Editions Mego – EMEGO 252
Editions Mego is proud to present the latest addition to the compelling
discography of Thomas Brinkmann. Throughout his career Brinkmann has
focussed on the human operating amongst industry alongside rhythms that
manifest as a result of technological advancement. With this new release
Brinkmann makes a u-turn, looking back to the early industrial age.
Comprised of recordings of various looms, Raupenbahn investigates the
sonic properties and consequences of the first automatic loom as
constructed by Jacques de Vaucanson in 1745. Thomas Brinkmann once again
adheres to his tendency for clarity and simplicity whilst further
investigating not only the sound and rhythms of the machines (looms) but
also what role they serve in society and what consequences they have on
the environment. Raupenbahn presents 21 tracks in total, 11 feature on
the vinyl, the remaining 10 as digital bonus tracks. The majority of
recordings were undertaken by Brinkmann in 2017 with a Neumann KM 184
stereo set. Additional recordings were sourced with permission from
Monika W. recs. from 2014 Central Museum of Textiles Łódź, Poland. Each
piece presents a diversity of material which borders on the breathtaking
and beautiful in richness and complexity. The various looms unravel
rhythms and patterns unexpected from machines of the early industrial
age.
The loom holds a significant role in shaping our world being the
catalyst for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine which, alongside the
subsequent work of Byron’s daughter Ada Lovelace, paved the way for
modern computing. There is a linage of the loom that fits succinctly in
Brinkmann’s overall argument. Here we encounter a parallel between
machine driven economies and the music that rose from such places,
consider the Sheffield steel industries, the Manchester weaving industry
or the Rhineland / Düsseldorf loom and machine industry. Is it a
coincidence that the practice of such machines in the environment gave
rise to today’s predilection for electronic dance music, in pop,
soundtracks, etc
Raupenbahn features no treatment or processing and explicitly displays
varying tempo and timbres which ascertain a wide range of acoustic
structures. The artwork features Ingrid Wiener, Rosemarie Trockel and
Alexandra Bircken, three different generations who would with ideas of
fabric weaving, loming and the like. This exceptional release works on a
number of levels alongside it’s striking sonic palette.
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