coelacanth “the glass sponge” compact disc

• the electric hydrometer (21:53)
  
• the hexactinellidae (18:28)
  
• the leaden sea (8:56)
  
• the violet shell and its raft (8:35)

23five incorporated press release...

coelacanth the glass sponge 23five004, compact disc the glass sponge is a subclass within the sponge phyllum, distinguished by their silica spicules that unite into delicate geometric networks. these needlelike structures form the skeleton of this most simple animal, which when dried acquires an exquisite white hue. during the victorian era, these dessicated remains were prize possessions in the finest of wunderkammers; and from what we’ve been told, a pair of glass sponges mounted under a dome could fetch up to “5 guineas.” furthermore, glass sponges have the unique ability to respond to their harsh, deep sea environment through rudimentary electrical impulses that ripple through their bodies which are devoid of nerves and muscle. these are merely the beginnings of the fascination with the glass sponge for coelacanth, a sound art project whose name is of an ancient fish once thought to be extinct, but in truth has been flourishing in oceanic trenches. authored by the coelacanth duo of loren chasse and jim haynes, the glass sponge takes an abstracted yet empathetic view of its allegorical subject. throughout the glass sponge, coelacanth sets textural flutters, squeaks, and scrabblings in motion. these brittle events punctuate the boundless excursions of minimalism brought to life through elegaic bell tones, ghostly feedback, and tuning fork resonance, all spiralling together into translucent drones. despite the obvious submariner references for this album, it may be a surprise that very little water spilled into the recording of the glass sponge. loren chasse is also heavily involved in the much acclaimed jewelled antler music, where the multiple personalities of thuja, the blithe sons, the franciscan hobbies, the famous boating party, child readers, and of speak in the tongues of pastorally psychedelic improvisations. jim haynes is an artist describing his craft in the former with the pithy statement, “i rust things.” he might also be known for his writings from the wire. coelacanth’s previous work the chronographis also available through the helen scarsdale agency. founded in 1993, 23five incorporated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and increased awareness of sound works in the public arena, and to the support and education of artists working with and discussing the medium of sound. for the past 14 years, 23five incorporated has remained at the forefront in bringing the most adventurous elements of sound art to the san francisco bay area. 23five has served as an important benefactor to artists such as john duncan, christina kubisch, francisco lopez, achim wollscheid, matt heckert, zbigniew karkowski, atau tanaka, and many more.