Chance Connections - He Got Talking To This Guy In The Record Store

Steve Gears (Pharoah Chromium Sound/The Happy Citizen), Richard Talbot (Marconi Union) and Tom Gibbs, (Infinite Expanse) take us further down the rabbit hole in this episode. We even got hold of some archive radio recording from “On The Wire” on BBC Radio Lancashire in 1989.

Cassette-era music comes from:

Sirius B, Basie V. Webster, Marconi Union, Richter Band and Omega Ensemble

First, we talk to Steve Gears, the founder of the Pharoah Chromium Sound label, who shares how he stumbled upon this vibrant community and the thrill of receiving contributions from like-minded artists through the mail. Gears recounts the collaborative spirit that fuelled the creation of his own projects, like Happy Citizen,

Richard Talbot, one half of the acclaimed group Marconi Union, reveals how his chance connections in the cassette network ultimately led to the formation of the band, demonstrating the serendipitous nature of these underground musical relationships.

Infinite Expanse label founder Tom Gibbs, takes us on his journey from beginning his label as a YouTube channel. Gibbs' passion for unearthing these forgotten gems leads to his quest to find the remaining members of lo-fi improvisors, the Omega Ensemble.

Hosted by Martin Franklin & Hudson Graham.

Guests:

Steve Gears/Pharoah Chromium Sound

Richard Talbot/Marconi Union

Tom Gibbs/Infinite Expanse

Featured Music:

Sirius B "Incision" A Tender Tension (Pharoah Chrome Sound) 1989

Basie V. Webster "Untitled" A Tender Tension (Pharoah Chrome Sound) 1989

Marconi Union "The Contact" Under Wires And Searchlights (Self Released) 2003

Richter Band "Čínský Potůček / Poloviční Chytání" Smetana (Infinite Expanse) 2024

Omega Ensemble "Piece 6" Sil Lim Tao (Self Released) 1988

Available Now: The compilation tape that started it all:
Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989-90
14 nocturnal tracks of ambient, tape collage, industrial and improv, now on Bandcamp. https://cassetteculturepodcast.bandcamp.com/album/premonitions-underground-cassette-network-1989-90

Podcast Produced by Martin Franklin/East Coast Studio (http://eastcoaststudio.com.au)

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