dæmons

Gig this Saturday night!

Constructed from recordings of a vinyl printer and produced for Not A Teepee Collective  - No Instruments.

The beauty of spider webs http://davidofficerphotography.co.uk/the-beauty-of-spiderwebs/ #nature #spiders #macro

Top bookage! Yasss.

This is a cracking record that you should all buy

Not celebrities, not politicians, but people from Scotland explaining why they believe in Independence. It's glorious.

This is a pretty great project!

Fram was created earlier this year in a project inspired by Roald Amundsen and Captain Scott's race to the South Pole and the physical release of the vinyl was made possible by a successful Kickstarter campaign which drew support from the Fram Museum in Oslo and led to a performance in front of the King and Prime Minister of Norway at the opening of the new Gjøa building at the museum. Dæmons (prounced the same as demons) is the alter-ego of Aberdeenshire musician and artist David Officer, who lives in Stonehaven.  He explores sound, culture and imagery using field recordings, manipulations and synthesizers alongside photography, drawing and other forms of visual art.  The 'Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration' spanned the years 1897 - 1922 and included some of the most famous explorers who ever lived.  Men like Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen.   It was a period where spirit and will were deemed more admirable than technical proficiency.  A line of thought which no doubt contributed to the demise of many men.  The most famous expeditions were Roald Amundsen's South Pole Expedition and the Terra Nova Expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott.  These were the two expeditions which inspired Fram.  The record takes it's name from the ship which Amundsen used to reach the Antarctic - Fram (forward).  They made basecamp at the Bay of Whales and it was soon renamed Framheim - the home of Fram.  Both stories are inspirational, and both men were courageous leaders who battled against the elements to be pioneers.  They did it merely because it was there and they dared to explore. David explains the process behind the record: "I had decided I wanted to make a record which sounded like the Antarctic and which had a spirit of exploration about it.  It had to encompass the vast expanse of the Antarctic plateau while also capturing the tension present in both camps.  To do this I used synths and manipulations of acoustic recordings to create the desired atmosphere.  I wanted it to have a cold feeling so I focused on electronic rhythms and harsh synths.  One track opens with a recording of gale force winds battering the listener before a sinister bassline summons the spirit of exploration and a stiff upper lip, signalling the demise of Scott. The record finishes with Heim.  An exploration of relief and regret.  Amundsen had accomplished his goal and was on his way back home.  There he was told the news of Scott's tragic death." Fram is available as digital download and ltd edition heavyweight vinyl via Daemons website or bandcamp page.

2nd piece for the Year of Natural Scotland themed open exhibition at Woodend Barn.

For Woodend Barn Naturally Square exhibition.

I'm fair chuffed that Lesley got where I was coming from with this project and that it came across through the music.  That's all I ever hoped for really.

Released on 11th November 2013

Came back from holiday to three boxes of records. Huzzah! Will start sending them out tomorrow!