Tomentum Totem is an essential compilation of Jüppala Kääpiö’s kaleidoscopic works, from 2007 until early 2010.
"Zephyr" is taken from a home session in September 2007 in Gatineau (Canada). "Momonga Ornament" is taken from a home recording session in July 2009 in Vevey (Switzerland). "Tomentum Totem - A Center of Steam" is a part of a concert in February 2010 in Bern (Switzerland).
"Sonic Wandering Contes” or “Lamellate Folklore" on the first CD "Sporing Promenade” and Psychedelic Drone on the first LP "Rainbow Mask" are now unified, and they are drawing brilliantly coloured sonic mandala upon the altitudes of the Alps.
In the folded jacket of the cassette case, a blue momonga by Carole is flying over a flowery embroidery from Kazakhstan, which is spread over the Lake Leman.
Our first album "Sporing Promenade" was mostly produced in Canada during our stay in the second half part of 2007.
While strolling in the vast forest, we made a lot of recordings in the environmental sound by handy instruments, such as kalimba, flute, pitch pipe, also various objects such as nuts, stones that we found on the way, as well as our voice.
Then we made 'spontaneous compositions' with instruments such as viola, zither, melodica and effect pedals at home, along with the impression of our strolling and recordings from the forest. Those became the basis of this album.
A part of the recordings, from a concert in Montreal which was made with the same concept, and our first session in Geneva in Autumn 2006, were added to the basis. Then, this album was compiled as the first document of our collaboration.
Folk, Post Rock, Classic : that were Carole’ main influences. Drone, Ambient, Noise, Ethnic Music : that became the basis of Hitoshi's activity as a sound artist.
We think that our quite intuitive way of blending those influences caused this album to obtain a unique style.
The folded aspect of layered various sounds reminded us lamellae of mushrooms. So, we call our music "Lamellate Folklore" since those days.
The album were also visually enriched by the photos of plants, animals, landscapes that we took in Canada, Carole's stuffed dolls and Hitoshi's drawings, which are contained in a gatefold package and a 12 pages booklet.
We would be delighted if the people who obtains this album actually visit forests, and experience their own "Sporing Promenade" there.
"Rainbow Mask" is a 12" record which contains a long piece on each side. The sound was originally taken from our first session in Geneva in Autumn 2006.
Hitoshi processed Carole's viola and voice thorough various effectors in realtime. And we kept playing until the studio space was totally filled with our harmony and noises.
Although the sound was quite rough, the experience in the space was strong enough to impress ourselves.
("Lunastus" in "Sporing Promenade" is also taken from a part of the session in the same day.)
We have listened, edited and forgotten the recording, again and again. Then finally the brewed results were contained in this record.
The process often happens during Hitoshi’s sound work. He seriously considers the effect as 'sound fermentation', that increases the astringency and richness of the sound, even if it's in decaying process.
Side A is a noisy psychedelic drone music which is closer to the original session. It may remind you some of Hitoshi's work, as "Spiracle" (if you know the name).
Side B is a quiet work, like an ambient music. We played piano together while listening to the original session, and Carole acoustically overdubbed viola tracks afterwards. Then, the sound of the original session was mostly removed.
This side sounds nice by 45 rpm as well.
The mask on the cover was made by Carole, when she was 12 years old. The titles of each piece were also borrowed from this innocent craziness.
How about our "rainbow fermentation technique" which comes from the country of cheese and wine 'Switzerland', and the country of natto (fermented soybeans) and sake 'Japan'?
This compilation contains a Jüppala Kääpiö's short track.
Other features are Bury My Heart (Clayton Noone), Ashtray Navigations, Eyes Like Saucers, RST, Valerio Cosi, Renato Rinaldi, Shelter Death, and Bosch's With You.
