"Written, mixed and produced by HLER
Electric guitar, bowed lyra & effects by Heikki Lindgren
Pure data, Ableton Live, Renoise with Paketti by Esa Ruoho
Mastered by Jukka Anderson
Cover Design by Juuso Koponen"
Message from Riley Reinhold of Traum Schallplatten:
"I was looking for music that ways taking the label for an offroad ride. More meaningful and deeper then a lot of dancefloor music these days. Iam not saying i am done with dance music, because i have siged already some great music for this year, but there are times you need to dig deep. So Lackluster has that quality for sure!
This Finnish artist deliberately moves away from today’s prevailing sound aesthetics, refusing to create music that merely explodes in the listener’s face. Instead, his compositions are no fireworks but rather the glowing embers of a fire - shifting colors, subtle transformations, an appeal to the most primal human senses. In this, he shares a kinship with artists devoted to ambient music, yet he counterbalances their softness with an uncompromising edge - at times cold, at times unrelenting. The result is an experience that is as demanding as it is rewarding, an intricate soundscape that does not simply reveal itself but insists on being discovered.
This is, without question, the antithesis of a TV dinner. It is music that requires space, time, and patience—an ascent rather than an instant gratification. For those willing to engage, it promises something far more profound: an experience that unfolds and resonates long after the final note has faded."
Lackluster Bandcamp code "unexpected" 50% off till 4th april 2020.
Why? Because 4th april 2020 was supposed to be a gig but it got cancelled. (i know, cry me a river. but the income from the sales go into mastering + remastering materials and result in new releases)
Zero K, a brand new label, has released a very limited edition CD-r and tape (and digital album) LGM-1 by, well, us, HLER (Heikki Lindgren & Esa Ruoho)
"When you are listening to the sound of pulsars, you are listening to actual star-size oscillators with the most minimal and longest lasting drones in the whole universe." - HLER
"This edition of Electronic Frequencies presents music by Lackluster.
Lackluster is the artist name of Esa Ruoho (1978). He is a steady producing Finish electronic music producer with a huge body of work. Besides Lackluster, Esa Ruoho also uses the artist names XLLV, Can’O’Lard and Kökö and the Köks and he has released works on a large number of labels.
While most artists during their career move towards more difficult, digitally abstract forms, Esa Ruoho offers a refreshing return to the simple pleasures of melody. His music is often light and melodic but not at all superficial. He creates atmospheres with a timeless quality.
Electronic Frequencies presents a small collection of his best tracks."
Realignment is an hour long trip to subconscious paths that HLER travels on by improvising and reacting, navigating by intuition. Erratic, electric, slightly noisy, but occasionally dissolving the desolate industrial landscape to reveal beautiful harmonics, like plants slowly taking over an abandoned man-made environment.
released April 12, 2019 on Luola Records, sub-label of Luova Records!
The Lackluster: Repulsine EP is back in stock, grab your CD while you still can :) Thanks to Roz of SLSK Records for providing a couple of copies. I can sign them too, if you like.
The Heikki Lindgren & Esa Ruoho (HLER) collaboration tape (with the first two gigs we performed as a duo) is out now, and limited to 50 copies. Get it before it runs out - digital + tape purchase link at http://hler.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4BPtwzsgiw
I have composed a soundtrack for the ColdFusionNow.org produced Hydroton - A Model of Cold Fusion -documentary. Read the blurb below for some details:
HYDROTON A Model of Cold Fusion describes the nano-gap and Hydroton theory with Dr. Edmund Storms, a nuclear chemist and cold fusion researcher now retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory .
It picks up where Storms' 2014 book The Explanation of Low Energy Nuclear Reaction: An Examination of the Relationship between Observation and Explanation left off.
He proposes a unique chain of hydrogen and electrons that would assemble in the nano-cracks and nano-spaces of materials, fusing through a slow resonance process where smaller bits of mass are converted to quanta of energy through coherent photon emission.
If true, it would describe an extension of the 100-year-old conventional nuclear theory.
Several of the Nano-gap Hydroton Hypotheses are now being tested for confirmation.
