The ‘Everyday Mysteries Part 1’ EP features four tracks, ‘Sleep Disturbance’ by Alexander Church complemented with the remix from Nolan, and collaborative track ‘Mountain Tops’ by Alexander Church & James Welsh complemented with the remix from Chris Cargo.

Read a message from the label boss Alexander Church.

“2024 will ...]]> Configurations Of Self launch new EP series ‘Everyday Mysteries’.

The ‘Everyday Mysteries Part 1’ EP features four tracks, ‘Sleep Disturbance’ by Alexander Church complemented with the remix from Nolan, and collaborative track ‘Mountain Tops’ by Alexander Church & James Welsh complemented with the remix from Chris Cargo.

Read a message from the label boss Alexander Church.

“2024 will see a series of ten releases from Configurations of Self, based on the theme of Everyday Mysteries and existential meaning influenced by Emmy Van Duerzen. The series emphasises the problems of everyday living and human dilemmas that develop as we navigate life and our own existence. Each release has a message attached, and the message forms the basis of each of the tracks. I do not want to write about each track, as you can listen to them and make your own mind up about them.

Across the ten parts, artists such as James Welsh, Nolan, Vincenzo, Chris Cargo, Lloyd Barwood, Echomen, Tim French, and juSt b will collaborate, remix, and provide originals. The first three releases have been created using the SOMA Terra synthesiser due to its organic feel. The melodic content within the tracks has been recorded by lakes and mountains and processed in the studio.

The message in part 1 is by Kierkegaard, who talks about how we as individuals sometimes do not accept ourselves, we are maybe able to appear in different ways, do different things and look different or even think in different ways, but deep down, essentially there is only one entity that remains the same. It is that entity that can be called ourselves, and that is who we are at our core. Kierkegaard argues that we spend so much time avoiding who we are and trying to fit into a box that we feel is accepted in a materialist society. I am hoping the message in each release may help people think about their lives and ask questions of themselves about making any changes if needed.

It is important to me that Configurations of Self stays true to its roots of creating music that has a psychological meaning and is connected to my work that supports people with their mental and emotional well-being.”

We are presenting Chris Cargo’s remix of ‘Mountain Tops’.

‘Everyday Mysteries Part 1’ EP will be available after the 18th of March HERE.

Alexander Church is an adventurous artist who has been on the scene since the mid-nineties. He has made everything from melodic soundscapes to industrial techno under a range of aliases and always draws ...]]> Following five previous collborations, Alexander Church and James Welsh come together once more for a split EP on Church’s Configurations Of Self label.

Alexander Church is an adventurous artist who has been on the scene since the mid-nineties. He has made everything from melodic soundscapes to industrial techno under a range of aliases and always draws inspiration from his own deep thinking and desire to tell a personal story. This time he calls on vocalist Rebekah K to add a different dimension to his sounds.

First up is the fantastic ‘Feel This Way (Vocal Mix)’ which has a spine-tingling performance from Rebekah K who adds real soul to the sleek, Detroit-style techno below. It’s an expansive tune that brings real emotion. The dub is just as effective with a more sparingly used vocal glowing over the futurist grooves.

Former post-punk band member James Welsh is a versatile producer who is hard to pin down. He has made everything from bass to techno on labels like Futureboogie and Phantasy Sound and has worked with Alexander Church on a strong series of EPs in recent times. In solo mode he offers ‘Wynken’, a melancholic masterpiece with sombre chords and a tender vocal buried deep. The punchy drums have soft edges and the whole track encourages serious inward reflection while you dance.

Alexander Church and Rebekah K then offer ‘Stay’, a seven-minute track on loopy drums that rock back and forth with metallic percussion and bathed in cinematic synths. The vocal brings tenderness to this most widescreen of electronic sounds while the dub drives more directly. James Welsh closes the EP with ‘RJIW’, a deep, symphonic but driving cut with smooth vocals and heartfelt chords. It’s a hi-tek soul track that sweeps you up and carries you away on a zoned-out vibe.

This varied EP is another high-water mark for Alexander Church & James Welsh.

We are presenting James Welsh’s ‘Wynken’.

‘Configurations 17’ EP will be available after the 26th of September HERE.

Alexander Church is an adventurous artist who has been in the scene since the mid-nineties. He has made everything from melodic soundscapes to industrial techno under a range of aliases and always draws ...]]> Alexander Church continues to establish his vital Configurations of Self label with a new collaborative project with James Welsh, ‘Exploring Fear & Sadness’.

Alexander Church is an adventurous artist who has been in the scene since the mid-nineties. He has made everything from melodic soundscapes to industrial techno under a range of aliases and always draws inspiration from his own deep thinking and desire to tell a personal story.

This new project, ‘Exploring Fear & Sadness’, is an introduction to a series of collaborations between Church and James Welsh. This is Part 1, with Part 2 coming a month later and two further EPs later in 2020 which will aim to highlight PTSD through music and a VR experience.

“Each track in this series aims to propel the listener into different thoughts and experiences aimed at exploring our own fears and sadness” says Church.

We are presenting the second track, James Welsh version of ‘Grief & Loss’.

James Welsh has been making inventive electronic sounds on labels like Phantasy Sounds, among others for many years. He always layers up enveloping bass and skyward synths into highly intoxicating and avant garde tracks. Here he reworks ‘Grief & Loss’ into a cosmic techno adventure with hi-tek soul and intricately layered synths all soaring and gliding.

‘Exploring Fear & Sadness Part 1’ EP will be available after the 10th of March HERE.

James Welsh [SC | FB]

Configuration Of Self [SC | FB | WEB]