Kasper van Hoek
Minerva

LP (28:34 min.)
Self-released 2006
100 of 300 ex.

Compilation with tracks recorded during the time Kasper van Hoek spent at Minerva (Academy for fine arts).
The first 100 copies are hand numbered, lino-cut covers with various designs.

Tracklist:
A1: Drone 1 (download) A2: Turntablism A3: Ongehoord A4: (Untitled02) A5: Drone 3 B1: Composition For Pick-up's And Vodka B2: Music For Modern Dance B3: Medley B4: Avoid Audio Collage


Reviews:

Gonzo (Circus) by Peter Vercauteren

Honderdtachtig gram zwaar vinyl in plaats van een netjes ingebonden thesis. Het afstudeerwerk voor de kunstacademie (Minerva, Groningen) van Kasper van Hoek ligt beter in onze hand dan de gemiddelde scriptie. Van Hoek houdt van defecte apparatuur (tapedecks, draaitafels, effectenpedalen enzovoort) waarmee hij geluiden produceert die het midden houden tussen drones en pure noise.
Door vooal met loops te werken, worden warme boventonen en ritmes gecreƫerd waardoor van Hoek aan de lichter verteerbare (zelf spreekt hij van vriendelijke) kant van het lawaaispectrum blijft. Vooral de elpee (gelimiteerd op 300 exemplaren) is een schot in de roos. 'Minerva' deed ons aangenaam terugdenken aan onze eerste kennismakingen met de Holladse noise van onder andere Kapotte Muziek en DVA Met DVA Nichts.


Vital Weekly by Frans de Waard

In the past we reviewed some of Kasper van Hoek self-released CDR releases (Vital Weekly 478 and 488), when he was still in art-school. The art-academy Minerva to be precise, where Van Hoek studied painting and sound. Now he graduated and his final work is the release of this LP, a classic, limited edition of 300 copies of which the first 100 have hand-made covers, the test for making collectors items in years to come.
This LP contains nine compositions made during his art-academy years (and probably found their way to his older CDR releases).
Van Hoek uses old cassette players, turntables, speakers, microphones, mixers and in the studio the computer, using field recordings as their source, but also feedback generated sound. With these sources and appliances he creates short loops, that however do not always work in a rhythmical way.
In his music Van Hoek crosses the lines between the non rhythmic Pan Sonic, and combines it with nice, but not all too harsh noise and leap frogs into the world of drone. His use of loops prevents this to be much in the world of musique concrete, but there too lies some of his interest.
His recording techniques are still somewhat crude and could use some refinement, throughout this is a most enjoyable album of experimental music. The first step has been made, now playing live and getting around is to be the next.