Daniel Menche & Anla Courtis

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Soundclips

5...according to our Ant on Wed 27 Apr, 2011.

I'm way into a lot of the sounds that these guys create but as far as I'm aware this is actually their first collaboration. From the moment the needle hits the weapons-grade heavy vinyl we are treated to strange scraping cyclic sounds like a load of twigs have been bundled and stuffed into a washing machine and then proceed to snap and crunch as the machine rotates and then the metal drum resonates with deep metallic clanging sounds. As things really get going a sort of chaotic and primal beauty emerges as rhythms transform and the sounds mutate. Menche's contribution consists of recordings of resonances found in snow and rocks while Courtis' guitar is almost decipherable among the whacking of Pizza tins and lord knows what else. Towards the end of first side 'El Relincho' things become very intense, like a massive adrenalin rush of swooping distortion across the dense rhythmic noise. 'Runa-Uturunco' on the flip-side is ultra-eerie with rippling fluid sounds and glassy crackles (like broken glass being transported by a river) that hover over menacing, thunderous, doomy and distorted drones which gradually become thicker and foggier. Outstanding stuff which needless to say comes highly recommended.

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“MencheÊ¼s raw reminder of the brutal power of nature is a most exciting and
singularly excoriating way to start the year.” - Mapsadasical on Daniel MencheÊ¼s
Kataract

“one of the most engaging, and naturalistic collaborations in recent years – and these
guys didnÊ¼t even meet” - Foxy Digitalis on Courtis/MooreÊ¼s Brokebox Juke

Yaguà Ovy is the first collaboration between the sublime noise artist, Daniel
Menche, and Anla Courtis, the Argentinean experimental guitarist and founder of
Reynols. Based around the Argentinean mythology of the Werewolf, or Ê»the blue dogÊ¼
that lives on the Ê»Land without EvilÊ¼ of Mbya–Guarani, Yaguà Ovy shows Menche
and Courtis at their commanding best, whipping up a cacophony of primal and
natural noise from all manner of objects and instruments. Menche draws out the
sound and resonances found lying in snow and rocks while Courtis bewitches pizza
sauce cans and his guitar creating this mind flaying homage to the mythical wolf.

Alan Courtis (aka Anla Courtis) was born in 1972 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where
he still lives. He was a founder member of Reynols and has many releases on labels
all across the world. He has toured extensively internationally and has collaborated
with musicians like Pauline Oliveros, Otomo Yoshihide, Jim OÊ¼Rourke, Mats
Gustafsson, Rick & Alan Bishop, Toshimaru Nakamura, and Lasse Marhaug.
CourtisÊ¼ music always has strong experimental sense and is based on high-skilled
techniques of prepared sound, tape manipulations, processing of field recordings, live
electronics, objects, cymbals, synthesizers, computer tools, playing traditional (both
acoustic and electric) instruments as well as self-built, strange and unusual
instruments (unstringed guitar, for example).

In a genre known for its randomness and chaotic structure, Daniel Menche, has
established himself as a musician with an uncharacteristic sense of focus and
determination. Rather than creating "noise," he strives for order and cohesiveness.
Aural intensity is not a representation of confusion or the chaotic, but a concerted
effort to provoke and stimulate the listenerÊ¼s imagination by generating intensely
powerful sounds and music. Daniel Menche's work originates from the idea that
there is no restriction to potential sound sources, especially in terms of a soundÊ¼s
potential sonic energy. Self-made recorded sound sources, instruments, and
percussion can all be equally harnessed in creating a living and emotional feeling
within Daniel Menche's contemporary work. Any and all sounds are possible
conduits to music. There are absolutely no barriers or biases in what can be used.

In Yaguà Ovy these two unique artists have come together for the first time and have
made a record of stunning primordial beauty. MIE Music is hugely proud to be able to
be releasing this LP on 180 gram vinyl in a limited run of 500 for the world. The long
time Menche collaborator and artist, Eric Stotik, did the stunning artwork.