[n.]

„Sprechen Sie deutsch?“ – Despite the fact that Jen Marquart is quite a fluent speaker, Ein Klagelied für 3f is mostly a non-verbal electro-acoustic affair. Even though Jen’s voice is barely audible on these recordings, the music speaks to you in the most intimate way. Ruches of noise tickle your ears, waves of drone gently make you shiver and occasionally, voices appear in this hot n’ cold experimental mix. In short: and immersive experience to affect your body & soul! – Holger Adam, Phantom Limbo

Hand numbered, limited edition of 100, pro printed on heavy card stock.

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[n.] – Costae Verae by //cae-sur-a//

Press

Not only did Cae-sur-a’s co-owner/curator Jen Marquart find time to release a dozen or so cassettes over the past year by a variety of artists under her Rochester-based imprint, but she also managed to put together an interesting solo/side project titled simply [n.].

On Ein Klagelied für 3f (which translates to ‘A Lament for 3f’), Marquart delves into a variety of sounds but does so in just over the course of seven streamlined tracks. And in fact, after several listens, one wonders to what extent her curation of cae-sur-a had an impact on this recording. You almost get the sense that the artist behind this cassette is sorting through a variety of sonic ideas that perhaps she absorbed while filtering demos.

While experimental musicians and sound artists often have a habit of agonizing over a single sonic contour–and forcing their listeners to suffer right along with them—Marquart conversely shows here that she has few reservations about discarding an idea once it’s been adequately explored and then quickly moving on to another.

In fact, the one defining characteristic of this tape–if one is identifiable–is the quick procession in which the artist takes the listener from point A to point B. The tape therefore has a refreshing effect upon the listener due to its refinement and commitment to brevity over indulgence or gluttony. This leaves the listener wanting to hear more: more of the ground-shaking drones, more rising analog pads that underpin everything, and definitely more of that eerie German chanting. – Cameron Alexander, The Upstate Soundscape

If conjuring dark spirits in the dark is your kind of thing, then here is some urgent advice from your friendly neighborhood Zen Effects: grab yourself a copy of Ein Klagelied für 3f, find a poorly lit room, and crank up the volume. Featuring two sides of some of the darkest sounding music I’ve ever heard, Jen Marquart’s brand new tape under the [n.] monicker is also a work of intense beauty and built for endless re-playability. Look out for spine-tingling moments where Marquart’s ghostly vocals rise into the mix, creeping among the noisy passages of dusty drone. But most importantly, be safe out there. – Zen Effects