Dr. Edmund Storms website http://www.lenrexplained.com
HYDROTON animation by Jasen Chambers http://jasenlux.com
Title animation by Augustus Clark and Mike Harris http://augustusclark.com
Music by Esa Ruoho a.k.a. lackluster https://lackluster.bandcamp.com
ICCF-18 video by Eli Elliott http://www.elienation.com
Filmed, edited and narrated by Ruby Carat https://twitter.com/ColdFusionNow
Our work supports Cold Fusion Now! and Eugene Mallove's Infinite Energy Foundation.
http://www.coldfusionnow.org
http://infinite-energy.com
The debut Ep from Can'o'Lard (just another Lackluster pseudonym you've never heard of) is now on Bandcamp. Dig in and enjoy! None of That Ep on Bandcamp
Here we go! A massively nice compilation from Neo Ouija, called Cottage Industries 6 - with exclusive music from Arovane, Bauri, Roel Funcken, Christ, Sleepy Town Manufacture, Metamatics, Tim Koch, Novel 23, Ambidextrous, Qeshi, G.I.S., Coppice Halifax, Ghostwerk & Zebra.. And so on. Actually, that's all there was. Here's the Bandcamp link, the Apple Music link and the rest you can dig out yourself!
16th and 17th of September 2016, you might do well to be in Kokkola, Finland, attending the Kohina Ambient Music Festival. Check out more info via Facebook and Web
My tune "Incoming (Live)" was used in this compilation. I originally improvised it live at the Pori 33H Ambient Music Festival.. The full compilation is here
Hi guys, welcome to my gig at Kontula Electronic on the 15th of April between 21.00-23.00. or something.
See you there. I guess I'll bring a few Slice + Showcase CDs.
Eastern Helsinki-dwellers ahoy! Lackluster will be performing at Myllypuron Mediakirjasto on the 17th of February 2016.
More information in Finnish at Facebook Event page
deFocus Package released, with extra remixes from the vaults by Tim Koch, VIM! and Sense Adam Raisbeck. Check it out at Bandcamp
Also, took part in the Netlabel day and contributed Van Flandern Waterfall to Nenormalizm Records.. Stream it here: Nenormalizm Records Netlabel Day 2015 by Lackluster
"Since the very start of Kahvi, one artist has been an almost regular fixture releasing frequently throughout the years. Not only on Kahvi but also on many commercial labels, and touring the world with his unique live set.
Lackluster is a familiar name in electronic music circles and we're happy to feature his latest ep entitled Swansong.
There is a selection of older and newer tracks from Lackluster's extensive archive of tracks, minimal and subtle like in shonuff shoreditch to epic and loud in preposterous. Swansong is slightly more of the underground and glitchy side of Kahvi but still refreshing in it's outlook to clear away the cold winter months and welcome in the summer at last!"
...txt recordings, the label run by Lee Anthony Norris a.k.a. Metamatics, has released their Tensegrity - compilation, with Lackluster: The Four Ebbs on it.
Yes, it's true. Merck Records could be gone, yet we released a wonderful set of records together. So here you can find a few rather rare, vinyl-only releases in FLAC/MP3 format, purchasing enabled via Bandcamp. http://lackluster.bandcamp.com/album/merck-package
I've posted two stretch goals. If we get to the 2nd stretch goal before end of the campaign, I'll have to really rack my brain and come up with something extra. Let's see if I have to. :-)
#1: $1111 - when we reach this, every person that has donated to the campaign receives two previously unreleased Lackluster EPs, exclusive to the campaign. They won't be sold on Bandcamp or made available in any other way. Also, everyone receives a digital download code for both the Slice and Spaces albums.
#2: $1354 - all perks from $1111 but also free download codes for Lexicon of Goods AND Merck Package.
An amazing compilation, out now. 255 tracks, roughly 23 hours of music.
