UPSTAIRS RECORDINGS. The Verbrilli Sound.
Posted on September 18, 2006
Filed Under Music |
Goodmorning music. The Verbrilli Sound.
Text from The Vebrilli Sound MySpace.
“THE VERBRILLI SOUND is the flagship project of Vancouver based electronic pioneer, Don Verbrilli. He has 2 full length releases: Leisure War and Many Coloured Butterflies, several remixes, plus many licensed tracks on popular compilations. He is also well known for his alter-ego recording project Telefuzz.
The Verbrilli Sound was created by Don Verbrilli and is as much a philosophy of music as it is a verifiable musical act. Verbrilli’s claim is that the purest musical creations are not in fact the work of an artist or of a single mind, but are instead the creatures of an intricate and mysterious process called the ‘Verbrilli Effect’. The process involves the reception of available atmospheric transmissions, plus a sequence of unforced creative accidents. Theoretically, if the artist is in a proper mindset and musical equipment is at hand, there will be enough electromagnetic energy to attract any number of patterned transmissions from a host of sentient sources.
“Many Coloured Butterflies”, the richly textured debut, was released on Seattles Sweet Mother Records in 2000. It received excellent reviews from XLR8R and Mixer magazine, and tracks from the album found their way into the hands, heads and DJ sets of Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, and DJ Krush, amongst others. “Views” was licensed for the Wallpaper Mach 1.5 compilation alongside songs by Thievery Corporation, Air, and Jazzanova.
In 2002 Upstairs Recordings released the Verbrilli Sounds second full length release, Leisure War, it has gone on to be the most successful Upstairs release to date. The album is currently entirely sold out of 2 pressings - look out for an Itunes release in the near future.
In 2004 Upstairs released the compilation, Swankz & Verbrilli: Lifesavers. Verbrilli shares track selections with his good friend and label mate E.D. Swankz. Also included on this release are 2 remixes of his track Honey Czars by recording artists Bussetti and Alucidnation, both well known in the Big Chill community. Laura B, also of Big Chill fame, lends her melodious voice to the track All of the Land. Rumour has it Laura B and Verbrilli have been working together more as of late we cant wait to hear what this alliance brings forth.
Into the future…. Look out for a brand new Telefuzz release in the first half of 2006 and a fresh new approach to forthcoming Verbrilli Sound tracks that will hint at Verbrilli’s love of jangly 60s pop and late 80s/early 90s shoegazer sounds. But of course the overall sound will be fresh and unique in the way that only the ‘Verbrilli Effect’ can provide.”
Buy The Verbrilli Sound music on Amazon
Upstairs Recordings on MySpace.
“UPSTAIRS RECORDINGS was formed in Vancouver, Canada in late 1999. Despite the glut of new ‘electronic music’ labels rushing to cash in on the tech boom of the late 90s, Upstairs’ founding partners, Nick Arbutus, Buzz Rozwell, E.D. Swankz and Don Verbrilli, believed that an opportunity existed to produce and release music that, while electronically based, could defy easy categorization and reward listeners for years and not just weeks, or months.
Amongst other accolaides for UP.R releases….Deepdown Tempos Vol. 01, was chosen as compilation of the month by Rob Da Bank in Muzik Magazine’s March 2000 issue. Four star reviews were accorded Upstairs’ second compilation Headlands: Deepdown Tempos Vol. 02, by both Jockey Slut, UK and Seven magazine, UK. Blue Light One received a 4 star review in Muzik Magazine, UK. 3 12″ vinyl EPs have also met with glowing reviews from both critics and DJs alike.
Many tracks have been licensed for use on a number of well known compilations.
A promo 12 vinyl, with some remixes by up and coming producers such as American remixers Chris J and Cordovan, accompanies the Verbrilli Sound Leisure War release.
In April 04 Upstairs released their 6th CD: Swankz & Verbrilli: Lifesavers complete with remixes from UK artists: Alucidnation, Boomclick, Bussetti and guest vocals from Laura B of Big Chill fame. In June of 2005 the label released their 7th and latest CD, a full length debut release by Philadephia’s Solus called ‘Lights in the Valley’.
With an initial focus on what is commonly termed ‘downtempo’ music, Upstairs has from its inception tried to bring something different and hopefully indefinable to the musical landscape. On the sonic side: musicality, infectiousness and a respect for the intelligence of the listener.
Upstairs recently completed a 2.5yr monthly residency in Vancouver at Ginger 62 lounge a venue that encouraged Upstairs to push their sound and experiment with different formats.
