Signaldrift Releases Debut Two Agents

‘Downtempo’ shouldn’t be defined as sleepy, but oftentimes, electronic music that is more cinematically-inclined (think Brian Eno) due to its overladen audio atmosphere, gets knee-jerk-labeled as boring. This generalization couldn’t be further from the truth to the musicians layering the melodies, sounds and beats, who are much harder at work than their sounds imply. These vaporous soundscapes are rendered so dense they form a giant, forward-moving sound that is most gratifying when the listener leans in closer to hear all the intricate details.

Signaldrift, originally started by Franz Buchholtz (Sometime Sweet Susan) in 1998, plays off the same searing and effervescent parts that have made the German Ulrich Schnauss an electronic household name, throws in the same rock qualities a la My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3, but pretties them up even more and applies the same motorik aesthetics as Kraftwerk and even Stereolab.

After several releases on several labels, John Goelzer (DJ bts.wrkng) joined up with Buchholtz in 2005 to create a solidified, keyboard/synth/drum machine-driven sound. Wednesday sees the release of the duo’s debut entitled Two Agents (released officially on May 25th). The album will be solely released on vinyl, limited to 500 copies, but will also be available at all major digital stores.

Goelzer details Two Agents, “We recorded Los Angeles with Brian Foote of Nudge (who has also mixed albums by Atlas Sound, Reporter and others). Brian also runs Audraglint Recordings, who put out our album, with label owner David Nakamoto (aka Multifresh), who did the artwork.” Two Agents is at once distant and inviting, never stopping for breath, it’s sparkling wash of sound peeling back layers of noise and smooth beat foundations.

Also joining Signaldrift is longtime friend and Milwaukee electronic music veteran, Casino Versus Japan [Erik Kowalski]. “Former Milwaukeean and current Lexingtonian Casino Versus Japan hasn’t played live in Milwaukee since 2001,” Goelzer says, “He has a new release (which is actually comprised of late 90s archive material) out now on AttackNine called Night on Tape and is currently working on finishing up a proper new album for release on Carpark.”

Along for the ride is Nudge. “Nudge plays here from time to time including a solo set Brian did last summer but for this show Nudge’s extensively road tested two-man lineup of Brian and Jon Pyle will be making its Milwaukee debut. Nudge’s latest full-length on Kranky was released last year and is called As Good As Gone.”