Cassette Culture

1980’s cassette networking branched out into independent radio shows, physical meet ups and gigs. For 14 years Sandy Nys ran his radio show on Antwerp's Radio Centraal, amplifying and connecting the scene. Through these connections, he ran his 3RioArt label, launched Belgian EBM influencers, The Klinik and later, electronic ritual collective, Hybryds. Mindscan Tapes label owner Rob Maycock talks about quickly building international networks and collaborations with Treble King in the USA and Nostalgia Eternelle in France, plus his connection to a 1988 release on the fledgling Cold Spring label. Discogs stalker, Internet Detective and Infinite Expanse founder, Tom Gibbs makes progress in his contemporary search for the elusive Omega Ensemble members. Hosted by Martin Franklin & Hudson Graham. Guests: Sandy Nys/HybrydsRob Maycock/Mindscan TapesTom Gibbs/Infinite Expanse Featured Music: Remarimba "B Bag" (Cordelia Records Sampler 4th Ed.) 1989Omega Ensemble "Piece 1" (Demo) 1988"Intro" (Aural Augasm #7)Attrition "Beast Of Burden" (International Audio Communication Vol#1) 1983Satori "23 Voodoo" (Mindscan Tapes) 1988   "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989​-​90" cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse, 2024https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com Podcast Produced by Martin Franklin/East Coast Studio (http://eastcoaststudio.com.au)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Gears (Pharoah Chromium Sound/The Happy Citizen), Richard Talbot (Marconi Union) and Tom Gibbs, (Infinite Expanse) take us further down the rabbit hole in this episode. We even got hold of some archive radio recording from “On The Wire” on BBC Radio Lancashire in 1989. Cassette-era music comes from: Sirius B, Basie V. Webster, Marconi Union, Richter Band and Omega Ensemble First, we talk to Steve Gears, the founder of the Pharoah Chromium Sound label, who shares how he stumbled upon this vibrant community and the thrill of receiving contributions from like-minded artists through the mail. Gears recounts the collaborative spirit that fuelled the creation of his own projects, like Happy Citizen, Richard Talbot, one half of the acclaimed group Marconi Union, reveals how his chance connections in the cassette network ultimately led to the formation of the band, demonstrating the serendipitous nature of these underground musical relationships. Infinite Expanse label founder Tom Gibbs, takes us on his journey from beginning his label as a YouTube channel. Gibbs' passion for unearthing these forgotten gems leads to his quest to find the remaining members of lo-fi improvisors, the Omega Ensemble. Hosted by Martin Franklin & Hudson Graham. Guests: Steve Gears/Pharoah Chromium Sound Richard Talbot/Marconi Union Tom Gibbs/Infinite Expanse Featured Music: Sirius B "Incision" A Tender Tension (Pharoah Chrome Sound) 1989  Basie V. Webster "Untitled" A Tender Tension (Pharoah Chrome Sound) 1989 Marconi Union "The Contact" Under Wires And Searchlights (Self Released) 2003 Richter Band "Čínský Potůček / Poloviční Chytání" Smetana (Infinite Expanse) 2024 Omega Ensemble "Piece 6" Sil Lim Tao (Self Released) 1988 "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989​-​90" cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse, 2024https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com   Podcast Produced by Martin Franklin/East Coast Studio (http://eastcoaststudio.com.au)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decade before the widespread adoption of the internet, a group of artists and musicians established an underground network to share their work with kindred spirits via the mail system. Starting our story from a dark, isolated UK in the late 1980's, with mass youth unemployment. We take a journey with some key figures from the Cassette Scene, who provide a firsthand account of the collaborative spirit and sense of discovery that permeated the cassette culture scene. Guests: Martin Franklin/SoundImage TapesDon Campau/No PidgeonholesSandy Nys/HybrydsRichard Talbot/Marconi UnionRob Maycock/Mindscan Tapes Featured Music: "This is Concrete" by The Happy Citizen (A Tender Tension, Pharoah Chromium Sound, 1990)"Untitled" by Vitamin B12 (Premonitions, SoundImage Tapes, 1990)"Piece 6" by The Omega Ensemble (Omega Ensemble)"Sahara" by Richard Talbot (Devices & Desires, SoundImage Tapes 1991) "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989​-​90" cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse 2024https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking the DIY message of Punk as a jumping off point, our travel through the underground cassette network departs from the bleak 1980's Thatcher-era UK, community radio and fanzines, and all points in a journey to a thriving self sustaining culture.  Communication was valued over commerce. For two decades the international mail system fostered a network of underground artists, exchanging cassette tapes of music and homemade artwork under the radar of main stream media. We track down some key figures in the cassette scene, and follow the web of connections outward from the UK around the world, mapping the impacts and their ongoing effects. We speak with musicians, label runners, and fanzine writers, who share their experiences of connecting through the mail system and its ongoing effects on their lives. Notes:In this episode you hear the voices of Don Campau, Rob Maycock, Sandy Nys.Presented by Martin Franklin & Hudson Graham.Music by: The Happy Citizen, The Vitamin B12, Omega Ensemble, Attrition, Richter Band. "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989​-​90" cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse, 2024https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com Podcast produced by Martin Franklin/East Coast Studio (https://eastcoaststudio.com.au)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.