Stream / download Shadow Structure on Bandcamp – LTD ED TAPE SOLD OUT

12.7.23 – The cassette is out now (pictured above). It’s limited to only 15 copies so don’t hesitate if you want a copy. The tape is SOLD OUT as of 12.12. Thanks to those of you that bought a copy.

9.15.23 – It has been one year to the day since I came up with this crazy idea. I am proud that I actually managed to produce a Reign in Blood length album in that span of time. However I feel weird because I have no recording projects pending for the first time in many years. Weirder yet, I have done as little promotion as possible. I literally stopped myself from reaching out to platforms that I was already recently in touch with about my solo noise album. I only shared this music with a handful of friends and contemporaries.

Never Say Never Again is weird music for weird people to discover by seeking, or to learn about from other weirdos. Weirdos that love music and don’t want to be fed by the music business machine. While I’m not 100% happy with this album (I very rarely am), it is satisfying to have accomplished some semblance of what I set out to do. Thank you to those that paid attention. -JC

9.12.23 – Do you think Lemmy ever returned a loaner bass via public transit?

Anyhow, the album is called Never Say Never Again and is available now on Bandcamp. The tape version will be out eventually.

I’ll probably have some final thoughts on this whole adventure sometime soon.

9.9.23 – I spent all morning mixing the final track of what will be the first (and / or only) Shadow Structure release. Yes, I have given up on the idea of loose songs recorded one at a time in perpetuity (I need a long break). Anyhow, this new song is a 16 minute epic called “Behavior Modification.” I was so pleased with the results that I went ahead and sent all the songs to my friend Tom Garrison for mastering. Bandcamp and tape release info coming soon.

9.3.23 – Yesterday I recorded the beginnings of a very long song. Synth, drum machine, bass, and guitar tracks are down. I just need to add vocals and do a bunch of editing. It looks as if there will eventually be an extremely limited tape release with some kind of special packaging. More on that later. I have no idea how long it will take me to get the tracks ready for mastering / dubbing.

8.19.23 – This is how the pros do it, right?

After too much deliberation I decided to try to wrap up the material I have. I will probably record one final long track as well (final in the sense that after the five songs are done I am going to take an indefinite hiatus). This morning I re-recorded the vocals and remixed “The Last Days.” I am much happier with the song now. I will try and fix “Everything is Nothing” next. I am doing my best to avoid any kind of deadline on finishing up.

NOTE: If you bought any of the tracks off of Bandcamp I will give you a free download of all the finalized tracks once they’re 100% done.

8.7.23 – I’m still trying to figure out the path forward for Shadow Structure. I am 50% prepared to tweak the existing tracks, add one more long song, and put it out as a debut release. The other half of the time I want to scrap the whole thing as none of the material as good as I hoped it would be.

I am also a little headfucked over making music at all anymore. I’ve been releasing recordings since 1990. I do not need to keep putting out material that I pay for out of my own pocket and never see a return on. Don’t get me wrong… I didn’t lose money on Angel of Decay Covered in Scars thanks to Relapse Records. Dead World maybe got close to breaking even over all (oh wait, I paid for recording, split the cost of manufacturing, and much later re-mastered Thanatos so maybe not – ha ha). Deathpile G.R. has actually done quite well for a noise album thanks to Bandcamp. However, all other music I’ve been involved in has been a money and time suck. I am not as bothered about losing those assets when I just make art.

So Shadow Structure is not forgotten, just on hold until I resolve the above.

6.23.23 – I have been dealing with a lot of music related stress this week. My new solo heavy electronics album was released. That’s a good thing, but dealing with getting that out into the world, plus attempting to make a promotional video for it have messed with my head. The album is out there and I’m very satisfied with it. Unfortunately the video wasn’t working on any level. I had to just give up on it for the time being. Then I woke up at 3 AM this morning feeling very bothered by this whole Shadow Structure project. I am very much not satisfied. My solution for the moment was to remove all but the first song from Bandcamp. The others need radical surgery, and my confidence in continuing this project is low. I’m going to give myself some time to figure it all out. The funny thing is that even if I set the whole thing on fire, Shadow Structure has served it’s purpose.

5.29.23 – My new song, “Everything is Nothing”, is now up on Bandcamp. It’s a weird mess. FYI – The distorted vocals in the background are me reading “Sonnet X”, also known as “Death Be Not Proud”, by English poet John Donne.

