Final tourdates for Swedish experimental/drone artist Jasper TX:
04/10 - Fox & Newt, Leeds (UK)
04/11 - Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh (UK)
04/12 - Sacred Trinity, Manchester (UK)
04/13 - The Rude Shipyard, Sheffield (UK)
04/15 - Cafe Oto (w/Anders Lilja on drums), London (UK)
04/26 - L'Espace B, Paris (FRA)
04/27 - Radio Session, Wanquetin (FRA)
04/28 - Antwerp Ambient Festival, Antwerp (BEL)
04/29 - Kinky Star, Gent (BEL)
Jasper TX"The black sun transmissions". It's a pretty typical dark ambient / drone album title, isn't it? Thankfully, this latest [and last, apparently -ed.] full length by Swede Dag Rosenqvist isn't pretty typical at all, building on the promise of his previous efforts which, to these ears at least, fell well short of the originality mark. This is five tracks of uneasy instrumentalism channelled through the psyche of someone who knows how to instil a subconscious fear into the listener. From its disturbing, psychological mind mess opening, it waxes and wanes and meanders through a variety of eerie soundscapes and emotions to arrive at a passage of heartbreaking beauty in closing track "White birds". The only way to listen to this and experience its full effect is through a good set of headphones. Any other way is sacrilege. Rosenqvist really has hit the nail on the head this time around.
- John Norby
Tokafi interviews Dag Rosenqvist of Swedish ambient/drone act Jasper TX in which they talk about his recording process, the early influence of Morbid Angel and the retirement of his current moniker: http://www.tokafi.com/15questions/interview-jasper-tx-2/
The Silent Ballet reviews Jasper TX's latest album "The black sun transmissions": http://thesilentballet.com/dnn/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/384/ItemID/4424/Default.aspx
Fluid Radio reviews the new Jasper TX album "The black sun transmissions": http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2011/05/jasper-tx-the-black-sun-transmissions/
It's mostly in Swedish, but maybe worth a peep anyhow: avant/electronic/experimental music website Sound of Music invites a number of scene luminaries to sum up their year: http://www.soundofmusic.nu/artikel/musik%C3%A5ret-2010-0
Contributors include Maja Ratkje, Mats Gustafsson, Lisa Nordström (Midaircondo), Dag Rosenqvist (Jasper TX), Lasse Marhaug (Jazkammer, etc.), Joachim Nordwall (The Skull Defekts) and lots more.
Fluid Radio talks to Dag Rosenqvist (Jasper TX) about his new collaboration record/soundtrack "Conformists", made with Simon Scott under the name Low Point: http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2010/11/dag-rosenqvist-simon-scott-conformists/
Swedish experimental label has announced the following releases for later this year:
Neghantil - tba (2xCS/box)
Jasper TX - The black sun transmissions (CD/mp3)
The Cray Twins (SCO) - The pier (CD/mp3)
I Am A Vowel (UK) - Body curves 7"
There are other 7" projects in the works as well, along with an album from international artist Paul Baran and a new Göteborg-focused cassette compilation.
Jasper TXAmbient music is one of those genres that's increasingly mirroring the Swedish melodic death metal scene. Not in terms of style, of course, rather in terms of complete oversaturation and lack of variation. You know the score: there's a mountain of bands, all doing the exact same things to varying degrees of success, yet only a handful have the presence of mind and ability to rise above the masses and output something really special -- or original, for that matter. Jasper TX falls into the category of those who ply the trade well but fail to do anything really noteworthy. That said, Swede Dag Rosenqvist, is to be commended for his commitment to the world of cinematic ambience, but it must also be pointed out that there's nothing really going on that hasn't been done a gazillion times before. "Singing stones" is like an IKEA table: it does the job, but every other table in every other IKEA is exactly the same -- more or less -- and half the population has one. A Jonas Bohlin table may be a little less accessible and may take more time to construct, but the end result is far more unique and enjoyable and it stands out from the crowd. Yes, "Singing stones" is a good album and is well put together. But the fact that, with very few exceptional moments, it sounds pretty much like every other ambient/cinematic project out there means it's pretty pointless even checking it out if you already have a heap of this type of music. For a first time buyer, however, it's a good introduction. Then, when you hear all the other bands that sound the same you can say, "They just sound like Jasper TX." Swings and roundabouts, I suppose.
- John Norby
Jasper TX discusses the process behind putting together his new odds'n'ends + remix collection "A voice from a dead radio": http://www.underthespire.co.uk/2010/03/a-few-words-from-mr-dag-rosenqvist/
Swedish label made a mix for Fluid Radio featuring various cuts from their catalogue (Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words, Jasper TX, etc.), a few upcoming things (such as Neghantil) and also a selection of other artists they like (Coil, Psychic TV): http://www.fluid-radio.co.uk/2010/02/fang-bomb-iso-sequence-2/
Swedish artists David Åhlén, Rickard Jäverling and Jasper TX are all in Textura's top 20 favorite albums of 2009 at 8, 17 and 18 respectively: http://www.textura.org/reviews/2009top10s.htm
Prolific Swedish experimental/drone artist Jasper TX recently collaborated with Danish poet Bue Nordström on a text/music piece entitled "Replica Archipelago" which was just released. Preview samples at myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jaspertx
