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AmbiEntrance: Before we move on to the label and Oscillations, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Halcyon: A left over dj from the acid house scene of the late 80's. A klf record collector. A crop circle hoaxer and the inventor of the first "do it yourself crop circle machine" (available early 2000) and depending on who
you talk to - an irate, pompous, sarcastic, and cynical person. But I feel I
am really a nice individual.
AmbiEntrance: How did M. Sickinger become Michael Halcyon? (and is the name change "official" or just a nickname?)
Halcyon: For some reason, people always screw up the pronouncing of my name... It is
very simple... SICK (as in "sick"), INGER (as in "injure") but apparently
no one can get it right. There is the common mistakes of course, such as
Sickinburger, Sickinjury, Sickalewinski, and so on.
So I figured, well, the label is Halcyon, why not Michael Halcyon? Easy
enough. I also have had terrible sleep disturbances and insomnia for the last 10
years - so there is the rumour I used "halcion" the sleeping drug. Perhaps
another reasoning - I listened to underground hardcore music in the 80's
such as Youth of Today, Judge, Bad Brains, and early Agnostic Front. Most of
the "throats" had the last name of the band, such as Ray of Today, Mike
Judge, etc... another reasoning - the meaning of the world "halcyon". So please
choose if you must.
Of course, it is just a nick name though.
AmbiEntrance: What prompted the birh of Halcyon Recordings, and what is its goal?
Halcyon: I had a label in the 80's to mid 90's called Lifelike which released 7
inch records and cassettes of dub plates in the vein of King Tubby/ Mad
Professor, noise atmospherics, and a sickly tracks that sounded like the
Swans... Around '91 or so I started to record with a few people in Boston and
joined a rave project (back then the rave sound was big and I loved
D-Shake) and released the album Diva. By 1993, I was completely immersed in
the sound of Silent records ( heavenly music corp, deeper than space, From
here to tranquility compilations, etc.) and figured it was time to give up on
Lifelike and look for others labels (in particular Silent) to
release my tracks since my studio partner went seperate ways. I recorded
hundreds of tracks, only to lose some of the DATS at Gatwick airport, and
to careless mislabeling of tapes. A few of the tracks were recovered, others
are lost forever.
By the end of 1996 I found out Kim Cascone (Heavenly Music Corp) sold
Silent Records. Silent was going in a new direction so I figured I would
track down the artists and continue to keep Kim's vision alive. After one
year, I found at least 20 ex-Silent artists and the man I based the label
around, Kim Cascone.
As for Halcyon Recordings goal? Take one day at a time and release records
that I think are wonderful. And perhaps update our web site sometime this
month!!
AmbiEntrance: What was the general reaction from the former Silent artists when you told them of your plans?
Halcyon: It was a very positive reaction... Many of them were surprised that someone cared enough to search them out and to continue releasing their records. I am just surprised no other label decided to do the same.
AmbiEntrance: Oscillations has quite a strong line-up for a first CD; how did you manage such an impressive gathering of ambient artists?
Halcyon: Richard Bone sent me a few discs in early '97 because of a post concerning
ambient gatherings I was holding in Boston. He introduced me to M. Griffin
(Hypnos founder) in the early part of '98,which then lead to Vidna Obmana and
Steve Roach.
Mystical Sun (Richard Plom , Solar World) introduced me to Kim Cascone, which
led to many ex-Silent artists. A man named Mr. Beefy introduced me to Rod
Modell (Waveform Transmission). I met Mark Gage (Vapourspace) in '92-'93
while touring with Orbital.
Then there is the story of how I met Chris & Cosey, The Klf, the Orb, Sun
Electric, and so on... There were so many tracks to choose from that 200
people didn't make it onto the first release (perhaps a 20 cd set?!), so
they were held back for future Oscillations. One person was very
disappointed that he didn't make it on to the release and no longer speaks
with me. I can't please everyone. But I sure did piss him off! Also, I
received about 1000 packages in mail box after people heard about the
compilation... I still receive about100 or so a month.
