[ parvoart ] recordings : duncan ó ceallaigh

[ parvoart ] recordings is a microlabel founded by duncan ó ceallaigh in the baltic sea port of wismar in 2007 (for an explanation of the name, take your pick between a poorly disguised anagram in homage to fellow baltic artist arvo part, or the latin for ‘small’ art). with minimal resources, the label is concentrating on releasing beautiful works mainly – but not exclusively - by john r. carlson and duncan ó ceallaigh (dóc) newest members of the family are the duo ‘van der papen’. the label will concentrate on four main genres – microsound / lowercase / ambient, contemporary classical, ambient dub techno and ‘old-skool’ post-rock (think bark psychosis or labradford rather than say, mono or godspeed!).
beyond its small roster, the label defines itself in two important ways: firstly through a unified design aesthetic based around dóc’s photographic and design work, serving to make [ parvoart ] recordings’ releases readily identifiable; and secondly through the use of a relatively neglected medium – the mini-album / EP on 3” CD as its basic format. with a maximum running of time 25 minutes, the aim is to produce unified bodies of work without the need for the all too frequent filler found on many releases, thus allowing the artists to move on more quickly to the next phase of their musical development. for the foreseeable future, releases will be limited to 50 pieces, each release is accompanied by a related track free to download from either parvoart.org or last.fm
[ parvoart ] – because life is too short for 12cm cd releases ;o)
our releases listed below can be purchased here directly using paypal or at
minimamedia (berlin, ger) and
microsuoni (Murio Siena, itl)
(click on the shop name and you'll be redirected).
available now:
duncan ó ceallaigh - esr 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 001
1 - Ecclesia Semper Reformanda (7:48)
2 - Spatial (1:37)
3 - Steel String + Static (2:04)
4 - Perpetuum Mobile (9:06)
"I had just finished listening to Alva Noto’s excellent “Xerrox” release on Raster Noton, when I plucked this little 4 track gem out of it’s cover and placed it in my CD player. Imagine my surprise then, at the strange correspondences between the two releases..from the elegantly paced, and lilting geometry of Ó Ceallaigh’s “Ecclesia Semper Reformanda”, to the visceral, needle-sharp textural backing and finely sketched, loopy washes skittering in the background, this 20 minute mini disc would not be out of place next to the great Mr Noto in any collection. Some of the looping is a little skewed, but as with any release of this kind, it only adds charm and character. The second piece, “Spatial” is a blurry, soft focus blend of tones, that segues neatly into “Steel String + Static”,and closing piece “Perpetuum Mobile” a highly reduced piece of atmospherica, that shifts perspective, dripping in warmth and light, peppered with tonal presences and shimmering sampling. A very nice piece of work indeed, a worthy release, and a label that deserves your attention. Go buy."
bgn @ WHITE_LINE 30.03.2008
original review here
"Duncan ó Ceallaigh, a Dubliner exiled in the North German port town of Wismer, offers a lesson in articulate, meditative sound sculpting, specifically in the area of minimalism. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of the [parvoart] recording collective (contemporary classical fans should have little trouble deciphering the anagram), ó Ceallaigh’s sound here is a collection of close-knit textures, processed instrumentation and fuzzy crackles, chirps and clicks.
Coupled with the smart 3 inch CD packaging, complete with ó Ceallaigh’s own photographic artwork, “Ecclesia Semper Reformada”, which roughly translates as The Reformed Church, is a breezy affair. Sound textures appear to hang in the air, while the little imperfections remind, at times, of bird chirps and pitter-patter raindrop rhythms. At twenty minutes long “Ecclesia...” remains accessible, never overstaying its welcome, and is instead as poignant as a bright flower blooming amidst a drab cluster of weeds."
Michael Henaghan @ Angry Ape
original review here
EU: € 7,50 including shipping!
USA / ROW customers please add €1
john r. carlson - in november 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 002
1 - Silk (3:59)
2 - Flagrant Deep (5:13)
3 - Gone And Went (8:27)
4 - November's End (4:45)
5 - Epiphany (2:16)
"Very new label under the direction of Duncan ó Ceallaigh, a gentleman of Scots-Irish decent now living and working on the Baltic coast of Germany. John Carlson, who lives in the same town, will apparently be the only other artist on the roster of this self-proclaimed "microlabel", which also pledges to be true to the 3" CDR format in all its releases, partially as an expression of aesthetic asceticism - too many CDs with their looong running time, are bulked up with filler. Agreed. Parvoart also promises that this will lead to a greater frequency of releases, allowing an interested audience immediate access to the progress of their canon of work. This is certainly a concept which has worked for Machinefabriek, for instance.
