“Wir Bauen Eine Neus Stadt” (1981) By Palais Schaumberg (1980-1984)

“Colour Green” (full album) (2006) by Sibylle Baier

When I want something peaceful to listen to, Baier is one of the first artists I generally turn to. She is originally from Germany, but currently resides in Massachusetts. These songs had quite a delay between the time they were recorded (1970-1973) and when they were actually released ten years ago.

Perhaps the simplistic beauty of the album comes from the fact that she wasn’t writing these songs to share with the world but rather just to fulfill her own desires. Modesty can breed grandeur. If it weren’t for her son Robby’s eagerness to share her music, the world may never have gotten a taste of this masterpiece. Robby gifted a copy to Dinosaur Jr’s J. Mascis, who in turn passed it onto the label Orange Twin.

You can purchase the album here.

Baier is currently working on her second album. At least she was in 2008… Listen to one of the new songs at her official site (scroll all the way down).

Dog Faced Hermans (1986-1995) live at Le Cafe Shakes in Lincoln, NE (1994)

“Map Ref 43 Degrees North 110 Degrees W” (1979) by Wire (1976-1980; 1985-1992; 1999-present)

“Wildflower” (2012) by Roman Ruins (2007-present)

This track comes off the album Homebuilding. The brains behind this act is Graham Hill, who also drums for Beach House.

Wendy Carlos

“Our Lips Are Sealed” (1983) by Fun Boy Three (1981-1983)

Formed after Terry Hall, Neville Staple and Lynval Golding left The Specials.

NPR probably won't be streaming this album for much longer since it came out this week. Highly recommended listening.

“Songs for Swinging Larvae” (1981) by Renaldo and the Loaf (1975-1988; 2006-present)

Pretty uncategorizable and weird….this is a short film compromised of bits and pieces from the album of the same name.

Further Reading:

Renaldo and the Loaf Official Site

Article on The Weirdest Band in the World

“After Laughter (Comes Tears)” (1964) by Wendy René (c. 1962-1967; 2010)

René sang backup for Otis Redding (who came up with her stage name) and was scheduled to fly out with him and The Bar-Kays on December 10, 1967. She decided to back out at the last minute due to her new motherhood. This would prove to be a life saving decision as that was the flight that took Redding’s life. The sole survivor of the crash was trumpeter Ben Cauley. Bassist James Alexander lucked out as he was on a separate flight. René just recently passed away of a stroke on December 16th.

“After Laughter” was sampled on Wu-Tang Clan’s “Tearz”

“Commes C'Était la Derniere Fois” by The Young Gods (1982-present)

Swiss industrial/post-punk band that influenced many greats such as David Bowie, Ministry, and Nine Inch Nails. Their band name comes from The Swans album titled Young God.

“La Fille De La Mort” live at Islington Academy on 12/15/2013

Further Reading:

Interview in Sound on Sound (1995)

Interview on Premonition Magazine (2004)

Interview with Franz Treichler on Chaos Conrol Digizine (2007)

Interview with Franz Treichler on Uber Röck (2010)

Interview with Franz Treichler on Redbull Music Academy (2015)