#hangedup

Kicker in Tow Hangedup 2002, Constellation (Bandcamp)

Hangedup were the twelfth band signed to Montreal’s Constellation Records, and they’re emblematic of the city’s experimental music scene of the era. The general Godspeed You Black Emperor! cinematic universe was basically a rat king of oddly-named projects involving the same twenty or thirty musicians, so you understandably hear a lot of the shared DNA between them. Hangedup are of the string and percussion sturm und drang branch, and despite being a mere duo they manage to kick up a racket that rivals the ten-piece Godspeed at their most frenetic.

Kicker in Tow is pretty evenly split between sparse, rusty free improvisations and songs to soundtrack being chased by steam-driven automata with moustaches and Romanian accents. Drummer Eric Craven plays like an absolute maniac on a kit that sounds like it was Frankensteined out of the bicycle cemetery he hoarded in his backyard. Violinist Genevieve Heistek keeps up with him, bombastically sawing away at her amplified instrument, often with the recursive aid of a looping pedal. These guys were probably a mesmerizing live act, and the unobtrusive production makes it easy to close your eyes and pretend you’re there.

I bought my copy second-hand, and it still contained the circa-2002 Constellation catalogue booklet pictured here inside. Reading it was a reminder of how special a label Constellation has been for more than 25 years now. Of Godspeed’s F♯ A♯ ∞ the booklet notes, “This record remains in print, with hand-glued covers & insert envelope including blueprint & crushed penny. Do not pay ‘collector’ prices for this release.” That’s still true as of 2023 (and in fact as I understand it the label will buy pennies off you if you’re in Montreal and have any lying around, as Canada discontinued their production in 2012). I was talking to a friend at the bar the other day who has a record out with Constellation, and they mentioned how important it was to them when signing to know the label has kept its entire catalogue in print since day one. I can only imagine how much of a pain in the ass this must be to manage, given the bespoke nature of their releases’ packaging, but it speaks to their dedication to their artists and their fans. They, and even their lesser-known acts like Hangedup, are a big reason a lot of people I like ended up in this city. For that I thank them.

Monday Art – Moon Gear

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Monday Art – Moon Gear

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