Gate

Gate

The Numbers

Birdman

In the 1980s, Michael Morley helped to push the jangly New Zealand music scene towards rougher, more exploratory realms, as a member of Wreck Small Speakers on Expensive Stereos, The Weeds, and the almighty Dead C. His gnarled, distorted guitar tone and aggressively moan-based vocal style are both as distinctive as they are secretly beautiful. Morley has released dozens of solo recordings—starting in the late 1980s as Gate, then more recently under his own name, and as the Righteous Yeah. He’s also unafraid to tackle entirely new genres and sounds, and to move into interactive installation-based music as well. Birdman is beyond excited to present the first vinyl release of this archival Gate release. “...I think it is classic Gate material. The idea of the palette is fascinating as I think I did approach it with a set of limited instrumentation and the desire to make something again that could sound like rock music. There is certainly a direct line from Wreck Small Speakers On Expensive Stereos, through the Dead C, and to Gate. I think I was also inspired by listening to [infamous and tragically short-lived early 1980s band] the Double Happys, and remembering their performances as a duo with the drum machine. There was such utter chaos and anarchy during their sets, with a desire to represent punk rock at its nascent truth, I wanted to see if it was possible to re- imagine that feeling. I was possibly also listening to the Stooges and MC5. —Michael Morley

Gate

Damned Revolutions

Ultramarine

Received a 7.3 rating from Pitchfork.... Dark and fuzzy guitar drones from DEAD C guitarist MICHAEL MORLEY, who accompanies dense walls of distorted resonance with sparse electronics sustained by spectral beats and bass pulses. Moaning vocals are reminiscent of pre-war blues chants. Side B’s suite of free rock improvisation, wild noise, echoed vocals, thick guitar fog, haunting nocturnal blues, and cymbal crashes captures the mood of a lonely, grey, apparently still, sunless port city landscape. Edition of 300.

Gate

A Republic Of Sadness

Ba Da Bing!

INCLUDES FREE DOWNLOAD COUPON!!!   The first new Gate record in over a decade, A Republic of Sadness is as much a reason for celebration as indoctrination into the creative genius of Michael Morley. Known primarily for his work in The Dead C, Morley simultaneously has been doing Gate since he's started playing.A Republic of Sadness comprises the apex of Morley's various interests in one collection. His guitar and vocal drones permeate through looped beats and sounds, arriving at a sound that is not quite dance, not quite noise, not quite electronica and never, ever ambient.