The Lanner Chronicle
This Blog is dedicated to preserving/collating information regarding the music of Richard D James aka The Aphex Twin. If you would like to contribute in anyway, Or have any interesting information that you think I could create an article from, please check the contact page.
Picture courtesy of Tony Atkin / Carn Marth from Lanner hill / CC BY-SA 2.0
Latest Posts from The Chronicle
The Coolest Record Label On Earth, NME (10th March 2001)
Many thanks to Drexciya Research Lab for sourcing this article and allowing me to reproduce it here. FROM ST IVES TO THE DEAD SEA, REPHLEX RECORDS KNOWS HOW TO PARTY HARD. AND AS THE LABEL CELEBRATES ITS 100TH RELEASE, CO-FOUNDER AND RESIDENT CREATIVE MAVERICK APHEX TWIN TELLS ITS STORY TEXT: PIERS MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID TITLOW Braindance hasContinue reading “The Coolest Record Label On Earth, NME (10th March 2001)”
30 Years of Rephlex Records
Many thanks to my friend David Galea for help with this article. This year marks 30 years since the founding of Rephlex Records. Now sadly defunct, Rephlex records was a joint venture between two friends who resided in the rural peninsula of Cornwall, Grant Wilson-Claridge and Richard D James. The stated aim of Rephlex wasContinue reading “30 Years of Rephlex Records”
Contemporary Reviews: Girl/Boy EP
Muzik Magazine (November 1996) APHEX TWIN Girl/Boy (warp) There’s only one person who could mix plucked violins and hectic machinegun jungle breakbeats with a xylophone, and create such and awesome record. And he is, of course, Richard James. This truly innovative mess of six “tunes”, covering everything from electronica to folky minimalist techno and drumContinue reading “Contemporary Reviews: Girl/Boy EP”
Aphex Twin, The guardian (5th October 2001)
Tank Boy Richard James, aka Aphex Twin, is the most inventive and influential figure in contemporary electronic music. He is also the most unpredictable. Which probably explains why he is so late for the interview. With a new 30-track album called Drukqs about to hit the shops, James, hardly your typical self promoting pop star,Continue reading “Aphex Twin, The guardian (5th October 2001)”
Aphex Twin, Mojo Magazine (June 2020)
(LC note, this article contains some interesting anecdotes from Paul Nicholson, well worth a read!) MAY 1992 …Aphex Twin sounds his Digeridoo MAY 3 “I think you’d be hard put to dance to this,” mused John Peel before spinning Aphex Twin’s Digeridoo one night in early 1992, “but it is a great record.” Commencing withContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Mojo Magazine (June 2020)”
Contemporary Reviews: Classics
In a new article format I will be sharing various media reviews of Richard’s music. Hopefully they will be of some interest and provide a bit of historical context to each release. Aphex Twin ‘Classics’ (R&S Records) – Generator Magazine January 1995 The acid-infused ‘Digeridoo’ sets the scene for this twelve-track space-cadet odyssey into theContinue reading “Contemporary Reviews: Classics”
Aphex Twin, Snoozer Magazine (October, 2001)
Many thanks to my man in Japan CDR for sending me his Scans of this interview, I’ve subtly tweaked some of the questions for reading purposes. If there are any Aphex fans out there with a good comprehension of both Japanese and English and you would like to assist me, please get in touch. ThereContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Snoozer Magazine (October, 2001)”
Phlegm EP *Major Information Update!*
Many thanks to Paul Nicholson for help with this article ‘Phlegm’ was the title of an EP that was planned for release by Richard under the Aphex Twin name sometime around June 1993 on R&S records (see the update at the bottom). The above Melody Maker article from June 1993 has a brief mention ofContinue reading “Phlegm EP *Major Information Update!*”
Aphex Twin, NME (5th June 1993)
Many thanks to Drexciya Research Lab for sourcing this article and allowing me to reproduce it here. Which Aphex Twin will answer the doorbell at the schizo-techno boy winder’s bijou London crash-pad? Sensible young boffin Richard James, hunched over the teetering mound of naked circuitry and customised analogue keyboards which turns out to be half hisContinue reading “Aphex Twin, NME (5th June 1993)”
