Radio Feedback by Arvo Zylo

Most noise artists are familiar with no-input mixer feedback, not to mention guitar feedback, but relatively few have explored the dimensions of radio feedback broadcast live from an actual radio station control room/studio. When Arvo Zylo did radio for several years, he would often explore the potential of both hand-held radios in the studio, as well as radio (and live stream) feedback directly plugged into the station's mixing board. When static is introduced, it adds some dimension to the constantly evolving waves of sound that degrade themselves into warbly mush, combined with a 30 second delay to add to add even more dimensions. Here is a document of its potential. No pedals or effects were used.

While Sides A through D traverse one evening of feedback steadily onward, Side E and F are a bit different. Side E is a montage of events live on the radio while integrating radio feedback, by making noises in the studio and layering the reverb of the room through 30 second delay. Side D is a collage of different recordings broadcast through a broken transmitter that were recorded again and again and rebroadcast. For three weeks, Arvo would have his friends record the sounds of the broken transmitter from their radios as he broadcast long form material or archives each week. Layers of audio residue accumulated to add to the alien vocoder-like effect that happened to the human voice. Faint impressions can be heard on occasion of organ music from a silent film, Julee Cruise-esque pop music echoing under layers of static, Pee Wee Herman's PSA imploring kids not to smoke crack, Japanese game shows, and more, in an incidental serialist event.

This collection isn't for everyone. For several years Arvo used to stack 7 radios on top of one another in his bathroom, listening to the instances where the static overlapped in stylistic patterns or where they digressed, and sometimes going to the bathroom came with a very palpable risk of being accidentally electrocuted. For those who have an ear for it, this is a document of a sound installation or two that Arvo has been wanting to put out for over a decade.

Private label formed in 2008. No longer considering demos. Now mainly focused on curating subscriber-only releases. Thanks to all who have supported.

Don't curse the darkness.


**The Trunculence character logo was created by collage artist Christopher Ilth, used with permission and gratitude.

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