AmbiEntrance: After hearing so many demos, what submission advice would you give to potential artists? What's the most common "mistake" of those not selected?
Halcyon: Well, I am by no means an expert at this... I am just looking for tracks
that sound different than what is out there. Everyone knows there is nothing
new under the sun. I would say that 99% of the tracks I receive are just
rehashed Brian Eno and Steve Roach artists, which is a real shame because I
would like to release more records. I refuse to fall into a "we are just a
droney ambient label" because I get extemely bored very easily and
therefore Oscillations 2 will be a big surprise to many people.
As for sending material, be different, have fun, and do the unexpected... If I
think it is good, but just not my kind of thing, I will most likely pass it
along to someone who would be into it... Plus, try to send a cdr or past cd
releases due to my tape deck crapping out on me. And make sure you send me
contact info as well.
AmbiEntrance: Besides contributing on two tracks, Rod Modell did all the mastering and editing at his Cistern Studio; are you also involved in the hands-on
editing process?
Halcyon: I leave all the technical splicing and dicing to Rod... He knows his gear
inside and out and can make tracks sound wonderful. I did that kind of work
for years but it burned me out.
AmbiEntrance: So your track with T. Lemmo (the emptiness that contains everything) was lost in an airport for two years?
Halcyon: Well actually, I think it was 3 years.
AmbiEntrance: How were they (the lost tracks at gatwick) recovered? Did anyone at the airport listen to them?
Halcyon: I don't remember much about what happened, but my luggage was mixed up with someone from Japan. There was a bomb scare, someone was hit by a train via Victoria station, and
I drank so much on the flight that I forgot my record bag and my shoes. A
very strange situation when I arrived at customs.
AmbiEntrance: I like the informative liner notes; what's this about forming crop circles?
Halcyon: I have tried and tried to perfect my hoaxing of crop circles over the last
decade but it just doesn't work out the way I envisioned... That is why I
developed a "do it yourself crop circle kit" with all the necessities you
need to get a nice circle. You can adjust the sizes too... You could have one
in the yard if you like, depending if you have long enough grass. But the
thing is heavy so I am looking for lighter and cheaper materials so I can
improve the prototype.
AmbiEntrance: Are there many crop fields in the Boston area in which to do circles? Do you have a personal interest in sci-fi/UFOs, or is it more an interest
in the hoaxing part?
Halcyon: As for crop fields in the Boston area, I do not know of any. There are many
up north though... Vast fields where there has been known UFO sightings.
I used to have a major interest in the UFO phenomena, but I tend to stay
away from it ever since I was in contact with Whitley Streiber (author of
Communion) a few years back. Weird things happened around my apartment,
childhood memories of blue lights and unexplained events resurfaced, and
out of body experiences. I am not sure how to explain it and perhaps it was
all just hallucinations... or perhaps it is much more that.
Either way, I know of people who experience these things very frequently.
AmbiEntrance: What's next at Halcyon? What's further down the line?
Halcyon: I will be releasing a promo only coloured 12-inch featuring 3 selected tracks from Oscillations and 2 unreleased tracks from my tape vault... It will be very limited and the only way to get it is if you have know me personally.
After that we will see another Oscillations with some very special guests. A
michael halcyon Vs. Terence Mckenna release (this one dates back to
'95-'96, with a few new tracks). And many limited edition ambient dub plates.
Plus, I will be unveiling the Halcyon Recordings Tower of a Million Lights
monument sometime in the year 2000. It is a bit heavy and it is not for
sale. Boston Police will not grant me a permit until the Underwriters
Laboratory (UL) says it is safe for public display... Something about being
flammable and illegal.
AmbiEntrance: How large is the "tower", and does it have a purpose other than to attract attention with a million lights and a sense of possible danger?
Where will it stand? (It's really a signal to the MotherShip, isn't it?)
Halcyon: The tower is just a project I developed, so there is really no reason
behind it. It will even have a Halcyon catalogue number. But then again, I
could be just saying this to confuse you of its hidden meaning.