Cheetah MS800 Papercraft Model
For a bit of fun as this years Christmas surprise i recreated the 3D model of the cheetah MS800 from the http://www.cheetah-ep.com/ website. I downloaded the textures from that site and recreated the model in blender, then I created a papercraft blueprint that you can download and hopefully construct yourself with a bit of glueContinue reading “Cheetah MS800 Papercraft Model”
Aphex Twin, Wire Magazine (April 1995)
This is more of an article (very well written) about Lucid Dreaming and the influence on the unconscious mind on creating music. There is a brief interview with Richard in the second part of the article, Photos of Richard James: Dean Belcher. Digital Image Enhancement: Robin Hawes Aphex Twin & The Music Of Dreams. RobContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Wire Magazine (April 1995)”
Cheetah EP (under construction)
Thanks to Plunderphucked for help in creating this article. Released in July 2016, Richard’s Cheetah EP is named after a British company that manufactured electronic music products in the ’80s and early ’90s. Cheetah created products such as the Cheetah MS800 Digital Wave Synthesiser, a device that featured prominently for the marketing of the EPContinue reading “Cheetah EP (under construction)”
Aphex Twin, Q Magazine (March 1994)
Armed And Fairly Dangerous They’re calling 22-year-old Richard James, aka The Aphex Twin, the Mozart of Ambient. And as befits any emergent superstar nutter genius with the dance world in the palm of his hand, he’s spending all his money on tanks. Stuart Maconie dons the tin hat. AND BY their conspicuous celebrity consumption youContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Q Magazine (March 1994)”
Aphex Twin, Muzik Magazine (jan 1998)
Here transcribed for your edification is a short interview of Richard’s from Muzik Magazine. aphex twin come to daddy WHAT WAS THE BEST RECORD OF 1997? The Eric Satie piano box set. AND THE WORST? I don’t know. BEST NIGHT OUT OF 1997? My birthday party on a boat on the Thames. WHAT DO YOUContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Muzik Magazine (jan 1998)”
Hangable Auto Bulb Outtakes
choirDrilll Released as a bonus track on to his webstore. Richard relates in the following quote how the master wav file/DAT tape for ‘choirDrilll’ is possibly lost forever. As unfortunate as this is, the good news is that their seems to be an abundance of other unreleased ‘Hangable Auto Bulb’ tracks still stowed away somewhere.Continue reading “Hangable Auto Bulb Outtakes”
Aphex Twin, Trance Europe Express booklet article (30th September 1993)
This article is from the booklet that came with the music compilation album Trance Europe Express. The track Richard contributed to this compilation, is interestingly a longer mix of track 11 from Analogue Bubblebath 3. On the CD, the track is simply titled ‘Analogue Bubblebath 3’. Many thanks again to Heartless##6dimensions for letting me knowContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Trance Europe Express booklet article (30th September 1993)”
Aphex Twin, Warp Factor Ten, Jockey Slut (Oct/Nov 1999)
Many thanks to Plunderphucked for sending me this article. And to Frederik from bocpages.org (the definitive Boards of Canada website) for granting me permission to reproduce this article here! APHEX TWIN DANCE MUSIC’S ULTIMATE MAVERICK GRANTS HIS LAST EVER INTERVIEW? What Warp record had the biggest influence on you? “Nightmares On Wax – ‘Dextrous’. ThatContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Warp Factor Ten, Jockey Slut (Oct/Nov 1999)”
Aphex Twin Rephlex actions, The Wire Magazine (November 2003)
It’s been a long trip for Richard D James, the notorious and misunderstood figure behind the Aphex Twin and co-founder of the Rephlex label. As the imprint celebrates its 12th year with a new compilation and UK tour, he grants us a rare interview to talk about the protective approach to his creations and hisContinue reading “Aphex Twin Rephlex actions, The Wire Magazine (November 2003)”
