Pickford, Andy

Artist: Andy Pickford  
P: 2021
Here we go with RadioSilence 14. A rather pleasant affair it is too :-)
Utilising the same hardware as the last RSi album Objective Linearity, with the addition of my Vermona DRM1 Mk3. As before, everything is set up in order to perform these pieces as a live improvisation. I have to say thanks to the improving weather meaning the synths aren’t detuning so much, plus my own improving efficiency in getting things prepped correctly, each of the four pieces here were created in 1 take (the first) in every case. After about 2 days programming, which is where the bulk of the hard work is focused.
Baal Movement does have a drum arrangement to it, but again the final piece was just run through and finished immediately. There was no Take 2 even on this.
On the whole this RSi offering is generally positive and uplifting in feel, in keeping with the time of year here and the pace of life picking up a bit after the lockdowns.
A new thing for this album are the four pieces edited into shorter ones approximately 1/3 the full length in each case. Yes, I get it that some folk like their EM stuff a tad more digestible and who am I to argue? :-) It’s likely that what I’ll do is create short edits of every RadioSilence long piece and release those on their own as pay-if-you-like freebies.
They work surprisingly well actually :-) 
It’s similar to how I used to create final Binar pieces from the many hours of random stoneyness we produced. When it comes to audio editing, I’ll pit my skills against any pro sound engineer any day! 

Artist: Andy Pickford  
P: 2021
Here we go with RadioSilence 14. A rather pleasant affair it is too :-)
Utilising the same hardware as the last RSi album Objective Linearity, with the addition of my Vermona DRM1 Mk3. As before, everything is set up in order to perform these pieces as a live improvisation. I have to say thanks to the improving weather meaning the synths aren’t detuning so much, plus my own improving efficiency in getting things prepped correctly, each of the four pieces here were created in 1 take (the first) in every case. After about 2 days programming, which is where the bulk of the hard work is focused.
Baal Movement does have a drum arrangement to it, but again the final piece was just run through and finished immediately. There was no Take 2 even on this.
On the whole this RSi offering is generally positive and uplifting in feel, in keeping with the time of year here and the pace of life picking up a bit after the lockdowns.
A new thing for this album are the four pieces edited into shorter ones approximately 1/3 the full length in each case. Yes, I get it that some folk like their EM stuff a tad more digestible and who am I to argue? :-) It’s likely that what I’ll do is create short edits of every RadioSilence long piece and release those on their own as pay-if-you-like freebies.
They work surprisingly well actually :-) 
It’s similar to how I used to create final Binar pieces from the many hours of random stoneyness we produced. When it comes to audio editing, I’ll pit my skills against any pro sound engineer any day! 

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle)
P: 2021
Back in 2006, Paul Nagle & Andy Pickford held what was to be the last of their many improvised music sessions at Andy's studio. Due to the onset of middle age procrastination, they are yet to do another one but they're both certain that more could theoretically take place. If they can be arsed. The 2006 session wasn't especially well thought of at the time, as they'd set out with the aim to focus on rhythmic percussion and minimalism and they weren't sure it had the desired outcome. As procrastination took its toll, the session was left on archive and was forgotten. At the start of 2016, Andy rediscovered the session and noticed that these were in fact ideal backing tracks and building blocks for something to be constructed upon. And thus, with procrastination taking a bit of a recess, work began on what was to become the album Another Day in La-La-Land. Wherever possible, the original session material is presented as the main spine of a given track's structure. In some cases however, session material has been edited and restructured as seamless loops and blocks. Themes and chord sequences present in the original session have been preserved and, in cases of them being too far down in the end mix, played too briefly or incorrectly positioned in the resulting structure, they have been played afresh or enhanced with additional lines. A good deal of new material has also been added, including additional percussion, bass, pads, sequences and melodies. Pretty much anything in fact, in order to create completed semi-studio tracks. In all, the work took Andy just five weeks from start to finish.

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle)
P: 2021
On August 20th 2016 Binar got together in a hut, sorry pavillion, to see if the Farce was still with them. Fortunately someone had brought an inflatable stormtrooper and an inflatable R2D2, settling the matter once and for all. Twas a splendid night, with Divorce Concepts, Mankey Trial and Boop and Crick playing stunning sets that would have intimidated lesser artists. But Binar are well beyond intimidation. And, indeed, any form of external stimuli After connecting all the gear, solving the problem of the MIDI bass pedals and burning a sacrificial herb, the boys were ready. And by that, I mean, they started making noises. The original plan had been to play a whopping 90 minutes - a major plate-spinning exercise, even assuming a set of polished, beautiful plates had been prepared. But at the last minute this switched to 2x45 sets, radically different. Inspired by the switching, the gig switched into Full Random Mode, in which neither performer knew what was coming next, other than the long ride home in the dark.
Somehow, by means of magic and misdirection, it all worked. Indeed, judging by the recording, it worked beautifully. Paul had somehow resisted spinning all of his plates simultaneously and Andy had let loose his patent form of chilled keyboarding. Tales of the Uninformed is dedicated to all those who didn't know the gig was happening, or knew but were terrified of being in a strange hut next to a pitch black car park listening to strange electronic noises.

