Latest releases: Lapsed Pacifist / Hypatia, Theef / Sun & Smoke

Catch up on releases from two new label artists

ASIP HQ is in boxes in a storage facility after my move from California to Oregon. No longer, can we be called an “LA-based label…”. Although, I rarely knew what they signified given we didn’t have a local presence outside of a couple of shows. The label has moved from London to Portland, to Los Angeles back to Oregon (tbc on exact coordinates) across its decade-plus existence. So maybe we can be called a “Globe-trotting based label…” now ;-)

Two releases have hit the airwaves since the last update on here, and both follow a similar theme of resurrecting music that might have otherwise fallen to the wayside.

The first comes from Lapsed Pacifist, a lovely chap from the UK who has been part of the ASIP world for many years due to his inclusion in todos’ Kilchurn Sessions mixes. Colin and todos are good friends, and it was todos who introduced me to Colin’s music all those moons ago.

After years of pining after his music under his alias, Negative Neutron (go check it out here), Colin dropped a new alias on Bandcamp as a self-release… Lapsed Pacifist. After listening to Hypatia and seeing it get minimal support (like many, Colin does it for the love, not for attention) I saw the perfect opportunity to work together and present it as a full release on ASIP and share the brilliant album with more people. I made Colin pull the release and wait over a year to get the vinyl ready… (!)

Hypatia was mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri, and features artwork by Noah M / Keep Adding. A few copies of the 12” remain on Bandcamp, with others popping up at stores globally. UK and EU folk can grab it at Space Cadets.

~

Our latest release, announced this week, comes from Greek artist Theef.

Greek artist Theef found music to be a sanctuary that provided him with energy and inspiration throughout his early years. His love for music grew deeper with his discovery of electronic music, where the limitless possibilities of synths captivated his imagination. Inspired by the generosity of the music scene and the profound impact of artists he had never met, Theef began his journey into music production. He explored various genres, experimented, and spent time ghost-producing to build a minimal studio. His creative process remains driven by a desire to express himself freely, but with his spare time now limited, he is mindful to keep his musical pursuits unforced.

“Sun & Smoke" began life as a mixtape on Soundcloud and Youtube, which I stumbled across many years ago. It became a late-night solace for me when needing 2hrs of euphoric escape. It represented the perfect, hypnotic techno journey; never too hard; always interesting; multiple subtle styles included verging on house and trance; and above all, each track delivered something magical as it moved through its 2hr length.

I reached out to Theef on Soundcloud, not expecting much (have you ever used Soundcloud messages?!) but here we are today… a release happened and I couldn’t be more excited.

The appeal of Sun & Smoke can be found in its purity. Built with no intention or audience in mind, the album traverses core elements of deep techno, trance and downtempo. Progressive atmosphere building, addictive underlying grooves, and expansive moments of euphoria; as a mixtape, Sun & Smoke is a zero-visibility haze of eyes-closed, body-moving, forward momentum. As an album, each track is now allowed the space to deliver on its own defining atmosphere. 

From the ambient leaning beginnings of Sky Textures and the title track, Sun & Smoke, to the electro tinges of Primal Age, and the metallic swirls and glistening synths in Approaching Stars, the parts now have the chance to become greater than the sum of its original whole. 

The 2LP is now available to preorder, and Bandcamp copies will undoubtedly sell out shortly thanks to an amazing first week (And I don’t think the Traumprinz/Giegling hardcore have stumbled across it yet - of which it draws very similar parallels). You can also find copies in stores and with our UK/EU distributor/store, Space Cadets.

We enlisted Giuseppe Tillieci on mastering duties (Neel, Voices From The Lake) keeping the mystical, deep techno approach strong. For the artwork, I wanted to replicate the same image Theef used on the original mix and found a perfect replacement from Juan Fernandez, which I edited slightly to make work on the front and inside gatefold.

Join us on May 19th for a full Bandcamp listening session where we will dive into each track and revisit the full 2hr mix in full. Full release will arrive on May 24th.

~

Coming soon, we have return albums by two significant ASIP legends, who will see us over the ASIPV050 milestone.