photo by Regina Doland
I’m happy to announce the release of new music I created along with my friends and collaborators Omniscuro (Daniel Sparks) & Hornsbee (Erick Eiser) under the moniker AxOxH. The album is derived from an improvisational session between the three of us and transformed into seven transforming and evolving industrial ambient dance tracks. It is out now on streaming and cassette via Cudighi Records.
Proud to announce my new EP released under my new solo moniker, Abandoned Battlefields. This album is a longform meditation on nature, love, and cycles. You can check it out on cassette tape (via Bandcamp) and also on streaming platforms.
I’m excited to announce 12 shows across Japan! The first 8 with my band Sontag Shogun and the last 4 as a solo act. If you are out there, come check me out!
with Sontag Shogun
10.7 Kobe @ Guggenheim House w/ Haco (event link)
10.8 Osaka @ Club Daphnia w/ Haco, Chei Otomi, Hideo Nakasako & more [prod. by Don’t Dance] (event link)
10.9 Nara @ sun + moon + star w/ Haco (event link)
10.10 Omihachiman @ Sakedelic Shuyukan
10.12 Nagoya @ KD Japon
10.14 Tokyo @ HIGH Koenji w/ Anoice (event link)
10.15 Niigata @ Kiageba Kyokai w/ Haco [prod. Experimental Rooms] (event link)
10.16 Tokyo @ Atelier Fluss w/ Yuki Murata (event link)
solo (w/ Haco)
10.20 Kyoto @ Mingle (w/ Haco) [event link]
10.21 Kobe @ Space Eauuuuu (w/ Haco + Eiichi Tosaki)
10.22 Osaka @ Environment 0g (w/ Haco + Eiichi Tosaki, Junya Tokuda)
11.5/6 Ueyama @ Unkai Natural Camp (w/ Haco, Foodman, [event link]
I was graciously asked to compose the theme and other music for the new iHeartRadio x Neon Hum Media podcast produced by Natalie Rinn & hosted by Laura Beil.
Proud to release my favorite tracks from the podcast We Are Not The Virus. It’s volume 1 (since only 2 of 4 episodes of the podcast have been completed) and you can listen to it now on bandcamp OR you can listen to the podcast. Links below…enjoy!
Been sound designing a new podcast about a Fake Priest con man in the midwest for the good people at Neon Hum. First two episodes are out and the next six are being released weekly. It’s a bizarre, fun story and I’m proud to be a part of telling it.
Take a listen on any of yr podcast playing things or Spotify or wherever, really.
Early in 2018 Jade Shames and I got together to compose the music for the hand-animated film produced, drawn, animated and directed by our friend Jake Nelson. Today we release the soundtrack and the film after it has completed it’s protracted film festival circuit run.
The film is currently available to watch FREE on Vimeo and has just been announced as a Vimeo Staff Pick! Go watch the damn thing…
The Backward Astronomer from Jake Nelson on Vimeo.
The album has been uploaded on bandcamp and will soon be searchable on Spotify, Apple and other streaming networks.
“We Are Safe Inside” on the album Five Years—a compilation release by Youngbloods
“I Confess” was recorded with Shinya Sugimoto & released by Muzan Editions
My most recent solo releases have found their way into the streaming sites of the world. You can search my name “Jesse Perlstein” to listen to my music on Apple Music, Spotify, etc.
Or you can find me on Spotify HERE.
And don’t forget you can purchase these albums digitally and on tape (for I Confess) through the links below. Regardless of you how you listen I hope you enjoy it. ~ Jesse
Excited to announce I have two tapes (with two projects) just released into the world! Proud of my new babies:
(MUZAN EDITIONS, 2019)
I made a record with Osaka-based pianist Shinya Sugimoto; the album is called I Confess and it is being released Nara-based tape label Muzan Editions. Half ambient field recording, minimal drones and half nostalgic vocal/piano harmonies, "I Confess' is a meditation on the mundane and how repetition and context can reveal the strange beauty held within every passing moment. Field recordings collected from disparate places, of unremarkable moments are woven together to create a surreal perspective greater than the sum of its parts.