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle)
P: 2021
On August 20th 2016 Binar got together in a hut, sorry pavillion, to see if the Farce was still with them. Fortunately someone had brought an inflatable stormtrooper and an inflatable R2D2, settling the matter once and for all. Twas a splendid night, with Divorce Concepts, Mankey Trial and Boop and Crick playing stunning sets that would have intimidated lesser artists. But Binar are well beyond intimidation. And, indeed, any form of external stimuli After connecting all the gear, solving the problem of the MIDI bass pedals and burning a sacrificial herb, the boys were ready. And by that, I mean, they started making noises. The original plan had been to play a whopping 90 minutes - a major plate-spinning exercise, even assuming a set of polished, beautiful plates had been prepared. But at the last minute this switched to 2x45 sets, radically different. Inspired by the switching, the gig switched into Full Random Mode, in which neither performer knew what was coming next, other than the long ride home in the dark.
Somehow, by means of magic and misdirection, it all worked. Indeed, judging by the recording, it worked beautifully. Paul had somehow resisted spinning all of his plates simultaneously and Andy had let loose his patent form of chilled keyboarding. Tales of the Uninformed is dedicated to all those who didn't know the gig was happening, or knew but were terrified of being in a strange hut next to a pitch black car park listening to strange electronic noises.

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle)
P: 2004 / 2023
It's from 2004 and a rather good one, recorded live at the National Space Centre, Leicester.
Both our fans will know there's another part to it - Project Poltergeist. That one's an actual CD boys and girls, so naturally Andy and I still have boxes of them lying around, being used as tables, speaker stands, hole-fillers etc. Dunno about his Dudeness, but in future I wanna be paid in drugs. At least I can make use of drugs!
Anyway.... this was a CDR not a CD and I'm told lots of the old CDRs are starting to fail. Hence this is here, available once again. If your CDR has gone horrible, drop me a line and I'll generate some free codes.
I found the original artwork and hacked it quickly to make a cover. Amazing I can find stuff from 2004 but lost something only this week and have no idea where it went.

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle)
P: 2023
Originally released under the guise of STDM

I failed to find the finished version of the original artwork so hacked this earlier version quickly to make a cover. I know the other is around somewhere so if I ever find it, I'll add it here somewhere. Because I care.

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle)
P: 2023
After a ten year hiatus, Paul Nagle & Andy Pickford returned as Binar to perform a live improvised concert of Electronica at Awakenings, Burton-on-Trent, July 4 2015, in front of a packed audience of chairs. A few humans occupied some of those chairs and a splendid time was had by those chairs and possibly also by the humans sitting on them. Paul and Andy liked it too, it was jolly spiffy.
The album includes an additional studio improvisation, Vimanarama. We have absolutely no idea when it was created.

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford + Paul Nagle)
P: 2004 / 2023
Here now the new version with a 7th bonus track.
Tracks two to six were taken from what I think was the second set from their awesome September 2003 National Space Centre Concert. The first however, 'The Great Slow Down' is a new one from the studio. Vast symphonic pads create quite an epic feel. In the third minute ethnic vocal samples can be heard then text taken from some news programme, all underpinned by a gentle sequence which gradually increases in prominence as it rises through the mix.

Lovely little melodic touches add a nice gentle quality to what is becoming quite intense backing. Extra energy comes in the form of a drum line heightening the excitement as well as driving the track forward even faster. Calmness is restored in the last five minutes as a lovely flute weaves its spell over a steady rhythm. Vocal samples return, this time creating quite an uneasy feeling which, if anything, is intensified on 'The Other Side'. Dark drones reverberate and if the volume is high enough should make the floor shake. Above this are ethereal pads with an almost vocal quality to them. The contrast of the drone and pads changes the mood to one that is more spiritual than sinister.

In the last couple of minutes a rather Spanish sounding acoustic guitar can be heard finishing things off in a lovely dreamy state. 'Le Miracle Du Vert' bounces in to life on the back of a rapid high register sequence. A three note bass loop gives depth as lead lines meander over the top.

'RollencGeeken' deploys an even faster splashing sequence which is then replaced by a more bass laden one. It's a track with real attitude in the rhythm department but with sublime little melodies, which just seem to hang in the air, above it all. A more forceful virtual guitar lead line surges forward in the fifth minute giving even more oomph. 'Mellowtronic' initially calms things down with nice relaxing atmospherics, rather Vangelis sounding actually. A slow but infectious groove starts up with yet more little melodic touches weaving around it. A tinkling sequence is added, complemented perfectly by a delicate piano lead. What a beautiful track. The final number 'That Which we Know Not' begins with eerie effects and delicate tinkling bells. This moody start is shattered as some insistent drums roll forth. Things become even more exciting and powerful as a wonderful sequence forces its way to the top of the mix. An excellent track to finish a wonderful album. (DL)

Artist: Binar (Andy Pickford + Paul Nagle)
P: 2004 / 2023
Now with a new Bonustrack.