archives: CDR

Tote bag and a mix CD

and a sticker

Back in 2011 I made a mix CD to give away to advance ticket holders for Suzuki Junzo’s first ever Hebden Bridge visit (his first UK tour, London and Hebden Bridge). It was designed to open local ears to the sort of acts I was planning on bringing to the small town. I wrote a little intro and got my boss at the time, a keen thespian, to recite in an empty office and recorded it on my phone.

There was a great response to the CD, fast forward 9 years later and my friend Jonathan Dennis in California who I mailed a copy of it to back then reminds me he still has it and kindly does a rip for me as I no longer had one. It was like a sonic postcard from the past but everything was mixed from mp3s, some quite low res.

So, seen as how it was the a special anniversary year, I remade it using lossless formats. The same songs, better quality and mixed slightly differently. I hate nostalgia but this was just too seductive. After all, it is the 15th birthday of Was Ist Das? so there. I threw it in as a freebie with the tote bag.

WAS47.

David Colohan – Prosperpolder


Our second David Colohan album this month is a more cinematic affair, recalling classic synth soundtracks getting lost in the fog.

WAS39

David Colohan – Arc of a Snowfall


A blissed-out electronic album from David Colohan (Raising Holy Sparks/United Bible Studies), one of two we release this month, side by side on CDR and digital. David says “Returning from a trip to Istanbul, the skies were clear & Europe was covered in snow. I spent hours gazing at the endless illuminated wilderness below, as if in a dream. Arc Of A Snowfall is an attempt to recapture that feeling.”

Made using Casio MT-400V, Korg MS-20 Mini & modular synthesizer through Binson Echorec EC3, Phonic Digital Echo Chamber PH6070, Shin-Ei ER-23 Echo Reverb Master, Boss Digital Delay DD-6, Boss Digital Reverb RV-5 & Boss RC-20XL Loop Station.

Recorded in Ballymahon, Ireland during February 2015.

WAS38

Stuart Chalmers – The Shadow

Stuart Chalmers - The Shadow CDR


After blowing minds worldwide with his last tape for the label two years ago, Stuart is back once again with his swarmandal, some effects and a whole lot of imagination. Five new tracks plus a remix from Moroccan artist Sukitoa o Namau makes for another dazzling sonic journey to far off plains.

Limited edition of 40 special box tapes and 40 CDRs


WAS35

Günter Schlienz – Collage Tristes

Another essential release from the master of analogue synths, Günter Schlienz. Blissful Autumnal liquid drones to overwhelm your mind, body and soul. Nobody can work those analogue synths like he can. When he first sent me the finished tracks, I locked the door, turned off the lights and laid down on my bed to listen and I never wanted it to end. It’s an absolute pleasure and an honour to have him release on Was Ist Das? and just like the Lo Imp CDRs from last time, each disc will have its own unique print art as well as a professionally printed sleeve. Buy now and get an instant download.

WAS31
limited edition of 80
buy from here

Lo Imp – Nosferatu


We’re trying out the CDR format for a change for this one, the debut release by Lo Imp. It is a trio consisting of Sam McLoughlin (Samandtheplants/N.Racker), Bridget Hayden (Vibracathedral Orchestra) and Jake Blanchard [Tor Press]. This captures their first public performance from Halloween 2014 where they created this unnerving soundtrack to accompany a screening of Murnau’s classic silent film “Nosferatu” in the atmospheric setting of Todmorden’s Unitarian Church. As you would expect, it’s synths, homemade instruments and the other worldly atmosphere of a gothic church in sub zero temperatures. Lights out for this one, please.

Limited edition of 52 with professionally printed insert. Each one has it owns unique custom label art.

WAS27