The cryptically titled label 130701 (the name is the date the label was conceived) is an interesting and unique facet of Fat Cat Records. It releases the atmospheric, instrumental music of four artists: Set Fire To Flames, Sylvain Chauveau, Max Richter and Hauschka. Set Fire To Flames are a thirteen member strong band who feature two members of Godspeed You Black Emperor, which is evident on the track ‘Steal Compass / Drive North / Disappear’. Wrapped in sorrow and darkness it is a track that gradually grows in intensity from the quietest background noise to a colossal, towering finale of beautiful noise. It does as the title suggests, delving into a dark midnight journey like a ghost train slipping unnoticed through a never-ending tunnel. They sound like Sigur Ros drowning in tears of black ink, slowly engulfing them in a monochrome nightmare of secrets, lies and mysteries. It’s a glorious form of misery though.

With Sylvain Chauveau’s music it is silence that is appreciated more than noise. On ‘Il Fait Nuit Noire a Berlin’ Piano notes are hesitantly played in small clusters with massive gaps between them as if allowing the notes to breathe. Alone in a void these piano keys are the only sound that guide us through the two minutes it fills. Like the cold dark sky between the stars this music is spacious yet captivating.

Max Richter is the most traditional sounding of all the artists here; his sound is firmly rooted in classical music. The strings in ‘On The Nature Of Daylight’ are like watching a sunset; hazy and glorious yet sombre as it seems to be fading into darkness. His music has a very cinematic quality to it so it is no surprise that he has composed music for several films, including the critically acclaimed ‘Waltz With Bashir’ His music is vast and captivating while also being satisfyingly bleak.

Hauschka is the most recent signing on the 130701 label. His track ‘Blue Bicycle’ is the most joyous of all the pieces of music here. Centred around an uplifting piano, Hauschka dashes from note to note with lightning speed dragging the not too sombre strings behind it. However this music is not as straightforward as it may seem on first listening, experimental noises, rattles and static blend wonderfully into the mix here like sun beams. What gives Hauschka his most defining quality is his subtle alterations to the traditional piano sound, contorting the piano strings so slightly he gives the whole piece a sense of adventure into the unknown. It is this that is the defining nature of all the artists on 130701, adventure and mystery.

Words > Connor Crookes