Demian Castellanos is mostly known for founding the space-rock-band The Oscillation, which has been perfecting its stoically strumming style since 2006. Before that, the Cornwall-born musician did not only play in other bands, but also used years and years to find out about a guitar’s possibilities all by himself. »The Kyvu Tapes Vol. I« were developed between 1990 and 1998, close to Kynance Cove on the Lizard peninsula in the very South-West of England. Those wanting to search for the music’s origin within the brittle atmosphere of this remote landscape will find lots to consider: Cornwall’s steep rocky coast serves as a perfect scenery for Castellanos’ shoegaze-abstractions, drones and psychedelic ragas – one track is even unmistakenly called »Lizard Raga«. Also his sound-experiments, which the young musician composed with the help of knives, forks, paper snippets and various effect pedals, perfectly fit into the dismissive beauty of this landscape. The tracks exude peace and quiet, they open spaces, no matter if they exist only in your head or out in the wild. Harmonies and dissonances, sounds and noises are being balanced discreetly, and even though there doesn’t seem to happen much, each sketch is being transformed into a harmonious narration with the help of only the most sparing use of means.
Slowdive
Everything Is Alive
Dead Ocean