Madison's experimental-music catalog is about to expand. On Feb. 1, a new record label called Signal Dreams will release recordings by far-out local synthesizer act Noxroy and avant-garde violinist Troy Schafer. Noxroy will perform at Good Style Shop the same night.
Signal Dreams is the brainchild of Joel Shanahan, a musician from numerous Madison acts, including Golden Donna, Butt Funnel, the Bilderberg Group, Jivas, Chocolate Christ and Suicide TXT. He can also be found DJing around town and on WORT.
Schafer's release, Survey of a Broken Tape Recorder, has only three tracks but clocks in at more than 45 minutes. The title isn't an in-joke: These songs were truly made with a broken tape recorder. Schafer uses this tool to create lush organic soundscapes that seem like something robots would listen to on a relaxing beach vacation. Led by Andrew Fitzpatrick from Volcano Choir and All Tiny Creatures, Noxroy manipulates intriguing, computer-made sounds on Anverloss, his new release.
Shanahan says Signal Dreams will specialize in limited-edition CDs of computer-oriented sound design, tape manipulation and other sonic experiments with digital elements. In other words, if you like watching electronic music evolve, this is a label to watch.
