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:
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Written by Max Alper
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Featuring works from Peretsky, Commodity Creature, @heyitsmealice, @elsper, Niccolo Seligmann, and Tyler Etters using sounds and resources made available through the Zone subscription service.
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Written by Max Alper. Read the report in full at https://www.klangmag.co/parasocial-mentorship-this-is-your-life-on-ryuichi-sakamoto
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Written by Max Alper.
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Klang Audio Transcript 021. Written by Mitch, CEO of the Business Techno Institute
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Klang Audio Transcript 020. Written by Tyler Etters.
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Klang Audio Transcript 017. Written by Karsten Osterby.
Read the report in full at https://www.klangmag.co/push-the-soundscaping-tempo-forward
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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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 012. Written by Adam Schatz.
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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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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 010.
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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 009. Written by Zwel Mun Wint aka Heft. Audio essay reporting by Max Alper. Featuring music by Heft, Ito, Burmelange, A La Kar A Chit, Shin Htwe Eain, Ko Maung Maung.
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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 008. Written by Max Alper. Music by Peretsky.
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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 006. As part of our collection of sample and stem packs available to subscribers in The Zone, we are asking contributing artists to provide a written statement on the sounds their contributing in relation to their recent record releases. To start this series, we have Purple Tape Pedigree mastermind and New York experimental hip-hop staple Geng aka King Vision Ultra here to discuss his latest album SHOOK WORLD, which in and of itself is an album of Algiers' Shook samples with original recordings layered on top, and to reflect on remix culture as a whole.
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Klang Magazine Audio Transcript 005. Written and produced by Jonas Martinez.
Full text transcription and links to artists featured over at Klang Magazine HQ.
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