p.s. contains an exclusive track from the forthcoming Album "Lexicon of Goods" (out on JellyFish Frequency Recordings soon) https://touched.bandcamp.com/album/touched-two
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Please get in touch with me via esaruoho@gmail.com if you wish to purchase any of these. Postage is pretty cheap for CDs but ridiculous for vinyl (as you would know). Here is the full list:
CDs:
1x Colongib & Christopher Graves: Special Rumble
5x Blamstrain: Remixed (Merck035)
3x Ilkae: Bring Extra Dragons (Merck043)
3x Ilkae: Bovine Rearrangement (Merck032)
2x Machinedrum: Urban Biology (Merck012)
2x Jimmy Edgar a.k.a. Kristuit salu vs. Morris nightingale: My Mines I (Merck009)
1x Sundial Aeon: Wolfsberg EP (ImpactCD02)
1x Machinedrum: Half The Battle (Merck011)
1x V/A: Merck Fragments (Merck045)
7x Esa Ruoho: Spaces (U-Cover005cd)
1x V/A: Merck Mix 3
9x Kaneel/Lackluster Split 3" (Awkward Silence Recordings AWK033)
9x Esa Ruoho: Riversmouth 3" (Attenuation Circuit)
Vinyl:
7x Frank & Bill 7" (MerckFB)
13x Lackluster: Showcase Sampler 12" (MerckSC)
1x Blamstrain Sansi Empler (MerckEN)
1x Blamstrain Remixed EP (MerckRE1)
4x Machinedrum: Half The Battle (MerckBA3)
Two dance-performances choreographed by Wilma Mehtonen, with music by Esa Ruoho aka Lackluster.
Web-responsive - so check them with your mobile devices http://lackluster.org/t43 http://lackluster.org/us
1. That's More Like It (10:30)
2. Orbiter1 (6:17)
3. Orbiter2 (3:42)
4. Dolorous (10:57)
5. The Source (14:24)
6. You're Me (11:22)
"Moody blue and dreamy ambient IDM return from Finland’s Lackluster" -Boomkat “You can define this EP as the soundtrack to a funeral, in a world where death does not have to be something sad.” / "Se puede definir este EP como la banda sonora de un funeral, en un mundo donde la muerte no tiene por que ser algo triste." -Buenos Aliens
"Esa Ruoho’s cabling hum hiss is also in the same kind of vibe, but instead of recording air and representing it on a golden plate, we are hearing the pleasant promised cabling hum hiss at its finest. It moves about in a fine audio way that creates a state of ambience where there is simply no need for melody but the relaxing results are of a high quality. Personally it makes me feel as if I’m in some kind of nature environment and the cabling hum hiss are insects that sing us to a cozy deep and safe sleep."
(from http://yeahiknowitsucks.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/various-artists-irreco… )
No Red Seas have released a new charity compilation called: No Dead Seas: No Red Seas Vol. 2.
"WHATEVER YOU PAY FOR THIS ALBUM GOES DIRECT TO THE BLACK FISH - SO PLEASE ADD A FEW EXTRA €€ IF YOU CAN! WHY...? "
Two good reasons:
1. The Black Fish is pioneering a new approach to marine conservation and working across Europe to expose and challenge illegal and destructive fishing practices. and defending the oceans from human greed.
2. Three hours of music this good is worth more than €10 and you know it.
Featuring new and established artists from 11 countries, with genres from idm to neoclassical. Many of them have donated previously unreleased material for this cause, and a number have also provided their own personal statements in support of it in their track information. Scientists have estimated that we could be faced with a dead ocean within just 4 decades - unless we ensure destructive fishing ends. We hope that the proceeds of this compilation will contribute towards negating this stark and irreversible possibility.
Please make an extra donation!
Conceived by Lesley Malone
Compiled by Lesley Malone and Caroline Jago http://noredseas.bandcamp.com
All albums on http://lackluster.bandcamp.com/ are now Pay-What-You-Want till the end of 2013 (or until I run out of free downloads). Take advantage and tell your friends, if you like.. Now's your chance to hook up "Container", "Wrapping", "Spaces", "Places", "Molies", "Compcomp", "On The Hangar of Spaceship Earth", "The Invisible Spanish Inquisition", "Scattered Harvest", "Repulsine", "Aeration", "Compilationtracks 2008-2010", "Portal", "Riversmouth", "What You Want Isn't What You Need", "Slice" and "CDR#2"
Spearchukka!: Exposure Means Addiction - 2012 Remixes
Nice & Nasty Records, August 2012, NAN0124
03. EMA (Lackluster Remix)
04. EMA (Lackluster's Other Remix)
Writeup:
"In 2001 Exposure Means Addiction by Barry Wigham's Spearchukka! appeared on Ceol Don Todhchai, a vinyl release by Nice & Nasty. It became single of the month in Ireland's BBm magazine and was featured in various UK and Irish publications, including some wonderful write ups by Sunil Sharpe and Dean Sherry.
