Peter Broderick

SMM: Context

Record Review: Ghostly International’s SMM: Context

SMM: ContextV/A: SMM: Context (Ghostly International, 3/1/11)

Christina Vantzou: “11 Generations of My Fathers”

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In most cases, if the typical, well-respected independent label were to take a risk in compiling an ambient-heavy compilation with artists who were mostly unknown outside their respective hyper-insulated circles, most fans of that label would probably skip the compilation without much thought.

But then there is Ghostly International, a Ann Arbor, Michigan-based label with an eclectic roster comprising Matthew Dear, Loscil, Shigeto, and Dabrye, among others. For its new compilation record, Ghostly chose to dust off SMM, an offshoot of the label created back in 1994, to present a refined aesthetic within a particular — to borrow from the compilation’s title — Context.

David Bazan Preps for New Album with Nationwide House Tour

Walking through a quiet neighborhood in Portland, my friend and I come across our destination, a nondescript house — seemingly empty. A few folks nearby on the sidewalk encourage us.

“Just go on in,” they offer. We accept. Approaching the porch, I see a sign on the door with two words: “David Bazan.” Bazan, the former frontman of Pedro the Lion, has arrived here as part of an intimate nationwide tour.