Five unedited improvisations on a grand piano in a room with a very nice, crisp acoustic. Ranging from just over two minutes to eight and a half, American-born Carlson..s pieces are all very pretty and witty, optimistic narratives which do more to ward off the November chills that attempt to recreate them (that task is ably accomplished by the sombre landscape photography gracing the back and front covers by label partner ó Ceallaigh).
Carlson is in my mind some improviser - the skill and symmetry with which each number is designed and executed would lead the uninformed to believe them fully composed before the soloist took his seat. Carlson is thinking his way several steps ahead of what he is playing at all times, seeing the whole picture in his head. This tiny perfect album is available through www.parvoart.org"
Stephan Fruitman @ sonomu
original review here
With recent records, including Peter Broderick's Docile and Goldmunds 'Corduroy Rd' edging solo piano improv music closer to the public eye, this is as good a time as any for the American-born, German-based John R. Carlson to present his take on the genre. Far from jumping on the bandwagon though, Carlson, a trained ballet dancer, lists an impressive fifteen years worth of compositional experience on his CV with a canon of seventy plus recordings covering theatre, television and radio further underlining his pedigree.
'In November', a suite of five compositions recorded on a vintage 1903 grand piano without second takes or studio-trickery, ebbs and flows spectacularly, serenading from a comforting solitude to animated dramas, while covering everything else in between. Carlson’s style transcends beyond the basic linear rules expected of solo piano composition. His music is, of course, channeled and highly focused, yet remains unburdened by the limitations such factors might impose. Resplendent harmonics clash with notes doused in a somnolent intimacy, as wintry grays blend seamlessly with crisp, autumnal textures and a variety of colours and emotions.
There’s a discernable sense of flow throughout this recording, exuding beauty as well as suspense, with Carlson proving to be adept at controlling the tension/release of each piece. More impressive is his virtuosic performance on 'In November', it stamps an indelible authority over a style of music that often sounds identikit, while retaining a rich, emotional depth.."
Michael Henaghan @ Angry Ape
original review here
EU: € 7,50 including shipping!
USA / ROW customers please add €1
john r carlson - recollections 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 003
1 - Remembrance (8:02)
2 - Elegie (2:10)
3 - Fragrance (5:27)
4 - Mediate (2:18)
5 - Recollections Of Emily (6:41)
"Our second round for Parvo Art, second 3"mcd and yes, second good release. While following Van Der Papen along the way of simplicity John Carlson is considerably different both for the global sound and for the tools but not for what concerns part of the atmosphere, infact as his label mates he's really relaxed a bit melancholic and well produced. Far from the electronic atmosphere Carlson is much more plunged into modern minimalism and in "writing songs", I don't write it just for the fact these tracks are piano driven, listen and I'm sure you'll get why I'm saying that. This American musician really reminded of Keith Jarrett's "Koln concert" style hybridized with some Satie and why not, Riley when playing piano. Due to its extremely simple nature this effort also bring to mind some music appositely written for children and I'm expressively thinking to Bela Bartok; sometimes I've happen to think it's a pity these tracks have no vocals and just minimal arrangements, since it could have enriched the global listening, it could have been not that far from the solo work of Mark Hollis just way less narcoleptic and less melancholic but it's not that hard to imagine his vocals on a such a good texture. Forget electronics and ambient meant a la Eno, but if minimal satiesque piano doesn't leave you unmoved that's for you."
Andrea Ferraris @ chain DLK
original review here
EU: € 7,50 including shipping!
USA / ROW customers please add €1
van der papen - majestic 3" CD EP [ parvoart ] recordings parvo 004
1 - april (9:12)
2 - 30483 (5:40)
3 - uvea (9:53)
review:
Miswriting the name of much appreciated (...recently become trendy) composer Arvo Pärt, you have the name of this interesting new label from Van Der Papen. They opened the label with a series of 3” and if from the morning you can guess how the rest of the day is gonna be like, here we’re dealing with a really good start. These two Lonkowsky twins from Berlin gave us a short work based on simplicity and sobriety, that’s why after the about twenty minutes of this release I’ve been thinking if they’re gonna put all of their efforts into building a full-length and they do it for good, I’m sure it could be an interesting cd. 4/4 kick drum minimal techno style on a melancholic quasi dramatic ambient melody, no vocals but the usual soft sounds to enrich the simple texture of the tracks. After the minimal techno opening they become ethereal and even more relaxed but as you can easily hear there’s some sort of continuity between the first and the second episode and for what concerns the last and closing track, well if you appreciated the beginning I’m sure you love the “end titles”. In some way it reminded a bit the approach of Afx Twin during the days of his Ambient Works and when reading this remember that I think Richard D James was at his personal best together some of the following more relaxed productions (ok Come to daddy is great but is still prefer the ambient era). Berlin based and for good, for Germans or not these guys have all the good qualities of electronic music from Deutschland mixed with a great taste for nocturnal ambient feels. An interesting debut and you know, when working on minimal things...taste is everything."