"I Confess" is an improvisational collaboration between experimental vocalist Jesse Perlstein (NYC // Sontag Shogun) & composer Shinya Sugimoto (Osaka). It was recorded live at Annie's Cafe in Kyoto, Japan on September 13th, 2018 and engineered/mixed by Shinya & Jesse.
I Confess by Jesse Perlstein & Shinya Sugimoto
(released 11/16 on Muzan Editions)
Jesse Perlstein (vox, field recordings-on-tape, oscillators)
Shinya Sugimoto (piano, contact mic, max/msp)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I feel a disquieted calm when I listen to the new collection of four tracks we're releasing today on tape and digital (with Portland-based Beacon Sound). They come from different parts of our journey and reflect different ambitions — some of which no longer exist. It's not always easy to listen to living documents that capture what can be a raw process, and the evolving dreams that accompany it.
When I listen to track two "Floréal," I hurt from imagined memories that never happened, and wrestle with some that did. When I listen to track three "Plaid Lines," I feel my absence, both immediate and ongoing. When I listen to track four "Lament," I glitch into a black-and-white sculpture garden, an image from a video we used to play on tour but that now lies amidst the residues of a failed album that never materialized.
And when I listen to track one "Photographs from a Moving Car," I feel transported into a sort of tonal hedge maze — meandering after the ethereal presence of Laura Naukkarinen (Lau Nau), who took something we improvised and transformed it into real meaning.
These tracks are a portrait of us washing out and soaking in over four years, with some beautiful contributions from new collaborators we met along the way. We hope you enjoy them.
Listen and order now:
Purchase a "Floréal EP" Tape via Beacon Sound
Get a Floréal T-Shirt
Buy the digital album via Bandcamp
Listen on Apple Music or Spotify
Excited to be promoted by Nurasound Headphones who came by my studio/home and did a little profile piece on me. Interesting to hear me try to reduce my art/process down to a few soundbites. Anyway it’s a beautifully cut video full of my plants and records so enjoy!
to check it out on their site: https://www.nuraphone.com/backstage/whats-your-sound-jesse-perlstein
come see us play at one of six shows around the US! Try and Collect them ALL!
Osaka-based pianist Shinya Sugimoto & i are releasing a piece of music called “I CONFESS” which will find a home on Japanese tape label Muzan Edition come November. In celebration of this, we will be performing music inspired by the forthcoming album in Los Angeles, the Bay area, NYC & Upstate NY, for a short run. We will have the tapes on-hand for pre-sale and we’ll have rad t-shirts and our own independent merch and blah blah blah.
We are also performing alongside some AMAZING people so details below:
October
18th - LA, CA @ Character Projects w/ LA Fog & Yek Koo
20th - LA, CA @ (Secret Show) w/ Sodona
25th - SF, CA @ Center for New Music w/ OboeTronics
27th - Oakland, CA @ Land and Sea w/ Danishta Rivero & IMA (Amma Ateria + Nava Dunkelman)
November
16th - Brooklyn, NY @ Synesthesia w/ Carmen Rothchild + Anna RG
17th - Tivoli, NY @ Half Moon Books
DM me on instagram @absentwarrior for more information about the “secret show”
Hey guys,
Very excited to announce my group SONTAG SHOGUN’s new LP has just been released! Released on vinyl on record label Youngbloods, this is Sontag Shogun’s first record to date that really captures our live performance over the last few years. In celebration of the record I teamed up with my friend, book artist THAD HIGA, to create an art book companion piece to the record, which can also be bought through our bandcamp. It’s a collection of text and imagery submitted by a slew of artists who listened to the record and created pieces in response. It’s a limited run of 80 copies so don’t wait to get yours!
also watch the video for the eponymous track below!
Excited to announce Manhattan’s first BraidedSOUND and it’s part of an amazing series called Ephemeral Collusion curated by the amazingly talented Azumi O E (who performed in our Brooklyn ensemble, and who MIGHT be making a guest appearance in the ensemble this time as well…)
We’ll be featuring a string/vocal-heavy ensemble this time around, and I’ve been blessed with some of my favorite local artists:
Jamie Reeder (violin/vox) [of Weird Mirror, Field Guides, Chimneys, Black Wail & Helado Negro]
Steve Goodwin (cello/glock) [of Hilsa & Skeleton Zoo]
Jen Goma (vox/electroincs) [of Sunny Day in Glasgow, Showtime Goma, People Get Ready, etc., etc.]
