Christian Mirande – Fear Of Flying
9.16.15 by Jacob DeRaadt

Christian Mirande is a new sound artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some cursory research revealed that he’s a pilot in training for the United States Air Force, thus the ironic title of this release. However, there’s a clear vision presented here on this cassette that is undeniable.

The use of stereo delay and organic sounds in varying acoustic environments really works as an audio diary of travelling. The listener begins to question the situation in which they’ve been placed. Juxtapositions of textures both brittle and soft, up close and far away. Gentle tones glide into an airplane runway. An interruption of small rocks tumbling around plastic containers. There’s also an impressive use of silence, and near-silent passages. Great transitions on this one: Gradual shifts as well as sudden jolts into a new landscape. No sound lasts longer than a minute or two, which lends itself to a vaguely episodic feel. There seems to be almost varying biases to the field recordings. Again, I’m not sure if the artist is utilizing analog or digital gear in this process, but ultimately the mystery of the recording process has this listener mystified.

“Pierced Steel/Heron” shows signs of layering various sounds to make a complex narrative. We’re not talking classic-era music concrete here but the fashion in which the elements crawl in and out of the ether are sublime. “Com Cycle” stood out as the strongest work on this cassette. Brief bursts of juxtaposing dark matter colliding in the recesses of an old mind. One of my favorite elements is ever-present here: The sound of empty rooms with some mistaken ambient sonic event happening outside the window. The edge of perception degrades, the rust belt of the magnetic tape reel rolls to reveal a subtle intention.

This careful assemblage of field recordings is essential for anyone longing to hear more sonic detritus in the vein of Jason Lescalleet, Justin Meyer’s earlier eponymous works for tape, or Jeph Jerman’s more sparse works.

“Fear Of Flying” is available from Mistake By The Lake in an edition of 35 copies.