DANIEL W J MACKENZIE

Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black Eyelid

2011
CDr
Self-release

An album of mostly miniatures produced entirely from the recording of two pianos. The material is based on improvisations constructed into compositions in post-production, played traditionally and prepared with physical objects, treated with software and electronic devices.

Return Written Arrange

2012
CDr
Runningonair Music

Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black Eyelid

2014
CD & 12”
Fluid Audio

Remaster and reissue of the 2011 album on CD and 12” with photographic prints.

"Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black Eyelid is Daniel W J Mackenzie’s first abstract and intimate departure from the layered intensity of alias Ekca Liena; 15 improvised recordings of two prepared pianos, played and processed. Organic, expressive, and morosely melodic, it is as much of a master class in experimental production as it is a heartfelt artistic departure."

- Fluid Radio

Displacement Records: Escapism

2015
CDr
Chocolate Monk

First presented as an audio installation in the Diep~Haven Festival Transmache D’Art Contemporain, 2015. Released as a sound recording by Chocolate Monk in November of the same year.

A sound collage of audio material captured in Germany, Finland, Estonia, Madeira, Holland, France and England. Contained within its duration are rural and urban environments, spoken segments, sounds of transit and mysterious broadcasts from public address systems. The work aims to bring the atmosphere of disparate and unrelated locations together, highlighting the differences in tone and pace, reminding us of a world of contrasts. These jarring experiences are injected with shades of movement between places, evoking the feeling of travel and its associations: discovery, hardship, excitement and unfamiliarity.

Ultimately, however, the piece conveys a personal yearning to escape tired and difficult surroundings for new worlds and inspiring climates. It is this which provides a hazy melancholy, and forms a somewhat desperate, unreachable notion of better things.

Four Places for Piano

2015
Download
Urban Arts Berlin

Four longform pieces based on heavily processed piano loops. Each aims to convey a different side of the same basic frameworks of rhythm, stasis, melody and atmosphere. Released by Urban Arts Berlin curated by Veronica Mota.

Glass Permanent

2016
CDr
Sound in Silence

Slow moving album of tracks created through minimal improvisations on piano, glockenspiel and zither, processed through software treatments. The material combines the direct, exposed piano playing of Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black Eyelid with the depth and time stretched pace of Four Places for Piano.

Every Time Feels Like The Last Time

2017
CDr
Eilean Rec

Following the themes of Teeth Sleep Under Winking Black Eyelid and retaining the emotional weight and cinematic poignancy. The piano is no longer the sole instrument here, this time joined by string section, field recordings and subtle electronics.

Displacement Records: India

2017
7"
Contour Vinyl

Six short recordings captured whilst travelling around India. Vinyl released by Contour Vinyl (Johannesburg) in association with Edge of Wrong Festival (Cape Town / Johannesburg / Oslo).

Recordings in Rishikesh, Haridwar, Munnar and Mararikulam.

Split with Maxim Starcke

2018
7"
Contour Vinyl

Part of a series of 7” records released by artists performing at Edge of Wrong festival (Johannesburg / Cape Town). The track Phenomenon Red is built from layered recordings of electromagnetic activations on piano and acoustic guitar strings.