ArtistInfo

Fognode
Urban Passer

Album US 1999 on Infrasound Collective label
Dance (Future Jazz, Dub Techno, Ambient)

REVIEWS "The opening is like the beginning of a Jarmusch film (not that we're in the business of film reviews, but this fits well with the sublimely paced Ghost Dog), a wandering survey of urban landscapes. We are aerial passengers caught in an updraft over the head of a solitary wanderer. As the song breaks down into static discourse, we are confronted with the core tenet of the Infrasound Collective: "Infrasound represents the notions of joy, revelation, and participation in a polluted society." Thus fades out the opening strains of "Luckless Pedestrian." Operating under the moniker of Fognode, Brian Siskind crafts landscapes of distantly urban areas, abandoned fields and warehouse lots on the edges of civilization where the presence of man is seen but only distantly heard. This so reminds me of Jarmusch's visual work. "From the Dust Bowl" and "Flicker" are backdrops for Mystery Train, color and texture for the slow, sleepy street which binds that story together. There is a lot of ambient/instrumental work out there that claims to be the imaginary soundtracks to films yet undiscovered, but Urban Passer is the first that actually translates well to the oeuvre of an existing director. Accidental? It certainly adds a layer of resonance to the music. And yet, Fognode works well on its own, too. "This film is dedicated to anyone with a cause" the liner notes claim, and this soundtrack is personalized for a single wayfarer as he makes his own way across the world--driven onward by a solitary plan. There is a stark melancholy to "Ocellus" as our journeyperson finds themselves isolated. But a thread of rhythm starts to spark underneath the watery pedal steel guitar and we know the journey continues. Urban Passer is great company for when you're going solo." - Mark Teppo Ear Pollution "dark illbient soundscapes, shuddering grooves, and unclassifiable instrumental explorations." - Dennis Rea The Tentacle "a smoky salon... where Miles hangs out with Tom Waits and Tricky and they all smoke lots of good weed... jazzy inclinations combined with experimental tranquility." RAW42 "Brian Siskind is Fognode. He and his friends of the Infrasound Collective of "Nashvegas, USA" have stirred up an entrancing concoction which blends a multitude of sounds and styles, often lurking in a darkened vein of illbient urban decay. Entertaining regional flavors are tossed in through various samples. The layers of string-released soundwaves and digital grunge which flow through Misanthrope (Gnashvegas Dub) are backed by cool beats and even cooler dub-styled basslines . Lovely and dreamy, Ocellus gently wafts in slowly resonating pedal steel guitar strings, tinkling chimes and resonant electronic haze. The blistering electronic grit, spaced out guitar effects and playful experimentation of Sympathetic Ring are set to Corporal Blossom's groovy bass riff, all of which fades into a droning chasm, then becomes a quietly echoey guitar interlude. Very cool musical experimentations (in rock/electronic/jazz/dub/etc.) which very pleasingly mix straightforward instrumentation with more-ambient flourishes! I hope to hear more from Fognode and the Infrasound Collective..." - David Opdyke Ambientrance "LAID BACK EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC WITH A BEAT: Urban Passer is an unusual and surprisingly satisfying trip into experimental waters without ever treading too deep for the casual listener. Utilizing a variety of instruments including drums, bass, analog synth, hammered dulcimer, and pedal steel, Fognode creates an instrumental album of warmth and subtle variances grounded in grooving beats and unusual sounds. If you have a high speed internet connection, you have to check out their ultra cool interactive website: www.fognode.com. You can mix a handful of loops and play various sounds. It's easily one of the most entertaining and smartly designed websites I've been to, and the samples give a general taste of Fognode. Urban Passer is well worth taking a chance, and you shouldn't let it pass you by." - Octavia Outburn

Musicians

	Fognode , album by
	Sarah Siskind voc, *1978 US acoustic guitar
	Ashley Sutton bass
	Charlotte Avant bass, vocalese
	Corporal Blossom b, sampler, bass
	Brian Siskind , drums, hammered dulcimer, mixed by, pedal steel guitar, producer, synth, written by
	Ed Petry electric guitar
	Vard Penguin electric guitar
	Daniel Tashian , US pedal steel guitar

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