One of the most rewarding aspects of running a label is constantly having your world flipped upside-down by artists who are uniquely and wholly transparent in their self-expression, while making clear leaps and bounds in their own creative process over time, leaving a body of work to admire and revisit. With that said, we're very stoked to finally present the next release on Reserve Matinee.
'Vague Embry and The Liquid Dwelling' is the solo work of Chicago's own Havadine Stone, one of our favorite artists who continues to challenge, inspire, and outright blow us away with her live performances and home recordings; particularly an unforgettable, jaw-dropping live set at the Options house in Albany Park in February of this year.
Digitized from the master tape that was left in our mailbox, 'Vague Embry...' leaves you feeling clued in on Havadine's personal journey while being thrust into a wild world of found sounds, textures, piano, guitar & voice vignettes, and dialogue. A certain tension is created from the cassette-baked blank spaces in between moments, and much of the "dialogue" we hear has a candid feel, often snippets of the artist speaking in a contemplative and beautifully poetic manner. The last 10 minutes or so of this tape is something to behold, displaying the true emotional and dynamic capacity of the human voice.
Split into two 21-minute sides, it's best to dive in and let go of what you might be expecting at any given minute, as this release will undoubtedly prove you wrong. Presented in the cassette format with artwork from the artist herself.
credits
released August 24, 2018
credit to:
Watt Khmer Metta Cambodian Buddhist Temple (Chi)
Rizzo the dog prince
Hospital Staff
Airport Security
Billie Horse
San Francisco street performer
San Francisco Chinese Opera Club
supported by 10 fans who also own “Vague Embry and The Liquid Dwelling”
In an isolated year, I can think of no better presence to welcome into my home than Havadine. Recounting dreams. Playing with rocks. Singing along to Peggy Lee. Cody Ariel Shaffer
supported by 8 fans who also own “Vague Embry and The Liquid Dwelling”
what can I even say about this that I haven't already said about other claire albums. it's the first one I heard and also probably my favourite of hers katsumashi
The new album from electroacoustic composer Jeremy Young is draped in a sense of mystery, tones flickering gently, like an old home movie. Bandcamp New & Notable May 9, 2021
David Ciampalini, founder of the Ambient-Noise Collective, bridges musique concrete with psychedelic soundscapes on his debut solo LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 16, 2021
Four new rowdy, impossibly catchy songs from this post-punk group who bridge rough-edged New Zealand-style pop with darker, steelier sounds. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 31, 2018
supported by 8 fans who also own “Vague Embry and The Liquid Dwelling”
Havadine conjures lush, expressionistic imagery and side-eyed jokes in her dry, measured prairie tones, cracking with intimacy and soft cigarette rasp, while BBB swirls around with textured and sprawled musical abstractions. I recommend this a lot. Cody Ariel Shaffer