Institute of Spoons
Welcome to the official website of the Institute of Spoons ... hic
SHIPPING NEWS 2023-12-01
Q: Is there cheap shipping from the Institute of Spoons to the UK, USA, Canada & Australia yet?
A: Yes. It's now called Registered Small Packet:
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/overview_en.html
202?-??-?? ESP Summer info here ...
202?-??-?? Isolated Gate Universe in Revers info here ...
2022-11-18 Isolated Gate No Heart No Home info here ...
2021-11-03 Isolated Gate Hapax Legomenon EP available for pre-order on the Darla label Cat# DRL365
First EP for Darla Records.
1. Insincerabilitisationism
2. The Sky has Died
3. Rubber Brain
4. Cinnamon Sphincter
5. Battle of the Buildings
Sleeve design: Our good friend, Timothy O'Donnell.
Available to pre-order from Darla.
2021-09-15 ESP Summer 'Kingdom of Heaven' LP issued on the Disciples label Cat# REDISC3
This is an expanded version of the limited lathe cut we put out.
Available from Norman Records in the UK and many other fine independent emporia ...
2021-09-04: Friendly Science Orchestra 1998 7 inch re-released
https://friendlyscienceorchestra.bandcamp.com/releases
Read the original NME Single of the Week review on the Press page.
2021-09-04: Shipping delays to USA, Canada, Australia ...
The last announcement by the Japanese Post Office was 27 th August. There is still no ePacket service to the USA, but there is EMS, the more expensive service.
The cheapest EMS is 2400 yen, which we realize is a lot.
As the EMS service has re-started we are hopeful that ePacket will also restart soon, though we have no concrete data on when that is likely to be.
We are monitoring the situation and as soon as ePacket becomes available again, we'll ship any outstanding orders, which are all packed and ready to go.
Thanks for your patience.
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/overview_en.html
2021-08-07: Oneironaut 1996 7 inch re-released with bonus tracks
2021-07-02: Isolated Gate & Darla Records
We're ignited to announce that Isolated Gate will be working with Darla Records for the foreseeable future. LP before the end of the year and EP before that. More information to follow.
New video for Sight of You made by Terako Tera (of Big Beautiful Bluebottle) and shot by Xavier Senelar:
2020-08-16: Hear ESP Summer on the Brainwashed Radio Podcast:
If you enjoy challenging and extraordinary music, you need the Brainwashed Radio Podcast. It is always playing at the Institute of Spoons while we "work".
This week's episode features all new music and new releases from Jandek, Claire Deak & Tony Dupé, The Microphones, Midwife & Amulets, Kassel Jaeger, øjeRum, Richard Skelton, Mouchoir Étanche, Bill Nace, and ESP Summer.
2020-08-07: Super limited ESP Summer Lathe cuts released today!
More information here.
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2020-07-10: Super limited Isolated Gate Lathe cuts released today!
20 numbered Isolated Gate 5 inch toy lathe cuts as seen on left.
SOLD OUT!売り切れ!
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2020-07-08: Super limited Isolated Gate Lathe cuts dropping on Friday 10th July!
More info on Friday.
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2020-06-17: Onkonomiyaki face masks
We have made some special Onkonomiyaki face masks. Cost 500 yen each. Please contact the Institute if you'd like to buy some. More information here.
「音好み焼きフェースマスク」情報を追加しました。詳細はこちらへ。
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2020-05-30: Designer Onkonomiyaki purse
We've added information about the special Onkonomiyaki purse, which you can find here.