Archiving Aphex, A mini article (20/10/2020)
As part of an ongoing effort to preserve and document his own music, Richard uploaded a new transfer of the Analogue Bubblebath 3 track .215061 to his user18081971 SoundCloud account. This upload was to demonstrate to fans how good these ancient cassette tapes can sound if stored properly and transferred with high end custom equipment.Continue reading “Archiving Aphex, A mini article (20/10/2020)”
Trance Europe Express 3 booklet article (Caustic Window,1994)
This article originates from the booklet of the techno compilation boxset Trance Europe Express 3. Many thanks again to Heartless##6dimensions for sending me the photos so I could transcribe them, Interestingly this Compilation includes the Caustic Window track Cunt, which was later released on CAT023 ‘Caustic Window LP). RAVESTOCK Feature: Helen Mead Photos: Joseph CulticeContinue reading “Trance Europe Express 3 booklet article (Caustic Window,1994)”
Aphex Twin,Q Magazine (November 2014)
Thanks to Reddit user Plunderphucked for sending me this interview and assisting me with any typos! Being Aphex Twin You may know Aphex Twin as Richard D James, the genius and agent provocateur of Generation Rave, as prone to DJing with sandpaper as he is to recording heart-bursting electronica. But what is James, married father-of-two,Continue reading “Aphex Twin,Q Magazine (November 2014)”
Aphex Twin, Generator Magazine (April 1994)
The Aphex Twin Whispering at St. Pauls Many thanks to reddit user SYROBONKERS for sending me a copy of this article. Text and original pics by Daniel Newman The first Time I met the Aphex Twin was in 1992 at Mayday, a huge rave held in an aircraft hanger in Cologne, Germany. Thousands of maskedContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Generator Magazine (April 1994)”
Analogue Bubblebath 3 Insert, (Places of interest in Cornwall)
Many thanks to Heartless##6dimensions for bringing this Aphex related artefact to my attention For further edification John Doran’s excellent Visual essay Selected Ambient Walks: Aphex Twin, Mythology & Landscape is a much more exhaustive and detailed look at the subject matters touched upon in this article. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE [Tracks 4/5 located at lock-groove] forContinue reading “Analogue Bubblebath 3 Insert, (Places of interest in Cornwall)”
Analogue Bubblebath 4 sales and promotional material
Many Thanks to Heartless##6dimensions for sending me these materials! The following documents are interesting relics from the Vinyl release of Analogue Bubblebath 4. Firstly we have a sales sheet detailing the merits of Aphex twin as an artist and the various ways Analogue Bubblebath 4 was being promoted at the time. Presumably this sheet wasContinue reading “Analogue Bubblebath 4 sales and promotional material”
Aphex Twin, Music Technology Magazine (July 1993)
Cagey, Canny & Krafty Many thanks to Zoe B and Heartless##6dimensions for sourcing me this interview Some people aren’t content with just wiring a plug onto a new synth. Some people make brilliantly original ambient electronic music. Some people are Richard James, The Aphex Twin… interview by Phil Ward “I buy about £200 worth ofContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Music Technology Magazine (July 1993)”
Aphex Twin ‘Material World’ questionnaire, NME (17th April 1994)
Again many thanks to Drexciya Research Lab for sourcing this article and allowing me to reproduce it here. FIRST RECORD YOU OWNED? ‘Peter & The Wolf’ LAST RECORD YOU BOUGHT? ‘Belgian Rhythms 1935-40’ (includes circumcision rituals) IS IT TRUE YOU’RE AND INSOMNIAC? No. I don’t sleep out of choice WHAT CAN SEND YOU TO SLEEP? Not sleepingContinue reading “Aphex Twin ‘Material World’ questionnaire, NME (17th April 1994)”
µ-ZIQ Man, Aphex Twin and µ-Ziq (29th January 1994)
Again many thanks to Drexciya Research Lab for sourcing this article and allowing me to reproduce it here. PUSH talks to APHEX TWIN about his Rephlex label and meets new signing µ-ZIQ. Photos by MATT BRIGHT “It gets a bit f***ing silly sometimes,” says APHEX TWIN of his part-time job as an A&R bod for Rephlex Records.Continue reading “µ-ZIQ Man, Aphex Twin and µ-Ziq (29th January 1994)”
