DISCOGRAPHY Faux World Statik > Rek STATIK009 2008
01.Rêves agités 02.Plastic Snakes 03.Soleil d’acier 04.Sunda 05.Mécanique onirique 06.Cordes 07.Bambou 08.Fête nocturne 09.Hors champs 10.Les beautés s'ignorent 11.Eating Toys 12.Endangered Species 13.Désorienté | Réorienté 14.Orienté 15.Mirages rémanents
YOU CAN HEAR SOUND CLIPS ON THE AUDIO PAGE
Running time: 46:21 Composed & produced by Charles-Émile Beullac (2004 - 2007). Many sounds have been recorded in collaboration with Raphaël Simard - who also played some instruments (mostly percussions). Mastering: Louis Dufort Design : Yves Poulin
Press note : Galerie Stratique expands his sonic palette with a fascinating third album that floats in strange exotic ambiance made from acoustic textures.
Wonderfully primitive, the music of Faux World evokes a world culled from the mind of Charles Beullac. Four years in the making, this visceral experience is made of improbable instruments, complex rhythms, broken loops and concrete rustlings merged in a jarring audio flow.
Eschewing current standards, Galerie Stratique creates a beautiful, cathartic work of art.
File under : avantgarde / electronica For those who appreciate Four Tet, NNCK, Konono No.1 and labels like Rune Grammofon or Sublime Frequencies.
« On a trip to Indonesia, I discovered several instruments that color the sound of this album - and I also was stricken by Mefloquine, a preventive anti-malarial medication. Disturbing dreams, irrational fears, fatigue, and a perpetual state of self-alienation were some of the many side effects that nearly pushed me, a lone traveler, to the edge of a breakdown. This record, produced upon my return and under a lingering stupor, emerges from the hazy memories stowed from my Asian journey. »
Technical details : “ With Faux World I felt I had to create something different from previous albums; something that would transcend my musical style and culture.
I changed every aspect of my compositional techniques. Rather than synths & drum machines, I used acoustic and concrete sound sources arranged with software programs. Instead of building tracks from melodic counterpoints and rhythms, I layered irregular loops in unlikely ways.
I created my own sample bank with a percussionist friend where we had a 3-day jam session with unconventional instruments such as waterphones, ektaras, flutes, kalimbas, xylophones, tamboa, udus, tablas, darbouka, Chinese balls, guiro... Playing these instruments the proper way was not an issue for me. My aim was to isolate unusual musical events and avoid 'musical standards' that inhibit creativity. Over months I extracted hundreds of loops from these sessions before starting to assemble them, in order to get as many unusual combinations as possible.
Sometimes, I used exotic scales (slendro & pelog, from gamelan) but in most cases, I preferred atonality, micro-polyphony and some periodic unisons created by adding many layers of a same loop played at different speeds/pitches. Therefore, most tracks on Faux World show very complex time signatures in a fluid way. These techniques might sound dry or experimental but the music is accessible. ” al but the music is accessible. ”
DISCOGRAPHY HORIZZZONS Statik > Rek STATIK002 2003
01.Été Éphémère (Short Summer) 02.Train Sous la Pluie (Train Under the Rain) 03.Jolie Cycliste Sous la Pluie (Pretty Cyclist Under the Rain) 04.Smog Urbain (Urban Smog) 05.Horizons Lointains (Far Away Horizons) 06.Toundra (Tundra) 07.Ciel Infini (Infinite Sky) 08.Souvenirs Maritimes (Maritime Memories) 09.Kaléidoscope (Keleidoscope) 10.Cyclotourisme (Bicycle Touring) 11.Scorbut (Scurvy) 12.Éclaircie (A Clearing) 13.Duel (Dual) 14.Confort (Comfort Zone) 15.Engourdissement (Numb) 16.Grand Kaléidoscope (Great Kaleidoscope)
Running time: 47:13 Composed, performed, mixed and produced by Charles-Émile Beullac Mastering: Stefan Figiel Cover image by Transistor design
Audio excerpts can also be streamed on last.fm. The album can be downloaded at iTunes or better, at emusic.
