The Flenser

Last updated
The Flenser
Flenser logo white.jpg
Founded2010 (2010)
Genre Avant-garde metal, experimental rock, extreme metal
Country of originU.S.
LocationSan Francisco, California
Official website www.theflenser.com
www.nowflensing.com

The Flenser (also known as Flenser Records) is an American record label founded by Jonathan Tuite in 2010 from San Francisco, California. It describes itself as a "dark music" label and a "dark experimental record label". [1] [2]

Contents

Notable bands that work with or have worked with The Flenser include Have a Nice Life, Deafheaven, Kayo Dot, Planning for Burial, Midwife, Chat Pile and Uboa. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] In 2019, The Flenser began publishing literature, with their first full-length novel, To Sing of Damnation, being released in 2020. [8]

History

The Flenser was founded in 2010 by former musician Jonathan Tuite in San Francisco, who originally intended to focus the label on the American black metal scene at the time. However, the scene began to wane in popularity as The Flenser slowly gained prominence, so Tuite expanded the reach of the label to other genres. [9] The label was named after the process of flensing – removing blubber from whales – which Tuite learned about from the novel Moby-Dick . [10]

The Flenser's first release was the album The Forgotten by Palace of Worms. [11]

In 2014, the label re-issued Have a Nice Life's debut album Deathconsciousness , which had become a cult classic, and released their second album The Unnatural World . [12]

In March 2019, the label held a two-night showcase in New York City headlined by Have a Nice Life with Planning for Burial, Wreck and Reference, Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Midwife, and Consumer. [13] [14] Another two-night event occurred in New York in April 2023 featuring Have a Nice Life, Giles Corey, Midwife, and Planning for Burial. [15] [16]

A Flenser showcase was planned for the 2020 edition of the Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the label, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [9] It was scheduled to be Giles Corey's debut live performance in Europe. [17]

In 2020, the label released its first novel, To Sing of Damnation by Virginia author Adam Washington. [8]

In March 2022, the label released Send the Pain Below, a six-song EP featuring multiple bands on the label covering nu metal songs. [18]

The label hosted a showcase at the Oblivion Access festival in Austin, Texas in June 2023 featuring Have a Nice Life, Chat Pile, Planning for Burial, Mamaleek, Bosse de Nage, Drowse, Sprain, Ragana, Amulets, and Agriculture. [19] [20]

In 2024, the label will release Your Voice is Not Enough, a Low tribute album dedicated to the late Mimi Parker, the group's drummer, which was organized before her passing. [21] [22]

Artists

Current

Former

Releases

Discography

Literature

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cex (musician)</span> American musical project

Cex is an American musical project run by Rjyan Claybrook Kidwell and started in 1998 at the age of 16. Although Cex and Kidwell are frequently used interchangeably, Cex occasionally expands to several people at sporadic points, such as particular tours or albums. In the past it has included Kidwell's musical associates, friends, touring partners, or high school bandmates.

Toby Driver is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter, producer, label owner, and artist, best known for his work as the leader of the experimental bands Kayo Dot and Maudlin of the Well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayo Dot</span> American avant-garde metal band

Kayo Dot is an American avant-garde metal band. Formed in 2003 by Toby Driver after the break-up of Maudlin of the Well, they released their debut album Choirs of the Eye on John Zorn's Tzadik Records that same year. Since then, Kayo Dot's lineup has drastically changed over the years. Toby Driver is the only founding member of the band still remaining, save for frequent lyrical contributions from former motW member Jason Byron. Up until 2011, the lineup was constantly shifting, and Kayo Dot's sound consistently changed over the years, featuring a wide variety of instrumentation including guitar, drums, bass, violin, saxophone, vibraphone, synthesizers, clarinets and flutes. Underground metal audiences warmly received the group upon its early existence, with the 2003 album Choirs of the Eye and the 2006 album Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue both becoming underground hits in the progressive metal scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lackluster</span> Musical artist

Esa Ruoho, better known as Lackluster, is a Finnish electronic music producer and performer from Kontula, Helsinki. He is also known as Esa Ruoho, XLLV, Can'O'Lard and Kökö and the Köks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mono (Japanese band)</span> Japanese instrumental band

Mono is a Japanese instrumental band, formed in 1999 in Tokyo. The band consists of Takaakira "Taka" Goto, Hideki "Yoda" Suematsu, Dahm Majuri Cipolla (drums), and Tamaki Kunishi.

