Here’s what I said:

“Songs We Found In The Sand was the second full album produced by Milieu. After meeting through a chance encounter in the magical land of the internet, he offered the release to us with the warning, “i know it sounds a little dated, i’ll understand if you don’t want it, seriously.”

Luckily, here at Rope Swing Cities we’re more concerned with the quality of music then worrying if our artists are cutting themselves on the bleeding edge electronic music. What we discovered upon listening, is a wonderfully moving, emotional album, filled with simple, enchanting drum patterns and haunting synth lines. Needless to say, we enthusiastically told him that we’d love to release it.

As we spoke further with Milieu regarding the music on this release, an interesting fact about his production work came out that answered some questions we had about the sound of his music: initially all of his samples, keyboards, guitar and drums are recorded to tape and then transferred to the computer for arranging and looping. After the track is built it’s sent back to tape, then to the computer again for final mastering. This incorporation of such a loved analog medium helped explain to us the warmth and depth of sound found in this release. In his own words, “I still think it sounds better on cassette though.”

On this album, Milieu’s music brings up intense feelings of nostalgia. The beauty of it, is that it doesn’t attempt
to guide your inner exploration. Whether you’re reminded of fond memories from childhood; running through sprinklers, basking in the warmth of the sun. Or if you’re looking at your past for closure on the darker moments that have plagued you for some time, Songs We Found In The Sand is the perfect accompaniment on your journeys.

More information about Milieu can be found here.”

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Track List:
01. birthday party
02. elep
03. ktx-1
04. alison transmission
05. as summer blooms
06. rolerskates
07. eyelid raft
08. rooms within rooms
09. ghosts in the trees, songs in the breeze
10. poplar drive 1967
11. anedt
12. circles in the spacebook
13. inpond
14. universes inside you
15. hidden paths

The return of the first release ever on RSC. Enjoy!

On this EP, the first on Rope Swing Cities, we see Colorado’s Ten and Tracer turning in a new direction, taking a step away from the sort of hopeful melancholy of his previous releases on labels such as u-cover and 8bitpeoples. In the past Ten and Tracer’s sounds have held the feeling that in the end everything will be ok; the morning always comes after a long night. For In Such A Fix To Be So Fertile, we are kept from feeling that daylight will ever come.

Fortunately for us, this doesn’t mean that this release is fraught with the angst and depression of a tortured soul. What we have here is a contemplative walk through the city streets of your home town after dark. Grey skies and concrete, hands stuffed deep into your pockets against the cold, attempting to find a clarity of mind that will give you answers to questions you have about who you are and what you’re doing with your life. Instead of wallowing in emotion, we find analyzation and exploration, looking to discover things about yourself. In the 26 minutes that comprise this release, Ten and Tracer offers you a moment to stop and reflect on what has come before.

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01. Chanting the Secant Deific
02. Having Once Turned Around – Walk On
03. Split the Finch
04. Karl Marx
05. Snees and Snubs
06. Indian Pail

For the first few months, we will be uploading our gigantic back catalog to its formerly available glory.

While that’s happening, we’re on the hunt for IDM. You see, we love IDM music despite its name, and often wonder… where has it gone? Do you feel the same way, and are makin’ said music? Well, send an email to joshua@ropeswingcities.com and let’s talk. RSC spent several years as an important outlet for experimental artists in America and around the world, and will continue to do so in the future. Many of the artists that released with us in the past have gone on to be pretty cool; would you like to join the ranks of the pretty cool?

Send us your music.