Electric Tones
Encyclopedia
Electric Tones is an independent record label
owned and run by British composer and producer Tim Simenon
. The label, which is based in Amsterdam
, was launched in 2000, and is dedicated to the release of electronic-based compositions, generally fitting into the field known as Electronica
.
Because of certain similarities between Electronica's compositional, production and editing styles, and aspects of the more mainstream Dance music
genre, the two worlds sometimes overlap. It is not uncommon for certain artists to move between the two scenes - as with label boss, Tim Simenon
.
Simenon very occasionally releases his own compositions through the label, either under the alias of Bomb The Bass
or as the more experimental Flow Creator.
, entitled Electric Tones 1234 - with the name of the release reflecting how the collection included the first, second, third and fourth tracks released on the label. Issued in 2000, and taking the form of two 7-inch singles, the EP
marked the recording debut of Opiate
, aka Thomas Knak
. Knak has since achieved a mainstream profile of sorts through his collaboration with Björk
, on her hugely successful Vespertine
album
- for which Knak co-wrote and produced several tracks.
Also featured was a cut called Croissant
by Club Off Chaos, which is an outfit led by Jaki Liebzeit, drummer
with the band, Can
. The EP
was rounded off with the notable inclusion of several tracks by a hitherto unknown act, called Flow Creator. Upon reading the credits closely, this turned out to be another alter-ego for Tim Simenon
.
s, more often than not collecting brand new acts together: Electric Tones 5678 and Electric Tones 9101112, both of which were issued in the 12-inch single
format. Each release was limited to a run of 500 copies each, with the record sleeve - as is the case with limited edition releases - stamped with the individual copy number. In a press release from the period, Simenon was quoted as saying of the limited number release approach, "All the releases were limited editions to keep the hobby spirit alive."
Electric Tones 5678 is divided equally between Opiate
, and Amsterdam
-based musician, Ricardo Avocado - included together here, perhaps, because both acts were experimenting with aspects of Dub
aesthetics. Electric Tones 9101112 features two tracks by Soul Circuit, which turned out to be an occasional alias for Adrian Corker and Paul Conboy, otherwise known as A.P.E.. The remaining pair of compositions making up this EP
included, an abstract
contribution from Noriko
, the recording name of Newcastle
DJ, James Postlethwaite. And, playing the collection out was the reappearance of the Bomb The Bass
name - for the first time in 9 years - courtesy of a Christian Kleine
remix
of Clear Cut featuring Lali Puna
(the latter of which has since become a much sought after rarity).
All of these EP
tracks would later be rounded up, and released in digital
CD form under the collective title, Jukebox
; in turn becoming the labels seventh release.
individual artists. First out was Blind by A.P.E. Issued on a 7-inch single, Blind is a futuristic blues song. Next came a 10-inch single built around two tracks, Slowfall and Meltdown, by an artist listed as Wiseintime. Again this release shone across another pseudonym by an already well-known name, with Wiseintime an alternative representation of Ian Simmonds
, aka Juryman.
Ricardo Avacado also scored his recording debut through Electric Tones, with his 2002 release, The Bridge Ends EP. Limited to a numbered run of 300 copies, the 10-inch single ran at 33-rpm, with side-A dedicated to Checkpoint Fender, and Left of Legzira filling the flipside. Avacado's work continued to mine the possibilities of melding contemporary Electronica
with the Dub
aesthetic, illustrating a clear progression of his compositional manifesto from Electric Tones 5678.
The ninth release from the label would come courtesy of producer/programmer, Jono Podmore, otherwise known as Kumo
. Kumo And Friends would feature three tracks, and spotlight the progressive compositional talents of the one-time child violin
ist and electronic music
student, who at one time or another had previously worked with the likes of The Shamen
, Robert Owens
, Ian McCulloch
and BJ Cole.
was reinstating Bomb The Bass
to active mainstream duties, with the intended release of a new album
, Future Chaos. With full release details still to come, and following his lengthy absence from the mainstream, Simenon continues to ramp up communication through the bands Myspace
platform. However, it has still not been confirmed as to whether Future Chaos will be an Electric Tones release (no doubt becoming e-tones 010) supported by some kind of outside distribution deal.
As of March 2008, the track Butterfingers
was featured along with a promotional video
on the Bomb The Bass
Myspace
page - suggesting that the song will be a single
release ahead of Future Chaos.
e-tones 002 - A.P.E.: Blind (7-inch single)
e-tones 003 - Bomb The Bass
: Tracks (12-inch EP)
e-tones 004 - Various Artists: Electric Tones 5678 (12-inch EP)
e-tones 005 - Wiseintime: Slowfall (10-inch single)
e-tones 006 - Various Artists: Electric Tones 9101112 (12-inch EP)
e-tones 007 - Various Artists: Electric Tones Jukebox (album, CD)
e-tones 008 - Richard Avocado: The Bridge Ends (12-inch EP)
e-tones 009 - Kumo
: Kumo And Friends (12-inch EP)
e-tones 010 - Bomb The Bass
: Future Chaos (album)
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
owned and run by British composer and producer Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon is a musician, composer, record producer, and label boss, most famous for his work as Bomb the Bass.-Debut:Tim Simenon's music career began aproper in the mid 1980s, DJing at London's Wag Club...
