Big Block 454

Mark E Smith died 6 years ago today.

Big Block 454 recording today; Pete, Mark and Colin...

"Are you sure the Oblique Strategies card said do this?"

This is not looking good.

https://www.vulture.com/article/epic-games-bandcamp-sale-layoffs.html?fbclid=IwAR3ypv8TVewybdW41G0jrDTpCZyMina3T50JbubOyyUbHpYL4u0YckOg47w

Bandcamp Hit With Layoffs After Sale to Songtradr Epic sold the company last month.

Abrasive Pheasants gig in Hebden Bridge last night; three members of Big Block 454 were there:
Pete, Colin and Mark.
We made a date for a BB454 recording session.

It's Bandcamp Friday again.
All the money goes directly to the artist today; so get in there and explore - who knows what you might find.

Start off with:
Jumble Hole Clough
https://jumbleholeclough.bandcamp.com/
Big Block 454
https://bigblock454.bandcamp.com/
Churn Milk Joan
https://churnmilkjoan.bandcamp.com/

That's about 63 albums to be going on with.
And they're all 'name your price' - so you can download them for free if you want.

Working on more Big Block 454 recordings with Pete Scullion today; all going well.

We were falling about laughing at several points, so we must be doing something right.
Or very wrong.

Otto Radio – It's a bit different… Otto Radio comes to you from the makers of the long running “Round at Milligan’s – Proudly Independent Music Show” (Est. 2011), and shares that show’s mission:

Working on the Big Block 454 album with Pete Scullion yesterday.
He added guitar parts to eight different pieces.
At this rate, it'll be a triple album...

The Mixcloud link for my radio show is here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/Colin454/answers-on-a-postcard-no1-colin-robinsons-radio-show/

My first radio show for Otto Radio will be on at 9pm today, just under an hour.
www.ottoradio.co.uk

Have a listen; and hear Simon Partridge talking about improvisation – plus the usual music (Zappa / Can / King Crimson).

If you miss the show live, I’ll be posting a Mixcloud link later on.

I’ve been asked to present an internet radio show on Otto Radio; the first episode will be this Sunday at 9pm GMT.

I’ll be playing music that I like and interviewing people. This Sunday, I’m interviewing Simon Partridge about Improvisation – the What, Why and How.

If you don’t manage to catch the show, it’ll be up on Mixcloud soon afterwards.

Looking for last-minute gifts?
Or something to listen to over the festive period?

Don't forget the Big Block 454 page on Bandcamp.
All those albums...
And they're 'name your price'.
So you can get them for free.

Working on the new album.
It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before, it’s bizarre.
I am doubled up with laughter… no, I’m extremely impressed by the timbral ambiguities.

Recording some loops for Big Block 454 this morning.

1. Balance an e-Bow on Mick West's old banjolele.
2. Record the result, whilst simultaneously detuning the string.
3. Multi-track.

Impressive sound...

More Big Block 454 recordings today; Pete was round all day and we got a lot of work done.
It must have been good, as we were in hysterics most of the time.

It’s been over 10 years since Big Block 454 released an album.
Alex, Pete, Mark and myself did some recordings in 2014, and Mark and I have done some work since then.
Yesterday, Pete, Mark and I did some serious recording – so, with quite a bit more work, we have the beginnings of a new album.

New Jumble Hole Clough album now available through Bandcamp, featuring Colin from Big Block 454.
"The lightness of touch and seemingly bottomless invention is masterful. Lots of round, creamy guitar tones, synths like metal shavings, and dusty African drums from the back bedroom." - Phil South
"Robinson makes it appear that he only has to wave his wand to conjure up a fresh stack of ideas. He has outdone himself on this one." - Hans Werksman

https://jumbleholeclough.bandcamp.com/album/trainspotting-in-angola

Trainspotting in Angola, by Jumble Hole Clough 18 track album

It's Bandcamp Friday.
You know what to do.
And don't try telling me you're busy.

https://bigblock454.bandcamp.com/

Big Block 454 Since the late 80s, Big Block 454 has been making exploratory, highly individual music that encompasses rock, funk, electronica, folk music, Dadaist collage and much more besides. Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist, but Big Block 454’s approach also encompasses the creation of sound on in...

I’m very pleased with the enthusiasm people are showing for the latest Jumble Hole Clough album – not only getting a lot of downloads of the album, but lots of downloads of other Jumble Hole Clough albums and Churn Milk Joan and Big Block 454 albums too.

