Stefan Christoff is a friend and collaborator of mine, who has often contributed mixes to this blog. We are pleased to announce that our latest tape will be released as part of the third batch from Polish label OKLA, alongside a new work by the great Manja Ristić. But before we get to that, Stefan has put together a mix to celebrate Montreal tape label Jeunesse Cosmique, who released our previous collaboration, Across Time Patched Together. The label is run by Chittakone Baccam Thirakul, and has released projects from many of our favorite local artists, including Hazy Montagne Mystique, YlangYlang, A Sacred Cloud, Hobo Cubes, Anarchist Mountains, Alexandre St-Onge, and Hellenica, as well as records from out-of-towners, such as Arrington De Dionyso, Forest Management, and Lost Trail. This mix showcases some other artists from the recent Jeunesse Cosmique catalog, including some selections at the end from our recent tape. Enjoy. (Joseph Sannicandro)
Stefan Christoff writes:
I love the energy around small independent cassette labels. Jeunesse Cosmique is a project that really speaks to the edges of experimental music in Montréal.
Chittakone Baccam Thirakul (Hazy Montagne Mystique) is a sound artist born in Thailand of Laotian and Taï Dam origins who lives in the east end of Montreal on Rue Masson. For years Chi has been supporting experimentation in the city both through his hand dubbing of small runs of cassettes and also by organizing house shows and also small concerts at venues like Casa del Popolo.
It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Chi over the years, who has been open to sharing my experimental music. I have also deeply appreciated the ways that Chi has been supporting, through small acts of love by releasing music, many artists working on the non commercial edges of alternative music and sound art in the city. Often labels quickly shift toward goals of professionalism, but in the case of Jeunesse Cosmique it is clear that the label itself is an experiment rooted in both community and love.
I put together this mix for A Closer Listen, with track suggestions from Chi from recent releases on the label. Also I was excited to share tracks from my 2023 collaboration with Joseph Sannicandro, Across time patched together, which was released by the label on cassette.
Thank you for listening.
(accompanying photo by casi tankó)
TRACKLIST
(Artist name / track name)
- agate – adrift
- Hazy Montagne Mystique – je t_avais acheté 2 pamplemousses parce que je sais que tu aimes ça
- Black Givre – Imaginaire Drumscape, Pt. III
- ternet – cinoche vidéo
- Clément Nectar – Tornade
- Paraphonique – Minos – Corridors
- Joseph Sannicandro and Stefan Christoff – Across Time II
- Joseph Sannicandro and Stefan Christoff – Night Time Thoughts in the Métro
- Joseph Sannicandro and Stefan Christoff – After The Teargas
a closer listen 