Free Music Archive - Noise Problems Blog

Noise Problems 50th Release

2013-05-08T18:14:44-04:00

Celebrating 50 releases on Noise Problems we decided to throw a party. For the 50th release we decided to record that party. The Secret Love Parade returns to Noise Problems a year after the OCCII recording from the Pageturner nr1 night, as well as NewYX formerly known as Storm from the Recipe Book night at the Winston release and introducing to Noise Probs two amazing bands Katadreuffe and Pony Pack. We are thrilled to have them complete the evening and make a fine extent to our live recordings collection.

March 11, 2011 was the date set for the event held at the OCCII in Amsterdam to celabrate the 50 releases at Noise Problems. All started quite natural recording a few nights here and there and before we knew it we had reached 50 bands on Noise Probs.

We had to do something about and decided to throw a party where we could choose the bands to record and called up some of the local Amsterdam bands we new from the scene. The Secret Love Parade were the perfect act of solid electronic beats and postmodern pop melodies to kick things off and set a mood for the evening. New YX where also known to us. Their sound is dary, a fusion of danceable electro and post-rock tunes great to make the transition to the loud part of the night.

Soon after Noise Problems debutants Pony Pack made the crowd move and the heat to rise with fiery guitar riffs. Katadreuffe sealed it by combining most of the above elements into their noisy, post-punkish (massive) sound wave which enveloped everyone in the place into a tight hug.

Also for the occasion of the 50th release a compilation was issued to commemorate. Its 23 tracks are available in 6 volumes for download here at the FMA. Great tracks selected from amongst the first 50 Noise Problems releases. Check out the Selections too. All shows were recorded live between 2007 and 2010 at various Amsterdam venues.

Imperial Tiger Orchestra´s Raphael Anker

2013-05-14T08:51:21-04:00

Stress.fm and Noise Problems caught up with Raphael Anker trumpetist and founder of the Imperial Tiger Orchestra, Geneva´s own Ethiopian music band, at the FMMSines World Music Festival in Portugal last summer.

With Malinese songstress Oumou Sangare performing on the background we spoke to Raphael about some of the main ideas behind his project, Ethiopian music and culture and about the crisis in Europe.

What have Imperial Tiger been doing this last few months?

There are two diferent things now. Weve been working with Hamelmal Abate which is a great singer from Ethiopia and we also have an instrumental project in a sextet. We are working on these two projects always based on Ethiopian music.

We have seen you talk about the collection Ethiopiques. What have brought you to this culture and this country and what is your relationship with Ethiopia?

Ethiopia called me, she called me (laughing). A friend was traveling in Sudan and Yemen and from Sudan he had tapes from Ethiopia and when he was back to Geneva we were one evening talking till late night and he made me listen to this music and I was like uau and all that east Africa sound just attracted me. There are several different scales which are really unique and that's what attract me to it.

Have you been there recently? What is your look on the situation in terms of urban culture because we know that this music and the collection at some point was considered too popular and almost like the devils music and the government cracked down on the labels and artists so how do you feel about the coming back of this modern music?

Recently no. We been in Ethiopia two years ago with the band. Its complicated everything is related to politics, the golden age was related to Haile Selassie then was Derg and Mengistu time which was hard for music. But that was also a new start for Ethiopian music, strangely, we might think that it was a period very bad which in one way its true but in another it was also ok because many new artists emerged in this period. Ok its not as great as the big bands and what we know about the great recordings of Mahmoud Ahmed but there was also something. And this was the 80s then 90s and now 2000´s there is a lot of artists coming in and we are a bit to fixed to this golden era syndrome in everything in every music, for example in festivals music from Ghana is French Ghana from 70s retro feeling. its good because its amazing music but theres is also a lot of new musicians who are struggling…We have to be careful with the golden era syndrome which is beautiful but now 2012 we have to move forward and…voila that's what I have to say about that hehe.

Camera in Amsterdam at Solaris Festival and album debut

2013-03-12T10:38:34-04:00

From Berlin´s underground Camera is heavily influenced by 70s Krautrock bands like Neu and Can and have been playing spontaneous guerilla-like shows in U-Bahn stations all over the city. They were at Festsaal Kreuzberg opening up for the mighty Trans Am aswell as several festival appearances including performances with Neu´s very own Michael Rother. Having just debuted an album you should (if in Berlin) try and catch them live by going to one of their shows. The music is psychedelic, hypnotic and intense.

Fortunately they also travel outside the underground tunnels of Berlin and showed up last December in Amsterdam for the Solaris Fest at Plantage Dok. Noise Problems was there and caught it all on´tape. Check out the whole voyage here at the FMA. Camera rules.

The hiss, hum and buzz. The grit in the grooves. These are Noise Problems Selections

2012-06-19T20:50:29-04:00

For those new to Noise Problems is a net-label dedicated to electric and amplified music of all sorts. Many of our releases come straight from actual gig recordings and so we like to think of it also as a collection of live shows. All awesome bands are exclusively recorded by Noise Problems for all free music lovers out there and our first compilation is up.

