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Biota: Measured Not Found (Recommended Records)

A deeply immersive and meticulously crafted work from the reclusive Biota collective, blending microtonal instruments, electroacoustic techniques, and a wide array of ancient and modern timbres into a richly layered and human sound-world of instrumental and delicate song forms, unfolding across shifting textures and suspended time-the result of more than seven years of collaborative studio experimentation.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Kristianne Gale-voice, strumstick

James Gardner-arrangements

Tom Katsimpalis-guitars, harmonica, clavioline, ektara, prepared music boxes

Randy Miotke-Rhodes, trumpet, synthesizers, percussion, processing

Charles O'Meara-piano

Karl Paloucek-pianos, French horn, metal pipe, composition

Mark Piersel-acoustic guitar, electric bass, processing

Steve Scholbe-acoustic archtop guitaar, rubab

William Sharp-editing, arrangements, processing

Gordon Whitlow-electric organ, pump organ, accordion, processing

Larry Wilson-kit drums, percussion

Randy Yeates-keyboard

David Zekman-violin, processed bowed strings


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 752725047623

Label: Recommended Records
Catalog ID: ReR BCD10
Squidco Product Code: 36151

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2025
Country: UK
Packaging: Digipack w/ booklet
Recorded at Dys Studio, in Bellvue, Colorado, between Fall 2012 and Spring 2025, by William Sharp.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Seven years in the making, the now almost legendary, reclusive, American art and sound collective's new work extends its unique amalgamation of ancient and modern instruments, multiple musical vocabularies, immaculate crafting and detailed studio manipulation into a seamless and immersive unfolding of suspended time.

This is an exceptional group that has created a sound-world that's both instantly recognisable and irremediably human.

Biota: Clavioline, French horn, prepared music boxes, Hammond organ, guitars, ektara, Fender Rhodes, strumstick, trumpet, bass, piano, synthesiser, harmonica, voice, flute, rubab, pump organ, accordion, kit drums, misc. percussion, tabla, biomellowdrone, bent circuits, dumbek and violin.

Founded in Colorado in the late 1970s, Biota's first recordings were released under the name of the Mnemonist Orchestra who, between 1980 and 1984, released five albums on its own label, before linking up with ReR in 1984.

That was also the year in which they split into an independent visual arts collectiveÑretaining the Mnemonist nameÑand the recording project, Biota. Since then, their releases have presented the work of both groups in tandem.

They have a small but highly dedicated listenership that grows from release to release... one day."-ReR Megacorp


Artist Biographies

Kristianne Gale is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist known for her work with Biota, contributing voice and strumstick. She has also produced experimental radio skits, showcasing her creative versatility.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

James Gardner is a New Zealand-based composer and musician. Born in Liverpool, England, he co-founded the electronic music group Apollo 440 before relocating to New Zealand in 1994. There, he established the contemporary music ensemble 175 East and has been active as a broadcaster and educator in contemporary music.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Tom Katsimpalis was a multi-instrumentalist and visual artist associated with Biota. His contributions included guitars, harmonica, clavioline, ektara, and prepared music boxes. He was also known for his work in visual arts, contributing to the collective's aesthetic.Randy Miotke

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Randy Miotke is a musician and producer who has been part of Biota's evolving lineup. His roles have included playing Rhodes piano, trumpet, synthesizers, percussion, and handling processing duties. He has also been involved in engineering for the group.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Charles O'Meara, known professionally as C.W. Vrtacek, was an American multi-instrumentalist and composer. He was a founding member of the avant-garde band Forever Einstein and a member of Biota. His solo work blended elements from various genres, including rock, folk, jazz, and classical music.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Karl Paloucek is a musician and composer who has contributed to Biota's unique sound. His instrumentation includes pianos, French horn, metal pipe, and composition work, adding to the ensemble's experimental textures.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Mark Piersel is a multi-instrumentalist and producer with Biota. His contributions encompass acoustic guitar, electric bass, and processing, playing a significant role in the group's sonic explorations.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Steve Scholbe is a guitarist and reed player associated with Biota and the Mnemonist Orchestra. His instrumentation includes acoustic archtop guitar and rubab, contributing to the ensemble's diverse sound palette.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

William Sharp is an American composer, producer, and audio engineer, best known as the co-founder and creative force behind the experimental music ensemble Biota. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Sharp co-established the group in the late 1970s, initially under the name Mnemonist Orchestra, alongside Mark Derbyshire. Their early work combined abstract sound collage with visual art, reflecting their backgrounds in science and community radio engineering. By 1984, the collective split into two factions: the visual arts group retained the Mnemonists name, while the musical ensemble became Biota.

Sharp's role in Biota encompasses production, engineering, mixing, editing, electronic processing, and arrangement. He has been instrumental in shaping the group's distinctive sound, which blends elements of experimental music, electroacoustic techniques, musique concrète, and free improvisation. Biota's compositions are characterized by their unpredictable organization of sounds, inviting listeners to engage with the music in a personal and interpretive manner.

Under Sharp's guidance, Biota has released numerous albums, primarily on the Recommended Records (RēR) label. Their work often explores themes of displacement, solitude, and the consequences of long-term institutionalization. Notable releases include "Rackabones" (1985), "Bellowing Room" (1987), "Tinct" (1988), and "Tumble" (1989). The group's meticulous approach to composition and production results in music that is both timeless and teeming with life, motion, and complexity.

Beyond his work with Biota, Sharp has contributed to the broader experimental music community through collaborations and performances. He continues to influence the genre with his innovative techniques and dedication to pushing the boundaries of sound and composition.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Gordon H. Whitlow is a composer and instrumentalist who has been with Biota since 1985. He is also a principal member of the project Sorry For Laughing. His instruments include electric organ, pump organ, accordion, and processing tools, enriching Biota's experimental compositions.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Larry Wilson is a drummer and percussionist contributing to Biota's rhythmic elements. His expertise in kit drums and percussion adds dynamic layers to the group's experimental soundscapes.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

Randy Yeates is a visual artist and musician involved with Biota and the Mnemonist Orchestra. His musical contributions include keyboard work, notably the biomellowdrone, and he has been part of other groups like Artco and Viewpoint.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

David Zekman was a violinist and craftsman based in Fort Collins, Colorado. A longtime member of Biota, he contributed violin and processed bowed strings to the ensemble's recordings. Zekman passed away in July 2022, leaving behind a legacy within the experimental music community.

-Squidco 5/7/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Gravel Road To Secrecy 2:02

2. Method 1:18

3. By The Way 1:11

4. The Sheep Under The Snow 1:56

5. Bushes And Briars 4:16

6. Below The Valley Of Late 2:48

7. New Air 3:23

8. Land Of Dust And Rain 2:42

9. Take Heart My Crows 2:21

10. Little Water 4:04

11. Rest 1:44

12. Leaving To Stay Here 1:49

13. Back On A Level Place 2:22

14. To A House With Rose Windows 4:52

15. Situated 1:09

16. On River 2:48

17. Suspended Intention 0:53

18. Fallen Away 0:46

19. Cartography 4:34

20. Distance 4:20

21. Spyglass 1:47

22. Brightening Air 3:55

23. Laurel Song 2:31

24. Second First Thing 2:41

25. Sparrow 0:34

26. Come All Ye Fair & Tender Ladies 2:54

Related Categories of Interest:


Recommended Records
Compositional Forms
Electro-Acoustic
Large Ensembles
Song Based Music
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Experimental & Electronic Music
New in Compositional Music
Recent Releases and Best Sellers

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