5.21.23 – Today I added another guitar track and some vocals to the latest song. It still needs more work. More news soon.

4.23.23 – Life has been hectic lately, but I am about to start a new track today. I think this one will be done more quickly than “The Last Days.” I am going to try to keep Shadow Structure going until I have a solid 30-45 minutes of songs that I am happy with (then take a long break until I start a batch of new material). I’ve been talking to a friend about a possible tape release (on used cassettes), but at my current pace that won’t be any time soon. Old Europa Cafe will be putting out what feels like my last analog synth heavy electronics album, Suffering and Defiance, as a limited CD later this year (more info here). You can stream / buy a rough version of one song here. Hopefully the new Shadow Structure track will be available soon.

3.27.23 – My new track “The Last Days” is now up on Bandcamp. The above photo was taken this morning. I’m kind of shocked the drawing came together so quickly.

2.20.23 – I finished recording the instruments for a new song today. I’d like to take some time on lyrics and vocals, so it may be a few weeks before it’s done.

I did use a track of my Leaning Tower of Springs (click here for more info) to add some additional texture. I bought this wonderful device from a local Portland experimental musician (now retired) in 2021.

One other thing I keep forgetting to mention, way back in 2013 I did a live noise performance under the name Shadow Structure. You can see the entire / extremely short set here: http://vimeo.com/68548897

1.22.23 – The latest song is up on Bandcamp. I realized I had grabbed some LP print samples from work because they make great drawing surfaces. Fear not, I would never harm an Iron Maiden album. I’ve been a fan since I was 10.

1.1.23 – I did some work on new material this weekend. A new song has bass, guitar, and drum machine recorded. If I can get it wrapped up in a satisfying way it should be available on the Bandcamp page soon.

12.1.22 – I am currently reading “Re-Sisters: The Lives and Recordings Of Delia Derbyshire, Margery Kempe & Cosey Fanni Tutti” (it’s excellent) and ran into this quote:

“It’s not the fact that it’s done well that’s important, it’s the fact it was done at all.” – Delia Derbyshire

11.27.22 – I was happy to discover that the old Dead World guitar still works. My playing is weak, but the first full song has been recorded and posted on Bandcamp. This track is no masterpiece, but it’s a start. My hope to have two songs tracked and mixed this weekend was unrealistic. No matter, as I am tentatively thinking I will just post one song at a time as each is finished. Again, I’m trying to avoid as much standard music business behavior as possible. That also means I am not working on a schedule, but more material will be coming soon.

11.20.22 – I learned how to use the Tom Cat drum machine this weekend. It has a unique sound that I think will be really interesting with heavy / crunchy bass & guitar, quiet vocals, and a bit of electronics. I’m hoping to get two short songs recorded within a week. I am doing my best to have no expectations, and please no one but myself. This is the opposite of my disappointing experience with the project Diamond Cult over a decade ago (I am proud of this song though).

11.13.22 – I used this setup (minus baby) for a test run the other day. Sounds pretty vicious, even with no amp. The rust is knocked off my bass skills just enough. I will dig out my guitar and get a couple of preliminary tracks recorded soon.

10.16.22 – My tentative plan is to get two songs up on Bandcamp sometime next month. I just need to learn how to use this drum machine and work out the rust from my guitar / bass “skills.”

10.9.22 – This appears to be happening. It’s been on my mind a lot lately.

9.15.22 – Insomnia drags up this idea of making “anti-music” as art. Possibly the only music I make from now on. The seed of this idea was planted by my friend / collaborator Derrick Spotts (Purity of Essence) when we were commiserating about being “musicians.” That and around ten years ago I discovered the phrase “Shadow Structure” in a William S. Burroughs book. I thought it would make a good band name, so I squatted on this bandcamp page. Those sounds are from a recording session I did that was recorded by James Plotkin in Philadelphia in 2011 or so (that placeholder track has now been removed). So what do I have in mind? Music that takes cues from various underground genres: DIY punk, root industrial, one-man black metal, no wave, home recorded experimental music, oddball favorites like SWANS, Factrix, my friends and former members of Wolf Eyes, etc. Perhaps no professionally manufactured releases or merch? No social media. No live performances. If an audience wants it, they get it directly from the artist. A Shadow of the Structure of the “music business.” I’m going to let the idea germinate and will add more here later (or this concept itself is my anti-music).