King Django is an American bandleader, singer, songwriter, arranger, engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, especially in the genres of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, dancehall, rhythm & blues and soul. Other influences in his music have included traditional jazz, swing, klezmer, hardcore/punk rock, hip-hop and electronica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casiotone for the Painfully Alone</span> Musical solo-project by Owen Ashworth

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (CFTPA) was the musical solo-project of musician Owen Ashworth of Redwood City, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Chapman (singer)</span> British musician (1941–2021)

Michael Chapman was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist who released 58 albums, displaying a "fusion of jazz, rock, Indian and ragtime styles [that] made him a cult hero". He began playing with jazz bands, mainly in his home town of Leeds, and became well known in the folk clubs of the late 1960s, as well as on the progressive music scene. Having celebrated fifty years as a professional musician in 2016, he continued to regularly tour the UK, Europe and US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Haughm</span> American singer

John Haughm is an American musician and artist. He is most known for being the founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the band Agalloch, and later Pillorian. He is also a designer who has created packaging and merchandise for several record labels and bands, including every project in which he has performed. From 2008 to 2018 he was the co-owner, creative director, and curator of the Dämmerung Arthouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Turner</span> American musician (born 1977)

Aaron Turner is an American musician, singer, graphic artist, and founder of label Hydra Head Records. He is most widely known for his role as guitarist and vocalist for the post-metal bands SUMAC and Isis, while also participating in several other bands and projects such as Old Man Gloom, Lotus Eaters and Split Cranium, a collaboration with Jussi Lehtisalo of Finnish band Circle who toured with Isis in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nadja (band)</span> Canadian band

Nadja is a Canadian duo of Aidan Baker and Leah Buckareff. Nadja began in 2003 as a solo project for Baker to explore the heavier and noisier side of his experimental ambient music performed mainly on the electric guitar. In 2005 Buckareff joined in order to make the project more than just a studio endeavour and to allow Nadja to perform live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roadburn Festival</span> Dutch experimental music festival

The Roadburn Festival is an annual music festival held each April in Tilburg, Netherlands. It was founded by Walter Hoeijmakers and Jurgen van den Brand in 1999, who ran a stoner rock blog of the same name.

<i>Deathconsciousness</i> 2008 studio album by Have a Nice Life

Deathconsciousness is the debut studio album by American rock duo Have a Nice Life, released on January 24, 2008 on Enemies List Home Recordings. Recorded independently by the band members on a budget of less than $1,000, Deathconsciousness was released as a double album; the first disc is entitled "The Plow That Broke the Plains" and the second is entitled "The Future". The original cover art features a darkened version of the painting The Death of Marat, painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1793.

Planning for Burial is the musical project of American musician and singer-songwriter Thom Wasluck. Based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Wasluck started to perform as "Burial" in 2005 and released the debut album, Leaving in 2009. Wasluck plays all instruments during both his home recordings and live performances.

A death midwife, or death doula, is a person who assists in the dying process, much like a midwife or doula does with the birthing process. It is often a community based role, aiming to help families cope with death, recognizing it as a natural and important part of life. The role can supplement and go beyond hospice. Practitioners perform a large variety of services, including but not limited to creating death plans, and providing spiritual, psychological, and social support before and just after death. Their role can also include more logistical activities, helping with services, planning funerals and memorial services, and guiding mourners in their rights and responsibilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drowse</span>

Drowse is the musical project of American musician and producer Kyle Bates. Based in Portland, Oregon, Bates founded the project in 2013 and released the debut album, Soon Asleep, in 2015.

