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David Kristian/Panasonic @ Opa, April 1996 (Live Event)
"They (Panasonic) will be joined by local dead-pan
king David Kristian, whose music has been described as a syncopated endurance test... sort
of like taking electronic lab instruments out for a drunken night on the town. Dave's also
known for doing stuff like plugging electric prods into potatoes (which sound like sirens,
although the sound quality is greatly affected by how fresh they are)."
- Juliet Waters
(Mirror)
From The Wire
(March 1997)
"...fluctuating, expressive electronica which draws
rhythmic inspiration from early Drum & Bass as much as Detroit Techno. For the most
part, the beats are more texture than rhythm, part of an organic analogue soundworld which
admits and manipulates influences as varied as John Carpenter's body-horror soundtracks,
Tangerine Dream’s multi-timbral swathes of sound and (gulp) Gary Numan's clammy
synthesized dystopias." "...an edgy abrasive mesh of dysfunctional beats,
dislocated cassette loops and heavily manipulated samples: a barrage of sound to rival the
likes of Squarepusher and AlecEmpire."
-Chris Sharp
(The Wire)
David's work has also often been praised in Alternative Press,
alongside such luminaries as Rob Zombie and Creed...
In addition to
others reviewing his work in Vice, David also contributed to the
magazine, reviewing the Aube/ Knurl split CD.
In addition to
having written album reviews for various publications, David also
reviews electronic music toys on Sonic
State and Harmony
Central.
David has appeared several times in Chart Magazine, starting
with a review of
Synaesthesia by Chris Twomey in 1994, and several
excellent reviews and articles by Greg Clow (Piehead Records)
From Chart
(December 1997)
"...Like much of his work, it (Synaesthesia)
was somewhat ahead of its time, a gathering of beat-driven electronic listening music that
continues to sound amazingly timely and fresh. Equally pioneering have been
Kristian’s forays into drum n’ bass, including The Clubfoot EP
(Discreet/Indiscreet), Ectopic Beat EP (Drop Beat), and
international compilation appearances too numerous to mention. Abrasive, dense and often
manic, these works rival Squarepusher, Plug and Witchman in their intensity and
originality, and, most amazingly, were all completed well before the current popularity of
the genre."
- Greg Clow
(Chart)
From Urbansounds
(July 1998)
"David Kristian has nearly done it all. His musical
career has spanned the historical spectrum of electronic music, from early industrial
outings in the form of Thumper and the Frippian dabblings of Fuzzy Logic to his more
recent excursions in Drum n’ Bass and the near-formless experimentalism of his latest
full-length release, Cricklewood, One might expect some pretty thin
material from such a prolific and eclectic output, but Kristian rarely
disappoints."
- Mike Javor
(Urbansounds)
The Infamous
Christina Ricci tribute issue of Faqt. This
issue is a real collector's item, for the simple fact (no pun
intended), that it included the Ricci's Pieces (Pun intended)
compilation CD.
An earlier issue of Faqt featuring a lenghty interview with
David.
From Option (July-August 1998)
" But around the time of his last "funky"
recording, the restless, opinionated Kristian started to feel he’d adopted a
formulaic standard." "...from that point on, simple sound creation became
Kristian’s mission. Flawless tones and ripping sequences required a work ethic more
perfectionist than ever..."
-Ilana Kronick (Option)
David Kristian -The Clubfoot EP
(Discreet/Indiscreet)
"David Kristian - Sound! (Creet)
Something interesting is happening in Montreal and Toronto, where ambienteers and
experimentalists are getting down with the Jungle posse... time to start checking Canadian
imports like this."
-
Mixmaster Morris (ID)
Above, the review
that started it all, Mixmaster Morris' friendly nod to DK's unique
stylings.
Years later, the
two met, and David was invited to process some of MmM's DJing at a
local venue.
Another great
review of Clubfoot:
"British Drum & Bass aficionados are now touting
Mr. Kristian as the T-Power of North America. This record (The Clubfoot EP)
lives up to the new-found hype as well: STUNNING! Holy f---ing sh-t do I like this record.
"
- Beverly (Transcendence)
David Kristian - Alt. Frequencies CD
(Worm Interface)
"Plasma Lamp's Lounge Lizard and
David Kristian's Ooohville are the other ones to watch here".
(The Wire)
...from this CD
compilation came a 12" featuring the likes of Mr. Kristian,
Coma, and none other than Tom (Squarepusher) Jenkinson.
Needless to say, this 12" is a collector's item.
