man and the echo, by Chris Rainier

man and the echo

by Chris Rainier

supported by

Andrew Garton Fresh sounds and surprising detours. Not sure why but I hear something of Frank Zappa's compositional intent in these works. Delirious!

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.

also available to download are various digital documents that inspired the creation of this album, as well as studio shots and other images that had to be left out of the final album design!

Purchasable with gift card

name your price
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes unlimited streaming of man and the echo via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

edition of 250 1 remaining

£25 GBP or more
TEST PRESSING | Extremely LIMITED EDITION 12" BLACK vinyl [180g] + Digital Download
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
I have decided to let two of the three remaining test pressings of "man and the echo" go! These records are additionally unique as they are on BLACK vinyl. Neither have EVER been played. [Note: the record pictured in the photo is obviously not the one you're getting]

This will most definitely, certainly be the only test pressings I will ever sell of this album, so please get one if you want one! This is IT!

Please note that your purchase is only for the vinyl, in a plastic sleeve [which is how I received it from the manufacturer]. No artwork or anything like that. If you want that and you don't own the album yet, check out the few remaining copies still left on this page. I'll even sign the test pressing if you like - it currently only has 'SIDE A' printed on the relevant side.

Your purchase can also include a CD-R of the album, but please make sure to request one in the message field if you require one!

Includes unlimited streaming of man and the echo via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ... more

Sold Out

1.	a lone luthéal 01:09		buy track
2.	but first, the iron cow must sweat 05:40		buy track
3.	machachara 04:12		buy track
4.	fast fourier transform 01:46		buy track
5.	bikini bomb song 07:58		buy track
6.	astaragaza 04:17	info	buy track
7.	the romelia at llandudno at night 01:55		buy track
8.	monkey see, monkey do 05:45		buy track
9.	velvet gentleman 04:28 video		buy track
10.	lavinia lost her rhythmicon // to a haitian hippocratic con 04:14	info	buy track

about

chris rainier:

weissenborn, preparations, tape echo, e-bow, cello bow
synth engine pedal on track 4
handclaps and darbuka on track 6

adam casey:

zither through a fuzzbox on track 5
bowed banjo and singing saw on track 10

nat grant:

percussion through a granular delay pedal on track 3
longwave radio on track 5
percussion on tracks 8 and 10

recorded by adam casey at the true vine, melbourne
mixed by adam casey and chris rainier
mastered by adam dempsey at deluxe mastering, melbourne
album design by tess e mckenzie and chris rainier
layout by george munn

cover image taken from 'aku aku' by thor heyerdahl
© gyldendal norsk forlag AS 1957 gyldendal literatur,
used by permission

weissenborn style 1 by tony francis, aotearoa

track 5 makes reference to the song "lei i ka mokihana"
by henry wilfred waia'u © 1925

all weissenborn parts performed live with no overdubs, except on track 6

the following effects pedals were used on this recording:
ernie ball vp junior volume pedal, strymon el capistan, electro harmonix superego, red panda particle

special thanks to red panda pedals / curt malouin, elisa bryant, peter hatzipavlis and matthew stanton

in memory of elspeth jack [1941-2010]

//

credits

released October 14, 2014

//

in 2011 i received one of my most prized possessions: a replica of a 1927 weissenborn style 1 hourglass lap steel guitar, made for me by master luthier tony francis in aotearoa / new zealand.

i spent over a year exploring this amazing instrument's capabilities and potential, experimenting with tunings, unorthodox musical styles, and various preparations on and between the strings. i approached the instrument from what was hopefully a unique creative perspective, looking for new sounds, techniques and emotional landscapes. this was all done to try and make this record something different, multi-faceted and engaging.

the conceptualisation and recording process developed into one which came to include various other sonic elements such as tape echo / tape looping [which became cornerstones of the project], percussion and other instrumental oddities [thanks to the contributions of nat grant and adam casey].

i don't believe that a weissenborn has ever been heard like this before, and that this album genuinely explores the multiplicity of sonic possibilities available within the instrument.

nine of the ten tracks on the album were all improvised on the day of recording, and everything on the weissenborn was done live in the moment [again, except for one track!], including choices of preparations, integration of looped parts and even tunings which were sometimes invented on the spot.

the music conceptually explores various themes and events using the notions of "the island" as a central idea: the endless loop of existence in isolation, exotic faraway paradises, shipwrecks and artificial societies, the individual as emotional island, utopias and collapse, nostalgia, lost cultural icons, dancing mania and to conclude the album, even haitian dictators.

license

about

Chris Rainier London, UK

some kind of folk music. various microtonal guitars, weissenborn [a hollowneck lap steel, often with preparations]…also occasional singing, and other instrumental odds and ends.

contact / help

Contact Chris Rainier

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Chris Rainier, you may also like:

Promises
by Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra

supported by 14 fans who also own “man and the echo”

Big thanks to Floating Points for bringing me back to Pharoah Sanders on his swansong . An amazing creation and collaboration. David Rankin
go to album
The Common Task
by Horse Lords

supported by 11 fans who also own “man and the echo”

One of the rare bands that's truly operating on their own wave length. The Jealous Cactus
go to album
Luke Stewart Exposure Quintet
by Luke Stewart

supported by 11 fans who also own “man and the echo”

I saw their return performance at the 2022 Catalytic Sound Festival and it was magnificent! Mark Bernstein
go to album
O Paraíso
by Lucas Santtana

Radiant bossa nova melodies overlap with nature sounds and muted electronic percussion on the Brazilian singer-songwriter's "solar album." Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 18, 2023
go to album
So Good
by Kidi Band

featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 30, 2021
go to album
WILD ONES
by peirson ross

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jul 8, 2014
go to album
Ghost Forests
by Meg Baird and Mary Lattimore

supported by 11 fans who also own “man and the echo”

An ethereal combination of harp, electric guitar, and near-subliminal vocals, sounding not unlike a lucid dream only dimly recalled after awakening. neu-mann
go to album