Project Dark - Press

MASSIVE?
New talent limbering up in the Orbit changing rooms

MELODY MAKER

BETTER THAN PHIL BABB, IT'S PROJECT DARK

WHO THEY?
Look, it's not who they are that's important, but what they do. Project Dark, quite literally, take the biscuit. Coat it against decay. And then spin it on a pair of Technics in front of bemused, amused and, quite often, downright scared audiences. It's been three years now, since a pissed flight of fancy led Kirsten Reynolds (red hair), Ashley Davies (blue hair) and video manipulator Tony Pattinson (white hair) to dedicate themselves to producing seven inch singles made out of, among other things; sandpaper, each others hair, glass, wire wool, circular saw blades, wallpaper and a tree stump.

THREE BALD PEOPLE WITH NOTHING TO SAY?
"I would hope that people find it utterly hilarious," Kirsten says, rallying against the dour aesthetics of live electronica. "because, ultimately, I'm interested in entertainment. I wouldn't like to think that we're bogged down in sonic details because although that's a really interesting aspect of it, ultimately, it's a daft idea that outgrew its area of operation."

WE CALL IT...
An utterly engrosing spectacle, especially when they blow up the decks with their rocket powered singles. Musically, they conjure up an all engulfing maelstrom, tempered with moments of serenity. At a recent performance, one of the audience sported a badge that read: "I Love F***ed Up Noise". Indeed.

THEY CALL IT...
They will call it experimental, if you give them a hefty push. Basically, they tease out the essential sound from each non vinyl artefact, treat it and then sample it into loops which forms the basis of their vinyl releases. Live they don't play records, as such, but use artefacts and decks as instruments to be manipulated. For the record, Perspex makes "a weird swooping sound," while a biscuit is like an Abba record, apparently, "It's got an A-side and a B-side," Kirsten explains, "It's got a highly modular rhythmic side which can be quite energetic, but the B-sides' flatter, so you get a slow ballad or something. Obviously, it's not like that exactly, but there's an analogy that works in those ways."

COMING UP
"The crowds are definitely increasing," confirms Kirsten. "Quite why they are is another matter. It's not like everyone's going, 'My favourite tune you do is this one.' Some people are intrigued by the extremity of the fact that you can make noises out of these things, other people just wanna see shit blown up."

Less explosive, but equally intriguing is "Excited By Gramophones", vinyl collection of non-vinyl treats, that will whet appetites in more ways that
one. Meanwhile, Project Dark are working on the logistics of producing a frozen single, like you do.

TONY NAYLOR

Melody Maker 30 October 1998

click here to read interview with Kirsten Reynolds talking to Mr.Greg of Last Sigh. (English)

Der Tagesspiegel - Schoener Scratchen -18.1.99 (Deutsch)

The Wire - ISEA 98 UK Liverpool LIPA - October 1998 (English)

The Wire - Excited By Gramophones Volume 4 - review - November 1998 (English)

The Wire - Gummy Twinkle - review - April 1999 (English)