Press notes: GalerieStratique's second and warmest album to date confirms its composer's main strengths : concise song structures, melancholic melodies, fluid-but-complex counterpoints, evocative soundscapes and a sustained mind-numbing mood. Though each track has a unique approach, the ensemble is more than ever inspired by the soothing, mysterious elements of nature as well as electronic music from the 60's and the 70's. This oblique ambient-pop record offers a kaleidoscope of hazy, dreamy, swirling analog tones over restrained dusty beats. A timeless psychedelic journey that slowly instils addiction.
Should please fans of Boards of Canada, Air, Tortoise and Ulrich Schnauss.
Some reviews: The Milk Factory (4.6/5): " ...warm and inviting […] manages to captivate the listener from start to finish. " Real Tokyo (4½ stars): " Even more depth and density than the [previous album]. " E|I magazine: " A distinct style that instils a seductive melancholy […] a dangerous recreational habit. " All Music Guide (4 stars): " The reasons for its appeal are revealed only after a few spins. Recommended. "
Read all the reviews by clicking here DISCOGRAPHY NOTHING DOWN-TO-EARTH Law & Auder records LA26CD 2001
01.Star Filter 02.Algeria 03.Leviathan 04.Frozen Lakes 05.untitled track 06.Rylka 07.Luna 08.untitled track 09.Bathyscaphe 10.Opale 11.Soleil Levant 12.Vu 13.Dictaphone 14.Osgele
Running time: 49:41 Composed, performed, mixed and produced by Charles-Émile Beullac Mastering: Stefan Figiel Cover images by Paul Lacroix
Press note : Some electronic music records sounds outdated just after a few months. That is certainly not the case with Nothing Down-to-Earth. This might be one of the best IDM/ambient album you’ve never heard about : immersive-lulling synthesizers, shadowy ambience, frozen psychedelia, grainy rhythms, complex counterpoints and distant melodies. This timeless record that keeps on revealing more with each listen. A must-have for any demanding daydreamer.
Should please fans of Biosphere, Cluster, Brian Eno and Global Communication.
Pitchforkmedia (8.7): " …there's nothing here that won't amaze you […] I am over the moon with it. " Modern Dance: " a major musical work of art […] to praise this CD would be a big understatement. " Now Toronto (4 stars): " …already received glowing reviews for it's original palette of sounds and ideas. " Outburn (8/10): " Amazingly beautiful beyond words. " DISCOGRAPHY NET-RELEASES
Antihoraire (Faux World’s counterpart) Click here to fully download No Type - 2008
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Adieu IDM (Horizzzons-era outtakes) No Type - 2007
« Once again No Type: Annexe unveils the unexplored side of an artist, this time with Galerie Stratique’s unreleased tracks from his second and much acclaimed album Horizzzons (2003). Adieu IDM (outtakes d’Horizzzons) takes you through translations of ethereal charm, into a blurred and intimate voyage. »
Point d'Orgue (the kitsch mini-album) No Type - 2006
« Point d'Orgue is the music of a future imagined by our grandparents. Following a brief improv session with Awdium, Galerie Stratique carefully edited and crafted this final session. Point d'Orgue, with its awkwardness, its explosion of contradictory sentiments, its limited means, its false virtuosity, slowed down funk, abusive repetitions and lo-fi sounds, is mostly a playful affair. But repeated listenings reveal not only some nuances and subtleties, but the possibility of a serious dependency. »
Tracks for net-compilations:
generic - techno compilation - Techno track made out of Gameboy sounds, crackling floor noises and orchestral sweeps. Not a typical G.S. track… Pertin_nce - 2008
Raskolnikov - mini-compilation of artists from Québec city – One of my very last IDM track produced. Musique Nordique - 2004
DISCOGRAPHY COMPILATIONS
The Hearing Eye (CD publication produced in collaboration with Clark Gallery and Gallery 101 for the exhibition) Title: Xahuaxhol (graphic score produced for Alfonso Arzapalo's photos) Other artists: Jérôme Minière, Diane Labrosse, Montag aRTIST oF tHE yEAR, Jackie Gallant, Van Stiefel
Outbreak Blends (remix album for Marie Jorge's atmospheric rock band Void's Anatomy) Title: Haemorrhage - fearful remix (Éthique Cathartique is an alternative instrumental version of this track) Label: Fuzzy Frog, Canada - 2006 Other artists: Gargle, Kikedo, Conscious Robot, dSlave, Angle, black hmong, Stafraenn Hakon, Draff Krimmv...