In 2011 The Eigh Minus Eight remix appeared on a Dublin Xpress compilation whist early in 2012 Desy Balmer included the original in his Beyond Belfast album. Hiding away in the vaults at Nice & Nasty HQ were 2 mixes from Lackluster and then a new inspired club version from Jay Riordan we feel it time to re-releash and unleash this fine collection. The original is so timeless and beautiful I hope you find the time to chart or at least leave some feedback.
I have finally added the Harem Tone remix. A bubbly club cut from Jay Riordan and the full release goes live in a coupe of weeks. Enjoy this promo. Please leave some feedback and share on Bake Book, Myspace etc.
Finnish musician Esa Ruoho has been releasing experimental techno for about a decade, mainly under the name Lackluster. His real name is reserved for the more abstract, less rhythmical side of his work in electronic music. "Riversmouth", his first release on Attenuation Circuit, is a perfect example of this. There are no beats, but lots of things happening in terms of shifting shapes of granular textures, high-frequency oscillations working against seismic trembles in the lower bass regions, and then the occasional hauntological voice-like overtone structures. Full of harmonic tension, but never noisy, this release might appeal to fans of Asmus Tietchens, Alva Noto and other Mille Plateaux acts, or even Phill Niblock. Within the Attenuation Circuit catalogue, Esa Ruoho's release provides an exciting new take on the drone/ambient borderland also inhabited by EMERGE, B*tong, Sghor, Mystified, and Sustained Development.
V/A: Tesla 155 [Zimmer075] (tune: Lackluster: 588177 Apparatus for Producing Ozone)
For some he is a genius. For some he is the greatest Inventor of modern history. For some he is still unknown – although we use his technology nearly every day. Nikola Teslas life and visions are exciting stories – some of the visions sound unbelievable, but worth a listen. His concepts of Electromagnetic Fields and Free Energy are more than just fiction and could solve many modern Problems… Happy Birthday Nikola – your ideals are not forgotten……. http://www.zimmer-records.org
Lackluster: Detro EP (Nice & Nasty Records, Ireland) was released on the 18th of April 2011. You can get the EP from: iTunes, Juno Download. Video extravaganza
YouTube gave me permission to post videos over 15 minutes long, so here are links to T.43 (2003) (13:28min), and Lackluster Live at The Hub, Dublin, 29January 2004 (43:25min)
Remember 2002? Oh, okay. Well, there used to be a Question&Answer page on the old website and now it's back again. The previous Questions and Answers have been lost in time, and there have been some improvements. You'll see. It's right there on the top menu, aptly titled as Q&A. I remember the 2002->2006(?) thing as being quite amusing, and some people really liked it.
Interview available here.. Around a few months ago, Guillermo interviewed me about a few things. Ranging from the early years, startingpoints, we smoothly sailed towards hemp and various other topics, including plans for 2011.
yes, Lackluster: Jack of No Trades (2003) finally sees its day out on Kahvi Collective's new Secret Games compilation, with cover artwork by Eero Johannes.
hi, NightMusic.LT released their new free-download MP3/FLAC compilation called "V/A: Light Waves" with the track Lackluster: Linger on it. Feel the Fusion Field (TM) demo version cut in and out. Logic 5.5.1, Korg EA-1, Roland Alpha-juno 1, Korg 03R/W (maybe?). Enjoy the other tracks too.
Mail esaruoho@gmail.com to reserve one (if you can pay via PayPal or IBAN)..
update: mar13th, 2011: 3 Repulsine EP's, 2 Slice CDs, 1 Wrapping CD, 2 Spaces CDs and a Merck MIX2.
update: sep11th, 2011: 1 spaces cd and 1 merck mix2 left. and 13 AWK33's left.
CDR#2, Container, Spaces, Wrapping, Showcase, Slice, WYWIWYN, Repulsine EP, Places, Compcomp, Aeration EP, Portal EP and Scattered Harvest EP are available on BandCamp... check out the lackluster.bandcamp.com site for further information. Most of these have free downloads, or you can just have a listen to them, release by release. Purchases go into, well, you guessed it - purchases go into supporting me.
192kbps mp3, 320kbps mp3 or FLAC / WAV via junodownload.com/labels/Lackluster/releases/.
CDR#2, Container, Compcomp, Portal EP, Slice, The Stationary Trout EP, What You Want Isn't What You Need, Wrapping, Places, Spaces.
Here is a generic banner offered by JunoDownload.
