Faux Pas talks, releases new lp

Posted: 14 April, 2010

In just a couple of weeks, record stores around the nation will take receipt of Noiseworks, the excellent and much-awaited new full length lp from Melbourne producer and wit Tim Shiel, aka Faux Pas. After a slew of eps and remixes, Noiseworks marks Faux Pas' first long player since 2006's debut Entropy Begins At Home, and the first to be released through his new Heroics imprint (with Sensory Projects). It's worth the wait.

Put together with the help of producer/composer Franc Tétaz (Architecture in Helsinki, Wolf Creek), Noiseworks features the singles Chasing Waterfalls and Silver Line and some decidedly awesome cover art by New York-based Japanese artist Tomokazu Matsuyama. (Sadly, it doesn't feature the excellent Faux Pas remix of Noiseworks' Touch.)

In a preview of the record, Mess & Noise called Noiseworks 'a meticulously crafted collage of sound that varies from bubbling synth-pop (the delightfully erratic ‘Megasports’) to ambient slowburners (‘Minimums’). Shiel has an inability to sit still –– the album is rife with tempo changes and shifting moods –– but when he strikes that balance between melody and vision ('Chasing Waterfalls’ and ‘Silver Line’), it’s truly sublime.'

We concur. For his own part, Tim says Noiseworks is 'very much inspired by two things –– the "possibilities" of "sound"... and my own "intense emotional trajectories."' When asked what the record sounded like, Tim deferred to a 'musically literate' friend of his, who offered the following excellent track-by-track rundown:

1. Noiseworks: Sonic gateway into a new uncharted musical universe.

2. Chasing Waterfalls: A tropical summer jam –– future funk from a better tomorrow. (The Avalanches having a street party with Parliament. Special guest appearances from The Neptunes.)

3. Guillotine: Ethereal arpeggiated synth pop, and anthemic crunk orchestrations. Zomby meets UGK and the southern rap canon.

4. Vanderbilt: Slightly subdued space funk.

5. Silver Line: An expansive radiophonic workshop suite –– vintage electronics and hypnotic house rhythms –– a sound supanova in the sky.

6. Pretend Tough: Broken electro boogie and fractured funk.

7. Minimums: A minimal 8-bit meditation. Reflective atmospheric interval.

8. Megasports: Break it down! Art Of Noise on space holiday, exploring, and occasionally altering the time-continuum.

9. Heroic Jam: Crunchy compressed breaks, artfully layered noise and wistful synths.

10. Dawson Mode: Peaceful journey, slowly back to earth. Half-step rave pop.

On the eve of Noiseworks' release, we asked Tim a bunch of questions about what he's been up to, and his hopes and dreams for the future. He told us about his dream of becoming a holodeck repairmen, his awesome new shirt, and Ken Sutcliffe's secret shame/talent. 

My favourite song right now:

I can't possibly pick just one –– let's go with Parallel Dance Ensemble's 'Weight Watchers', Tim & Eric's 'Sports' and this, which makes me want to trim my facial hair and start tastefully decorating houses.

My current musical obsession:

I can't stop listening to a mix that was put together by a LA duo called Nguzunguzu. It's called 'Moments in Mixtape' and it brings together all of these different tracks that sample the epic 80s ballad 'Moments in Love' by Art of Noise. I'm really obsessed by it. It goes everywhere, while at the same time staying in exactly the one place. This mix is currently serving many functions in my life.

A great, under recognized record:

Jason Forrest, 'Shamelessly Exciting.'

At the moment, I'm reading:

The Good Soldiers by David Finkel, and Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton. I just finished reading Ken Sutcliffe's autobiography –– it was great! He's a qualified hairdresser.

Three movies everyone should see before they die:

Flight of the Navigator
Ghost Dad
The Frisco Kid

My dream collaboration would be:

Beyonce, Paul McCartney and Tony Allen. And me. And The Edge. Why not. This isn't a musical collaboration, it would probably be a gardening project. We are all wearing overalls.

My alternate, non-musical vocation would be:

Transporter chief, or holodeck repairman.

If cash/logistics were no object, I would do a tour of:

The internet.

The last thing I bought:

A brightly colored shirt that was almost instantly ridiculed by my stupid friend. I hope he's reading this. I look and feel fantastic.

Most treasured bit of gear:

My imagination. Also: ears.

Ideally, I will retire:

Yes.

Noiseworks is available for pre-order via the Faux Pas store. It will be out in shops April 24.

Pete : 14 April, 2010 - 2 Comments

• Ken is a father of three — Rachael, Simone and Scott — and grandfather to Kathleen, Patrick, Rosie, Thomas and James.

  Ken Sutcliffe | April 15, 2010

• Can you include more information about Ken Sutcliffe in future articles?
  kthx

  roy | April 15, 2010

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