So – thanks very much! I hope you’re enjoying the music; that’s what makes it worthwhile for me.

"Delicious avant garde exotica, constantly surprising, inventive and yet still quaffably listenable, and shot through with humour and wry surrealism. Imaginary bands from the 60s, retro futurist soundscapes of quality and taste. Jumble Hole Clough ladies and gents, a warming cup of Yorkshire tea while time travelling to the past and the future." - Phil South

"Inventive, silly and very enjoyable!" - Alex Stone

"A Veritable Garden of Unearthly Delights" - Mark Joell

https://jumbleholeclough.bandcamp.com/album/answers-on-a-postcard

Answers on a postcard, by Jumble Hole Clough 18 track album

It's Bandcamp Day again.
Bandcamp are waiving their commission to help artists impacted by the pandemic. You can help. Now's the time to trawl round Bandcamp and see what surprises you can find.

And remember, you can stream music on Bandcamp for free - and you can download my albums for free if you're short of money.

So what are you waiting for? Are you busy today? You're not, are you?

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/jun/25/bandcamp-music-streaming-ethan-diamond-online-royalties -2

Good vibrations: how Bandcamp became the heroes of streaming They waive their fees, raise cash for Juneteenth and champion everything from vaporwave to eco-grime. Founder Ethan Diamond explains how he did it

It's Bandcamp Day again, 3rd July.
Bandcamp are waiving their commission to help artists impacted by the pandemic.
You can help. Now's the time to trawl round Bandcamp and see what you can pick up.

And remember, you can listen to music on Bandcamp for free - and you can download Big Block 454 albums for free too.

https://bigblock454.bandcamp.com/

Big Block 454 Since the late 80s, Big Block 454 has been making exploratory, highly individual music that encompasses rock, funk, electronica, folk music, Dadaist collage and much more besides. Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist, but Big Block 454’s approach also encompasses the creation of sound on in...

Q Star FM Got Q?

It’s Bandcamp Day today.
Bandcamp are waiving their share of artist sales, and artists and labels are preparing special releases.

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/artists-and-labels-offering-donations-special-merch-and-more-on-friday-june-5

Artists and Labels Offering Donations, Special Merch, and More on Friday, June 5 Including those donating to organizations fighting for racial justice and change.

Bandcamp Day

Today, 1st May, Bandcamp are waiving their commission to help artists impacted by the pandemic.
You can help. Now’s the time for you to trawl round Bandcamp and see what you can pick up.

Have a look at the Big Block 454 page. Exploratory, highly individual music that encompasses rock, funk, electronica, folk music, Dadaist collage and much more besides.
We are working on new Big Block 454 material as we speak. Via the internet.

www.bigblock454.bandcamp.com

Big Block 454 Since the late 80s, Big Block 454 has been making exploratory, highly individual music that encompasses rock, funk, electronica, folk music, Dadaist collage and much more besides. Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist, but Big Block 454’s approach also encompasses the creation of sound on in...

Mark Joell and I are working on some brand new Big Block 454 material, bouncing recordings between our studios.
I have got my 6-string fretless bass out.
Be afraid.
Be very afraid.

Thanks to everyone who's been download our albums at this unpleasant time - I hope they've cheered you up or at least distracted you.

Lots of albums to choose:
https://bigblock454.bandcamp.com/

Big Block 454 Since the late 80s, Big Block 454 has been making exploratory, highly individual music that encompasses rock, funk, electronica, folk music, Dadaist collage and much more besides. Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist, but Big Block 454’s approach also encompasses the creation of sound on in...

Message from Bandcamp:

“To raise even more awareness around the pandemic’s impact on musicians everywhere, we’re waiving our revenue share on sales this Friday, March 20 (from midnight to midnight Pacific Time), and rallying the Bandcamp community to put much needed money directly into artists’ pockets.”

So – visit some Bandcamp pages today, listen to the music and download some material.
Do It Now! (or some other trite motivational slogan…)

https://bigblock454.bandcamp.com/

Big Block 454 Since the late 80s, Big Block 454 has been making exploratory, highly individual music that encompasses rock, funk, electronica, folk music, Dadaist collage and much more besides. Each band member is a multi-instrumentalist, but Big Block 454’s approach also encompasses the creation of sound on in...