For the occasion of the 50th release by Noise Problems a compilation was issued to commemorate. Now its 23 tracks are available in 6 volumes for download here at the FMA. Great tracks selected from amongst the first 50 Noise Problems releases. Check out the Selections. All shows recorded live between 2007 and 2010 at various Amsterdam venues except for Tzaatzuim recorded in the studio and Tchakare Kanyembe recorded at the Boom Festival.

Emma Acs live at the Festival of Endless Gratitude

2012-07-15T12:50:54-04:00

Emma Acs is Copenhagen´s very own (human). Psych-rock revivalists Emma Acs & Inbred Family brings us back that much missed psychedelic flavour one could find on pressings from such mighties as Jefferson Airplane or the Beatles. With their debut "Champagne" on the way they performed at the FoEG Festival of Endless Gratitude 2010.

The FoEG festival is now on its 3rd year and has been memorable for those who attend gaining status as´thee underground place to be that time of year in Copenhagen and beyond...Check out Emma Acs & the Inbreds live at FoEG.

Sub-culture at Purple Pop

2012-05-22T15:51:43-04:00

Purple Pop was a one time event (at least till now, you never know) held at the OCCII in Amsterdam and was seen as an alternative to...Pinkpop the major festival which this year is headlining such acts as The Cure and Bruce Springsteen. Great stuff we all love the classics but not everyone can afford it and for those fans of sub- and counter-culture they could "pick up their hearts and dance until the early hours at Purple Pop." (Pinkpop finishes at 01.00 sharp wtf?!).

Purple Pop took place on May 28, 2010 in Amsterdam. The festival was an iniciative from the producers who also organized the “Anti-Lowlands Festival" a year before, which was very successful and sold-out as a lot of people got the "anti" statement...but then a lot didn’t.

"We did Purple Pop deliberately the same weekend as Pinkpop. Were not per se anti-Pinkpop but want to offer resistance to the big commercial festivals and to give a fun place to indie bands who, like the big acts, deserve attention and showcase. The independent music scene in Amsterdam is quite small. Everyone has had enough of so little selection of authentic sub-cultural music. As with Anti-Lowlands, Purplepop is a network of like-minded people." Yes...Go Purple Pop!

The festival started early with veggie dinner at the MKZ restaurant behind the OCCII were acoustic bands where playing. Highlights went to the Suicidal Birds acoustic set of guitar and contrabass. Line up for the evening on the main stage was all awesome bands Apneu, Red the Planeeet, Pattern Cut-off and The Stutters.

Art Punk From The Netherlands' Dans l´cul Danku Festival

2012-05-29T10:22:26-04:00

Dans l´cul Danku! is a 3 day Festival held at the Sub071 Multipleks squat in Leiden, now on its second edition. Unfortunately Noise Problems couldnt attend but to celebrate and spread the good word we posted last year gigs from Theme of Laura and Les Louise Mitchels that we managed to record amidst all the DIY madness.

In their own speak Dans l´cul fest "is a DIY (do it yourself) and non benefit fest. The only purpose of this fest is to share and meet together in happiness with concerts, infostands, workshops, eat & cafe and whatever. All money done are only to cover general costs as electricity water, food, drinks, materials and cover a maximum gazcosts for the participants (bands, people giving workshops)..."

There were good vibes and good music, good food and good movies!!! It was awesome and indeed happiness was ever present. For the this years edition line-up check out the new site. From last year Theme of Laura is screaming emo-punk from Strasbourg. Les Louise Mitchels are free-rock jazz-punk from Paris. Oh la la! Dans l´cul danku!!!

And I don't care about what the prying eyes can see, i'll keep on walking without pants in the middle of this school of fish that never stop screaming; keep on dancing to not die in a life where death has more place than the laughter of fools. I'll not cry anymore and my hatred torn of my veins, thrown to the sheep, i prefer to live too much until a soon death, rather than die slowly on my shit. One more or less, you can tell about me what you want, soppy, silly, crazy, in the twisted right way or not, I would stay at attention under the banner of fools, flag I will burn before to run into the storm."

Tommy Tornado "Sunrise" followed by "Cool Down"

2012-05-18T18:19:15-04:00

Thomas "Tommy Tornado" Streutgers is a 31 year old saxophonist from The Netherlands. A saxophone player "who is so connected to his instrument that he has blown more air through his mouthpiece than he has exhalled!" At just 17 he won the Big Boss Jazz Award and has been a rising star ever since...

His first solo album "Sunrise" was released in 2009 on RRR Rude Rich Records with features from Jamaican legends like Dennis Alcapone and Winston Francis and other upcoming international artists like Osagyefo and Soulmack.

The CD release party at the Pacific Parc club in Amsterdam was memorable with Tommy Tornado and a "Dynamite" horn section performing many of his new cuts backed up by The Rude Rich & the High Notes, one of Hollands greatest reggae acts.