DJs that appeared at the Upstairs Sound System Monthly in Vancouver:
Pete Lawrence [Big Chill UK]
Alex Jazzanova [Sonar Kollektiv]
Megablast [GStone]
Tyler T-Bone Stadius
Domu [Compost, Sonar Kollektiv]
Nick Matthews [Best Kept Secret]
DR J [Jazidup - myspace.com/jazidup]
Elliot Adams [Othertempo.net]
Motomasa [Space Kadets Collective]
Miguel Graa [Bombay]
Dana D [2guerilla, Beatstreet.ca]
The Verbrilli Sound - Live PA [Upstairs]
DJ Will Sugar [Upstairs]
Gavin Froome - Live PA [Nordic Trax]
Rob Rizk [GMan & Rizk]
Nav [Bombay/Manali]
Titonton Duvante [Residual Rec, Sonar Kollektiv]
Jon O’Neil [Higherbliss, Upstairs]
Tomasz [Slowitdown.org]
DJ M’err
Will Sugar, one of the Upstairs’ resident DJ deckhands, has shared stages with such musical peers as Thievery Corporation, Dzihan & Kamien, and Desmond Williams. Recent Upstairs Soundsystem live and touring events have included: A swing through Florida by Sugar and Rozwell, an appearance by Telefuzz at Beta Lounge in San Francisco, and a successful west coast mini tour put on independently by Upstairs Recordings with Big Chill creator Pete Lawrence [plus Upstairs DJs Jon ONeil [POM] and Will Sugar]. Upstairs Recordings artists have developed a decent track record of appearances at the ever growing Big Chill festival. These appearances include: Buzz Rozwell - afternoon chill set at the 2002 Big Chill on Naxos Island, Greece. Buzz Rozwell and Jon ONeil appeared for an afternoon set on the Sanctuary Stage at the Big Chill 2003 - Eastnor Castle, UK. Don Verbrilli played a live set with Laura B on vocals and Buzz Rozwell dropped an eclectic chill DJ set at the Big Chill 2004 - Eastnor Castle, UK. Most recently at the Big Chill 2005, Eastnor Castle, Buzz Rozwell teamed up with Laura B for a 3 hour late night DJ/Live ambient downtempo set.
Upstairs is committed to widening its musical offerings further still through future releases and Upstairs Soundsystem events. Upstairs expects to reach a broader audience and new markets for 2006 and beyond.”
UP.R Crew.
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Don Verbrilli [The Verbrilli Sound] The Verbrilli Sound was created by Don Verbrilli and is as much a philosophy of music as it is a verifiable musical act. Verbrilli’s claim is that the purest musical creations are not in fact the work of an artist or of a single mind, but are instead the creatures of an intricate and mysterious process. Called the Verbrilli Effect, the process involves the reception of available atmospheric transmissions, plus a sequence of unforced creative accidents. Theoretically, if the artist is in a proper mindset and musical equipment is at hand, there will be enough electromagnetic energy to attract any number of patterned transmissions from a host of sentient sources. |
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E.D. Swankz E.D. Swankz brings a love of rhythm and melody and a unique blend of experiences in classical piano, jazz and rock drumming and Canadian tax law to the Upstairs Recordings table. Feast your ears on his well stocked sample bar (don’t forget the breakin’ bits!). Marvel at the fusion of seemingly disparate ingredients into a rich, tasty sonic broth. Help yourself to seconds, there’s lots to go around and, as always, Swankz is in the kitchen fixing more. |
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Telefuzz Telefuzz is Don Verbrilli’s second creative project, activated by default when atmospheric conditions or other imbalances affect the Don’s ability to ply the sentient winds of the stratosphere. Gradually, Verbrilli has realized that transmission interferences, in the mind’s eye, are so hypnotic that a state of musical laissez-faire almost identical to the Verbrilli Effect can be achieved after only a very short time. Don Verbrilli likened the hypnotic effect to gazing at white noise on a large television screen for as long as it takes to feel a bit wiggy. l a bit wiggy. |
| picture coming soon |
Buzz Rozwell At the heart of Upstairs Recordings operations sits Buzz Rozwell, in a comfortable chair. In front of him is the computer at which he creates all things visual for the record label and its artists. However, Rozwell is not merely head of visual design and communications at Upstairs Recordings. Never satisfied with solely visual pursuits, Rozwell has always tried to blend his unique visual style with the sounds of modern music. he is resident DJ at the long running Upstairs Soundsystem night at Ginger 62 club/lounge in Vancouver. Rozwell has also played the ever growing Big Chill festival for the last 3 years running: 2002 in Greece, 2003 & 04 at the Eastnor Castle location in the UK. |
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DJ Will Sugar [produces as: the Kinetic Kid] Deep within the walls of the smoke filled Nerve Center, the Kinetic Kid paces the room amongst computers and cables, past piles of comedy and documentary videos, and 99-cent records. Conducting the air while twisting knobs and tapping his feet, he focusses his bloodshot eyes on the last sip of red wine sitting on top of the glowing television. It is here where this culture vulture collects and assembles the audio code. Using his abilities on various instruments as well as soundjacking signals intercepted by the Nerve Center Satellite he creates his own hybrid vision of audio bliss. A world of beauty where the bass resonates through your bones and the beats keep your head in check. Whilst encouraging listeners to recline and settle into his deep, smooth and soothing sound he still manages to put the snap in your neck. |
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DJ Jon O’Neil [produces as: pom] Jon O’ Neil floated into the Upstairs sphere riding a warm zephyr one pleasant spring evening. It was somewhere around April 2002, while Upstairs was compiling their Blue Light One compilation. Soon his music was washing gently over the furniture in Upstairs Studios, and bubbling out the windows. Jon does not play favourite to a particular tempo. He has a truly eclectic ear, and as a DJ weaves seamless sets drawing from a wide variety of influences. He takes pleasure in keeping a room listening and moving, showing a sense for listeners’ moods while still satisfying his own musical appetite. In the studio, Jon draws influences from such varied producers as Larry Heard, LTJ Bukem, Brian Eno, Rodney Jerkins and |
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