Eric Copeland
Spiral Stairs
BELGIUM LES ALBUMS CLAUS RECORDS LAC025 L.P. (2022)
I suppose if you were to pull out the files on U.S. experimentalist/Black Dice co-founder Eric Copeland, chances are the character assessment section might give a few bullet-pointed mentions of a serious work ethic and of also possessing a stoic attitude when facing a challenging artistic venture or two… Work ethic? well, his signature appears on a near score of recordings since 2007 and as for the steadfast outlook, let’s not forget Black Dice did share album space with one-time Sub Pop secret weapon, the chaosmatic Wolf Eyes.
Playing hopscotch with numerous and varied labels over time, this New York-based composer seems to jhave taken on a ‘Three Faces of Eve’/Sizemoreian working persona, where a single facet of his artistic multi-personality might just become a perfect fit for a particular label’s remit. Ear-friendly, chin-stroking’n’dancey for DFA/Paw Tracks and for say, the more experimental projects, an imprint such as Catsup Plate might be a more suitable home. On Spiral Stairs, the divisions between genres such as digidub, electrofunk and ambience have become even more diffuse since his previous outings. So much so in fact, that the sinuously funky “Restart the Body” and the rubberoid, loop-heavy footsteps of “Like It Is” and “Tools” can recall the post Cab. Volt. activity of Richard Kirk (1956-2021), whose many aliases, including Sandoz, XON, and the Curtis Mayfield-referenced Sweet Exorcist appear to share the same restless mindset as our man in question.
By the way… the appearance of this album has led to a very odd example of synchronicity in action. Idly skimming through Boooook – The Life & Work of Bob Cobbing (Occasional Papers 2015), I chanced upon a piece of artwork by Bob entitled, erm, “Untitled”, that originated from Computer Scores (London Writers Forum/1987). Well, strike me pink! It’s almost the dead spit of Spiral’s front sleeve!! To quote an oft repeated question from Private Eye‘s letters page… “I wonder if by any chance, they’re related?”