In 2008, Medio Mutante built a cult following on the strength of its Inestable 12″ EP on Minimal Wave sub label Cititrax. With little follow-up Medio Mutante dissipated, but one member José Cota found a second life as SSLEEPERHOLD. Cota's new indentity is aplty coined as the synths are less of a pop and world beat variety. These are a heavy, ominous Carpenter scores from the 80s fed through a slight impulse towards Human League's new wave origins.
“Timeghosts I” borders on the lighter side of dark wave. There's a lingering spooky backdrop, but the breakbeat percussion works against the terror. It's not quite “bring your square friend to goth night”, but Cota's production aims for accessbility over the indulgence of ambient soundtrack with no budget for a slasher flick. The Ruleth LP explores with little limitation as Cota's interest in 80s horror soundtracks does not dominate the atmosphere. SSLEEPERHOLD fuses heavy metal, new wave, industrial, field recordings, and even drone (we'd also like to note “Ashes” which reminds of us of cheesy 80s action soundtrack work, but in a revival state similar to Walsh's “Days of Thunder” and Alpaca's “FYNC”) into the darkened fold, but without caution or fear.
SSLEEPERHOLD's Ruleth LP/CS is out October 15 on Holodeck.
Holodeck Tour w/ Troller:
October
13 Austin, Tx ***SSLEEPERHOLD LP Release Show*** @Red7 w/Boy Friend + tba (note: Troller will not be playing this one)
16 Slat Lake City, UT @Club Metro w/Cerci
18 Portland, OR @The Lovecraft Bar – “Perforce” w/Sharpie and Musique Plastique
19 Eugene, OR @Eugene Storefront Art Project w/Juice Machine, I Died, Hobby Knife, and Regosphere
20 Seattle, WA @The Therapy Lounge w/Airport and Hair and Space Museum
22 Sacramento, CA @Lowbrau – “Le Twist Tuesday”
23 San Francisco, CA @The Elbo Room – “Bodyshock”
24 Oakland, CA @Night Light w/ Worker/Parasite + DJ Sets from Justin Anastasi of The Soft Moon and Russell Butler of Black Jeans
26 Pioneertown, CA (in Joshua Tree Nat'l Park) @Boulder Gardens – 'Sup Magazine's “Day in the Desert II” w/ Health, Mark McGuire, S U R V I V E, Spacin', and PROSTITUTES
27 Los Angeles, CA @The Echo – PTP's “Goth Ball” w/Lebanon Hanover, S U R V I V E, and Selofan (note: Troller will not be on this bill)
