We Speak Music

Mieko Shimizu re-releases glitchy ‘My Tentacles’

Published

1 year ago

February 9, 2024

Don Reed

“My Tentacles” is the quixotic single re-release by radical, nonconformist,Japanese singer and multi-instrumentalist, Mieko Shimizu.

The single, which has picked up airplay from BBC 6 Music’s Deb Grant & Tom Ravenscroft lately, is the offbeat, unworldliness that is; “My Tentacles”, the title track of the soon to be re-released album of the same name. It is be-thronged by chimeric fusions, dysfunctional beats and startling mutations.

For this free-spirited champion of outsider art pop, her Tentacles are truly her own, Mieko has played at Sonar, alongside Kraftwerk as well as support for Goldfrapp and Massive Attack at their Melt Down Festival. She is currently artist in residence for Wonky Plonky Electronk, an experimental, electronic live event which is touring the UK throughout 2024, the next show being on 28^th March at The Cinema Room at All Is Joy in London.

She has released 7 albums, her most recent album is “I Bloom”, it features former member of The Cardiacs, William D Drake, who also features on the EP Write to Be along with German artist, Barbara Morgenstern & Polish Artist Orla Schmitt. Her last release was the sonic explosion of the EP “Phenomena of the Mind”. Other albums include the eponymous album of drum n’ bass fury, as her alter ego Apache 61.

Mieko has worked with an extensive range of artists including Japan’s Mick Karn, Nitin Sawhney, Riz MC, David Cunningham, Robert Lippok and has also re-mixed the likes of Coldcut and Haruomi Hosono of ‘Yellow Magic Orchestra’.

The album features bass by Renell Shaw. It was recorded / mixed / produced by Mieko Shimizu & Peter Morris at Street Furniture Studios, Soho, London. Assisted by Teitur Arnason, George Stamenkovic, ‘Tall’ George Reid & Oliver Sanders. Mastered by Keith Tenniswood at Curve Pusher.

The single “My Tentacles” is re-released on 9^th of February 2024 on Street Furniture Records along with pre-sales of album of the same name which will be released on March 15^th, 2024. It was originally released in 2011. This digitally remastered version has been repackaged with new designs by Jimmy Hunter at We Are Noisy.

We Speak Music

Waz-u drops ambient gem ‘Vermillion’ ft. Lilyg

Published

16 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Don Reed

London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.

Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’

‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.

Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.