特別な「音好み焼き研究所」財布に関する情報を追加しました。詳細はこちらへ。
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2020-04-24: Isolated Gate on FBi Radio:
FBi Radio DJ Peter Hollow plays tracks by and talks about Isolated Gate, Big Beautiful Bluebottle and Thug, and a shed load of other great music:
"Here's an Aussie IDM classic from Adelaide's Tim Koch, whose earliest work was released under the moniker Thug. Released in 1999, this was one of the earliest Aussie electronic releases that seemed to me to really get the feel of IDM - melodic, emotive synths with crunchy beats. Tim is a bit of an international legend (and a singularly self-effacing dude), with broad tastes, and it's exciting to see he's collaborating with another self-effacing legend, Ian Masters of shoegazers Pale Saints. Masters has long been into experimental electronic music and general weirdness, but this new duo Isolated Gate is pretty out there - drill'n'bass-level weirdo beats and fragmented vocals, yet honestly kind of catchy! This release, Horologium Demos E.P. is pretty clearly early versions, but hella promising.I was also super pleased to discover Masters' collaboration with Terako Terao under the name Big Beautiful Bluebottle. The Please Come Away From the Edge album deserves a full listen, starting with nearly 10 minutes of minimalist improvised piano from Masters, which is then live-processed by Terao for a similar length of time, after which the two improvise increasingly messed-up versions with vocals and even some beats. We heard the third iteration, finishing up tonight's show."Listen here: https://fbiradio.com/945fm/programs/utility-fog/2020-04-26/?fbclid=IwAR16zVMR-xzlGywFOH-GabxKxDYiQX8jqECVKtgSf66ut1KvAzOvdef4F2U
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2020-04-14: New music from Ian Masters & Tim Koch as Isolated Gate now on Bandcamp:
Isolated Gate (name decided at least 6 months ago!) is Ian Masters (Big Beautiful Bluebottle, ex-Pale Saints) in Japan and Tim Koch (ex-Tim Koch) in Australia, who started working together in 2018. You can hear 3 tracks from the 50 or so tracks in progress for their debut album later this year on Bandcamp: https://isolatedgate.bandcamp.com/album/horologium-demos-e-p
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2020-01-26: Important announcement regarding the Onkonomiyaki Labs 7": We strongly recommend that you remove the record & insert from the plastic sleeve, as we have been advised that both may react unexpectedly with it. We are now sending the record out packaged slightly differently. Please see this page for you can re-package your 7". Apologies for this. We are still learning at the Institute.
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2019-12-19: The Onkonomiyaki Labs 7" has been nominated for The 2019 Annual Brainwashed Readers Poll. If you'd like to vote for it, we won't stop you. There's also a great list of releases from 2019 to explore there.
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2019-11-29: 4AD have announced the Comforts of Madness re-issues. All the information here.
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2019-09-09: We've added information about the special super-cute Bu-bu-bu-bu purse, which you can find here.
特別なめちゃかわいいBu-bu-bu-bu財布に関する情報を追加しました。詳細はこちらへ。
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2019-06-15: The Onkonomiyaki Labs limited (100 copies) numbered 7 inch EP is now available in the shoppe.
音好み焼き研究所の番号付限定7インチEP(100枚)が、現在、ここで販売されています。
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2019-06-08: The Onkonomiyaki Labs 7 inch EP arrived from the pressing plant today. It sounds great. We're making the sleeves now. As soon as we're ready to ship, everyone who has pre-ordered will be notified by email. Thank you for your patience.
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2019-05-11: Onkonomiyaki Labs will be playing a short set at Art & Nepal in Tsukaguchi, Osaka on 2019-05-15. More info here:
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2019-05-10: Second batch of test pressings have just arrived and they're better, so I'm giving the go ahead.
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2019-05-07: The first batch of test pressings for the Onkonomiyaki Labs 7" EP were atrocious so we're now waiting for a second batch.
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2019-04-11: An announcement will be made here very soon concerning the release of a limited edition 100 copies only E.P. of Ian Masters solo pieces, under the name of 音好み焼き研究所, or Onkonomiyaki Labs. If you'd like to reserve a copy, please send us a mail at: Iwouldliketoreservealimitedonkonomiyakilabs7inchrecord@eat78rpm.co.uk
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I'll be doing a BGM live with my good friend, Ayu Okakita: 2019-04-16 (Tue) 20:00 BGM live: Ian Masters, Ayu Okakita at El Nague, Mikuni, Osaka.
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2019-03-05: Big Beautiful Bluebottle gig Sunday 2019-03-31(日)at Soundgarden in Osaka with Ayu Okakita and Hujoel from Belgium. Free entry. Please tip the bands!
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2019-02-29: We have 5 copies of the excellent Ayu Okakita CD album "Sayonara Dance" directly from Ayu herself, signed and each with 2 special promo stickers included! We don't generally sell other peoples' stuff but this is GREAT! It's in the shoppe.
「あゆおかきた」の「さよならダンス」(サイン入り)をshoppeセクションで販売しています!
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2018-11-26: Signed copies of Cucumber Concubine/Wingdisk 7" back in stock!
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2018-08-07: Cucumber Concubine/Wingdisk 7" for sale in the shoppe section! 300 copies green vinyl limited edition with locked groove, 100 copies signed by Ian Masters and Mark Tranmer.
Cucumber Concubine / Wingdisk 7 "をshoppeセクションで販売しています!