Aphex Twin, Melody Maker (27th November 1993)
Again many thanks to Drexciya Research Lab for sourcing this article and allowing me to reproduce it here. PLANET WEIRD Aphex Unsound Aphex Twin is unusual. He likes tanks. He hates sleeping. And he pours tea on his cereal. SIMON REYNOLDS meets the rave-age Mozart in a London park and plots a line between the beautifulContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Melody Maker (27th November 1993)”
Aphex Twin, NME (1st February 1992)
Many thanks to Drexciya Research Lab (wicked site) for sourcing this article and allowing me to reproduce it here. Watch out for the Didgeridoo-doo men! APHEX TWIN takes Techno on step beyond and YOTHU YINDI come up with something totally Ab-original DOIN’ THE DIDGERIDOO The person sitting opposite me has been making music for nearlyContinue reading “Aphex Twin, NME (1st February 1992)”
Aphex Twin, NME (18th March 1995)
WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU TALK: THE APHEX TWIN THE APHEX TWIN BRAVES THE NME INQUISITION TO ANSWER ALL THOSE NASTY QUESTIONS WE’RE NORMALLY FAR TOO POLITE TO ASK YOUR CURRENT DJ ‘SET’ CONSISTS OF YOU MESSING ABOUT WITH SANDPAPER AND FOOD-MIXERS. IT’S NOT BIG, IT’S NOT CLEVER…IN FACT, IT’S BLOODY STUPID. ISN’T IT?Continue reading “Aphex Twin, NME (18th March 1995)”
Unselected Ambient Works (85-92) Part 2 *updated with new images*
Hello and welcome to the second part of my article detailing the outtakes from the Aphex Twin album Selected Ambient Works (85-92). The reasoning behind the exclusion of the tracks mentioned in this two part article are probably manifold. Technical considerations of the limitations presented by physical media of the time period, i.e. you canContinue reading “Unselected Ambient Works (85-92) Part 2 *updated with new images*”
MTG (Mind The Gap) and Jaws – The lost Power-Pill singles
MTG (short for Mind The Gap) and Jaws were two tracks that were intended follow ups to Richard’s Pac-Man single released under his Power-pill pseudonym. Pac-Man was released in 1992 under the Ffrreedom subsidiary label of London Records. The reasoning behind the fact these tracks were never released was explained by Richard on SoundCloud thusly:Continue reading “MTG (Mind The Gap) and Jaws – The lost Power-Pill singles”
Unselected Ambient Works (85-92) Part 1 *updated with more photos*
In this article I will attempt to detail the currently known tracks created in the same time period as Selected Ambient Works (85-92), that were ultimately not selected for the album. Most of the following tracks were uploaded to Richard’s user18081971 SoundCloud account in 2015. There are a few alternative versions of album tracks thatContinue reading “Unselected Ambient Works (85-92) Part 1 *updated with more photos*”
Aphex Twin, The Face Magazine (1994)
Many thanks to reddit user Plunderphucked for sending me scans of this article. A teenage genius from Cornwall, and electronics boffin at Kingston Polytechnic or a combat fetishist in Stoke Newington? The Aphex Twin has been all of these and more. But where is he now? Lost In Space text DAVID TOOP, portrait JAKE CHESSUM,Continue reading “Aphex Twin, The Face Magazine (1994)”
Aphex Twin, The Face Magazine, (May 2001)
Thanks muchly to reddit user ijustwannanap for letting me use their copy of this article! The Six Questions We Always Ask This Month: Aphex Twin Who was the last person to see you naked? my girlfriend. Which mobile do you use? I don’t like mobiles. I hate them. I just hate the idea of someoneContinue reading “Aphex Twin, The Face Magazine, (May 2001)”
Aphex Twin/Chris Cunningham, It’s all gone pair shaped, NME (20th March 1999)
He’s surreal. He’s warped. He’s the Aphex Twin Text: Ted Kessler Photography/Effects: Kevin Westenberg & Chris Cunningham Aphex Twin is a lush. He’s a petty crook, a villain. He loves his mum, his dad, his sisters too. Aphex Twin never sleeps. Aphex Twin’s name is Richard James, but Richard James is dead. Aphex Twin drivesContinue reading “Aphex Twin/Chris Cunningham, It’s all gone pair shaped, NME (20th March 1999)”