& Jesse Perlstein (vox/field recordings) [of Sontag Shogun]
MAY 22nd (WED.) @ The Atrium [9 8W Street, Manhattan, ny] 7:30 doors:::::$20 day of show
Presale at $15: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ephemeral-collusion-5222019-tickets-60916480834
Exciting news for BraidedSOUND as it sees it’s first performances in Portugal, Finland and the UK. A lot of amazing musicians have signed on to being a part of this run, specifically Diana Combo (all Portugal dates) and my Sontag Shogun compatriot Jeremy Young (all Portugal & Finland dates). Then I head to the Queen’s land for a 5-show run by myself (of course, being joined by many lovely local musicians. Details below!
~ Portugal Tour w/ Jeremy Young & Diana Combo ~
04.10.19 - Aveiro, Portugal @ VIC Aveiro Arts House w/ Diana Combo, Jeremy Young, & Jesse Perlstein
04.11.19 - Lisbon, Portugal @ Damas w/ Helena Espvall, Antonio Silva, Jeremy Young, Diana Combo, & Jesse Perlstein
04.12.19 - Aljezur, Portugal @ Moagem w/ Diana Combo, Jeremy Young, & Jesse Perlstein
04.13.19 - Viseu, Portugal @ Venha a Nos a Boa Morte w/ Diana Combo, Jeremy Young, & Jesse Perlstein
04.14.19 - Porto, Portugal @ Sonoscopia w/ Gustavo Costa, Diana Combo, Jeremy Young, & Jesse Perlstein
04.15.19 - Caldas Da Rainha, Portugal @ Gremio Caldense w/ Diana Combo, Jeremy Young, & Jesse Perlstein
04.16.19 - Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal @ Oficinas do Convento w/ Jeremy Young
~Finland Tour w/ Jeremy Young~
04.20.19 - Fiskars, Finland @ Ägräs Tap Room w/ Jeremy Young, Lau Nau, Hermanni Yli-Tepsa & members of Hulda Huima >> (more info)
04.24.19 - Helsinki, Finland @ Galleria Akusmata w/ Jeremy Young, MARLOES VAN SON, Alex Van Geirsbergen, Tytti Arola, & PETRI KULJUNTAUSTA LE >> (more info)
~ UK Tour ~
04.27.19 - London, UK @ IKLECTIK w/ Rachael Finney, Kate Carr, Jesse Perlstein, Fae Harmer, & Nathan Greywater (of Harmergeddon) >> (more info)
04.28.19- Cardiff, UK @ Sull Art Space w/ Teddy Hunter, Massa Circles, Sam Barnes, Kate Woodward & Jesse Perlstein
04.29.19- Cheltenham @ University of Gloucestershire w/ Teddy Hunter, Uta Baladuf, Chris Cundy & Jesse Perlstein
04.30.19- Birmingham, UK @ Centrala w/ Sean Clancy, Khyam Allami, Sam Underwood, Sarah Farmer, Gloria Yehilevsky & Jesse Perlstein >> (more info)
05.02.19 - Brighton, UK @ The Rose Hill w/ Johanna Bramli, Kassia Zermon, Jules Arthur, Kev Nickells & Jesse Perlstein >> (more info)
I’m kicking off my inaugural NYC BraidedSOUND with an amazing ensemble. We’ve got Cheryl Kingan (of The Scene is Now) on saxaphone and synth, Benedict Kupstas (of Field Guides) on guitar and melodica, Jeremy Young (of Sontag Shogun) on reel to reel tape player, piezo’d objects/surfaces, and oscillators, myself on vox and field recordings, AND finally Azumi O E, on movement and kinetics. We’ll be performing at Bushwick’s the Microscope Gallery on Friday, March 1st and we’ll have the amazing Ben Seretan opening the show.
