Famed Norwegian avant music label Rune Grammofon says that the upcoming Supersilent DVD should be ready for release in August. "1 hour and 49 minutes of prime Supersilent, captured to 16mm film in glorious black and white, directed by Kim Hiorthøy."

I've decided that Alog is my favorite Rune Grammofon act. Supersilent, Scorch Trio and the rest of their ilk are nice, but I can't honestly say that I feel inclined to put them on all that often. I desire beats I can nod along to. I want melodies. Alog provides, albeit in an abstract way. The music is electronic in construction, but organic in sound. The track I'm featuring today starts off with the fluttering of sped-up voices and seemingly random tones, looped and layered with polyrhythmic bell tones. As with a lot of minimalist music, the effect can be disconcerning at first, but the longer it goes on, the more it settles into a groove. Once the beat drops in at 2'30" it turns to pure bliss. But it never stops building - the track flows on, adding layers of pink noise before dissolving completely into soft waves of distortion. I imagine a sunset at the seaside. Beautiful.

Three new Supersilent dates:

03/09 - Paradox, Tilburg (HOL)
03/10 - Bimhuis, Amsterdam (HOL)
03/11 - V.C.A., Brussels (BEL)

Via Forced Exposure comes word that the rumored Supersilent live DVD "7" has been confirmed for a May release via Rune Grammofon. I saw these guys play a couple weeks ago and can most definitely confirm that it's not something to be missed. The footage was shot on 16mm b&w film and directed by the label's resident designer and renown artist Kim Hiorthoy.

Pitchfork reviews the solo albums of Supersilent members Arve Henriksen and Ståle Storløkken: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/s/supersilent/chiaroscuro-humcrush.shtml

Went and saw Supersilent and Jaga Jazzist last night and totally had my mind blown. I missed the first little 10 minutes or so of Supersilent, but what I caught was way more noisy and intense than I anticipated. Don't worry, that's a good thing. Words fail to describe how amazing and visceral they were - the sounds they produce are beyond comparison. Jaga Jazzist had a tough act to follow, but they tore it up and played quite a few new tracks due to appear on their next album. Drummer/bandleader Martin Horntveth radiates an astonishing amount of energy and really drives the rest of the 10-piece band beyond what constitutes a typical jazz show. If you get a chance to see either of these groups, don't pass it up.

The Northwest Passage Festival starts tonight here in SF. I'm not sure if I'll make it out to see Maja Ratkje and Arve Henriksen tonignt, but I'm definitely going to Supersilent and Jaga Jazzist tomorrow. If anyone else is thinking of going, it looks like I'll have an extra ticket as my wife is sick and is not so inclined to attend. Let me know.

Staight.com interviews Supersilent: http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=5879 (via DJ Martian)

UK-based webzine The Milk Factory interviews Deathprod (Supersilent, ex-Motorpsycho): http://www.themilkfactory.co.uk/interviews/deathprodiw.htm
I have no clue why they consider Motorpsycho a metal band, though.

It's not exactly news since I posted it all before, but the full dates for the Northwest Passage Festival are now posted online at the official website: http://www.northwestpassagefestival.com/whenwhere.html
To reiterate:

11/03 - Maja Ratkje & Arve Henriksen @ 964 Natoma, San Francisco, CA
11/04 - Jaga Jazzist & Supersilent @ Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
11/05 - DJ Strangefruit, DJ Bjorn Torske & DJ Kent Horne @ 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA
11/05 - Supersilent @ Dance Centre, Vancouver (CAN)
11/08 - Supersilent @ Tonic, NYC, NY
11/08 - Jaga Jazzist @ Black Cat, Washington DC

Supersilent is playing Tonic in NYC on November 8. Khanate were reportedly listed earlier as a possible support act, but are no longer on the calendar. Oh, and they're playing the Empty Bottle in Chicago on November 6 as well.

Here's the fall release schedule for Norwegian avant-label Rune Grammofon:

09/27: Strønen/Storløkken - Humcrush - Excellent debut from Food drummer and Supersilent keyboardist.
10/11: Scorch Trio - Luggumt - Great second album from power trio led by guitarist Raoul Björkenheim.
11/18: Food - Last Supper - Beautiful album, the last one with Arve Henriksen on trumpet.
11/02: Nils Økland - Bris - Long awaited follow-up to Straum from 2000. You won´t be dissapointed!

After doing the Northwest Passage Festival in SF, Supersilent will head up to Vancouver, Canada on November 5 to play the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Details: http://www.jazzvancouver.com/concerts_details.cfm?event_id=1115&sec_view=

Things are starting to come together a bit more for the Northwest Passage Festival here in San Francisco in early November. As mentioned before, it will mark the US debut of renown Norwegian avant-jazz-improv act Supersilent and will also be their first show together with countrymen Jaga Jazzist. And if that wasn't enough already, also now confirmed on for the fest are DJ Bjorn Torske, DJ Strangefruit and DJ Kent Horne, vocal/electronic artist Maja Ratkje and a solo performance from trumpet player Arve Henriksen of Supersilent. Tickets are already on sale so far for the Supersilent/Jaga Jazzist show and you can get full details here: http://www.northwestpassagefestival.com

See you there?

Tunisian artist Dhafer Youssef is doing a bunch of dates this fall with a Norwegian backing band featuring Arve Henriksen (Supersilent, trumpet/electronics), Eivind Aarset (guitar/electronics), Audun Erlien (bass) and Rune Arnesen (drums). Dates:

11/11 - tba, Madrid (SPA)
11/18 - Queen Elizabeth Hall, London (UK)
11/19 - Phoenix, Exeter (UK)
11/20 - The Zodiac, Oxford (UK)
11/21 - Contemporary Music Festival, Huddrsfield (UK)
11/23 - The Shed, Brawby (UK)
11/24 - Lakeside Art Centre, Nottingham (UK)
11/25 - Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton (UK)