Aphex Twin, Volume Interview, (14th September 1992, pre SAW)
All credit and thanks to Drexciya Research Lab for sourcing this article, explaining its origin and allowing me to reproduce it here. This interview was printed in a CD sized booklet which had interviews with all the artists on the Volume Records, CD compilation featuring Aphex Twin’s track “En Trance To Exit”. THE APHEX TWIN Where doContinue reading “Aphex Twin, Volume Interview, (14th September 1992, pre SAW)”
Aphex Twin, NME, (January 8th 1994)
Hey, you don’t have to be mad to be a Cornish ambient techno innovator but…oh sorry, you do. RICHARD JAMES, aka THE APHEX TWIN, loathes the music biz, does his accounts on acid, owns a tank and is forced to make pioneering soundscapes so that the noises rattling in his head don’t get stuck there.Continue reading “Aphex Twin, NME, (January 8th 1994)”
Aphex At Last…, Future Music Magazine (2006)
After a decade of trying, Andy Jones finally tracks down Richard D. James for his most insightful interview yet. It turns out he hasn’t been avoiding us after all; he’s just been too busy entering our remix competitions… You could say that Future Music’s attempts to track down Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin, AFX,Continue reading “Aphex At Last…, Future Music Magazine (2006)”
Caustic Window LP (CAT 023) *mumbly update*
The Caustic Window LP (not to be confused with the Caustic Window Compilation album) is an album by Richard under his Caustic Window alias, presumably compiled around 1994. This album has long been considered a holy grail amongst Aphex Twin fans. A complete, fully sequenced album of material, that remained unreleased. Approximately only 5 testContinue reading “Caustic Window LP (CAT 023) *mumbly update*”
Dynamic Duo, Future Music Magazine (October 1995)
Dynamic Duo Philip Glass is a living legend among classical and contemporary musicians and Richard James, aka Aphex Twin, has become a legend in the technology-using community. Richard Blaine asks what happens when two gods from these musical worlds collide? AT 57, IT MIGHT be a stretch to describe Philip Glass as an enfant terrible,Continue reading “Dynamic Duo, Future Music Magazine (October 1995)”
The Aphex Effect, Future Music Magazine (April 1993)
Following is the transcription of a personal favourite interview of mine, detailed and full of interest for dedicated listeners of Richard’s music. Usual music journalism conventions of hype and exaggeration are keep to a minimum, and factual information is brought to the fore. Enjoy! Aphex Twin Richard James’ techno and ambient electro music is ravedContinue reading “The Aphex Effect, Future Music Magazine (April 1993)”
Mixmag (May 1995) (updated 29/11/2020)
Many thanks to monjupe (sending me high quality scans) and Plunderphucked (liaison/research) for helping me update this article to a higher standard. Cheers guys! True Lies Possibility One: He is a genius, the MDMA Mozart. Possibility Two: He is a complete bullshit artist with a big gob and a few wild ideas. Possibility Three: He’sContinue reading “Mixmag (May 1995) (updated 29/11/2020)”
Double Exposure, Melody Maker Interview (January 30 1993)
Richard James, aka THE APHEX TWIN, has to date released around 14 records under different names and been sampled countless times. Many famous musicians – Curve, St Etienne and Jesus Jones included – would die for his haunting music. Who is he? Where does he come from? Why does he refer to himself in theContinue reading “Double Exposure, Melody Maker Interview (January 30 1993)”
Selected Ambient Works Vol 2 Outtakes
As Richard is a prolific musician by anyone’s standards, it is expected that virtually all of his released music projects have numerous outtakes associated with them. Selected Ambient Works volume 2 is no exception to this rule. Due to the practical limitations of physical media, i.e. the amount of music you can store on cassettes,Continue reading “Selected Ambient Works Vol 2 Outtakes”
Melody Maker Interview (June 19th 1993)