<i>Gods Country</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Chat Pile

God's Country is the debut studio album by American rock band Chat Pile, released on July 29, 2022, through the Flenser. It received universal critical acclaim, including the "Best New Music" honor from Pitchfork, and earned honors on several publications' year-end lists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Barrett</span> Musical artist, member of the band Have a Nice Life

Dan Barrett is an American musician from Glastonbury, Connecticut. He is a member of the rock duo Have a Nice Life. Outside of this, he has released solo work primarily under the names Giles Corey and Black Wing, and has been involved in various short-lived bands. In 2003, he founded the record label Enemies List Home Recordings.

Oblivion Access is an annual music festival held across multiple venues in the Red River Cultural District in Austin, Texas. With a focus on metal and experimental music, the festival is named for the Lil Ugly Mane album of the same name. It was founded in 2017 as Austin Terror Fest before changing its name in 2020.

<i>Your Voice Is Not Enough</i> 2024 tribute album to Low

Your Voice Is Not Enough is a tribute album featuring covers of songs by Low in dedication to Mimi Parker. The album was announced in December 2023 without a release date. The collection contains contributions from artists such as Planning for Burial, Have a Nice Life, and Midwife among other bands, and was collated and released by the record label The Flenser.

References

  1. Flenser, The. "About Us". The Flenser. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. Lefebvre, Sam (2012-04-27). "Local Metal Label Flenser Is a One-Man Pursuit of Quality Doom". sfweekly.com. Label Sampler. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01.
  3. Passaro, Fred (May 31, 2013). "Stream: Vestiges / Panopticon Split". Invisible Oranges . Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  4. Nelson, Michael (2012-11-05). "Bosse-de-Nage – "A Mimesis of Purpose"". stereogum.com.
  5. Gotrich, Lars (19 April 2013). "Close Your Eyes: Wreck and Reference's Creepy Video". NPR .
  6. Berlatsky, Noah (21 February 2013). "The Brilliant Black-Metal Album About Plants Wiping Out Humankind". The Atlantic . Archived from the original on 2013-06-09.
  7. Kelly, Kim (2013-04-17). "Skagos: Anarchic". Pitchfork .
  8. 1 2 Murphy, Scott. "To Sing of Damnation: Inside the First Full-Length Novel Published by The Flenser – Heavy Blog Is Heavy". www.heavyblogisheavy.com. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  9. 1 2 "Interview: The Flenser's Jonathan Tuite on the Label's 10th Anniversary". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  10. Will Reisman. "SF record label you've never heard of a household name". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  11. Flenser, The. "Palace of Worms "The Forgotten" CD". The Flenser. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  12. "HAVE A NICE LIFE'S DEATHCONSCIOUSNESS RE-ISSUE COMING 9/16 FROM THE FLENSER". 2014-07-02. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  13. Sacher, Andrew. "Have A Nice Life, Planning for Burial, more playing Flenser showcase in NYC". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  14. Sacher, Andrew. "2nd Flenser NYC showcase with Have A Nice Life & more added". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  15. Hatfield, Amanda. "The Flenser announce NYC showcase with Have a Nice Life, Midwife, Planning for Burial, more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  16. Sacher, Andrew. "Have A Nice Life-headlined Flenser showcase in NYC adds 2nd night". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  17. Flenser, The. "Flenser 10 Year Celebration at Roadburn 2020". The Flenser. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  18. "Deftones: Hear Wreck and Reference's Flickering Shoegaze Cover of "Change (In the House of Flies)"". Revolver. 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  19. Sacher, Andrew. "Oblivion Access initial 2023 lineup: Godflesh, Tim Hecker, Have A Nice Life, Chat Pile, Ludicra, more". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  20. Fragassi, Selena (2023-01-24). "Godflesh, Tim Hecker Headlining Oblivion Access Festival 2023". SPIN. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  21. "The Flenser Announces Low Tribute Album 'Your Voice Is Not Enough'". Stereogum. 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  22. LaPierre, Megan. "The Flenser to Release Low Tribute Album with Midwife, Drowse, Have a Nice Life". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2023-12-19.