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reviews
David Kristian -
Rhythms for a Rainy Season
(Apegenine
Recordings)
David Kristian's spacious
compositions, with their depth and exquisite rhythms, are as beautiful
and sophisticated as those of Susumu Yokota. Yet they also reveal
an affinity with Warped British IDM compositions and SF tech-house,
while maintaining that distinctive Kristian sensitivity to sound as
emotional atmosphere. Rhythms for a Rainy Season is a truly lovely
album that becomes increasingly mesmerizing with each listen. It's
a sensual, seductive baptism in clear waters under bright skies that's
easily as inspiring as the best gentle IDM from the likes of Boards of
Canada.
- Lucinda Catchlove
(Nightlife
Magazine)
David Kristian -
The Mariana Trench
(Oral)
...a new work by David Kristian, the
Canadian musician who always takes me by surprise. Many of his works play
around with rhythm, but on this new CD, rhythm is entirely absent.
Kristian recorded two lengthy improvisations during a snow storm, using a
toy synthesizer and classic guitar effects, which were later on edited and
processed further until the seven parts of this CD came together. A deep
listening experience, but with a somewhat more raw touch than a standard
ambient work, and that's what I like about it. The rawness of the
material, the sheer minimalist approach, the subtle variations. It is work
to listen to in a darkened room, or at night with the curtains open, so
you can watch some stars. The seven parts form a unity and this is a
particularly strong album. Maybe it will not appeal to Kristian's rhythm
posse, but it surely appealed to me.
-FdW
(Vital
Weekly)
David Kristian -
Sweet Bits
(Monochrome)
Filled with thirteen lovely bits and
pieces created over the past five years, David Kristian's latest release
really lives up to its title. Compositions that are rich with subtle
rhythms, gentle melodies and an engaging calm embrace you like the
comforting warmth of a soft wool sweater. At times deeply minimalist
à la Plastikman, Kristian's compositions also remind me of Susumu Yokota
in their attention to evocative detail, sophisticated compositions and
quality of expansive space. However, Sweet Bits is distinctly
Kristian in character, even if he shares the aforementioned artists' dual
interests in dance and ambient music and explores some similar territory.
Kristian's experience creating soundtracks adds another dimension to his
work; ultimately, it's the interior landscapes of emotion that Kristian
explores and describes so eloquently. This beautiful album is a
distinctly rich, complex, listening experience - a lullaby for grownups
- Lucinda Catchlove
(Nightlife
Magazine)
David Kristian -
Music from the Mermaid Room Volume 3 (Wikkid
Records)
Disc of the week
09/24/04 -
Over the last decade, Kristian has carved himself a name as top-notch
sound designer, electronic musician, film-score composer and analog
junkie. From the weepy, warm electro of "Mohaira" to the Dr. Who outtake
that is "Saving Pulses" to the upbeat "American Robot," whose speedy
breaks and emotive synths could easily have come off Detroit assembly
lines circa '94, this third of the nine-CD retrospective covers a lot of
ground. Like an early Aphex Twin, only less distorted, DK's Music from the Mermaid Room series is a must for anyone looking for emotive electro
classics and night-blooming soundscapes planted in the darkest corners of
your bedroom. 8.5/10
-
Raf Katigbak -
(Montreal Mirror/
Vice)
David Kristian -
Music from the Mermaid Room
(Wikkid Records)
I've praised this
electronic music producer from Montreal in the past and after hearing him
perform live once more at Mutek 03, I must confirm that David Kristian is
the supreme Canadian "IDM" producer. Deep and prolific, Kristian’s music
is as polyrhythmic as the best of Richard James/Aphex Twin and as melodic
as the most heart felt Michael Paradinas/Mu-Ziq productions. Long before
bedroom hobbyists like Manitoba and Solvent garnered any reviewer’s ink,
Kristian was the first Canadian to make in-roads into the British scene of
the ‘90’s, sharing an EP with Squarepusher’s Tom Jenkinson and releasing
tracks on several influential labels. Now the far-sighted entrepreneurs at
Wikkid have made the commitment to release the best of Kristian’s vast
unreleased library of beat-oriented tracks on a series of nine CDs! This
first sampler is just a taste of the exquisite intelligent techno, electro
and analogue stylings that should firmly establish Kristian’s polyglot
talent.
- Chris Twomey (Tandem)
David Kristian -
Micronymph vs Meganymph (Wikkid
Records)
"With the release of an
eclectic series of records that range from abstract sound design to
IDM/Techno, Montreal wunderkind David Kristian has made a name for himself
as the master of all things analog. His latest 12" finds him creating
dystopic synth tracks inspired by early new wave, and are in a vein
similar to releases on Suction Records or his own earlier work, Beneath
the Valley of the Modulars. All three tracks evoke the dread and pessimism
that pervaded early new wave, combining retro-futuristic synth melodies
with oppressive, relentless, skittering beats. An apt soundtrack to
late-night future-angst."