. The label, which is based in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, was launched in 2000, and is dedicated to the release of electronic-based compositions, generally fitting into the field known as Electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
.
Because of certain similarities between Electronica's compositional, production and editing styles, and aspects of the more mainstream Dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
genre, the two worlds sometimes overlap. It is not uncommon for certain artists to move between the two scenes - as with label boss, Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon is a musician, composer, record producer, and label boss, most famous for his work as Bomb the Bass.-Debut:Tim Simenon's music career began aproper in the mid 1980s, DJing at London's Wag Club...
.
Simenon very occasionally releases his own compositions through the label, either under the alias of Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
or as the more experimental Flow Creator.
Opiate Sparks: Electric Tones Debuts
The first Electric Tones release was a four-track compilation EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, entitled Electric Tones 1234 - with the name of the release reflecting how the collection included the first, second, third and fourth tracks released on the label. Issued in 2000, and taking the form of two 7-inch singles, the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
marked the recording debut of Opiate
Thomas Knak
Thomas Knak is a Danish electronic musician, producer, film composer and DJ. He lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Jack of all trades, he makes music for commercial , for various radio and TV programmes, for theatre plays, for choreography and films.He started in 1999 under the name Opiate...
, aka Thomas Knak
Thomas Knak
Thomas Knak is a Danish electronic musician, producer, film composer and DJ. He lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Jack of all trades, he makes music for commercial , for various radio and TV programmes, for theatre plays, for choreography and films.He started in 1999 under the name Opiate...
. Knak has since achieved a mainstream profile of sorts through his collaboration with Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, on her hugely successful Vespertine
Vespertine
Vespertine, is the fifth studio album by the Icelandic recording artist Björk, released on 27 August 2001. On this album, Björk creates a quiet, introverted world of microbeats and personal lyrics...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
- for which Knak co-wrote and produced several tracks.
Also featured was a cut called Croissant
Croissant
A croissant is a buttery flaky pastry named for its distinctive crescent shape. It is also sometimes called a crescent, from the French word for "crescent". Croissants are made of a leavened variant of puff pastry...
by Club Off Chaos, which is an outfit led by Jaki Liebzeit, drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
with the band, Can
Can
Can may refer to:-Container:* Aluminum can* Steel can, an airtight tinplate container for storing food and other predominantly liquid products* Beverage can, a can designed to hold a single serving of a beverage* Oil can...
. The EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
was rounded off with the notable inclusion of several tracks by a hitherto unknown act, called Flow Creator. Upon reading the credits closely, this turned out to be another alter-ego for Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon
Tim Simenon is a musician, composer, record producer, and label boss, most famous for his work as Bomb the Bass.-Debut:Tim Simenon's music career began aproper in the mid 1980s, DJing at London's Wag Club...
.
Regular Current: Compilations & New Names
Up until the end of 2007, Electric Tones had released two further EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s, more often than not collecting brand new acts together: Electric Tones 5678 and Electric Tones 9101112, both of which were issued in the 12-inch single
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
format. Each release was limited to a run of 500 copies each, with the record sleeve - as is the case with limited edition releases - stamped with the individual copy number. In a press release from the period, Simenon was quoted as saying of the limited number release approach, "All the releases were limited editions to keep the hobby spirit alive."
Electric Tones 5678 is divided equally between Opiate
Opiate
In medicine, the term opiate describes any of the narcotic opioid alkaloids found as natural products in the opium poppy plant.-Overview:Opiates are so named because they are constituents or derivatives of constituents found in opium, which is processed from the latex sap of the opium poppy,...
, and Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
-based musician, Ricardo Avocado - included together here, perhaps, because both acts were experimenting with aspects of Dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
aesthetics. Electric Tones 9101112 features two tracks by Soul Circuit, which turned out to be an occasional alias for Adrian Corker and Paul Conboy, otherwise known as A.P.E.. The remaining pair of compositions making up this EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
included, an abstract
Abstraction
Abstraction is a process by which higher concepts are derived from the usage and classification of literal concepts, first principles, or other methods....
contribution from Noriko
Noriko
is a Japanese given name for females, and can refer to:-People:* Noriko Awaya, a singer* Noriko Hidaka* Noriko Matsueda, a former video game composer* Noriko Mizoguchi, a judoka* Noriko Ohara, a voice actress* Noriko Sakai, a singer and actress...
, the recording name of Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
DJ, James Postlethwaite. And, playing the collection out was the reappearance of the Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
name - for the first time in 9 years - courtesy of a Christian Kleine
Christian Kleine
Christian Kleine is a German musician. He was a member of Herrmann & Kleine duo which was disbanded in 2005.He has collaborated with several electronic musicians including Arovane.His signature sound includes warm, ambient guitar riffs.-Albums:...
remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of Clear Cut featuring Lali Puna
Lali Puna
Lali Puna is an experimental electropop band from Weilheim, Germany . Founded in 1998 by Korea-born Valerie Trebeljahr , other members include Markus Acher , Christoph Brandner and Christian Heiß . The latter joined Lali Puna in 2003, after keyboard player Florian Zimmer had left the band...