APHEX TWIN APHEX Twin is dead. Flat on his back in the middle of Hyde Park, Richard James, the electronic music maverick known not only as Aphex Twin, but Polygon Window, Blue Calx, AFX etbloodycetera, hasn’t slept for over 48 hours. He yawns every few seconds to prove it. He is, however, in good spirits.Continue reading “Melody Maker Interview (June 19th 1993)”
The Odd Couple, Mike & Rich Interview (1996)
As individuals, Mike Paradinas and Richard James record under a plethora of exotic names, the former most famously as μ-zig, the latter as Aphex Twin. But together they’re known as Mike & Rich, electronica’s most bizarre duo This month sees the release of Mike & Rich’s much delayed “FAMOUS knob twiddlers album”. Issued byContinue reading “The Odd Couple, Mike & Rich Interview (1996)”
Melody Maker Interview (May 16th 1992)
Double Trouble He’s a wild ravin’ boffin who makes all his own instruments. He’s THE APHEX TWIN and he’s Techno’s first maverick genius. According to ANDREW SMITH, who’s sharing his bubblebath. WHEN his schoolmates were experimenting with guitars and forming bands, THE APHEX TWIN was learning to take apart and reassemble synthesisers and discovering Kraftwerk.Continue reading “Melody Maker Interview (May 16th 1992)”
Aphex Twin – The Boffin Superstar Elect, Select Magazine (year unknown)
For those who miss the sad state of music journalism in the 1990s, this TwinTerview should prove a pungently effective relic, with a chaser of over-the-top lad hubris. Perhaps the most interesting titbit of information is the mention of the porn video Fantasia — which Lanner Chronicle staff suspects Aphex sampled on Caustic Window‘s ‘Fantasia‘Continue reading “Aphex Twin – The Boffin Superstar Elect, Select Magazine (year unknown)”
Unreleased Demo Tapes
Many Thanks to Zoe B for transcribing the handwritten inlays of these cassettes (not an easy task!) The purpose of this article is to detail a selection of unheard (by the general public anyway) Aphex Twin Demo Tapes. The existence of these tapes has been revealed by a variety of sources such as social mediaContinue reading “Unreleased Demo Tapes”
Phonic Boy On Dope (updated 23/09/2020)
Phonic boy on dope or Pbod, is one of the first known aliases that Richard used as an artist prior to calling himself Aphex Twin. From the mid to late 80’s some of his earliest known tracks were recorded to cassette tapes and distributed to his friends, using the Pbod pseudonym. This article will attemptContinue reading “Phonic Boy On Dope (updated 23/09/2020)”
Sonic Bubblegum
Sonic Bubblegum is an unknown Aphex Twin release mentioned in obscure 90’s newgroup posts. The references to this release all take place from late 1993/1994 (as far back as I can find…), so it could be assumed this was a temporary title for ‘Analogue Bubblebath 4’ or some other known release. Alternatively this could beContinue reading “Sonic Bubblegum”
Q:Chastic and Green Calx Picture Disc
These two interesting Aphex oddities are mentioned as part of the Rephlex Manifesto. The manifesto was posted to Usenet newsgroups in the early 90s. Newsgroups were until fairly recent times a widely used precursor to your standard web forum/social media site Rephlex Discography – 1991/92 NCC 1701 IG-88/Voafose and Ohm Double A side 4 trackContinue reading “Q:Chastic and Green Calx Picture Disc”
Rebellious Jukebox Interview
A funny/tongue in cheek article from Richard where he details his favourite (imaginary?) Records. There are suggestions that some of these records could be real as they have been mentioned at other times i.e. The Rave colonel. Transcription in progress.. Aphex Twin twiddles his bits to produce the hits that make him cry. 1. LionelContinue reading “Rebellious Jukebox Interview”
The Dice Man interview
A short but interesting interview from Richard under the alias of the The Dice Man, from the back of the Warp Records compilation album Artificial Intelligence . Polygon Window (later released and used as an alias in itself from the album Surfing On Sine Waves) is to my knowledge the only track released under theContinue reading “The Dice Man interview”
