"Archival recordings from spring / summer 1994; the pause between Alaska and Oklahoma. Intense industrial / experimental / goth period."
- autumn/winter 1997 Bluesanct catalog

"Archive recordings from spring / summer 1994; an intense period of experimental lethargy, heavy caffeine intake, nocturnal living, and an ice cream diet... feat. Solas, 144000, and more... from apocalyptic heraldry to ethereal ambience... a historical document of pre-Drekka lo-fi, LTD to 15 copies."
- summer 1999 Bluesanct catalog

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This is a collection of short lived projects I was working on in FEB-MAY 1994... a year before starting Bluesanct and around two years before starting to work as Drekka.


SOLAS was a project by Miss Ann-Marie and myself. Sung in latin, gaelic, and English this untitled EP is all that we managed to record. It was recorded in my attic room at Fruit House, Watertown, MA.

SEVEN YEAR LOCUST was a project by Ann-Marie and Scott P. of the band Mistle Thrush. We did one session in the basement of Fruit House as a trio.

RINGWORM SIDESHOW was a project that Dave Nelson and I did from time to time. This track features Dave, playing AM radio modulation as instrument; a technique which I still use today for mixing Drekka tracks. I am not sure where it was recorded, but likely at Ugly House, Watertown, MA.

144000 is a project that I still record under from time to time. The first track here is a Donovan cover, and the second was supposed to be on a full length that I never completed. Both were likely recorded in my attic room at Fruit House.


Remastering this early Bluesanct release was a task. Like many of my early 4-track recordings, the mixes were done at an extremely low output and tended to lean heavily to the left for some reason. I probably spent more time than necessary trying to wrangle these tracks into a listenable collection without altering the original sound too much.

Originally issued as a distended 90 minute collection. For the reissue, I have trimmed the tape filler and unlistenable tracks and present to you a collection that I hope will be interesting to those with an ear for early 90's lo-fi 4AD inspired ad hoc experiments, as well as those interested in hearing some precursors to my work as Drekka.

Those with a keen ear may even hear elements of future Drekka works woven within these early tracks.


Most early Bluesanct releases had no reviews at the time, due to the extremely limited runs. But, I recently found a reply from when I submitted a couple tracks to a comp that had a panel of judges for selection.

They chose "Ivy Song" by Solas for the comp (good choice) and had the following to say about this track and 144000:


Solas

• Minimalist Enya
• Combines reminiscences of Sinead and the Star Spangled Banner with a touch of Monte Cazazza


144000

• Simply awful
• drone drone drone


The Solas review seems about right... except for the Monte Cazazza reference. However, I think the 144000 review is a bit harsh... I guess it was simply ahead of its time, hah.

- Mkl Anderson, 03 May 2021

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