Mutek_05 (double compilation with a selection of artists from the 2005 edition of the Mutek festival) Title: Désorienté (court) Label: Mutek_Rec, Canada – 2005 Other artists: Radian, FM3, Taylor Deupree, Klimek, Monolake, Akumu, Richard Chartier, Stephen Beaupré, Si-{cut}.db
Sous la Neige (compilation for post-rock label Where Are My Records) Title: Sogno Nebbioso (song inspired by Nino Rota's music, Fellini's films composer) Label: Where Are My Records, Canada – 2005 Other artists: Mitchell Akiyama, vitaminsforyou, Millimetrik, (swedish) Death Polka, Barzin, Readymade
Résonnance (compilation featuring artists from the electronic scene of Québec city) Title: Discomachin (somewhat dancable track) Label: Goego, Canada – 2005 Other artists: Bleupulp, Artbyte, Claude L, Millimetrik, David Girard, Matt F, Corrupted Suburbs, Ultrafesten
hiver : résultat (mini-cdr compilation from Millimetrik's label) Title: Neige Label: Chat Blanc Records – 2005 Other artists: The Caretaker, Philippe Brière, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma
20 Artistes (compilation mostly featuring artists from the experimental scene of Québec city) Title: Bathyscaphe (version alternative) Label: Déluge, Canada – 2003 Other artists: A_Dontigny, Oeuf Korreckt, Scrapator, Monobor, Malade Mojo, Steeve Lebrasseur, Maxime Robin
Sand From Water (remix album for math-rock duo Glider) Title: Gilles Kègle (the track is fine but the basses are way too loud – too bad!) Labels: Alice in Wonder, France | Where Are My Records, Canada – 2002 Other artists: Sylvain Chauveau, Couch, Below The Sea, Terminus B, Rothko, Ativin, Tarentel, 1-Speed Bike
Collection Printemps-Été 2001 (cdr compilation featuring artists from the electronic scene of Québec city) Title: Litost Label: Alterflow, Canada – 2001 Other artists: Arborisation Terminale, Herman S, L'Orchestre Minimal du 8è, Chernobyl Cha-Cha, Alexandre Borgia
alt.frequencies.4 (compilation with experimental artists from all around the planet) Title: Vu (the first Galerie Stratique track that ever got released) Label: Worm Interface, UK – 2000 Other artists: Freeform, Mira Calix, Plod, Jake Mandell, Meek, Gamers in Exile, Baraki, Rook Valard, Solenoid
HOW TO ORDER
You may purchase these albums directly from PayPal (Shipping included) :
Faux World Canada, US & International: 12.50$
Horizzzons US, Canada: 13.50$ International: 16$
Nothing Down-to-Earth US, Canada: 13.50$ International: 16$
Sous la Neige | compilation US, Canada: 13.50$ International: 16$
Prices are quoted in US dollars.
The package will be shipped whithin two or three days upon reception of payment. During January, July and August, allow for an extra week. Bundle prices available.
Distributors:
CANADA (all of my albums) STATIK distribution 847, rue St-Jean Québec, Québec Canada, G1R 1R2 Tel: 418.529.4222 Charge-free: 1.888.9statik fax : 418.529.8175 info@statikdistribution.com
Or at some of these record shops in CANADA: Atom Heart (Montréal) Archambault HMV
SPAIN (Horizzzons) DecodeurMuzique
JAPAN (Horizzzons) Plop Distribution
AUDIO OTHER PROJECTS
Xahuaxhol Graphic score commissioned by Sébastien Cliche for the exhibition l'Oreille dans l'Oeil. On this project, I've been associated with Mexican photographer Alfonso Arzàpalo. Each one of these 5 mini-tracks represents a different photo.
generic – Techno track – mp3 Techno track made out of Gameboy sounds, crackling floor noises and orchestral sweeps. Not my usual style but interesting enough to give it to my mate Maxime Tanguay from the Pertin_nce net-label.