Andrea Ferraris @ Chain D.L.K
original review here
A brief history is useful when determining the inception, or at least the reason for, Van Der Papen. As former members of hardcore rock outfit Schafe, twin siblings Ronald and Christoph Lonkowsky’s interest in euphonic ambient techno started after a friend of theirs, Duncan ó Ceallaigh, lent them records by the likes of Gas and Yagya. Immersed in the deep and heavy sounds of these seminal albums, the brothers married this with their love of soundtrack composers such as Angelo Badalamenti and Harry Gregson Williams and Van Der Papen was born. Fittingly, the fruit of their labour (the “Majestic Ep”) sees light of day on ó Ceallaigh’s [Parvoart] Recordings stable. [Parvoart], for the uninitiated, is a microlabel based in the German Baltic Sea port of Wismar, that defines itself by an unified aesthetic based around unique artwork and photography and a preference for the 3” CD format. “Majestic” is this imprint’s maiden voyage into the world of ambient techno.
Van Der Papen have clearly studied those aforementioned records, the influence of Wolfgang Voigt is prevalent throughout, particularly notable in the soaring, layered synth work on each of the three compositions featured. Though, dismissing this record as a blatant carbon copy would be wrong, as the Lonkowsky brothers use their grounding in chillout, club and noise to add their own spin on proceedings.
Immediately noticeable on this recording is, the comforting, velvety production job. Right from the first few seconds Van Der Papen shroud everything in a blanket of whispering vinyl crackle and surface noise, fashioning a woozy, tranquil ambience throughout each piece.
“30483” takes its name from the number of days that lapsed between the turn of the 20th Century and the brothers’ date of birth and its shifting phasing sounds, gentle beats and pulsing bass provide a sterling backdrop for Duncan ó Ceallaigh’s echoic hammered dulcimer – surely the first use of this instrument in the techno field? “April”, on the other hand, is far more standard, utilising vast Vangelis like synths that swirl and melt in the foreground in tandem with electronics straight from the Hawtin handbook. Though, it must be pointed out that, there is much more going on underneath than its ambient techno veneer.
Though their approach is streamlined, Van Der Papen at least attempt to forgo the traditional dynamics of this genre. Of course, this Ep features all the expected hallmarks of an ambient techno release. From the gliding, glissando synth work, submersed, aquatic basslines and rhythms of looped beats. And the Lonkowsky brothers could be, unfortunately, lassoed by comparisons to GAS. They still, however, manage to carve out their own unique niche in a saturated genre – and for that I commend them.
Michael Henaghan @ Angry Ape
original review here
EU: € 7,50 including shipping!
USA / ROW customers please add €1
'distant voices, still lives' 3" CD EP u-cover records u-cdm19
place your order here
1 - Out Of Darkness (6:32)
2 - Finnmark (5:11)
3 - The Sea And The Sand (2:31)
4 - Watching, Waiting (3:03)
5 - Low Across Dawn Waters (3:02)
6 - Sábhaílte (2:34)
"Duncan Ó Ceallaigh, photographer and musician from Wismar, has released here a quite amazing mini-album from Belgium’s U-Cover, one that delivers widely differing forms of ambient music – the common denominator primarily being a lack of any beats as such. Starting with ‘Stars of the Lid’ -like, harmonic-majestic soundscapes via latently noisy lo-fi tracks where the tension derives mainly from shifts in the [component] layers onto an electro-acoustic jewel by the name of ‘Watching, Waiting’ - whose glockenspiel and gently plucked guitar wistfully long again for the early days of labels such as Karaoke Kalk - this CD (besides its somewhat slender playing time) caters to all desires."
Blumberg **** DE:Bug 30.01.2008
original review (in german) here
"Of the four [u-cover] mini-disc recordings, Duncan Ó Ceallaigh's Distant Voices, Still Lives is the major find. Using guitar, keyboards, bass, dulcimer, percussion, melodica, glockenspiel, and computer as tools, Ó Ceallaigh creates six electro-acoustic settings that are closer in spirit to 12k than Boltfish. Subtle processing treatments and textural flourishes dominate meditative material such as “Out of Darkness” and the string-heavy evocation “Low Across Dawn Waters” while “The Sea and the Sand” and “Sábhaílte” exude a hymnal quality reminiscent of Stars Of The Lid. Providing a change of pace, pretty keyboard, acoustic guitar, and glockenspiel melodies grace the more song-based ballad “Watching, Waiting.” Ó Ceallaigh's twenty-three-minute release impresses throughout."
rob schepper, textura.org 01.05.2008
original review here
'winter in wismar', A5 photo book, 75 pages, € 9,90
see some of the photos in the gallery.