Search and Destroy: Main and related projects

Anyway. Loop = great, but Main is definitely much more of an acquired taste. I agree that starting with Hydra-Calm is a good approach, as that's the most accessible the band ever was -- unsurprising given that it was the first release after Loop's breakup. Firmament II is my favorite of that specific series. There's a new collaboration out with Antenna Farm as well, while Chasm's material, what I've heard of it, is Most Cool.

Loop's rhythm section went on to form the Hair and Skin Trading Company, who are more conventional but still oh so rifftastic.

Regarding Paul Schutze, Tim, Apart is superb. The first CD is shorter isolationist (lots of, erm, rings and clings) pieces whilst the second CD is longer pieces, so quiet the music is hardly there (in a good way). should be easy to find as it's on Virgin - part of their ambient series. Another essential Virgin Ambient purchase is the Sufi album (Rudi from AR Kane and his sister, I think).

Dangerous to draw assumptions there -- I first got into Main by picking up Hydra-Calm back in 1992, and I was already a Loop fan.

How is Firmament III (which just showed up in my local shop)?

Fuck me Dry Stone Feed is a fucking brilliant, otherworldly piece of work.

you've just persuaded me to put Dry Stone Feed on for the first time in about 5 years. And you're right.

just realised I can listen to all of this on spotify, sweet since my record player is having troubles.

Don't have Firmament III, btw, so can't make any recommendation. I only have the Hydra and Calm 12"s, Dry Stone Feed and Motion Pool.

At the time it was released (1993?), Motion Pool came with a coupon you could send off for one of 200 7" singles. So I'm also the proud owner of Core (organic) 7".

Firmament III is an excellent, excellent work. Highly recommended.

God this album rules.

"hydra-calm" is really, really good late night driving in the rain music.

bought first Hz cd because i liked the cover. bought the rest because i liked what i heard. all from hmv in hemel. only other thing i have is motion pool.

firmament cds seem to be going for a premium on amazon.co.uk, but they're are only charging 79p for all of the mp3s even the 25 minute ones, so Firmament 2 is £1.58, 1 and 3 are twice that but 4 is £8

Ooh thanks for pointing this out. I had a $2 Amazon credit which expired on 9/30.

Main Play Primavera

Currently playing live gigs as a duo with sound artist Stephan Mathieu, Main are appearing at Primavera Sound (date TBC) and Tanned Tin (Feb 3), both in Spain.

The band will also record new material in Spring and have enlisted the help of Gordon Sharp (Cindytalk), Mark Spybey (DVOA) and founding member Scott Dowson.

wow, great news. shame it's not Loop, but you can't have everything.

New Robert Hampson is out now on Editions Mego

http://open.spotify.com/album/6dES0T3dRo44IHriiwfakj

Hampson's a character on Facebook.

Shame he didn't call it a Main album, would have got more interest that way.

link? xp

Oh just search him on there and subscribe to his updates. He's just a forthright character.

interesting new interview:

http://www.factmag.com/2012/07/20/just-dont-mention-guitars-robert-hampson-on-working-at-grm-and-the-rebirth-of-main/

repercussions is great

New Main album on its way:

http://editionsmego.com/release/eMEGO+160

ha, was just going to post that there's a review in the new Wire.

wait, he's called them I, II, III and IV? are they reworkings? 8)

Had missed this recent interview; informative read

https://www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/interviews/robert-hampson-by-jim-haynes

Now that I don't have to run fans in my apartment all day long (yay fall!), I can listen to quiet music occasionally. Pulled out Hz this afternoon. I have the 2CD set, but used copies of the fancy 6CD version in the box are pretty cheap on Discogs, so I might swap.

Good to have in either incarnation. Learning that Ed Ackerson (RIP) of Polara was a major Main fiend is putting a sad smile on my face today.

♡

Through Ned's fb I stumbled upon a big freebie by Robert Hampson, three mixes called BALLARDISM. In Hampson's own words:

BALLARDISM

Greetings all Soundheads

In this time of severe crisis, I hope this finds you all, your families and friends well and safe.
I’m not going to get political really, tho’ I really fucking want to.
But now is not the time for division.
It is the time to think of ourselves as a collective.
To look after all who we care for and also complete strangers.
Our lives as we have known them... are gone!
That’s it, no refunds.
When this microbe is dead, and a vague sense of stability will start to form, every one of us will have to accept that the old ways are dead.
Time to move on and hopefully make this planet a bit of a better place.
The way we live, think and thrive will be fully dependent on all of us.
And that, will only make sense when we make sense that fundamental changes are absolutely necessary now.
There’s just no fucking other way!

I personally love being on my own, I am very used to my own company.
I can easily spend weeks and not talk to a soul.
But for those that find it tricky, there are always people there for you.
I have suffered from crippling depression in my life, which thankfully doesn’t really stay around for so long anymore.
I get a little black puppy instead of a hound from hell. It’ll tear up a few things, be a bit of a pain in the ass, shit in the corner... but it runs off without too much effort these days.

If you feel like it’s all too much, you have to talk to someone, even if you feel it’s the last thing you need.
I promise you, it does help.
Talk!

Whatever happens, this is not the end.
It can be a new beginning.

To keep you company, I’m going to release a piece called Ballardism (Corona Mix)
Yes, I’ve copped the title in reference to J G Ballard.
Yes, it will be in keeping with what is going on at present.
But please don’t think of it as too dark or depressing... it’s a thought piece for want of a better word, reflective.
Yes, Corona mix is copped off Fontana Mix by Cage.

It won’t be earth shattering.
It might even contain semi-recognised sounds for some of you.
It’s a mix but it’ll be unique.

Play it for company, just think you’ve got a bit of down time with ol’ RH for a while.

More details to follow very soon.
Keep ‘em peeled!

Wishing you all safety, health and a feeling that we’ll beat this fucker

Love
RH XXX

You can download them for free here: Robert Hampson - BALLARDISM (CORONA MIX)