Adam Wiltzie is right, no one back in Austin in knew what to do with them. I ran around the outskirts of the little Austin space rock scene then—in the small group of people, they had total respect, almost reverence, but I think I maybe actually only saw them once, with Windsor For the Derby. I remember them being really self-deprecating about ever putting out any music. To this day, I've still barely listened to them, which I know I should do. It's like a weird local thing. But this is a good nudge to rectify that strange bias.
That's really interesting. Luckily, their music was appreciated elsewhere. Not sure if Music for Nitrous Oxide is the ideal starting point though! I'd probably recommend the two insanely popular double albums mentioned in the article.
Learned some things about a very beloved artist who I’ve listened to so so much in your piece. Thank you.
I’m not even sure I’ll tune in to this reissue, but reading the account of your ‘close listening’ was also wonderful—the kind of writing that stirs hope in me that we might reclaim our attention spans, and old fashioned music crit along with it.
Adam Wiltzie is right, no one back in Austin in knew what to do with them. I ran around the outskirts of the little Austin space rock scene then—in the small group of people, they had total respect, almost reverence, but I think I maybe actually only saw them once, with Windsor For the Derby. I remember them being really self-deprecating about ever putting out any music. To this day, I've still barely listened to them, which I know I should do. It's like a weird local thing. But this is a good nudge to rectify that strange bias.
That's really interesting. Luckily, their music was appreciated elsewhere. Not sure if Music for Nitrous Oxide is the ideal starting point though! I'd probably recommend the two insanely popular double albums mentioned in the article.
SOTL are, were, and forever will be the greatest to ever do it.
Hearing 'The Ballasted Orchestra' in college changed the trajectory of my musical life.
They were considered kings among the many people exploring abstracted forms within independent music in the late 90s and early 2000s,
their later "refinement" transcended any scene they may have been associated with,
and their concerts in the 21st century remain some of the top live music experiences of my life.
This was a great read and a great essay.
Long live SOTL!
What a great read!
Learned some things about a very beloved artist who I’ve listened to so so much in your piece. Thank you.
I’m not even sure I’ll tune in to this reissue, but reading the account of your ‘close listening’ was also wonderful—the kind of writing that stirs hope in me that we might reclaim our attention spans, and old fashioned music crit along with it.