Patrick Higgins' STEREO on Impose Best Cassettes of 2012 list

We are honored to find that the most-recent W+D tape, Patrick Higgins' ambitious 4-channel double-tape STEREO, was listed among Impose Magazine's The Best Cassette Releases of 2012 list. Here's the blurb:

The phrase “quadraphonic recording” tends to set expectations of something so purposefully erudite and abstract that you’d probably have a better time having your friend who is really into Stockhausen explain the record to you, rather than actually listening. Even the idea of a quadraphonic tape release is inherently a bit exclusive, what with the need to sync up two stereo tape decks or actually own a quadraphonic mixer. Enter: NYC composer and Zs/Bachanalia member Patrick Higgins’ STEREO. The level of ambition and execution in this three-part, 40 minute long composition are powerfully matched, and the level of technique and the sheer amount of polyphony in this piece are actually stunning. This release pushes the conventions of the tape medium and the ear of the listener. The manic energy and uncanny appeal can’t be denied as this fever dream brain puzzle rips itself open again and again.

Copies of the tape are still available — click through to Releases to pick up one of 2012's best!

Patrick Higgins 'STEREO' release show + pre-sale

Patrick Higgins, Mas Ysa, Lea Bertucci + DJ Choette and The Oracle DJs

Thursday, Nov 8 | Death By Audio, 49 S. 2nd Street, BK | 8PM | $8

Block off your Thursday night next week (and cross your fingers for Subway access by then!) cuz you're not going to want to miss the tape release show for the quadraphonic double-tape STEREO. Taking place in the intimate Death By Audio confines, the release show will feature a special one-night-only 4-channel setup to give those of you without such an unreasonable overabundance of stereo gear at home the opportunity to hear this stunning material in its full, confounding glory.. Described by TinyMixTapes as "WAY weird in a WAY-WAY good WAY," STEREO is "a total juxtaposition of Patrick’s Bachanalia suites. Yet...catchier, in a feverish sort of way. Weirdly, it almost sounds modular driven, as if he tried to cover a M. Geddes jam."

If you just can't wait to put your order in (or have the misfortune of not being able to attend the show), pre-order is now available via the Releases page. Check it!

Announcing Patrick Higgins - Stereo C48

Words+Dreams is pleased to announce that downtown composer/guitarist Patrick Higgins (ZS, Bachanalia) will release a new record of works for solo guitar and laptop electronics. STEREO is a three-part composition written and recorded in quadraphonic four-channel stereo, to be released as a special-edition double cassette this November 8th. Making use of extended techniques, time-shift and phase manipulations, as well as a custom-designed digital delay interface, Higgins’ STEREO is a work that both celebrates and disfigures the tradition of solo guitar performance.  STEREO is a must for fans of drone, post-minimalism, avant-garde, and uncompromising instrumental works.

STEREO will be released on two stereophonic cassettes designed to be played simultaneously on two independent stereo systems or through a single quadraphonic receiver connected to two tape decks. In the tradition of four channel stereo gear of the 70s (hyped in marketing materials as the next logical step after stereo dominated mono) and presaging the later dominance of home theater and multi-channel setups, quadraphony — the forefather of surround sound — is lovingly resurrected for this ambitious and unusual release.

In addition to the double cassette, each tape will include a download code to collect a standard stereo downmix, plus the option of a digital 4-channel encode to be played back on your home theater or surround sound system.

Preview part 2 of STEREO, "Pointillist," below:

W+D has a Bandcamp!

In celebration of the custom W+D digital download code redemption interface (launched along with YouAreHere: The Maze Mixtape) I finally put together a W+D Bandcamp. If you're interested in the Maze Mixtape, you can now stream the whole thing, track-by-track, on the BC page, and buy a Digital Download postcard for just $4; that's just 18¢ a song, or 4¢ per minute of music, aka CHEAP! More past W+D content will be filtering on to the Bandcamp page soon, too, but in the mean time, check out the embedded app below, the new tab on Facebook, and buy a download postcard. The actual tapes will be available for web sales very soon!

Introducing Physical Filesharing Download Postcards

Since all of the Maze art is transparent, we had to fit the the tracklist and download code somewhere else. From this need was borne the idea of the Physical Filesharing Download Postcard: a limited edition Maze print on heavy gloss stock with the tracklist, release notes, and your download code on the reverse. There are four prints from inside this year's Maze; you can preview them all below, and pick a postcard of your choice when you buy a copy of the tape or a standalone download from Bandcamp.

Why a "Physical Filesharing Download Postcard"? Because each download code can be redeemed by 2 different users! After you download of the release, write the address on the address block provided, and physically share some files with a friend! Postcard stamps are only 32¢, and everyone loves getting mail that's not bills — why not surprise someone with some killer art & music?

Photo credit: Alexander Perrelli/perrelliphotography.com

W+D010 YouAreHere: The Maze Mixtape - Full tracklist and tape art revealed + release show this Friday!

Excited to finally reveal the full tracklist and tape art for the Maze compilation, the 10th W+D release! Come out to the fifth night of the You Are Here Festival this Friday, July 20 at Secret Project Robot, and pick up a copy while you see tape contributors Dustin Wong and Marty McSorley + La Big Vic, Loud Objects, and a new special guest to be announced shortly!

A1 Jantar - Holes for Eyes *
A2 Hieroglyph Thesaurus - Lights Camera Action
A3 C. Spencer Yeh - Solo Violin 6-12-11 *
A4 Fuckton - Fucking Around (Live at Shea Stadium) *
A5 Rainstick - Nite Train (Slang Edit) *
A6 NYMPH - Bird Song *
A7 Psychic Reality - Yr Light *
A8 Larkin Grimm - Liquid Gold *
A9 Manorexia - Vika
A10 Phone Tag - Cue (Yellow Magic Orchestra Cover) *
A11 Marty McSorley - The Beat Is Mine (edit) *

B1 VAZ - Mistake Lake
B2 dubknowdub - Assholes and Oxtails *
B3 Hubble - Hubble Potatoes *
B4 Patrick Higgins - Bourée, Lute Suite No.1 BWV 996
B5 Black Jeans - Mini Maxwell (edit) *
B6 MV Carbon - MAZEPIEC *
B7 Lucky Dragons - Between Attention and Attention *
B8 GDFX - Mackswell #4 *
B9 Wish - Redemption *
B10 Kel Valhaal - Vitriol *
B11 Dustin Wong - Water on Face *

* Maze Mixtape exclusive!

Order YouAreHere: The Maze Mixtape - only online until Sunday!

Starting today, you can order the 10th W+D release, the 90-minute YouAreHere: The Maze Mixtape compilation, through the You Are Here Festival Kickstarter (see promo video above). The tape features exclusive tracks from a wide array of artists and musicians performing in the Maze, the only way to order online is with a $15 (US shipping)/$20 (Int'l shipping) donation to the Maze Kickstarter, where all proceeds will support the NYC Maze, as well as a similar installation coming to Berlin, Germany in the fall. The Kickstarter has a deadline of this coming Sunday, July 15 at 9:14 AM, so if you want a copy, make your moves soon!