To paraphrase the press release that came along with the double cassette benefit comp Electric Temple recently put together, for most musicians in the experimental music scene, Japan is a place of sacred innovation, inimitable soul, and a relentless discipline unlike any other country. That concept paired with the unimaginable devastation that has ravaged the country has resulted in this immense collection of bands we love.
Gaman: A Ceremony for Japan is a 24 track, two cassette offering that includes Sic Alps, Amen Dunes, Forma, GDFX, Loren Conners, Glenn Jones, Steve Gunn, and ET founder John Bohannon's own Ancient Ocean project among it's confines. The track listing aside, this compilation is worthy of your purchase because you'll know 100% of the proceeds will go to Shelterbox, an organization that provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most.
Electric Temple has offered up the Sic Alps track as a free offering, which you can check out below. But we highly suggest you skedaddle over to their Tumblr to pick up a physical copy or their Bandcamp for the digital. Consider it two less beers in your stomach for a good cause.
Gaman: A Ceremony for Japan tracklisting:
Cassette 1:
Animal Hospital, “Dreams”
William Fowler Collins, “Autumn Lights”
High aura'd, “Methodist Bells”
Phantom Family Halo, “Guns and Violens”
Steven R. Smith, “Regen Volt”
Glenn Jones, “Portland Cement Factory”
Angel Olsen, “She Came and She Touched Me”
Pete Stampfel and Eli Smith, “Castor and Pollux”
Zelienople, “Smoked”
Lee Noble, “August”
Loren Connors, “Yesterday and Today”
Cassette 2:
Forma, “FORMA 178”
GDFX, “Forever a Bone”
Reuben Son, “Dancing into Sandtraps”
Ancient Ocean, “New Rising Sun”
Sic Alps, “Anasazi Chemist”
Herbcraft, “Sunset Glow”
The North Sea, “Sugar”
Clearing, “Untitled”
Amen Dunes, “Lower Class”
Heavy Hymns, “Prayer”
Swati (David First)
Rambutan, “The Kingfisher”
Steve Gunn, “Taksim II (Live in Montreal)”
