Autechre

Autechre is an English electronic music group. They are usually considered to belong to the IDM genre, although Autechre themselves don't consider their sound to belong to any genre. Two friends, Rob Brown and Sean Booth, formed the group in 1987 when they both lived in Rochdale. Booth and Brown have explained that the name Autechre can be pronounced in any way anyone sees fit. They themselves, pronounce it "Awe-tek-er." They are also often referred to by the nickname "ae." Notable releases include Incunabula (1993), Tri Repetae (1995), Chiastic Slide (1997), Confield (2001) and Draft 7.30 (2003), all on the Warp Records label.

Although their music maintains a strong rhythmic element, the complexity of the beats and the textures makes the music more suited towards home listening than dance techno. Later work has been explicitly experimental and abstract. Reactions to their music vary; newcomers may find it random or chaotic, but repeated listens reveal it to be highly structured. Even fans disagree in their interpretations - there are those who would describe their music as cold and austere, whereas others perceive a warmth and sentimentality in their tunes.

In response to inevitable comments about their unique sound, Autechre themselves argue that given the incredible range of tools available to modern composers, especially in the electronic field, it is incomprehensible that any band should "sound like" any other band. Although this may seem like a ridiculous statement to make as well as an unrealistic expectation, Autechre have themselves proven that it's entirely possible to forge a completely unique sound that at the same time can bring forth incredible meaning and spirit for many people, rather than being perceived as merely experimental.

They have also been known to record under pseudonyms, possibly as a way of escaping from the attentions of the media and the obsessive Autechre fanbase. Likely contenders are Lego Feet and Velocity Kendall, Two 12" released in 1991 and 1995 on Skam Records. They are also strongly involved in the Gescom project. Autechre also helped initiate the music festival All Tomorrow's Parties in 2000 and were responsible for curating the 2003 festival.

Discography

Albums

• Incunabula (1993)
• Amber (1994)
• Tri Repetae (1995)
• Chiastic Slide (1997)
• LP5 (1998)
• Confield (2001)
• Draft 7.30 (2003)

EPs/singles

• Cavity Job (1991)
• Basscadet (1993)
• Anti EP (1994)
• Garbage (1995)
• Anvil Vapre (1995)
• We R Are Why / Are Y Are We? (1996)
• Cichli Suite (1997)
• Envane (1997)
• Peel Sessions (1998; recordings originally made for John Peel's radio programme in 1995)
• EP7 (1999; Autechre called this an EP, although it actually lasts an hour)
• Splitrmx12 (1999)
• Peel Sessions 2 (2000; recordings originally made for John Peel's radio programme in 1999)
• Gantz Graf (2002; also released as a DVD)

Also responsible for upwards of 40 remixes, from Tortoise to Merzbow to Saint Etienne.

See also

• Warp Records
• Gescom
• Skam Records

External links

• An Autechre visual discography
• Autechre fansite, with a comprehensive catalogue review and F.A.Q.
• DMoz.org category: 'Autechre'
• Autechre Music Reviews (American Nihilist Underground Society)