Cover Art for Meditapes (2018)
Just a quick announcement: in celebration of the upcoming Braided Sound: Japan 2018 tour I have created a few new pieces I wanted to share on the Bandcamp platform.
go take a listen: http://jesseperlstein.bandcamp.com
Braided Sound Japan : September 2018 feat. Jesse Perlstein
9.14 - Kyoto @ Hawkwind w/ Sleepland, Lauren E Walker (of Nice Legs), Cheekbone, & Kenichi Kurata (MORE INFO HERE)
9.15 - Kobe @ Space Eauuu w/ Sleepland, Haco, Hirotaka Shirotsubaki, & Shinya Sugimoto (MORE INFO HERE)
9.16 - Okayama @ Oh!Ashi Forest w/ Shinya Sugimoto, Ryota Miyoshi, & Akira Kita (MORE INFO HERE)
9.17 - Osaka @ Environment 0g w/ Shinya Sugimoto, Ryota Nishi, & MAYUKo (Crossbred, Synth Sisters); also additional performances by Raiika & Orhythmo
9.21 - Tokyo @ 7th Floor w/ Takahiro Kido & Yuki Murata (of Anoice), Moskitoo, Keiichi Sugimoto (of Minamo, Frolicfon), & Keiji Matsui (of The Primrose) (MORE INFO HERE)
9.22 - Yokohama @ ZouNoHana w/ ISAO, Yozumi Yuta, Matsumo Kazuya, Nakamura Kohsuke, Ootani Yoshio & Ryota Miyoshi; also additional performances by SJQ & myself (MORE INFO HERE)
see more chatter @ https://twitter.com/BraidedTour
The end of 2018 has a lot in store for me. It starts with two performances in Montreal, QC.
1. JESSE PERLSTEIN'S "LISTENING OUT LOUD" (The Möbius Chorus) @ NEVER APART - 8.18.18
The first performance is for Jann Tomaro's PRACTICE series. I am premiering a piece "The Möbius Chorus", a performance based on Pauline Oliveros's Deep Listening practices. It will be a participatory piece, sound fueled by the voices of the attendees. It will be hosted by NEVER APART GALLERY on Saturday, August 18th at 4pm and it's Free.
https://www.neverapart.com/events/practice-29-jesse-perlstein/
2. SONTAG FACTORY OOZE ENSEMBLE @ LA VITROLA - 8.19.18
I will also be performing as part of Sontag Shogun's "Factory Ooze Ensemble" a 9-piece improvisation based on the ambient tenants of Sontag's compositions. The ensemble will be filled out with local (montreal) musicians such as J.S. Truchy (Le Fly Pan Am), Ilichna Morasky (StrangerFamiliar), Ida Toninato, Jonathan Parant (Le Fly Pan Am), Sam Bobony (Avec Le Soleil), Anne F. Jacques & more...
We will be hosted by La Vitrola and supported by Justin Wright & DF duo on Sunday, August 19th @ 8pm and its only 10 dollars.
https://www.lfttckt.com/tickets/lfttkt-casa-1523376224-21350
I was asked to create the sound design and score the latest episode of Aliya Pabani's Canadian arts/culture podcast The Imposter. This episode centers around creators within Montreal's independent pornography scene. Her entire podcast is funny, compassionate, informative and beautiful. Go listen to all her episodes, but specifically this one:
if you dig that you'll dig this episode where i composed a drone that forms a cult:
Jesse will be joining his longtime collaborator Jeremy Young for a 4-day tour titled Braided Sound. The concept behind this tour is to create new music each night by bringing in local musicians from each city and forming an improvisational ensemble. Each ensemble is guided by a map of lines, twisting, undulating and braiding, and each musician is given a line to interpret. Each performance will be recorded in the hopes of broadcasting them at a later date.
Here are the dates:
4.18.18
Amsterdam, NL @ Cafe De Ruimte, improvisation with Frank Rosaly, Asuna Arashi & Otto Kokke (Dead Neanderthals) + Leonie Roessler & Sohrab Motabar duo
4.20.18
Rotterdam, NL @ Roodkapje, improvisation with Machinefabriek
4.21.18
Düsseldorf, DE @ Kunstraum Düsseldorf, improvisation with Echo Ho & Frauke Berg
4.22.18
Berlin, DE @ Spektrum, improvisation with FS Blumm, Midori Hirano & Sayaka Botanic + Maxwell August Croy