Check out the whole show right here at FMA Tommy Tornado live at Pacific Parc and navigate to Tommy´s website for his latest release "Cool Down".

Thorrablot: The Icelandic Viking Midwinter Festival

2012-05-18T18:19:15-04:00

"THORRABLOT" The Icelandic Viking Midwinter Festival in celebration of the end of the dark cold winter days and the arrival of light where excessive eating, drinking and dancing till dawn is a good thing. Lets celebrate this event with music by none other than Ragga Gisla and Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson.

St. Petersburg´s La Minor live in Amsterdam

2012-05-18T18:19:15-04:00

The Bayan (the Russian button accordion) pushes, the saxophone flatters and lyrics tell about gangster stories, backyard songs of love, passion, alcohol and prison.

La Minor comes from St. Petersburg, but do have a partiality for Odessa. Indeed the alleys and bars of these two cities have a lot in common with their European charm. La Minor plays cabaret and street chanson, Russian folk, jazz and klezmer. "They resurrect part of the atmosphere of the Odessa of the 20’s to 40’s. Their songs sound like musical detective stories about little rascals and tragic loves, joyful and melancholic at the same time. Thieves and police men, whores and undercover agents crowd the urban underworld of La Minor songs. The gentle-tender maternal nature of the Russian language makes the tough stories touching and timeless."

La Minor live at Pacific Parc was one fine evening and it is a fine recording. The mood transpires all over the microphones. Time seemed to stand still but the music kept on playing and the crowd dancing. So it was split into two volumes Vol.1 & Vol.2 На здоровье!

Imperial Tiger Orchestra

2012-05-18T18:19:15-04:00

Ethiopique jazz in Amsterdam Ethio Event #1. Imperial Tiger Orchestra live at the OCCII 20/11/2009.

The Cherry Blossoms

2012-06-12T04:45:30-04:00

The Cherry Blossoms live at the OCCII in the first of Hallo Gallo nights is Noise Problems #3. Check out the whole show is memorable! Thank you Blossoms!

Noise Problems at Boom Festival, Idanha-a-nova Portugal

2012-05-22T15:47:07-04:00

Noise Problems was at the 2008 issue of Boom Festival to record the Sacred Fire stage acts. Acts that ranged from Reggae, Afrobeat, Cuban, Indian to Trance Music made entirely with acoustic instruments (see: Wild Marmelade). Amazing line-up, great concerts and fantastic vibe through out the 7 day outdoor event in Idanha-a-nova, Portugal

Some shows are available at Noise Problems and also here at FMA. For an ecletic world music listen try Terrakota, music inspired by the Saharan, Caribbean, Hindu and the "Western sounds that rise under the Jamaican sun". Check out also Barcelona Afrobeat International Orchestra a colective of fine musicians featuring Danna Leese on vocals.

Noise Problems Selections Vol.1

2012-05-20T04:45:08-04:00

Check out the Noise Problems Selections cd. For the occasion of 50 releases by Noise Problems a compilation was issued to commemorate. The `Selections` cd will be available in 6 different volumes for download. Stay tuned

Noise Problems is working on compiling some of the past shows and putting it on cd. Check out Vol.1

Noise Problems Selections Vol.1

Noise Problems 50th Release

2012-05-18T18:19:16-04:00

Noise Problems has reached its 50th release. For the occasion a concert was planned with 4 exceptional Amsterdam based bands to be recorded live.

Check out Pony Pack, Katadreuffe, NewYX and The Secret Love Parade live at the OCCII March 11, 2010 on Noise Problems 50th Release party!

Hello free music fans!

2012-11-03T14:22:23-04:00

Hello free music fans.

We are thrilled to announce that Noise Problems is on the FMA. Noise Problems is a net-label dedicated to electric and amplified music of all sorts. It is also a collection of live shows. All files are uploaded at the Free Music Archive the Internet Archive and Last.fm under Creative Commons and available for free download. And we like to mention that all are scanned for virus 320kbps mp3. To listen choose a release by clicking on a thumbnail. You can use the audio players to preview and shuffle through songs. Please subscribe to the RSS feed or subscribe by submitting your email. If you wish to contact us or if you come across any broken links let us know at lowlevels[at]gmail[dot]com Thanks for visiting and play it lOUd!

About "The Free Music Archive is an interactive library of high-quality, legal audio downloads. Radio has always offered the public free access to new music. Inspired by Creative Commons and the open source software movement, the FMA provides a legal and technological framework for curators, artists, and listeners to harness the potential of music sharing."

About the Archive "The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library. Its purposes include offering permanent access for researchers, historians, scholars, people with disabilities, and the general public to historical collections that exist in digital format."

Support Noise Problems by purchasing our very first compilation cd. "Noise Problems Selections - Volumes 1 to 6" You can find it for free right here at the FMA but you could also order a quality pressing compact disc or mp3 download. Every penny will be fuelled straight back to record and put out more Noise Problems.