Raskolnikov – IDM track - mp3 A free outtake published on Musique Nordique vol. 2 compilation for Montréal-based net-label Musique Nordique.
Au Bord des Choses - experimental track with voice-over - streaming Here's an experimental musical accompaniment for a poem written by Tania Langlais that was commissioned by Bande à Part for the Festival Voix d'Amériques. If you have a low speed connection, then click here. Radio interview (in French): Hi Speed / Lo Speed
Live at the Mutek_05 - streaming During that performance, I've reinterpreted and remixed some of my favourite tracks of my back catalogue. This 40 minutes set is not flawless but it gives a nice view of my past production. Filed on the Bande à Part site.
Net-releases:
Antihoraire - mini album – mp3 () A 30-minutes album published on No Type that shares similarities with Faux World.
Point d'Orgue - mini album – mp3 (complete download here) Kitsch mini-album published on No Type. Nine short tracks of cheesy synths, lo-fi beatbox & retro-sounding organ.
Adieu IDM - mini-album – mp3 (complete download here) A mini-album made with some Horizzzons-era outtakes and a remix for the gifted and prolific artist Milieu. Released on net-label No Type again (I recommend to fill your iPod from their huge catalogue of odd stuff and curiosities).
Exclusive tracks and outtakes (check out for updates): Mécanique Onirique (vieille finale) – Outtake from Faux World/Antihoraire Frictions – Outtake from Faux World/Antihoraire Autre miniature – Outtake from Faux World/Antihoraire Desperate Cynism - Lost track, odd track. Neige – Track released on a limited Chat Blanc Records compilation *Please be indulgent; most of these tracks does not represent the best of Galerie Stratique's music*
FUTURE PROJECTS
Nicolas Jobin and I are setting up a collective project involving a few electronic composers and a dozen of classical instrumentalists. I won't reveal the concept itself but could mention that our compositions will be arranged for a chamber orchestra by Nicolas Jobin.
A track made only from musical snippets taken from the Éthiopiques series (Ethiopian jazz) will be released on a Chat Blanc record compilation. Soon.
I have not started to work on my 4th album yet - still looking for a concept. However, I might keep on working on a mini-album created only with oud sounds (in collaboration with Robby Parker).
ABOUT GALERIE STRATIQUE
Known for atmospheric electronic music, Galerie Stratique (a.k.a. Charles-Émile Beullac) first appeared on a Worm Interface compilation (2000). In 2001 he released the cold and misty Nothing Down-to-Earth, followed by the warmer and psychedelic Horizzzons. In 2004 he since moved in a new direction with a strange, semi-acoustic album entitled Faux World. Galerie Stratique explores surreal-but-pleasant territories in a range of styles. Beullac lives in Québec, Canada.
« Aside from personal projects, I endeavor commissioned art projects such as exhibitions and theater productions. I have also worked with filmmakers, choreographers, painters, photographers, poets and other musicians. Here's a list of projects I've done. »
Live performance: « My musical style is atmospheric and introspective, generally intended for home listening. In public my music works best in receptive and attentive environs that allow for deep listening. I strive for expressions that allow for improvised, experimental music without using mainstream tools. The attempt is ongoing... »
Background: « I recall, at the age of 4, listening to my father's discography such works as 2001 A Space Odyssey soundtrack (Ligeti, R. Strauss...) and Jean-Michel Jarre's Oxygene. The sci-fi sleeve design intrigued me, the music even more so. So began my lifelong appreciation for otherworldy music.
I learned violin at 3, but had talent no desire to pursue lessons further and stopped at 11 with the realization that interpretation was not for me. When I discovered classical music at 11, I resolved to be a composer. At 14 I swapped Liszt and Moussorgski for rap/hip hop. Rather than learn music theory, I bought a digital synth, a mixer and two turntables. Regretably, scratching is not my forte; I’ve never been comfortable composing with other people's music.
I found direction a few years later when I first heard A Forest by The Cure. It made me realise how much I enjoy atmosphere in music. In 1997 I bought analog synths and began otherworldy explorations through music. »
Leave feedback, collaboration requests, greetings or join the mailing list by contacting: galerie_stratique@hotmail.com