Thank you for this great, in-depth article about Autechre! Anti, Garbage, and Envane are my all-time favorite Autechre releases, probably because I grew up with them. I discovered Warp Records at the local record store. Ventolin by Aphex Twin was my first exposure to the label. Autechre, Squarepusher, LFO, µ-Ziq, BoC, among others, followed naturally. We were craving new releases from Warp, so it kind of became a Selbstläufer. It’s great too see that these artists are still putting out music and constantly reinventing their sound, and still stayed true to their roots.
My relationship with Autechre is odd. I love their music, but almost never listen to it. I own every album on CD and all the digital-only releases (except the last round of live recordings). When I was into vinyl, I even painstakingly collected everything (and digitized some of the vinyl-only releases). However, they just don't end up in my regular rotation and I honestly don't know why.
That’s funny. They’re actually one of the groups I’ve listened to the most over the years. Though I have to say I have phases where I’m obsessed with them – mostly an album or a certain period of their work – and then I don’t listen to any of their music for weeks or months.
Out of the classic Warp electronic groups, that would be Boards of Canada for me. I always have a playlist with their officially released albums and EPs on whatever music player I'm using and will listen to it in order, sometimes multiple times per week. But that's how I tend to listen to music. I'll put on someone's entire discography and listen through in order. Maybe if I chopped up Autechre into period playlists, I'd listen to the more often...
That's how I typically listen to Autechre and is probably the reason I don't listen more often.
I think the hard part about my tentative plan are the releases from the last 15 years. NTS Sessions would have to be on its own and even then, it's hard to get through all 8 hours in one sitting. I could maybe pair up Exai/L-Event/elseq, but that's still 6+ hours.
Love the Rothko comparison. I have always thought of them as the musical Cy Twombly. Impossible to understand at a glance, but with time meaning and form emerges. Their work has so much longevity as it demands relistening. Loving reading your Substack Stephan.
Ha I used to always think they were wearing north face and when I lived in an environment that made it possible I basically wore my black north face hooded jacket every day…
I've actually double-checked. Sean has always been on Arc'teryx but Rob did wear North Face on older images! I've owned 3-4 NF jackets over the years but the quality seems to decline.
I really like how you programmed ‘Autechre for Dummies’. It avoids the obvious starting point (for many) of Tri Repetae.Makes me want to form my own AE listening group!
Thanks! I mean there are many people, even among those that consider themselves AE fans, that just like their 90s stuff. Like, everything after EP7 is just too weird for them. I'm not one of them – these days, I love and enjoy their 2000s/2010s music so much more than the old stuff actually. I'm literally listening to NTS 4 right now.
That being said, Tri Repetae is a brilliant record and there was a time in my life when I thought that was the apex of electronic music period.
They are my favourite artists to come out of the original Warp roster and that is of course saying something since I can’t find much fault with most Warp releases back then. I have also always been drawn to arrhythmic or seemingly “random” music and when the 90s Autechre releases were coming out I was listening to Merzbow, Hafler Trio, and other either concrete or pure noise artists while also listening to a variety of techno and “industrial” groups.
It's interesting you say that. They've repeatedly mentioned Tarkovsky as one of their favorite directors (aside from Lynch and Kubrick – but well, everyone loves them, right?).
Thank you for this great, in-depth article about Autechre! Anti, Garbage, and Envane are my all-time favorite Autechre releases, probably because I grew up with them. I discovered Warp Records at the local record store. Ventolin by Aphex Twin was my first exposure to the label. Autechre, Squarepusher, LFO, µ-Ziq, BoC, among others, followed naturally. We were craving new releases from Warp, so it kind of became a Selbstläufer. It’s great too see that these artists are still putting out music and constantly reinventing their sound, and still stayed true to their roots.
My relationship with Autechre is odd. I love their music, but almost never listen to it. I own every album on CD and all the digital-only releases (except the last round of live recordings). When I was into vinyl, I even painstakingly collected everything (and digitized some of the vinyl-only releases). However, they just don't end up in my regular rotation and I honestly don't know why.
That’s funny. They’re actually one of the groups I’ve listened to the most over the years. Though I have to say I have phases where I’m obsessed with them – mostly an album or a certain period of their work – and then I don’t listen to any of their music for weeks or months.
Out of the classic Warp electronic groups, that would be Boards of Canada for me. I always have a playlist with their officially released albums and EPs on whatever music player I'm using and will listen to it in order, sometimes multiple times per week. But that's how I tend to listen to music. I'll put on someone's entire discography and listen through in order. Maybe if I chopped up Autechre into period playlists, I'd listen to the more often...
I do the same thing with BoC! With Autechre, I listen more to specific albums.
That's how I typically listen to Autechre and is probably the reason I don't listen more often.
I think the hard part about my tentative plan are the releases from the last 15 years. NTS Sessions would have to be on its own and even then, it's hard to get through all 8 hours in one sitting. I could maybe pair up Exai/L-Event/elseq, but that's still 6+ hours.
Love the Rothko comparison. I have always thought of them as the musical Cy Twombly. Impossible to understand at a glance, but with time meaning and form emerges. Their work has so much longevity as it demands relistening. Loving reading your Substack Stephan.
Thank you for your kind note, made my day.
I would say black windbreakers looking grim is a marketable personality of sorts…🤣 or at least it appeals to me…
Sure, having no image is an image too. You cannot not communicate. I guess it appeals to me as well. How many Arc'teryx jackets do you own?
Ha I used to always think they were wearing north face and when I lived in an environment that made it possible I basically wore my black north face hooded jacket every day…
I've actually double-checked. Sean has always been on Arc'teryx but Rob did wear North Face on older images! I've owned 3-4 NF jackets over the years but the quality seems to decline.
I really like how you programmed ‘Autechre for Dummies’. It avoids the obvious starting point (for many) of Tri Repetae.Makes me want to form my own AE listening group!
Thanks! I mean there are many people, even among those that consider themselves AE fans, that just like their 90s stuff. Like, everything after EP7 is just too weird for them. I'm not one of them – these days, I love and enjoy their 2000s/2010s music so much more than the old stuff actually. I'm literally listening to NTS 4 right now.
That being said, Tri Repetae is a brilliant record and there was a time in my life when I thought that was the apex of electronic music period.
great article, thank you! btw my favorite listening is the "garbage" EP
Thank you! That one has one of my all time fav tracks of theirs in VLetrmx. But in general, I'm not going back to their 90s stuff as frequently.
They are my favourite artists to come out of the original Warp roster and that is of course saying something since I can’t find much fault with most Warp releases back then. I have also always been drawn to arrhythmic or seemingly “random” music and when the 90s Autechre releases were coming out I was listening to Merzbow, Hafler Trio, and other either concrete or pure noise artists while also listening to a variety of techno and “industrial” groups.
I've never heard their music but reading this is making me want to check it out! all the photos you shared of them look out of a Tarkovsky film.
It's interesting you say that. They've repeatedly mentioned Tarkovsky as one of their favorite directors (aside from Lynch and Kubrick – but well, everyone loves them, right?).
can't seem to shake my autechre obsession either--i think column thirteen is my favorite thing in this world
Listening now. What a gorgeous thing.