We will be showcasing the monument from a rented boat in the middle of the
Charles River. The only problem is getting it there. We will most likely
need two 18 wheelers to get the monument into the center of the city ( the
monument splits in two).
Our web site will have more info shortly.
AmbiEntrance: You've recently gotten back from England... was it a business (recruitment, perhaps?) trip or pleasure trip? You were hanging with Chris
and Cosey and the Higher intelligence Agency?
Halcyon: Every year I head to England once or twice, either to spin records or buy
records, drink lots of cider, and to see some old friends.
We did hang out with Chris & Cosey at their home- drank tea, played with
the cats, and listened to some wonderful tracks. I have never been a big
Throbbing Gristle fan, so they are just normal regular people to me who make
great music. Others think of them as gods or something and would give
anything just to meet them. People tend to be completely ridiculous when it
comes to famous people. If only people would stop the praise and listen to
the music!
As for Higher Intelligence Agency, we had a wonderful visit. His sampler
died while trying to hear some of his tracks (a bad power supply I think).
I have always enjoyed his music so it was nice to sit and chat with him. He
is truely an inspirational person.
AmbiEntrance: It'd been quite a few years since I'd read Desiderata which you included in the Oscillations liner notes. Obviously you think highly of
the piece to include it in your first Halcyon release. Of it's advice,
what's the most personally meaningful message to you?
Halcyon: "Whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep
peace with your soul. With all its sham drudgery & broken dreams it is still
a beautiful world".
For some reason Desiderata has always been a reminder to take a look around
-stop and smell the roses, enjoy the moment, etc. in which many of us fail to
do so. So many people get caught up with nonsense that we waste so much
time in our lives. Of course, most of it has to do with money. Perhaps if we
lean away from material items, the world would be a more pleasant to live
in.
AmbiEntrance: You cited Desiderata as having been "found at Saint Paul's Church,
Baltimore"... a little web research reveals not exactly a hoax, but more a
perpetuated mistake... the essay was actually written in 1927 by Indiananan
Max Ehrmann, in his "Sage of Terre Haute".
("In 1956, the rector of Baltimore's St. Paul's Church anthologized the
poem in a mimeographed pamphlet of inspirational writings for his
congregation. Someone reprinting it later, separated from its original
credit, erroneously described it as having been found in old St. Paul's
Church dated 1692. The year 1692 is in fact the founding date of St. Paul's
Church and has nothing to do with the poem."
Hope that doesn't burst any bubbles about the whole anonymity thing... :)
Halcyon: Well, it is nice to see people taking the time to find out about these
things! Also, if you noticed the inner sleeve photo of Oscillations, it is
the same place were Oasis took their photo for the album cover of (Whats
the story) Morning glory. Some people didnt pick up on that!
AmbiEntrance: I hadn't noticed, though my wife has that CD. So is the inclusion of that shot an homage, or a jab, to Oasis, or just a joke?
Halcyon: Well it wasn't a joke or a jab. I dislike rock bands, but I find myself
listening to Oasis every now and then. They're from Mancheste, they have
catchy tunes, and lots of attitude ("fuck you, we are top" and so on)." They
struggled and worked hard to get were they are and were not a bunch of rich
kids who had everything handed to them like many people I know. So I respect
them for who they are and what they do because I can relate.
Also, the street in the photo is home to some of the best record shops in
london - Sister Ray, Ambient Soho, Reckless, Selectadisc, and Music and Video
Exchange among others. I had the photo for years so I figured it should be put to use...
AmbiEntrance: Thanks for talking with us. It sounds like Halcyon has a lot of musical power behind it and we look forward to hearing more. Anything you'd like to
add?
Halcyon: We will be working on a dub compilation, so feel free to send your tracks.
And if anyone is interested in picking up Oscillations, contact:
Lloyd Barde
c/o Backroads Music...home of the Heartbeats catalog
418 Tamal Plaza
Corte Madera, CA 94925
phone: 415-924-4848
fax#: 415-924-0648
toll free: 1-800-767-4748
email: backroad@well.com
url: http://www.backroadsmusic.com.
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