Name: Happenings and Killings
Brand: Joe Volk

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

grcd856

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Colour details

Discogs ID

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Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2016-02-19

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Shellshock

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Joe Volk

Genre GB

Singer Songwriter

Label GB

Glitterhouse

Glitterhouse is a music label owned by Reinhard Holstein. Founded in 1981 by Holstein and Rembert Stiewe, the label started as a fanzine called "The Glitterhouse" that focused on 60's garage and psychedelia, punk extensions, weirdo folk, and similar genres. Over the years, Glitterhouse has released music from German artists such as *Surfin' Dead*, *The Strangemen*, and *Shiny Gnomes*. In 1987, Glitterhouse began a cooperation with Seattle-based record label Sub Pop, which led to increased popularity and market position for both labels. This partnership allowed Glitterhouse to distribute records from bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden in Europe.

In addition to working with Sub Pop, Glitterhouse also distributed products from Amphetamine Reptile Records in Europe. However, this collaboration ended when Glitterhouse no longer identified with the musical content of the American noise label. Despite this setback, Glitterhouse continued to publish its own signings including *Monster Magnet*, *Sylvia Juncosa*, *Sister Double Happiness*, and *Bitch Magnet*.

Since 1994, Glitterhouse has expanded its roster to include alternative rock bands from Scandinavia and England. The label now covers a wide range of musical styles including widescreen-pop, indie-electronica, avant-garde, dark indie folk, rock,

Happenings and Killings is the latest work from​ Bristolian gone Swiss solo artist Joe Volk. He was one of the first musicians signed to Invada records, headed by Portishead's Geoff Barrow, and has had over 13 releases on the label. Joe Volk was the original singer and lyricist in the band Crippled Black Phoenix, and was signed to Domino Publishing with Justin Greaves as sole songwriters of the band. After six studio albums, one live album and several EP's, Volk left the group to focus his energy on his solo material.  On the new album, Volk worked closely with the Emmy nominated composer Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow (the songwriting partnership behind the soundtrack to Alex Garland's 2015 film 'Ex Machina'), with both being credited as additional producers along with Volk. The album was mixed by Joe Volk and Jim Barr (Portishead / Get The Blessing), as well as the musician and artist Leafcutter John. The album features the three producers, along with Jim Barr, Billy Fuller (Robert Plant, BEAK&gt;), Adrian Utley (Portishead), Mark Ophidian (US / Animals With Machinery), Guy Metcalfe (Thought Forms), Leafcutter John, Luke Harney (Typesun) and a collection of other musicians, all active in the Bristol music scene. The spectrum of the album is broad, ranging from low-fi acoustic pieces featuring subtle analogue electronics from Ophidian and instrumentation from Salisbury, to more realised tracks, layered with Volks harmonies and intricate guitar work with backing from Fuller and Barrow, who constitute the rhythm section of the band Beak&gt;. There is a track featuring a full orchestral score by Ben Salisbury, played by the Bristol Ensemble Orchestra, with a haunting accompaniment by Volk on acoustic guitar and voice, and then, again in contrast, there are tracks at 120 BMP with programmed drums, bass, analogue synths, electric guitars, samples and electronics, with Volk pushing his voice to new extremes for his solo work. This is an album with a broad scope of sounds, styles and influences, yet it manages to translate into a cohesive body of work. The common thread running throughout is the instantly recognisable guitar playing and voice of Volk, which is uniquely complemented by the different musicianship that is bought to each track from the wide array of artists from different genres that he worked with. After leaving Crippled Black Phoenix in 2013, Volk teamed up with the experimental Japanese band Boris to release a split 12" EP. Volk wrote, recorded and produced his tracks, and the EP was released to widespread critical acclaim. He toured the UK and Europe with Boris, and since this tour, he has been completing work on his new album in Switzerland. Volk is also a composer, having written scores for independent European and British short films. He has had his material used by the BBC, HBO and had commissions from National Geographic. Volk contributed music to the Academy Award nominated documentary on Bristol street artist Banksy, entitled "Exit Through The Gift Shop".

Happenings and Killings

Music GB