Klang Magazine – Details, episodes & analysis

Written and Mixed by Shrey Kathuria

Words from the artist:

transitioning still… is a mix about being in two places at once – both geographically and psychologically. It is primarily inspired by my migration to London (UK) after having lived a considerable part of my life in New Delhi (IN). A work-in-progress endeavor, this work is the starting point to think about the much larger notion of ‘home’ from the lens of migration, displacement, diaspora, and crossed memories of New Delhi and London. It aims to create, or reiterate, a ‘mental landscape’ that recalls moments both ordinary and extraordinary. transitioning  still… delves into the overlapping soundscapes of tranquility and dissonance.

This mix, merely a glimpse into the unseen world of South Asian ambient music, showcases 15 diverse sounds South Asian artists spanning across ambient, drone and field recordings to name a few. transitioning still… encapsulates the temporal cross between past and present geographies  during a state of transition - constantly bending the haunt of what once was.

The mix begins with 'Fragments,' a composition I made under the moniker Hitherto during a brief return to New Delhi amidst the aftermath of the third wave of COVID. Adopting a collage-like approach, 'Fragments' evokes memories of warm summer evenings spent in the park during my  childhood. It is through this piece that the duality of existing between cities truly takes shape.  Without it, one merely exists within a single realm, while the dimensions of memory remain elusive,  slipping away.

A homage to the lives lost during the pandemic in India, transitioning still… acknowledges our  history and current circumstances as we contemplate what lies ahead. The works showcased on  this mix maintain my political connection to my roots, if not a physical one, reminding me of the  ongoing crises in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and more.

Songs For A Tired City’s Dupahr acts as a requiem for the loss of lives during the Delhi pogrom  that unfolded in the winter of 2020. Following the passing of the controversial CAA (Citizenship  Amendment Act), the capital city of India saw one of the most gruesome acts of state-sponsored  violence against the Muslim community. Furthermore, as Sri Lanka grapples with economic  catastrophe and political turmoil, it was crucial to highlight Syrphe’s compilation that continue to  raise funds to address the country's ongoing crisis.

Another facet of this mix captures India’s perpetual transformation. It draws inspiration from the  evolving soundscapes that reside within Delhi – the bustling chaos of markets like Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi, or the disruptive weekly bazaars in West Delhi, my hometown (accentuated through conversations recorded next to what sounds like a temple by Charles Powne).

While these markets change, the clamorous hubbub remains. Occasionally, transitioning still… echoes the rapid erasure of local communities, camouflaged as infrastructural growth by right-wing leaders through the works of Ruhail Qaisar. Simultaneously, the melancholic washed out melodies of P.M. Tummala continue to paint a nostalgic portrait of my hometown.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the artists featured in this mix. Transitioning is an ongoing  work that will expand in various formats. South Asian creatives interested in collaborating are  encouraged to reach out to me via my Instagram.

TRACKLIST:

1. Fragments - Hitherto
2. Planned Obsolescence - Jawad Nawfal
3. Out of Reach - Farah Mulla
4. rig veda000 03 - Debashis Sinha
5. Meera Post Awakening - P.M. Tummala
6. Painter Man (feat. Dis Fig) - Ruhail Qaisar
7. Dupahr - Songs For A Tired City
8. TECHIE COMMITS SUICIDE (xcrpt) - Hemant Sk
9. faasleyredux2022 - RHL/ Rahul Giri
10. Weather Machine (feat. Shrey Kathuria and Geanina Gypt) - Colorblind
11. Indian Field Recordings - Charles Powne
12. Wet Pebbles - Comets In Cardigans
13. Chandni Chowk, Dheli - Indian Field Recordings
14. While We Play - Haved Jabib
15. Dure (Far Away) - Bidisha Das

Klang Audio Transcript 021. Written by Mitch, CEO of the Business Techno Institute

Presented by Vareschi Mastering.

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Klang Audio Transcript 017. Written by Karsten Osterby.

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Field recordings provided by Freesound.org

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Klang Audio Transcript 016. Written by Angelina Ruiz.

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Klang Audio Transcript 015. Written by Max Alper, narrated by Neimah Djourabchi. This a work of fiction. 

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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 014. 

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Purchase "Eidetic" by Benoît Pioulard, out now on Morr Music, at https://pioulard.bandcamp.com/album/eidetic

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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 013. Written by Matti Weisberg.

Featuring the music of Ensemble Bolnela, Kereoni, and Ensemble Kolkheti.

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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 011.

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For our second longform interview, we have A.L.N. of funeral doom giants Mizmor in conversation with his longtime collaborator and producer Sonny DiPerri. Having worked together on both Mizmor full-length LPs "Yodh" and "Cairn", as well as their soon to be announced LP, DiPerri takes A.L.N. through the steps on how to not only effectively engineer a mix, but how to maximize the studio as a social setting for collaborations to occur.

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