-
Susanna Bolle - (XLR8R)
David Kristian - My Three
Suns CDR (Piehead
Records)
I think the finest
output (from Piehead) so far is definitely by David Kristian, he is always
sure to add that extra punch in his tunes always treading into the more
chaotic forms of experimentation, and it simply 'works'.
-
Pietro Da Sacco -
(Igloo Magazine)
Kristian Shalabi St-Onge (Alien8
Recordings)
"While this record is
improvised, the mood of each piece is so integrated and clearly defined it
feels more like studied composition. St-Onge's upright bass provides the
anchor with unsettling drones, scuffs and plucks. Kristian fills in dark
colors on an analog synth, sometimes with gurgling modulation, and other
times with quaking bass tones. Shalabi, meanwhile, provides much of the
texture, picking and scraping his way on guitar and oud. It's an odd
combination on paper, but the three work together as a single six-armed
beast intent on conjuring black, brooding atmosphere."
- Mark Richard-San (Pitchfork
Media)
David Kristian - Sawdust, Sinedust,
Squaredust
(Pandora Multimedia)
"This
new collection moves him back into the use of rhythms, which combine with his
other-worldly synth sounds to produce tracks that will appeal to lovers of '90s
ambient-techno like AphexTwin and Autechre. Several of the tracks also share
textures from the '70s and an unavoidable comparison with Tangerine Dream."
- Chris Twomey
David Kristian - Room Tone CD
(Alien8
Recordings)
"Since the release of Cricklewood a few years back, he has been
considered the new prince of avant-garde electronics. Room Tone takes beyond anything
Kristian recorded before, not in terms of technology or avant-gardism, but in terms of
aesthetical achivement, of beauty."
- Francois Couture
David Kristian - Beneath the Valley of the
Modulars CD (Alien8
Recordings)
... yet another great David
Kristian recording with soundtrack undertones..." "Each percussive sound
is finely edited and polished to perfection, making it a real pleasure to hear. The
recording’s haunting and spacey Dr. Who-inspired synthesizer
accompaniments are also finely tuned and orchestrated. Listening to the way that the two
aspects of Kristian’s music mix is proof of the amount of thought and effort he
exerted in designing this release. Stylistically, Beneath the Valley
flows with a direction that might have been inspired by the motions found on
Autechre’s early efforts. It is likely that Kristian, electronic music’s most
underrated musician, will lead the genre into the 21st century."
- Jeremy Rotsztain
David Kristian - Tacoma Narrows
Bridge CD (Alien8
Recordings)
"Whether creating the retro effects
of last year’s Cricklewood or the quirky, intricate
drum n’ bass perfected on his earlier releases, Kristian is a musical
chameleon who never allows his work to become monotonous." "
... it rewards close listening, hiding numerous subtle effects and
noises beneath its overpowering drones. Kristian creates music that
requires headphones and an adventurous spirit; and while he offers no
easy pleasures, active listeners will find much to treasure in his
work."
- Bill Cohen (Alternative
Press)
David Kristian/Lowfish - The Drum Machine EP
(Suction Records)
Second release on new and fine Suction label from Ontario,
Canada. In between of Electro and Skam-like electronic noodles comes again a split EP by
David Kristian and Lowfish. The EP starts with the hectic Vitreous with a
fine distorted melody popping up sometimes. Lowfish stands up next with a vague slowed
down jungle beat and some old Aphex-like melodies. Side b takes it first somewhat slower,
with an intense track by Lowfish offering crispy beats. Last track is Crown
Drawing bringing back good memories with a track which would easily fit on the
fine Polygon Window album. Intense pleasure!
- The Amazing Arnold
(Forcefield Reviews)
Coming off their gold medal performance of the first split
EP, the Suction crew are back with a vengeance featuring more lo-fi peculiarities and
strong beat workouts from Gregory De Rocher (aka Lowfish) and David Kristian. Lowfish --
we know what he's about - he can kick some lo-fi dust up in your face to make you tell the
truth! But Mr. Kristian -- well, he's like a box of chocolates -- ya never know what
you're gonna get. Off-kilter jungle? (i.e. Ectopic Beat) Minimal analogue
disturbances (i.e. Cricklewood?) Something new/old? Well, as with the
first EP, the Suction crew do things their way - the democratic way -- taking turns
kicking off each side. Kristian fires first and fires hard with a loud and messy,
blunt-edged breakbeat monster known as Vitreous. As if the (drum?)
machines are rebelling, the percussion tracks (all 4? 5? of them) seem to rule the sound
waves -- truly raucous stuff. Once the initial mayhem ends, Lowfish cleans things up a bit
with Fachinblap, which features some evil droning and drum breaks.
