Shane Parish Untangles Autechre’s Electronic Complexity on Acoustic Guitar
Guitarist Shane Parish has built a reputation for the seemingly impossible: translating intricate electronic music into stunningly detailed acoustic arrangements. You might recognize his name from his captivating fingerstyle rendition of aphex Twin’s “Avril 14th” that surfaced a year and a half ago. Now, he’s tackling an even more enterprising project – the discography of electronic music pioneers Autechre.
His new album, aptly titled Autechre Guitar, is a collection of ten Autechre tracks reimagined for solo acoustic guitar.It’s a feat many would consider improbable, as noted by Philip Sherburne in the album’s liner notes: “This record shouldn’t, strictly speaking, be possible at all.” Yet, Parish proves or else, delivering a truly remarkable listening experience.
A Long-held Vision
This isn’t a spontaneous undertaking. Parish has been exploring the intersection of Autechre’s sound and the acoustic guitar as the early 2000s. He first encountered Autechre’s 1994 album Amber and began painstakingly transcribing their complex rhythms and melodies.
as Parish explains, the initial spark came while learning the 29-beat melody of “Slip” in a basement apartment during a bleak winter. This early exploration laid the groundwork for a project decades in the making. He honed his transcription skills, even creating the score for the Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet’s Music For Four Guitars, before returning to this monumental challenge.
From Kraftwerk to autechre: A Natural Progression
Recent explorations wiht electronic music interpretations – including versions of Kraftwerk’s “Europe Endless” and, of course, Aphex Twin’s “Avril 14th” on his album Repertoire – fueled his determination.These successes gave him the confidence to fully commit to Autechre Guitar.
“Engaging with these masterpieces of electronic music put the wind in my sails to pursue this much larger project,” Parish shares. He views the album as a testament to his deep admiration for Autechre’s “crystalline poetry” and a desire to express it through the unique voice of the acoustic guitar.
What to Expect
Autechre Guitar promises a unique listening experience. Expect the familiar soundscapes of Autechre, but filtered through Parish’s masterful technique and the warm resonance of the acoustic guitar. Here’s the tracklist:
- “Maetl”
- “Eggshell”
- “Eutow”
- “Slip”
- “Bike”
- “Nine”
- “Yulquen”
- “Lowride”
- “Corc”
- “clipper”
You can already sample the first two tracks, “Maetl” and “Eggshell,” offering a glimpse into the album’s captivating sound.
Release Details
Autechre Guitar is set for release on February 27th via Palilalia, Bill Orcutt’s label. Pre-order your copy now on Bandcamp: https://shaneparish.bandcamp.com/album/autechre-guitar-2.
This album isn’t just a collection of covers; it’s a testament to the power of musical interpretation and the enduring influence of Autechre. If you appreciate innovative guitar work and electronic music, Autechre Guitar is an album you won’t want to miss.
