Matthew Swiezynski, a man of many talents. A member of Ingenting Kollektiva, founder of Invisible Birds label. He’s also working on films and videos, and running The Art Of Memory blog, dedicated to music, photography and visual arts. Here’s Matthew thoughts on 2014.
How would you summarize this past year on an artistic and personal level?
A very productive year, with a bunch of releases on bandcamp; both live Ingenting releases and some drone oriented works. Pretty much finished the new Ingenting LP, which has been in progress since 2010, just a few touches left to add and tighten up the graphics and I plan to do a kickstarter deal to raise funds for it. Ingenting also finished a couple of shorter tracks; one using field recordings for Framework, and another a remix for Wounded Wolf Press, both forthcoming. Just this week issuing the Community of Light cd, recordings from earlier this year done with Chi Yun, Michael Malinski and myself, mystical kraut rock inspired improvisations from Cherryland California.
Which album have you listened to most often this year (not necessarily released in 2014)?
In general, a lot of kraut rock and older 4ad releases, Sabbath and things like that. But for one record, I would say potentially a recent release I got last week: :zoviet*france: & Fossil Aerosol Mining Project called Patina Pooling. Already spending a lot of time with it and looking forward to more listens, the 2 records are really something, and the packaging too.
What was the best gig you’ve attended?
Either the Slowdive or Earth show in Portland. Usually have trouble with the volume of live music because sound gets muddy, but the Slowdive sound was so articulate at a high volume, very immersive. Dylan Carlson was just amazing on the guitar, getting into some heavy business, conjuring all types of music i really love, a true alchemist.
What was the best non-music related cultural experience you’ve had?
A trip to New York, I love going to the museums there, and wondering around the city and Brooklyn.
Was there an event within this past year that has significantly influenced your philosophy and outlook on life, or your perception of the world around you? For instance some specific place you visited, people you met and so on?
I moved to Portland Oregon about 4 months ago after having driven up from the Bay Area a few times. Leaving a place that had gotten culturally stale, and expensive, and arriving in such an exciting city has influenced me and hugely. Already there have been so many great music shows here, I have met lots of great people. We were able to rent a house for less than renting a closet in San Francisco. We have a nice music room/studio and back yard, lots of trees and small animals about.
What was your greatest disappointment in 2014?
Reading the news (re: coppers) is depressing as shit, but all round a great year personally!
Your plans, hopes and expectations for 2015?
To finally get the new Ingenting release out (which will have a fancy edition as well with drawings by myself and the mysterious artist that is doing the cover art), put out a record by Asphodel, record a Mount Analogue album which is a project with Chi Yun and myself. I would love to issue some of the CDr and digital only releases invisible birds has issued the last 2 years on LP, if the kickstarter deal works I will work on that.
Invisible Birds
The Art Of Memory
Santa Sangre 