Art As Catharsis are proud to re-release Gauche’s first full length album, 'Paints Lane'. A review from Shed 14 said at the time:
"Named after the narrow laneway next to their warehouse, ‘Paints Lane’ is a captivating listen with influences from Bjork, Portishead, Aphex Twin and Cinematic Orchestra highly evident. The level of talent here is impressive, with an equal amount of the spotlight having been given to all involved.
‘Paints Lane’ is heavy on the experimentation and not always pretty listening. Opening with ‘The Road’, Jane’s operatic vocals are met with heavy synths and dark shuffling beats, as she sings about ‘losing sight of the road’ chords fade and morph into a shuddering bass line which then weaves its way into the ceremonial sounds of an organ. ‘Honeymoon’ combines late night jazz and spaghetti western guitar riffs with loud crunching noise, frantic percussion and eerily droning basslines.
‘Take My Hand’ is sexy, bold and brassy and oozes of 1920’s brothel charm. ‘Jemima’ and ‘Barbed Wire’ throw sacrificial metal outbursts into the pot when you least expect it. ‘Flying’, my favourite track on the album is reminiscent of 1990’s Melbourne outfit ‘Paradise Motel’ with its swirling combination of gentle beats, delicate chimes and beautiful voices that move gracefully between shadow and light."
Gauche were a Sydney-based experimental band that existed between 2001 and 2007. Art As Catharsis are re-releasing their back catalog as part of an effort to conserve important recordings in Australia’s experimental music history.
1. The Road 04:32
2. Honeymoon 04:51
3. Butter 04:48
4. Take My Hand 04:13
5. Jemima 03:18
6. Barbed Wire 03:08
7. Savoir Faire 04:20
8. Can't Get Back 04:50
9. Flying 03:25
10. CCTVB 06:56
11. Trapeze 03:05
12. Classrooms 06:11
13. When Clouds Collide 03:22
Originally released in 2004 by Inertia / Invada Records.
Gauche are:
Jane Sheldon - vocals, vocoder (6), Rhodes (13), drum programming (13), NN-TX (13).
Alon Ilsar - acoustic kit (all except 13), EAPP* (2, 8, 10-12), percussion** (1, 5, 11, 13), Hammond draw bars (1), drum programming (1, 3, 6, 7, 13), Maelstrom (1), NN-TX (9).
Julian Curwin - guitars (except 1, 10, 13), banjo (1), Korg MS2000 (1, 3, 7, 10, 11), violin (9, 12), cello (9, 12), drum programming (7).
John Maddox - double bass and effects (except 13), Korg MS20 (1, 10, 12, 13).
Luke Dubber - Rhodes (3, 7, 9, 13), Hammond (1, 2, 5), piano (2, 4, 11, 12), Korg MS2000 (3, 4, 6-10, 12), Roland RX30 (6, 8-10, 13).
Produced by Alon Ilsar, with Jane Sheldon and Julian Curwin.
All sounds recorded at Buckland St, Chippendale (except strings at Moreton Ave, some keys at Young St, most piano at Reddam house) Dec 03 - Jul 04.
All tracks engineered by Sam Ferguson (except 4, 6, 11, 12 by Alon, 13 by Jane).
Mixed by Richard Belkner for Free Energy Devices in Chippendale Jul 04 - Sep 04.
Mastered by William Bowden in Stanmore 14/09/04.
Cover art by Angus Fisher in Annandale.
* Home-made Electro-Acoustic Percussive Pads (EAPP), created by Alon from junk percussion, piezo transducers (contact mics) and a no-input mixer. Those dear to him call it the Alonomophone.
** Egg shaker, maracas, rainstick, steel lamps, bubble wrap, clothes peg, plastic cup and belt buckles.
