Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Purchasable with gift card
$8USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in jacket featuring illustrations from Thomas Bewick’s ‘Vignettes’ and includes a double sided insert with photos and notes.
Includes unlimited streaming of Darkest Before Dawn
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Dark Day is the brainchild of Robin Crutchfield, a New York City based musician, performance artist, and writer. Robin’s musical path began in 1977 when he formed the no wave group DNA with Arto Lindsay and Ikue Mori. In 1979 Crutchfield left DNA to pursue his more synthesizer-based solo project. He released the ‘Hands In The Dark’ 7” followed by two albums, ‘Exterminating Angel’ in 1980 and ‘Window’ in 1982. In 1984 he re-launched Dark Day as an acoustic chamber ensemble performing ethereal soundscapes and self-released two cassette albums “Obsession” and “Beyond The Pale”.
‘Darkest Before Dawn' is a collection of 13 songs recorded between 1985-86, released on CD in 1989 that have never been pressed to vinyl before. The album is a lost medieval collection of pagan tunes for private ceremonies. Played on echoey pipe organ backed by saw-like rhythmic cello lines and melodic woodwind recorder, driven by the beats of rattles, bells, and drums. These simple, cyclical layered instrumental rounds owe much to the inspiration of Moondog as well as the efforts of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Dead Can Dance. The original press release stated, “Serious gothic organ works which cross Captain Nemo's Nautilus pipe organ with the standing stones of Stonehenge and reminisce Babylonian battle hymns and Egyptian burial ceremonies.” All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in jacket featuring illustrations from Thomas Bewick’s ‘Vignettes’ and includes a double sided insert with photos and notes.
All material composed & arranged by Robin Lee Crutchtfield
(except 1a, traditional)
Thanks to Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer for help with the arrangement of 4 and to Bill Sack for 12.
Recorded November 1985- January 1986
Produced by Robin Lee Crutchtfield & Brian Bendlin
1-6 engineered by Wharton Tiers, 7-8 engineered by Yoram Vassan, 9-13 engineered and mixed by Brian Bendlin
Remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios, June 2019
Cover photograph of Mercury by Douglas Rollins
Cover design by Robin Lee Crutchtfield
Layout Production by Eloise Leigh
Special thanks to Moondog and the inventor of the wheel
supported by 10 fans who also own “Darkest Before Dawn”
I bought the 12 inch single for Bela Lugosi’s Dead at Fred’s records in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the eighties and it remained a treasured item in my collection until it was lost, left behind, stolen, loaned out, whatever. I accepted that that item was lost to time and likely irreplaceable. Hence my utter shock to see that I will once again hear this evocative masterwork on vinyl along with an extra three tracks. I recall Boys was included on the B-side of that long list single. Thank you! skritti
Fontaine SMC are two French artists who have joined forces to share what they call “positive nostalgia” in their rubbery electropop songs. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 6, 2021
The new album from Houston's Ramxes casts dystopian darksynth in a dreamlike light; Chromatics' Johnny Jewel executive produces. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 14, 2021