Quality stuff. This flip side brings much more of the same brilliance as the first.
Lowfish does a nice downtempo rendition of what the crunchiest Funkstorung breakbeat would
sound like with a bassline that winds and warps its way 180 degrees -- interesting indeed.
Kristian finishes things off with a fine Aphexian melody and accompanying breakbeat.
Regardless of when these Kristian tracks were actually produced is not the issue here --
they're wicked as f*ck. As far as I can tell, there's only more thing to tell you -- go
out and buy this slab, some big headphones and a bullet-proof vest -- you're gonna need it
campers.
- Aaron S. Gregory
"Toronto's Suction Records continue to dominate
Canada's Electro market with their second release. This time pairing up Montreal's David
Kristian with more of his beat-oriented material that has made him a household
name..."
- Gary Worsley
(Vice)
David Kristian - Cricklewood CD (Alien8
Recordings)
"Here's a reasonably great CD constructed from a
gaggle of analogue machines by Canadian David Kristian, known to some for his drum'n bass
releases on Discreet/Indiscreet and Dropbeat records. Most of the sounds on this new
release were generated in real-time using control voltages derived from pitch material
from other instruments. It was something of a strut back in time for me; the last I heard
like this was the Michael Winnerholt CD on Multimood, which was a motley collection
meandering of blips and blurps compared to fine, subtle constructions by David. The ghosts
of composers and bands not-yet-dead dance jigs in Cricklewood, and
despite separate tracks, this collection comes across as an almost symphonic piece.
Nervous knocking slips into reversed reverberation...the Sonic lads from Pan on Valium,
perhaps ? This slides into a semi-eastern, but almost certainly extraterrestrial gong
being pounded by insistent metallic flies. Footing now lost, I slip further into the
oscillators, into my stirred memories of Morton Subotnick's Wild Bull,
Silver Apples Of The Moon and 4 Butterflies of years ago. Soft
subterralien murmurings precede the sound of something big being encouraged to fit through
a space too small for it. Spurred on by a brief display of Star Wars synthesizer
artillery we finally fall through the narrow seam into a gritty landscape. On the horizon
a rising sine. A bold, eccentric sashay accompanies us to the edge of the end. Hmm, finely
tuned and very carefully made music. A sense of peace. A piece of sense."
- MP
(Vital Weekly)
David Kristian - Further Mutations Vol. 4 CD 2XLP
(Lo
Recordings)
"My favourite track is by David Kristian whose Ectopic
Beat EP on Dropbeat Records has been tormenting my neighbors for months. His
contribution, See Sawing Sea, is not on the EP, but it should have been.
I think he uses the pause and play buttons on a Walkman to create sped-up, squeaky little
bursts of sound (you know that sound when you depress the pause button slowly and the tape
speeds up for a second before stopping?). On this track, David assembles such sounds (or
what could be an extremely processed female vocal sample) to create this wispy little
melody that floats headlong above a syncopated backbeat. The song title lends itself to
the imagery I derive while listening. I picture this tiny mutant fairy fluttering around a
ghost ship humming a sad lullaby in some foreign language. I can hear the creaking ship
reach a rhythm to support her hymn and the waves joining in to provide background
ambience. It's very repetitious and doesn't progress much beyond this point, but the track
hypnotizes me, anyway. I have never heard anything even remotely similar to this
song."
David Kristian - Ectopic Beat EP
(Drop Beat)
"Canadian based Kristian wins programmer of the month
award for his exquisite, tightrope-running beats. Drum & Bass elitists dismiss this
kind of stuff, along with Plug, Squarepusher and the rest, as mere twiddling around with
breakbeats like its some kind of joke, but for my money this (Ectopic Beat EP) contains
far more of the elements that made Jungle's first appearance so brain-scrambling: unhinged
tempos, total disregard for musicality and melody, sex and mystery, encoded with a sense
of displacement that's alarmingly alien."
- Rob Young
(The Wire)
David Kristian - Synaesthesia CD (Discreet/Indiscreet)
"Canadian Cosmonaut David Kristian rivals Richard
James for composing admirably corrosive bubblebaths. Wilfully archaic or practically
shambling, his lo-fi Techno may sound dated next to this year's model, but Synaesthesia
(Discreet) successfully links 50's Sci-Fi Themes to Marty Rev's unacknowledged
Masterpiece Clouds of Chaos."
- Kevin Martin
(The Wire)
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