1980.1985, by John Lafia

1980.1985

by John Lafia

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Includes unlimited streaming of 1980.1985 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	Life Is Short 03:54	buy track
2.	Queen Of The Nile 05:10	buy track
3.	Propaganda 07:52	buy track
4.	West Montgomery Park 05:58	buy track
5.	A Promise 06:25	buy track
6.	Dream 04:25	buy track
7.	Escape 07:06	buy track
8.	4AM 04:34	buy track
9.	Doubt 01:32	buy track
10.	Art of Jungle 10:04	buy track
11.	The Circus Is In Town 08:10	buy track
12.	SOS 02:41	buy track
13.	4th Of July 05:19	buy track
14.	The Moth 05:48	buy track
15.	Hidden Things 05:23	buy track
16.	Spaghetti Western 05:35	buy track

about

Active in Los Angeles’ 1980-1986 underground music scene, John Lafia is best known for the hypnotic album Prayers, released through Barry Craig’s influential, cassette-only label Trance Port Tapes. "Life Is Short", "A Promise", “Dream", “Hidden Things", "Spaghetti Western", and
"Escape" come from that release.

This compilation also features tracks from subsequent Trance Port releases: LA Mantra 2 ’s "Queen Of The Nile" and Phantom Takes’ "The Moth". John’s “Odyssey Girls” appeared on the seminal 1983 spoken word LP, English As A Second Language. “The Confession,” a collaboration with legendary producer Ethan James, was released on 1986’s LP, Voices From North America. While recording this music, Hollywood-based John also dreamt of making his own films.

To support himself, he intermittently crewed on low-budget movies, including fellow UCLA Film School alumni, Alex Cox’s infamous Repo Man. Cinematic influence comes to the fore in titles such as, "Spaghetti Western", “Queen Of The Nile,” “Escape,” and “Hidden Things.” Working alone endlessly in his home studio, John used the recording environment as a launching pad for exploring his uncensored psyche’s furthest dimensions. Hours of repetitive rhythms often transported him into trance-like states.
Tracks “Propaganda” and “Art Of The Jungle” exemplify this technique.
Others, “4AM,” “Doubt,” and “Montgomery Park,” are miniature psychodramas (replete with three-act structures). Songs "Life Is Short", and "Dream" grapple with life’s fragile and unknowable essence.
"The Moth", "Fourth Of July", and "SOS", are sonic journeys into trance-like repetition.

This intensely personal music never intended to "find" an audience; it was a means in and of itself. Its decades-later rebirth in this compilation is a joyous surprise.

credits

released December 31, 2018

Remastered at Alb-Estudi
Lacquer Cut at Dubplates & Mastering
Distributed by Aguirre Records
Pressed by Optimal Media GmbH
Designed by Daniel Entonado

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Madrid/London/Montreal based label unearthing pivotal obscure counter-culture music beyond categories.

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