I’ve been a fan of Brazilian eminent and uniquely indefinable experimental wizards GIANT GUTTER FROM OUTER SPACE since their intriguing EP “Set Adrift” [EP] (2015) tore up the experimental jazz / avant-garde scene several almost 3 years back. Today, exactly one month since the release of their new single ‘Charred’, the duo is ready to prove that instead of taking their sound in an increasingly commercial direction, they are ready to bring together elements from across various artistic spectrums, continue pioneering the unpredictable road less traveled and come out with something bravely new, original and utterly captivating. From gentle avant-garde build-ups, to uncontrollable synth experiments, to the immensely diverse elements of the instrumental music itself, on their new record their whole canvas comes into focus in an entirely new and unique way. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you “Charred Memories”, the newest record from GIANT GUTTER FROM OUTER SPACE!
The band commented:
“Charred memories” was thought to be composed, rehearsed, recorded, and live performed only once during a two-week opportunity we had to meet up in Curitiba, Brazil, by the end of November 2017. Differently from what we’ve already done, “Charred Memories” is the most experimental and improvisational GGFOS release so far.
Regarding its concept, “Charred Memories” was conceived having in mind my research as a social scientist and the exchange of ideas we had during the two-week residency period I’ve mentioned before. Namely, it refers to the experiencies of those affected by the authoritarism and by the violence (torture, assassination, forced disappearances…) perpetrated by the Brazilian State, mainly those atrocities committed as State policy during the civil-military dictatorship era (1964-1985). These traumatic experiences haven’t been dealt and represented, haven’t been even assumed and admitted by the perpetrators. This present situation inhibit the debate and the social commitment, hinder the recognition of the violence, hold back the symbolisation and the collective apprehension of its representations and take their terms to oblivion or revision, charring its memories, hindering a work of memory to emerge as a process of working through the legacies of its trauma.
“CharredMemories” is out today, February 1st, on Brasilian net label Sinewave, UK based HNM Records, MuteAnt Sounds net label (US), and Finnish label Terranean Recordings.
Credits: recorded and mastered by Murillo Da Rós at Clínica Pro Music, Curitiba, Brazil / Mixed by Murillo Da Rós and Giant Gutter From Outer Space / Modular synthesizer composed and performed by Fernando Nahtaivel / Design and Artwork by Cesinha Marin.