(the latter of which has since become a much sought after rarity).
All of these EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
tracks would later be rounded up, and released in digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
CD form under the collective title, Jukebox
Jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media...
; in turn becoming the labels seventh release.
Alternate Current: Non-compilation Releases
As of 2008, in between its compilation work, Electric Tones has also released five records by fiveindividual artists. First out was Blind by A.P.E. Issued on a 7-inch single, Blind is a futuristic blues song. Next came a 10-inch single built around two tracks, Slowfall and Meltdown, by an artist listed as Wiseintime. Again this release shone across another pseudonym by an already well-known name, with Wiseintime an alternative representation of Ian Simmonds
Ian Simmonds
Ian Simmonds, Juryman , is a Welsh-born electronica and jazz musician whose music oscillates between more acoustic works of nu jazz or downtempo and heavily produced electronica, as Juryman the sound is interwoven with hip hop textures....
, aka Juryman.
Ricardo Avacado also scored his recording debut through Electric Tones, with his 2002 release, The Bridge Ends EP. Limited to a numbered run of 300 copies, the 10-inch single ran at 33-rpm, with side-A dedicated to Checkpoint Fender, and Left of Legzira filling the flipside. Avacado's work continued to mine the possibilities of melding contemporary Electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
with the Dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
aesthetic, illustrating a clear progression of his compositional manifesto from Electric Tones 5678.
The ninth release from the label would come courtesy of producer/programmer, Jono Podmore, otherwise known as Kumo
Kumo (musician)
Kumo is a British musician and composer, the pseudonym of Jono Podmore who was born in 1965.-Biography:Kumo came into existence in 1994 when composer, producer, engineer and arranger Jono Podmore began work at Watershed Studios, London and with Plink Plonk records, founding 2 sister labels to Plink...
. Kumo And Friends would feature three tracks, and spotlight the progressive compositional talents of the one-time child violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist and electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
student, who at one time or another had previously worked with the likes of The Shamen
The Shamen
The Shamen were an experimental electronic music band, from 1985–1999, initially formed in Aberdeen, Scotland, as a psychedelic-influenced indie rock act. The founding members are Colin Angus , Derek McKenzie and Keith McKenzie...
, Robert Owens
Robert Owens
Robert Owens may refer to:* Robert Bowie Owens , a U.S. electric engineer who discovered alpha rays* Robert A. Owens , U.S. Marine, hero of the WWII landing at Bougainville; posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor...
, Ian McCulloch
Ian McCulloch (singer)
Ian Stephen McCulloch is an English singer, born in Liverpool, and is best known as the frontman for the rock group Echo & the Bunnymen.-Career:...
and BJ Cole.
Surge: New Electric Tones Material
In February 2008, came the announcement that Tim SimenonTim Simenon
Tim Simenon is a musician, composer, record producer, and label boss, most famous for his work as Bomb the Bass.-Debut:Tim Simenon's music career began aproper in the mid 1980s, DJing at London's Wag Club...
was reinstating Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
to active mainstream duties, with the intended release of a new album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Future Chaos. With full release details still to come, and following his lengthy absence from the mainstream, Simenon continues to ramp up communication through the bands Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
platform. However, it has still not been confirmed as to whether Future Chaos will be an Electric Tones release (no doubt becoming e-tones 010) supported by some kind of outside distribution deal.
As of March 2008, the track Butterfingers
Butterfingers
Butterfingers were an Australian hip hop group from Ipswich, Queensland. Most of their releases are on their own label, Valley Trash Records.-History:...
was featured along with a promotional video
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
on the Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page - suggesting that the song will be a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
release ahead of Future Chaos.
Discography
e-tones 001 - Various Artists: Electric Tones 1234 (2x7-inch EP)e-tones 002 - A.P.E.: Blind (7-inch single)
e-tones 003 - Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
: Tracks (12-inch EP)
e-tones 004 - Various Artists: Electric Tones 5678 (12-inch EP)
e-tones 005 - Wiseintime: Slowfall (10-inch single)
e-tones 006 - Various Artists: Electric Tones 9101112 (12-inch EP)
e-tones 007 - Various Artists: Electric Tones Jukebox (album, CD)
e-tones 008 - Richard Avocado: The Bridge Ends (12-inch EP)
e-tones 009 - Kumo
Kumo (musician)
Kumo is a British musician and composer, the pseudonym of Jono Podmore who was born in 1965.-Biography:Kumo came into existence in 1994 when composer, producer, engineer and arranger Jono Podmore began work at Watershed Studios, London and with Plink Plonk records, founding 2 sister labels to Plink...
: Kumo And Friends (12-inch EP)
e-tones 010 - Bomb The Bass
Bomb the Bass
Bomb the Bass is the umbrella title for the output of British musician and producer, Tim Simenon. The band, which has evolved its style over the years, has been classed as electronic or dance....
: Future Chaos (album)
External links
- Official site: http://www.electrictones.com
- Official Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/electrictones
- Official Bomb The Bass site: http://www.bombthebass.com
- Official Bomb The Bass Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/bombthebass