On the Wire’s Sonic Social Services

The Wire magazine was launched in 1982. It was independent then and its independent now. With the current strapline under its title on each cover reads “Adventures in Sound and Music”, a clear statement of intent. Its first editor, Richard Cook, was an early guest of On the Wire travelling from London to Blackburn to appear on the show. On the Wire have been friends ever since and over the last twenty years a writer passing himself off as Steve Barker has been contributing to the magazine, specifically in the form of the monthly reggae/dub column which, like its host, often stretches and squeezes the interpretation of genre expectations. The Wire, like many other independent cultural endeavours, even in “normal” times lives from hand to mouth. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to subscribe right now and support writers and musicians largely operating outside the mainstream, check out the deals here:

https://shop.exacteditions.com/the-wire


Our friend Miles Opland of Bokeh Versions has just released Mutual Aid 2020, the first ever Bokeh compilation, with 100% of all proceeds going direct to artists - for themselves or for distribution in their local community. You can find it here:

https://bokehversions.bandcamp.com/album/mutual-aid-2020

17 tracks breathe in the whole history of 'the Bokeh sound', from the sci-fi digi to dancehall sampling shoegaze chuggers, B-movie horror drill, industrial spoken word, euphoric steppas, surf-indebted metallic roots, acid goths remixing gqom. Many tracks are from releases that never happened for various reasons. Mutual Aid 2020 is an alternative and future history of Bokeh with many artists making a welcome return (Jay Glass Dubs, Rer Repeter, Mars89, Low Jack, Sea Urchin, Duppy Gun) and many new faces (Roger Robinson, Avon Terror Corps guns for hire Fever 103 + Child + Franco Franco). Unmissable we say ……

Another label that On the Wire has supported since back in the day is Touch, since its first release in 1982, Touch has created sonic and visual productions that combine innovation with a level of care and attention that has made it the most enduring of any independent company of its time. Touch: Isolation is a new project whereby a new exclusive track with a bespoke photograph/cover image is presented on a regular basis over the coming weeks. The proceeds of the the income received is divided up between the contributing artists who will include Oren Ambarchi, Richard Chartier, ELEH, farmersmanual, Fennesz, fennesz sakamoto, Bana Haffar, Howlround, Philip Jeck, Bethan Kellough, Daniel Menche, Anthony Moore, Yann Novak, Zachary Paul, Claire M Singer, Geneva Skeen, UnicaZürn, Mark Van Hoen, CM von Hausswolff, Chris Watson, Jana Winderen and others to be confirmed – all expertly mastered by Denis Blackham. You can get in touch with Touch! here:

https://touch33.net/

If you or your label/organisation have a Sonic Social Service then let us know:

steve.barker@bbc.co.uk